Hotboxing Weed: Does it Get You Higher?

Hotboxing is the practice of smoking weed in a small, enclosed space with little to no ventilation. This can happen in places like:

• Cars

• Tents

• Bathrooms

• Closets

• Small rooms

Usually, hotboxing is a group activity. Friends pass around bongs, vapes, joints, or other smoking devices until the area fills with cannabis smoke. The goal is to expose everyone to both primary and secondhand smoke, which many believe leads to a more intense high.

But is hotboxing worth it? Does it actually get you higher, or is it just a placebo effect?

Does Hotboxing Get You Higher? What Science Says

In 2015, researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine studied the effects of secondhand cannabis smoke. They found that secondhand smoke can make you feel a little high.

The Study Setup

• Volunteers were split into two groups of 6 smokers and 6 non-smokers.

• In the first stage, smokers smoked 10 joints in a closed room while non-smokers stayed in the same room.

• In the second stage, the same thing happened, but in a ventilated room.

Key Findings

The results were interesting. In the closed space:

• Non-smokers had THC in their blood and urine.

• They reported feeling mild effects of being high.

In the ventilated space, there were no detectable levels of THC in non-smokers. This shows that some THC remains in secondhand marijuana smoke, proving that hotboxing can make you feel a bit high.

The Placebo Effect: You Are Simply Lightheaded

Often, the sensation of being extra high from hotboxing is just the placebo effect. You might actually feel lightheaded from a lack of oxygen.

Why You Feel Lightheaded

When you smoke in a small, closed space, every puff adds more smoke. The longer you stay in that space, the less oxygen is available. If you feel extra high, it could just mean you are lightheaded from the lack of oxygen.

Also, many believe that holding in hits makes them higher. Sorry, but it does not. You are just denying your body oxygen.

The Dangers of Hotboxing

Secondhand Smoke Exposure

When you hotbox, you are surrounded by secondhand smoke. This can irritate your lungs since the smoke has already passed through someone else’s system. Smoking weed has benefits, but it also has downsides, such as filling your lungs with unwanted tar.

If you have underlying health conditions, be cautious about hotboxing. There are many other ways to get high; hotboxing might not be for everyone.

Dehydration

Hotboxing can lead to dehydration. The heat and humidity can make you feel dry. Inhale smoke through your mouth, and it can leave your throat dry. Keep water nearby to avoid dizziness from dehydration, and make sure to hydrate afterward!

Lightheadedness

Lightheadedness is common during hotboxing. The lack of ventilation means not enough oxygen circulates. If you start feeling lightheaded, it’s a strong sign to exit the hotbox and get some fresh air!

Contact Highs

A contact high is when you feel high without smoking marijuana. In a hotbox, you are surrounded by secondhand smoke. The study we mentioned shows that simply being in a hotbox can lead to a positive drug test for THC. If you are smoking in a hotbox, you may feel extra stoned during the session.

Related| How to properly inhale weed

The Legality of Hotboxing a Car

You may wonder if it is legal to hotbox in a car. Generally, you can hotbox in your parked car on private property, like your own driveway. However, hotboxing in public can lead to serious charges.

In some states, being in the driver's seat while under the influence can get you charged with a DUI. It doesn’t matter if you are not driving; authorities might not see it that way. To avoid legal trouble, keep your hotboxing activities at home or in other private, safe locations.

FAQs:

What does the slang term hotbox mean?

The term "hotbox" describes the act of smoking cannabis in a small, enclosed space. This space traps the smoke inside, causing the concentration of cannabinoids to rise rapidly. Think of it like a greenhouse; just as a greenhouse traps heat to nurture plants, a small room or car traps smoke to saturate the air.

What is hotboxing a car?

Hotboxing a car involves rolling up all the windows and turning off the air conditioning while smoking inside. The interior becomes thick with a dense, white fog. Because the space is so small, the smoke has nowhere to escape. This creates a highly concentrated environment for everyone inside the vehicle.

What is the purpose of a hotbox?

People hotbox to maximize the intensity of their experience. By filling a small area with smoke, users breathe in more cannabinoids than they would in an open-air setting. It acts as a way to recycle the smoke, ensuring that very little goes to waste.

What is a Jamaican hotbox?

A Jamaican hotbox refers to a specific method of smoking in a small, cramped room or a sealed-off area. It often involves using a large amount of cannabis at once. This term draws on the historical associations with cannabis culture in Jamaica, where communal smoking in small spaces has been practiced for decades.

Does hotboxing with cannabis actually work?

It can increase the amount of smoke in the air but at the same time it also depletes the oxygen levels in the room. While some users feel the effects more strongly, much of this sensation comes from oxygen deprivation rather than increased cannabinoid intake.

Can second-hand smoke lead to a positive drug test?

Second-hand smoke can cause a positive urine drug screen, though it is rare. Studies, such as those conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, show that individuals in poorly ventilated, smoke-filled rooms can inhale enough THC to trigger a positive result. If you spend significant time in a sealed car or room, the THC metabolites may appear in your system.

How long does the smell linger?

The smell of cannabis clings to fabrics and surfaces for a long time. Because the smoke is trapped in a small, enclosed space, it settles into seats, carpets, and headliners. You might notice the scent for several days, even after you air the car out thoroughly.

Related| how to get rid of weed smell from a car quickly

Does hotboxing a room intensify the effects?

Hotboxing a room makes the effects feel more intense because you inhale smoke continuously. However, critics argue that the lack of fresh air is the primary reason for the increased head rush. While advocates claim it creates a stronger high, the risks of inhaling high levels of carbon monoxide and other combustion byproducts make it a potentially harmful practice.