The ultimate guide to cannabis vaporization temperatures

11. 03. 2025

The importance of correct vaporization temperature
What is the perfect temperature for vaporization of cannabis?
What about toxins in vaporizing?
What to do if the plant material is too damp or too dry?

Vaping offers many benefits. For starters, it is healthier than smoking. When vaping, herb material is not burnt, so you do not inhale harmful toxins naturally present in cigarette smoke, for example.

Therefore, vaporization is a much cleaner method of cannabis use. Moreover, smoke from a joint contains only about 10% of cannabinoids ("the good stuff") in cannabis. The remaining 90 % is a combination of unhealthy byproducts and harmful substances. On the other end, vape steam binds up to 95% of all beneficial substances present in the cannabis flower.

Nevertheless, it would help if you made sure that the temperature is set correctly when vaping, as exceeding the recommended limit may cause burning, which leads to producing harmful substances.

One way to get to know a new vaporizer is to play with the temperature settings – after all, it is quite fun. A slightly more scientific approach is to get familiar with the boiling points of various cannabinoids, including their properties. It is called fun applied science.

The importance of correct vaporization temperature

Setting the vaporizer to the correct temperature is essential for several reasons. If you set the temperature too low, the steam will lack taste and efficacy. The key compounds found in cannabis and other botanicals require a particular temperature to be activated. If the temperature is set too low, the flower's potential or concentration is not fully used.

On the other hand, if you set the temperature too high (especially at temperatures above 230 °C), it can degrade the active substances, such as terpenes and cannabinoids, present in cannabis. Not only will the taste and efficacy of the steam be adversely affected, but you might also inhale toxic compounds, which are harmful to your health.

What is the perfect temperature for vaporization of cannabis?

Before examining the evaporation point of cannabinoids, it is necessary to note the following key factors. There is a temperature range in which different cannabis compounds are released, each of which shows unique effects.

While experimentation is the only way to determine what suits you best, the ideal temperature for extracting most of the represented substances is 185 °C. Thus, the optimal temperature range for cannabis is between 180°C and 210 °C. Temperatures below 190 °C bring more potent psychoactive effects; higher temperatures affect the body.

Temperature guide for cannabinoids

The temperature range at which all cannabinoids evaporate lies between 157 °Cand 220 °C. Since all cannabinoids have different boiling points, vaporizing the same herb at different temperatures will lead to different results.

In general, there are two main effects called "mental high" and "physical high". As mentioned above, lower temperatures will have a more intoxicating effect, while higher temperatures will have a greater impact on the body.

Compound	Temperature°C	Info
THC	157 °C	It has both euphoric and analgesic effects, induces a strong state of relaxation.
CBD	170 °C	It is known for its therapeutic effects. It can act as a counterpoint to the side effects of THC, such as anxiety.
Delta-8-THC	175 °C	This cannabinoid is very similar to THC but is more stable and less psychoactive.
CBN	185 °C	CBN is believed to break down THC and calms down.
CBC	220 °C	This cannabinoid has antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects.
THCV	220 °C	THCV dampens the psychoactive effects of THC. However, more research is needed in this regard.

Temperature guide for flavonoids

Along with terpenoids, flavonoids are little known compared to cannabinoids. Flavonoids are a large group of plant pigments called vitamin P. Terpenoids, and flavonoids are partly responsible for the appearance, taste, and smell of the particular variety.

That is why it is important to smell the product before buying it since the scent reveals a lot about the plant's character. They are also believed to have secondary health benefits. The following chart outlines both the effects and temperatures at which each flavonoid evaporate.

Compound	Temperature°C	Info
Beta-Sitosterol	134 °C	It is believed that it has anti-inflammatory effects.
Apigenin	178 °C	It is believed to promote estrogen production and has anti-inflammatory effects.
Cannflavin A	182 °C	This flavonoid is a cyclooxygenase inhibitor.
Quercetin	250 °C	Quercetin is antioxidant and antiviral agent.

Temperature guide for terpenoids

Terpenoids are structurally related to terpenes and occur naturally in a wide range of plants. They partly contribute to what gives plants their unique aromatic quality. The smell of cinnamon, cloves, or mint are examples of well-known terpenoids.

In fact, the most potent known naturally occurring psychedelic compound – Salvinorin A – is also terpenoid. The following chart outlines both the effects and temperatures at which each terpenoid evaporate.

Compound	Temperature°C	Info
Caryophyllene	130 °C	It is believed that it has anti-inflammatory and antimalarial effects.
Terpineol	156 °C	This terpenoid is an antioxidant and has sedate, antibiotic, and antimalarial effects.
Myrcene	168 °C	It has analgesic, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Delta-3-Carene	168 °C	This terpenoid has anti-inflammatory effects.
1,8-Cineole (Eucalyptol)	176 °C	It increases blood flow in the brain and acts as a stimulant.
D-Limonene	177 °C	D-Limonene occurs naturally in hemp.
p-Cymene	177 °C	P-Cymene has antibiotic effects and works against candidiasis.
Linalool	198 °C	It is an antidepressant, sedative, and immune system booster.
Terpinen-4-ol	209 °C	Antibiotic and AChE inhibitor.
Borneol	210 °C	Borneol is antibiotic.
Terpineol	217 °C	This terpenoid has sedate and antibiotic-like effects and is an AChE inhibitor.
Pulegone	244 °C	Pulegone has sedative effects and can improve memory.

What about toxins in vaporizing?

Vaporization is much cleaner than smoking, but that does not mean it does not produce potentially harmful substances. There still is a possibility of inhalation of toxins, although in dramatically reduced concentrations. Moreover, if you do not have cannabis from a legal source, traces of herbicides or pesticides may still be present in the plant material.

Also, there is the possibility that the material you vape may contain some chemical compounds you do want to breathe into your body.

It is also essential to know that setting the vaporizer to temperatures above 200 °C means that you are approaching burning temperatures. This is the point at which undesirable substances are released from plant material. For this reason, it is best to avoid high temperatures when vaping. In the following chart, you can see which toxins are released at what temperatures.

What to do if the plant material is too damp or too dry?

Unlike using a bong or smoking joints, too dry hemp or herb material can still be useful. However, it will evaporate much quicker. If it gets overheated, you risk fast evaporation of the active ingredients, eliminating taste and smell as a result.

Since this will largely depend on the condition and variety of the cannabis you use, there is no definitive guide on properly vaping dehydrated herbs. As a general rule, however, it is wise to keep the temperature low. The more the material is drier, the more you need to drop the temperature.

On the contrary, if the material is fresh, it can be quite wet. As a result, it might be difficult to vape to activate the wanted cannabinoids. Therefore, it is recommended to do what is known as a flavonoid run. Setting the vaporizer to lower temperatures (around 138 - 148 °C) makes it possible to get steam full of flavonoids and dry the material a little simultaneously. After this simple step, the material should be dry enough to be vaped effectively at temperatures suitable for CBD or other cannabinoids.

Compound	Temperature°C	Info
THC	155 °C	This temperature is considered the best for vaping THC, which induces feelings of euphoria and relaxation.
CBD	165 °C	CBD is known for its therapeutic effects. It can also act as a counterpoint to the side effects of THC, such as anxiety.
Delta-8-THC	175 °C	This cannabinoid is very similar to THC but is more stable and less psychoactive.
CBN	185 °C	CBN is believed to break down THC and calms down.
CBE	195 °C	This is the maximum therapeutic temperature.
Benzene	205 °C	Warning: harmful toxins are released at this temperature, such as Benzene, which is carcinogenic.
THCV	220 °C	THCV dampens the psychoactive effects of THC. However, more research is needed in this regard.
CBC	220 °C	This cannabinoid has antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects.

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Author: Matthias Roth

Photo: Shutterstock, PAX

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