All There is to Know About Smoking Weed out of a Hookah

There are so many different ways to use cannabis and a weed hookah is one of the many ways that most enthusiasts never tried their hand with. Here, you will find everything you could ever need to know about smoking out of a hookah, including what it is, how it works, and more.

What is a hookah?

A hookah, also known as a qalyân, is a tool for smoking and vaporizing dry tobacco and or cannabis. Hookah designs range from single stem to multi-stem, and some include a water basin that cleanses the smoke before it is inhaled. Hookahs are often made of glass or a combination of wood or metal and generally feature more than one mouthpiece, which is what makes them so popular among social smokers.

What is a hookah pen?

A weed hookah pen is a tool that imitates the e-cigarette, using a coil to heat the cannabis until it combusts. They work on the same principles of a regular hookah but are typically designed for only one user at a time. This compact option is becoming popular due to the level of discretion it offers over more traditional versions.

How to use a hookah

Hookahs are traditionally used to smoke shisha, which is a combination of dry tobacco and flavoring. Though the device does a lot of the work for you, it does require some setup to get going. To help you get started, here is a list of easy to follow, step by step instructions on how to use a hookah.

1. Clean it
Even if the hookah is brand new, it’s an excellent idea to give it a good rinse before use, as dust and other particles can settle inside of the tank, and you don’t want to be inhaling anything other than smoke. Dirty hookahs should be thoroughly cleaned between every use to maintain the best functionality and flavor.

2. Add water and ice
Once you are sure the hookah is clean, fill the tank with water approximately 1/3 of the way. Some users enjoy the added cooling benefit of ice, but cold water will work almost as well on its own, so ice is entirely optional. Just ensure that if you do add some frozen water, the level inside of the hookah doesn’t exceed ½ full, otherwise, it will be incredibly hard to draw from.

3. Replace the hookah lid
Now the inside of the device is ready, and you can return the upper piece and the stem by inserting it gently into the vase. Some hookahs just set into place while others screw-on, so look for the presence of threads to know which step is right for you.

4. Check the hose connections
Hookah hoses make it easy to handle such a heavy tool, as it allows for plenty of movement without having to adjust the base in front of each user. Unfortunately, tubes are typically the weak spot of these smoking tools, which is why it is important to check the hose connections before every use.

5. Test airflow
Press your lips to the mouthpiece and take a deep breath. If the draw is slow and easy, then you are set to go, but if you feel that it is difficult, then you might want to remove a small amount of water before proceeding.

6. Fill the bowl with shisha
Stir the package or container of shisha to fluff it up, as the flavor additive tends to make everything stick together, and airflow is necessary for a good and even burn. Once it’s loosened, add some to the hookah bowl ensuring not to pack it full, or you will have trouble with heat distribution, which will adversely impact the burn rate.

7. Cover the bowl in aluminum foil
Use a screen or tinfoil to tightly cover the hookah bowl and seal in the shisha. Those who go with aluminum foil will need to poke holes with a toothpick or other sharp object to allow for airflow.

8. Light the hookah coals
Place the hookah coals on a heat resistant surface, light them up, and wait patiently for them to stop burning. You will know that it is ready whenever the coals emit a bright red and when they no longer shoot sparks.

9. Transfer the hookah coals
Use tongs or heatproof gloves to transfer the coals to just above the bowl, placing them onto the aluminum foil or screen. The idea is to add as many as possible without covering all the essential airholes that help both the air and the heat to travel.

10. Wait a few moments then inhale
It will take a few moments for the coals to work their magic, but in a minute or so, you should be able to take a deep hit of shisha smoke by placing the mouthpiece between your lips and taking a large draw.

Can you put weed in a hookah?

There is no such thing as a weed hookah per se, but dry cannabis can most definitely be put inside of a hookah and smoked just like shisha or tobacco.

How to put weed in a hookah

If you want to turn your device into a weed hookah, the process is quite easy as you don’t have to make any adjustment or alterations to make it happen. All you need is some dry cannabis, and if you like, some straight tobacco or flavored shisha, if those tastes are something you would like to incorporate into the experience. Grind up the herb and mix it, if you like, then add it to the bowl that would normally house the shisha or tobacco.

How to smoke weed out of a hookah

If you thought the process of how to put weed in a hookah was easy, then you are going to love the rest of the process, as smoking cannabis out of a hookah is just as easy as using one with any other combustible. To do so, simply follow the step by step instructions above on how to use a hookah, only instead of shisha or tobacco, add dry cannabis and continue as usual.

Cost of inhaling smoke (long/short term)

Tobacco is full of carcinogens that have been linked to causing cancer and respiratory issues, but smoke from cannabis is slightly different according to research. Much of which has shown that it is possible to experience minor lung irritation or exasperation of preexisting respiratory issues, but the effects are short term and will go away when then consumer stops smoking.

So, while many consumers absolutely love the occasional hookah session with tobacco or shisha, it’s not something that is recommended for anyone who is already experiencing respiratory issues or that has a diagnosis of a condition related to breathing problems.

How it distributes THC into the body

Whenever cannabis is inhaled through a hookah, the cannabinoids, including THC and CBD enter the lungs along with a large cloud. Once there, they are almost immediately absorbed by tiny gas pockets that line the lungs, which offer a direct entry point into the bloodstream. As soon as THC hit the bloodstream the effects will kick in, as the cannabinoids make their way throughout your entire body.

Effects

A weed hookah experience is one that can take you on a long journey of total relaxation or lightly soothing, and the results are up to you. Smoking weed through a hookah will provide similar effects to other ways of smoking, and the euphoric sensations can last for anywhere from 2 to 6 hours after a session. The more you smoke, the higher you will feel, but since hookahs do not work well with marijuana concentrates, the potency is relatively tame and suitable for both beginner and experienced consumers.

Health benefits

There is very little scientific research into the health benefits of using a weed hookah, and that is because any kind of smoke inhalation is highly frowned upon by Health Canada and other governing agencies that help to set standards for safety. However, smoking from a hookah at lower temperatures can provide a similar experience to vaping, which is why this method is often viewed to be healthier than smoking.

Drawbacks

The problem with hookahs is that they aren’t a standard smoking tool, so finding one that works well, and locating a source for parts, as they will need to be replaced, isn’t always an easy feat. While the experience itself, in many consumers opinions, is well worth it, hookahs are not available in nearly as many places as other cannabis smoking gear like bongs or pipes.

Is smoking weed through a hookah the same as vaping?

Smoking weed through a hookah is often compared to vaping, as the lower temperatures heat the cannabinoids enough to turn them into a low-density cloud of smoke, but it is not the same as vaping. Vaping requires precision and complete control over temperature to avoid combustion altogether, which reduces the level of carcinogens and toxins that are inhaled by the consumer.