Scientists Have Found How to Roll the Perfect Joint

Scientists have entered into a new realm in cannabis research, exploring the chemistry of inhalation and uncovering insights on rolling the perfect joint. Their findings include the importance of particle size on combustion time and THC concentration, the surprising differences between THC- and CBD-dominant joints, and the effectiveness of vaporizing cannabis compared to smoking a joint.

Scientists have made astonishing discoveries over the years when they are not busy trying to figure out how to communicate with extraterrestrials. But they also sometimes try to figure out how to roll the perfect joint.

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Beyond ET: Pursuing Cannabis Research

“There is a lack of quantitative research on joint inhalation. I want to understand what happens from a chemical perspective when you inhale,” said Markus Roggen, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Delic Labs, a cannabis and psilocybin research center located in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Roggen and his colleagues wondered if cannabinoid concentration was the most important factor in the intoxicating effects of the drug and what other factors contributed to a pleasant experience. Their work was presented at the Canadian Chemistry Conference, and Exhibition held in Vancouver in June.

Investigating the Aerosol Chemistry of Joint Inhalation

To find the model for the perfect joint, Roggen – who has nothing to do with Seth Rogen despite their shared passion – and his team prepared samples of THC- and CBD-dominant cannabis strains. Using a coffee grinder and a sieve, they prepared batches of particles with diameters of 1, 3, and 5 millimeters. They then made 0.5-gram joints of each sample using pre-rolled joints available in the market.

They then connected these joints to a “smoke cycle simulator,” which “inhaled” and “exhaled” in a regular pattern six times for 3 seconds each. Filters collected aerosols on the 3D-printed mouthpiece of the machine, and the researchers used analytical chemistry techniques to measure aerosol concentration from puffs taken at the beginning, middle, and end of each joint.

Joint “Particle” Size: Cannabinoid Delivery and Joint Duration

For both cannabis varieties, the 1 mm particle size delivered the most cannabinoids per puff, while the 5 mm particle size was less intense but produced longer-lasting joints. Smaller pieces expose a larger surface area to the flame more quickly, enabling faster and more efficient combustion.

Surprisingly, while THC-dominant joints delivered a total of 19 to 28 milligrams of THC per joint, CBD-dominant versions delivered 90 to 100 mg of CBD each, which is 200 to 400% more of the dominant cannabinoid. “The amount of cannabinoid that enters the mouth is higher with CBD than with THC,” explains Roggen. “I can’t explain it, but I’m very intrigued.”

Furthermore, an interesting finding emerged from this test that could challenge the famous saying, “Who rolls, smokes.” That is, the idea that the person who rolled the joint has the right to start. According to this very serious study, regardless of particle size, the highest concentration of cannabinoids per puff was achieved towards the end of the joint.

But more terpenes were released from the plant at the beginning of the joint. This suggests that a joint offers the best flavor at the beginning and delivers the highest concentration of cannabinoids at the end.

Vape vs. Joint: The Most Effective Cannabis Consumption Method

If the consumer is seeking more effects, other research suggests that the most effective way to consume cannabis is by vaporizing it rather than smoking. In a simple study, volunteers were given cannabis containing 0 milligrams, 10 mg, or 25 mg of THC without being informed of the dose they received and were asked to either vaporize or smoke it. They were then asked to indicate how stoned they felt while performing a series of physical and cognitive tests and monitoring their medical data.

While the higher doses got everyone high, whether they vaporized or smoked, vaporization was the clear winner.

“Vaporized cannabis produced significantly larger subjective effects, cognitive and psychomotor impairments,” the study reveals, “and higher THC concentrations in the blood than the same doses of smoked cannabis.”

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(Featured image by Harrison Haines via Pexels)

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