Does A Cigarette Filter Out THC Or Reduce Your High?

It is common knowledge that there are some health risks associated with smoking marijuana when it comes to your respiratory system.

Smoking weed produces harmful toxins, among which there is tar and various carcinogens, similar to those that are found in tobacco smoke. No wonder smokers have turned to different types of smoking filters to decrease the amount of tar inhaled; such as cellulose cigarette filters.

However, one can never turn their eyes away from the debate whether cigarette filters filter out THC and reduce your high or not.

In this article we'll give you an answer and will also tell you why activated carbon joint filters are a better choice.

What Exactly is a Cigarette Filter?

By cellulose filters, we mean filters in the form of a cylinder which is fitted to the end of a cigarette. These cigarette filters are made of a special type of fiber material called cellulose acetate and mechanically filter out some large particles from the smoke.

In the case of joints, cellulose filters can be used as "cigarette filters" or "filter tips" taken from a cigarette pack, or as variants especially made for joints. However, these filters differ from activated joint filters which will be discussed later on.

Does Using a Cigarette Filter Block THC?

It is quite controversial to say that there is any relationship between the use of filters and the influence of THC on joints.

However, there are some studies that point to some reduction of the amount of THC due to the use of filters, especially cigarette ones.

For example, MAPS and California NORML conducted a smoking study that included an unfiltered joint, as well as several smoking devices (including a joint with a cigarette filter). As a result, the researchers found that a joint with a cigarette filter had a 30% higher cannabinoid-to-tar ratio than the unfiltered one. This means that the cigarette filters retained some cannabinoids together with the unwanted tar.

On the contrary, there is scientific evidence that there is no effect of the activated carbon filters, like the ones used for special joint filters, on THC. These filters are aimed to reduce harmful substances (such as tar) and not affect the useful substances (cannabinoids).

Thus, it is recommended to use activated carbon filters when consuming cannabis.

Why Activated Charcoal Filters Are Better Alternatives

Activated charcoal filters trap smoke by adsorption.

Note its adsorption, not absorption - the latter means soaking of one substance into another one, while the former is the process of adhering the molecules to the surface of an adsorbent.

Activated charcoal has numerous tiny pores creating immense surface area where the smoke particles stick to when passing through it.

There is much research conducted on activated carbon smoke filters which show that carbon filters are capable of reducing certain vapor-phase substances which are less trapped by usual cellulose filters. Hence, activated carbon filters are considered to be more advanced in terms of smoke filtration.

At Moose Labs, we applied this principle specifically to the cannabis consumption.

Moose Labs MouthPeace Mini filters can be used in joints, blunts, pre-rolls, and vape pens as replaceable triple-layer activated carbon filter rather than a cigarette-like cellulose plug. The design is created to trap resin, tar, and other undesirable materials without affecting the airflow and flavor.

That is what is the key difference.

A cigarette filter was designed for cigarettes, and a Moose Labs filter was designed for cannabis.

Benefits of Charcoal Weed Filters

The benefits of activated charcoal are clear if you really want to filter your joints and blunts and not just add an extra tip at the end:

• Smoother hits: The Moose Labs Carbon Filters are engineered with filtration in mind and help to reduce harshness.

• Better airflow: The MouthPeace Filters help with filtration without choking the draw.

• 3-layer filtration: The Moose Labs Carbon Filters employ a special triple layering technology as opposed to using one single cylinder of cellulose.

• Doesn’t sacrifice flavor: Filtration shouldn’t mean losing the flavor profile of the particular strain. Infact you will find your smoke taste better with contaminants filtered out.

• Allows THC to pass: The Mini filters out undesirable material and allows the passage of small cannabinoid molecules like THC and CBD.

• Eco-friendly: The Moose Labs Carbon Filters employ sustainable and recyclable materials.

What About Filters for Bongs and Other Smoking Pipes?

Yet another drawback of cigarette filters is that you cannot use them in smoking paraphernalia such as bongs or pipes.

But there is no need to worry because, with the help of the Mouthpeace Original, you will receive the same superior filtration of activated carbon when smoking bongs.

For smaller bowl pieces, bubblers, and e-rigs, there is the MouthPeace Micro. And the Mini works best with joints, blunts, and vapes.

Instead of searching how to force a cigarette filter into your smoker, choose the proper filter made for your smoking device.

Bottom Line

The takeaway is that a cigarette filter does not prevent you from getting stoned but it may slightly weaken your high due to the fact that it will take away a part of THC and other cannabinoids from your hits. But if you want to have smooth smoke and less tar, then using a filter is an appropriate choice. Otherwise, you should better choose an activated carbon weed filter.

Thanks to the MouthPeace Mini you will have triple-layer activated carbon filtration for joints and blunts all while enjoying 100% of your high.