Vaporization Classifications Regarding Legal Highs
Vaporizers typically operate using a heating element where plant material is heated and not burned, in order to produce a vapour that can be inhaled. In addition to the heating element factor, there is usually a thermostat in order to control the temperature. Be aware that some of the higher end models of vaporizers can cost several hundred dollars in the US.
Vaporizers are typically classified by the way in which the plant material is heated. There are 3 primary ways in which the material is heated.
Convection – there is never any contact with a heating element because hot air is passed through the material which is heated rapidly, allowing the active ingredients to be released in the process.
Thermal Conduction – this type of heating involves setting the plant material on a metal plate, heating the plate to a temperature which is high enough to vaporize that material, before releasing the active ingredients.
Thermal Radiation – this type of heating method involves the use of bright light where the plant material’s temperature rises due to the fact that the material is absorbing the radiant energy of the light source.
Where the quality of the vapour is concerned, there have been very few reviews or studies which have significantly addressed this particular issue. Instead the usage focus of the device has been centred on what each vaporizer type is being used for. Be aware that vaporization with a number of plant materials occurs just prior to the material’s flash or ignition point.