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Filtration of the hit is what separates the bong from other cannabis delivery methods. The bong takes what would otherwise be a harsh, abrasive hit and transforms it into a cool, smooth one. But how does it do that? In this guide, the team at the Puffer wholesale pipe shop takes a close look at the science of filtration and why water pipes hit smoother.
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How Water Filtration Works to Smooth Out Bong Hits
So how is it that water somehow changes a harsh, hot, abrasive hit into something that's clean, smooth, and easy on the throat and lungs? It's all about the science of filtration.
How Filtration Works
Filtration is the number 1 reason a water pipe, such as a custom bong, makes your hits feel smoother and more agreeable. When cannabis smoke is drawn through the water in the bong, that water captures:
- Plant particles
- Ash
- Heavy tar droplets
- Debris from the combustion process
- Other potentially nasty micro-particles
These represent the harshest components of cannabis smoke and the ones with the best chance to cause throat and lung irritation. Removing them changes the fundamental character of the hit.
The process at work here is called "scrubbing". Scrubbing occurs when the surface tension of the water prevents lighter particles from passing through. When it comes to scrubbing every bubble created acts like its own mini filtration chamber. The more bubbles produced, the more material gets caught and prevented from entering your lungs.
As a result, bong hits:
- Feel cleaner and smoother than hits from hand pipes or joints.
- Produce lots of bubbles that produce even smoother hits.
- Filtered through a percolator will seem even cleaner.
But there's even more to scrubbing than we already described. You see, water doesn't merely trap debris; it also absorbs harsh chemicals found in smoke through the principle of chemical solubility. These chemicals include:
- Water-soluble toxins.
- Some carbonyl compounds.
- Some phenols.
- Some chemicals related to tar creation.
All of those chemicals are known to contribute to harshness if given a chance (such as with a joint or a hand pipe), but do not get that chance thanks to the presence of the water filtration system.
But scrubbing and chemical solubility are not the only reasons bong hits feel less abrasive than joint or hand pipe hits. The following also do their part.
Does Filtration Remove THC?
In case you're worried, THC is not water-soluble, which is one reason you still get a formidable buzz when using a bong. It's actually a win-win situation in that you retain the buzz-causing components while at the same time getting smoother, cleaner hits. Looking for a new bong? We might have the perfect one for you!Click Here!
Cooling
One of the most immediate reasons the hits from customized glass pipes feel softer is that the water cools everything down. The water instantly absorbs much of the heat from the hit, reducing the temperature before it ever reaches your throat and lungs.
The temperature of the smoke coming from the bowl during a hit can exceed several hundred degrees centigrade. If you're using a dry pipe, some of that heat will be dissipated before it reaches the mouthpiece, but not much. Water, however, acts as a heat sink, absorbing and storing thermal energy.
In terms of real-world effects, this means:
- The smoke is noticeably cooler.
- You'll cough less than you would with a dry pipe.
- There is less irritation in your throat and lungs.
- Even legendary hits feel comfortable and less irritating.
A lot of people buy bongs at our wholesale head shop just because of the cooling effect. But there's still more to why bongs make your hits smoother and cleaner.
Bongs Add Moisture
A little-appreciated benefit of bong water filtration is that it makes the hit moister. A dry hit, like you'll get from a joint or a hand pipe, can dry out your throat, causing discomfort and coughing. That tight, sandpaper-like feeling you experience after a hit from a joint or a hand pipe is the direct result of dryness at work. Fortunately, bongs can help eliminate most of that.
As the cannabis smoke bubbles through the water in the chamber, tiny droplets of water get caught up and suspended in the smoke. As a result, the hit tastes cooler and smoother with the extra moisture:
- Softening the effect of each draw.
- Making the smoke feel less abrasive and unpleasant.
- Reducing the amount of post-hit sting you feel in your throat.
- Likely creating a dramatic reduction in coughing.
The moisturizing effect makes every hit feel more pleasant because your throat isn't being bombarded with a dry blast of hot, abrasive particles.
Pressure Regulation That Creates More Controlled Hits
As the smoke is pulled through the water in your custom bong, it encounters resistance, which slows the rate at which it travels and can help prevent taking too big a hit in too short a time. As a result, you experience:
- A slower, steadier hit that's less likely to overwhelm you.
- No problems from inhaling the smoke.
- Less likelihood of triggering a coughing jag.
- Less pressure on your lungs.
Pressure regulation is not unlike the difference between a high-quality fuel injector and that guy in Mad Max who spit gas directly from his mouth into the supercharger's carburetor. They both work, but one is less likely to cause damage.
Why do Hits from Bongs Feel More Potent Even Though They are Filtered?
Common sense would suggest that anything that is filtered is going to produce a more laid-back effect than something that is not. Yet most people we talk to at our wholesale smoke shop say just the opposite. They insist the smooth, filtered hit of the bong produces a more potent high than a monster drag from a joint or a hand pipe. But how can that be?
The explanation is actually pretty straightforward:
- The cooler and smoother the hit, the more likely you are to take a bigger hit.
- Larger hits deliver more THC.
- Less irritation due to the added moisture means you'll probably hold the hit longer.
So, the feeling of getting a more potent hit isn't your imagination. You probably will, strictly because you'll be taking bigger, deeper hits.
For the Highest Quality Retail and Wholesale Customized Glass Pipes Trust Puffr
If you read everything up to here, you now have a better idea of why bongs produce smoother hits than other cannabis delivery methods. And it's all about filtration. If you've been subjecting your throat and lungs to dry hit torture, it's time to take the plunge and visit the Puffr wholesale head shop, where you'll find an epic selection of customized glass pipes.
| Factor | Dry Hand Pipe / Joint | Water Pipe / Bong |
|---|---|---|
| Harsh Particles | Direct to throat and lungs | Partially removed by water scrubbing |
| Smoke Temperature | Hotter, more irritating | Cooled by water acting as a heat sink |
| Moisture Level | Dry, “scratchy” feel | Moister, smoother feel |
| Hit Control | Easy to overdo a fast, harsh hit | Water resistance promotes slower, steadier pulls |
| Perceived Potency | Often smaller hits due to harshness | Larger, deeper hits feel stronger overall |
