The use of bongs is a popular way to smoke herbs, providing users with an easy and efficient method to inhale their desired material. Bong smoking can provide an enjoyable experience for experienced users but it is important for inexperienced smokers to take the necessary precautions in order to avoid any potential health risks.
The History of Bongs:
The use of bongs, also known as water pipes, go all the way back to Ancient China and Mongolia. There are references in ancient texts about a bamboo-made smoking device that was very similar to what we use today.
From there, they made their way across the globe and eventually became popularized by modern smokers.
Today, you can get bongs in many different forms from glass pieces to ceramic vessels. They come in various shapes and sizes so that each individual smoker can find something that suits them perfectly.
How does a Bong Work?
The way that a bong works is by allowing the smoke to be cooled down and filtered through water as it travels up the chamber. The smoke then passes into the tube, where it can be inhaled directly or through a mouthpiece. When you light your herb, the smoke produced is collected at the bottom of the chamber and begins to rise.
As it does so, some of it will pass through the water in the base – this is what cools down and filters out any undesirable elements. The remaining smoke then continues its journey upwards until eventually reaching either your mouth or a bowl piece which can also be used for inhalation. Once you have taken your hit, all of the air from inside the chamber
Components of a Bong
The components of a bong vary from one model to the next, but generally consist of a chamber, stem, bowl piece and mouthpiece.
Bowl – The bowl is a small, removable cup-like piece located at the top of the bong that holds your herb. This is where you will place the material that you want to smoke before lighting it and inhaling through the mouthpiece.
Downstem – The downstem is a hollow tube-like structure that runs from inside the bowl to below the water level in the base of your bong. It carries the smoke created by your burning herb towards you so it can be inhaled.
Base – The base of most bongs is usually made from either glass or plastic and provides a stable, contained area for your water and other components to fit into securely. The size and shape of the base can vary depending on what type of bong you have, but they all serve to provide stability and hold your water.
Chamber – The chamber is a larger area that sits above the base and usually contains an airtight seal to prevent any smoke from escaping when it is being inhaled. This area also provides space for the smoke to cool down as it travels up through the neck before reaching the mouthpiece.
Why Use a Bong?
Bongs provide a smoother, cooler and more enjoyable experience when smoking than other methods.
- The water in the bong cools down the hot smoke so that it is easier on your throat and lungs, while simultaneously filtering out any unwanted elements like ash or tar. This makes for a cleaner smoking experience without harshness.
- Bongs also provide an efficient way to consume your herb as they use less material than other devices such as pipes and joints.
- Bongs are also often considered to be safer than other methods of inhalation due to their filtration process.
- By using a bong you can reduce some of the risks associated with inhaling smoke from burning herbs such as lung damage, irritation, and other respiratory illnesses.
How to Use a Bong?
Using a bong is relatively simple.
- Start by filling your bong with cold water, making sure that the water level is high enough to submerge the downstem but not so high that it reaches the mouthpiece.
- You will need to grind up your herbs and place it in the bowl. Make sure that there are no large chunks of material left as this could block air flow when taking a hit.
- Light your herb while drawing in through the mouthpiece. The smoke will travel from the bowl, through the stem and into the chamber where it will be cooled by the water before being inhaled.
Precautions for inexperienced users
When using a bong, it’s important to be aware that each hit can contain more smoke than usual. People who are not used to smoking may find themselves very quickly overwhelmed by the amount of smoke they inhale. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded after taking a hit, take some time to get accustomed to the effect before continuing.
