Hotboxing Weed: Is It Worth It?

Hotboxing refers to the practice of smoking weed in a small, enclosed space with little to no ventilation. This could be inside the car, tent, bathroom, a closet, or any small room that is easy to fill with cannabis smoke.

Usually, hotboxing is a group activity, where friends pass around bongs, vapes, joints or other smoking devices until the area is visibly clouded with marijuana smoke. The goal is to expose participants to both primary and secondhand smoke, which many believe leads to a more intense high.

But the question begs: is hot boxing worth it? Does it actually get you higher, or is it a placebo?

Does Hotboxing Get You Higher? What Science Says

Well, apparently, a few years ago, in 2015, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine decided to test the effects of second-hand cannabis smoke, or weed smoke, and it turned out that secondhand smoke can indeed make you a little bit high.

Volunteers were separated into two groups, where each group consisted of 6 smokers and 6 non-smokers.

Afterwards, two stages were conducted. First, the smokers were made to smoke 10 joints in a closed room while the non-smokers just stayed there in the same room. In the second stage, the same was done, however, this time in a ventilated room.

The results of the research were rather fascinating. So, in the closed space, the non-smokers were found to have THC in their blood and urine samples as well as stated that they felt the effects of being high - although quite a mild one. However, in the case of the ventilated space, nothing similar happened - no traces of getting a contact high or any THC was detected in non-smokers.

To summarize, the results of the research have shown that some THC actually remains in secondhand marijuana smoke, proving the fact that hotboxing makes you a little bit high because of rebreathing of the smoke.

The Placebo Effect: You Are Simply Lightheaded

In most cases, the sensation of being extra-high as a result of hotboxing is purely the placebo effect and what you are actually experiencing is lightheadedness due to lack of oxygen.

Think about it…when you smoke in a small, closed space with little air circulation, every puff adds more smoke to the air. The longer you stay in that space, the less oxygen is available for you to breathe. If you notice you're feeling a bit extra-high, it could simply mean you’re feeling lightheaded from the lack of oxygen.

This is also the reason many people think that holding their hits in for longer makes them higher..sorry to burst your bubble but it does not. You are simply denying your body oxygen.

The Dangers of Hotboxing

Secondhand Smoke Exposure

In any kind of hotbox, you can expect to be surrounded by secondhand smoke from friends you’re smoking with. Extreme exposure to secondhand smoke can further irritate your lungs due to the fact that the smoke has already passed through someone else’s system. Smoking weed, while it does have its benefits, also comes with its downsides. Such as, filling your lungs with unwanted tar.

Hence, if you have any underlying health conditions, proceed to hotbox with caution and awareness– or not at all! There are somany different ways to get high; hotboxing might not be for everyone!

Dehydration

Due to the humidity of the hotbox, you can expect to feel dehydrated during a session. Inhaling smoke through your mouth can generally leave a dry feeling, but the heat from the hotbox can intensify this sensation. Make sure to have water close by to prevent any dizzy spells from dehydration. And of course, hydrate up afterwards!

Lightheadedness

As mentioned earlier, lightheadedness is another common experience during hotboxing. The lack of ventilation means there’s not enough oxygen circulating. If at any point you start to feel extremely lightheaded, it’s a strong sign to exit the hotbox and take in some fresh air! 

Contact Highs

A contact high is the ability to get high without ingesting or smoking marijuana. In any hotbox, you can expect to be surrounded by secondhand smoke. The same study we referenced above shows that simply being in a hotbox (without taking a hit) can result in a positive drug test for THC. Being in a hotbox while also smoking marijuana can get you  feeling  extra stoned during the session. 

The legality of Hotboxing A Car 

You might be wondering if it’s legal to hotbox in a car. The rule of thumb is that you can hotbox in your parked car on private property, such as your own driveway. However, hotboxing in public can lead to some serious charges. 

In some states, sitting in the driver’s seat while under the influence of cannabis can easily get you charged with a DUI. It doesn’t matter if you’re not even driving anywhere; the authorities might not have the best assumptions if they come across your car. To avoid potential legal trouble, it’s best to keep your hotboxing activities at home or in other private, safe locations.