By Luke Sumpter

It’s no secret that a plethora of pseudoscientific claims continue to circulate in the international cannabis community. These misunderstandings span numerous topics and areas of interest. Some of the most persistent include the indica vs sativa debate and that cannabis addiction doesn’t exist. Alongside these nebulous topics, many weed users are under the impression that taking bigger hits results in more potent effects. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the accuracy of this claim. Let’s get myth-busting!


Big Hits: Does It Matter How Much Weed Smoke You Inhale?

If you started smoking cannabis at a relatively young age, you’ll be all too familiar with the competitive behaviours that frequently manifest during smoking sessions. Growing the strongest bud, rolling the biggest joint, blowing the biggest smoke ring, and knowing the lyrics to every Snoop Dogg track ever produced all push fellow smokers several rungs higher up the herbal hierarchy. Of course, taking the biggest hit in the room, and holding it in for the longest, also separates the alphas from the betas, right?

Flaunting aside, the act of taking and holding in big hits—ideally without so much as the faintest cough—has embedded itself within the smoking ritual as a means of preventing wastefulness. Many smokers will raise their eyebrows if they see you exhale too quickly. In their eyes, you just prematurely released many precious THC molecules before they had the chance to enter your bloodstream.

Before we delve into whether big hits are important when smoking cannabis, we need to attempt to grasp the definition of a “big hit”. As opposed to taking a standard puff, a big hit involves pulling on a joint, bong, pipe, or vape in an aggressive or sustained manner. The time for which a smoker holds in their hit also contributes to its size. Taking a monumental inhalation and releasing it half a second later would certainly reduce the magnitude of the hit in question.

So, we’ve roughly laid out the characteristics of a big hit. It involves a deep and sustained inhalation paired with a relatively long breath hold. Now, let’s compare large against little.

Big Small Hits

Are Big or Small Hits Better?

If you’re looking for a simple answer to this question, know that one doesn’t exist; many variables surround this topic. Below, we cover the key considerations to get to the bottom of this disputed matter within the world of weed.

Does Holding a Hit Matter?

So, in the quest to get as high as possible, should you hold in your hits?

As you can imagine, many scientists are too preoccupied with researching cures for diseases and reversing environmental damage to invest time, money, and lab space in finding the answer to this question. However, a duo from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Chicago appear to have had a penchant for this topic, publishing a paper[1] on their findings back in 1989.

The researchers suggest that cannabis users of the time tended to hold in hits for 10–15 seconds, believing that doing so would intensify the psychoactive effects of the herb. To get to the bottom of this urgent issue, they monitored the physiological, cognitive, and subjective effects of holding in a hit, dividing eight keen subjects into three breath-holding groups (0, 10, and 20 seconds), and controlling for the variables of number of puffs, puff volume, and post-puff inhalation. The scientists even made the effort to measure expired air carbon monoxide levels before and after smoking.

This study makes it apparent that the golden age of cannabis inhalation science has passed, but the results of the study remain with us. It turns out, according to this single experiment, that holding in hits makes little or no difference. When weighing up whether you should take big or small hits, know that holding it in doesn’t particularly matter.

1. Duration of the Smoking Session

So, we’ve settled the matter of holding in hits, at least as far as the available research will allow. Now, let’s turn our attention toward the quantity of smoke inhaled during a single hit. This largely boils down to the circumstances of the smoking session.

If you’re sitting comfortably on your couch, surrounded by fellow smokers, equipped with satiating snacks, and bathed in syncopated sound waves, then why rush? You’re going nowhere anytime soon, and therefore have no obligation to fill your lungs just short of bursting every time you pick up a joint. You're going to reach the roach and inhale the same amount of THC whether you achieve maximum lung capacity with every hit or opt to puff away at a more passive pace.

However, this all changes if you’ve got places to go. If you’re popping out on your lunch break, or your bus is due to pull up any second, you don’t have time for small hits. In the interest of striking your endocannabinoid system with a brief yet heavy blow, it’ll help to get the biggest hit your lungs can handle in the moment.

As you can see, the dogma of heavy hits quickly dissipates when you consider the scenario.

2. THC Content

The THC content of your herb will also dictate if big hits are worth it. Taking a small puff from a joint containing powerhouse flowers with 25% THC will get you just as high as multiple monstrous inhalations with flowers possessing a measly value of 10%. Once you have a good estimation of your own tolerance and the THC content of your favourite strains, you won’t always need to take huge hits to feel the effect you’re after.

3. Personal Preference

Above all else, taking big or small hits all boils down to personal preference. Do away with expectation and simply do what works best for you at the time. Fill your lungs to the brim if you like that harsh sensation, or take smaller hits if you enjoy taking your time and savouring the terpenes.

Big small hits

What Are the Risks of Taking Big Hits?

If you prefer taking big hits when smoking weed, you should make yourself aware of the potential consequences. Lighting weed in a joint, blunt, or bong bowl, unsurprisingly, generates hot smoke. Small hits are enough to feel harsh on the lungs, but taking huge ones, consistently, can irritate the lungs and airways, increasing the chances of developing respiratory issues such as bronchitis. In the short term, you may also encounter bouts of nausea, discomfort, and dizziness that can ruin your high.

How to Take a Proper Hit of Cannabis

With the above in mind, how should you go about taking a hit of cannabis? There are no strict rules to abide by, but the advice below will help to facilitate a pleasant and consistent experience:

  1. Roll a joint in any way that you prefer. There are many different options and techniques to choose from, including backrolling, L-sheets, and even tulips. If you’re new to weed, just roll up a simple joint using a standard-sized rolling paper.
  2. Next, apply a flame to the end of your joint while inhaling lightly to get it to burn properly.
  3. Once lit, slowly and steadily draw from the roach to partially fill your mouth with smoke.
  4. After the initial draw, take a breath to inhale the smoke into your lungs.
  5. If it feels harsh, feel free to exhale immediately. If you can handle the sensation, hold it for a couple of seconds before exhaling.
  6. Repeat this process until you feel sufficiently high!

Taking a Hit of Marijuana vs Tobacco: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between the two is the active ingredient at play. Those smoking weed are primarily seeking the effects of THC, while tobacco smokers are after the effects of nicotine. However, you don’t often see cigarette smokers hold a hit for up to twenty seconds!

In general, cigarettes are less harsh, and they feature a filter that helps to remove tar and other chemicals. In contrast, joints use a cardboard roach that allows unfiltered smoke to enter the mouth and lungs.

Smoking tobacco or cannabis exposes users to the risks of respiratory health conditions, especially when used over long periods.

Bong Hits

What About Bong Hits?

Bongs are designed in a way that filters cannabis smoke using water. While this method of intake won’t automatically get you higher, it does allow you to build up a significant amount of smoke in the chamber, allowing you to inhale much bigger hits.

Do Bigger Bongs Get You Higher?

The size of the bong itself won’t necessarily get you higher. Instead, the amount of weed you place into the bowl and the THC content of your flowers will dictate the magnitude of effects you feel.

However, bigger bongs do allow users to gather up much more smoke within the smoke chamber before releasing the shotgun hole. If you’re a fan of huge hits, then you’ll get on better with a bigger bong.

Does Coughing Get You Higher?

No. This is another common but widely believed misconception. Many cannabis smokers experience momentary lightheadedness after coughing, which they mistake for an enhanced high as the effects of THC set in.

Why You Don’t Need Big Hits

You don’t need to take big hits when smoking weed unless you’re in a hurry and really want to get high. Additionally, you don’t need to hold hits in for more than a few seconds. THC rapidly diffuses across the membranes of lung cells and into the bloodstream. Holding in weed smoke for up to 10–20 seconds offers nothing more than diminishing returns. The available science on this topic remains relatively shallow, but it ultimately shows that holding in big hits makes little difference. The bottom line? Smoke weed in a way that appeals to you, and don’t buckle to unfounded trends and expectations.

External Resources:
  1. Breathhold duration and response to marijuana smoke - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: