What Is Hotboxing With Cannabis?

Hotboxing weed has a history that dates back over two thousand years. Back then, nomadic folk were using makeshift booths made from sticks and animal hides to create an enclosed space to smoke cannabis. Today, people still use hotboxing as a way to amp up their high.

But does it actually get you higher? Are there any dangers of hotboxing? Read ahead to learn all you need to know about hotboxing.

HotBox Meaning

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, or a closet — any small room that is easy to fill with cannabis smoke.

Usually, hotboxing is a group activity, where friends pass around bongs and 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.

Does Hotboxing Get You Higher?

Most hotboxers will tell you it gets you higher than usual. The argument is that you’re sitting in an unventilated space packed with marijuana smoke, so you must be getting hit with “extra” THC.

But does science actually support this anecdotal evidence? Yes, there is some real basis to the “extra smoke” idea.

A 2015 study by Johns Hopkins University examined the effects of secondhand smoke. The researchers divided the volunteers into two groups, each comprising six smokers and six non-smokers.

Next, they ran two sessions – first, the smokers were given 10 joints to smoke in a closed room, while the other group (non-smokers) just sat there in the same room. For the second round, the same thing happened, but this time it was in a well-ventilated room.

The results were pretty interesting. In the closed space, the non-smokers showed detectable amounts of THC in their blood and urine – and even said they could feel the effects of being high, albeit pretty mild. But in the well-ventilated environment, nothing like that happened – the non-smokers showed no sign of getting a contact high or having any detectable THC in their system.

In short, the study proved that some THC is floating around in secondhand marijuana smoke, which also proves that hotboxing does indeed give you a higher since you’re rebreathing the trapped smoke, taking in more THC on top of what you’re already inhaling from your own device.

Why Do People Like Hotboxing Weed?

• To get higher: The main reason people hotbox weed is to get higher. As we have seen, studies have shown that secondhand smoke does contain trace amounts of THC, so rebreathing that hot-boxed air can give users a little extra boost.

• A bonding ritual: Sharing marijuana in a confined space creates an intimate and secretive environment that can foster a sense of closeness and shared experience among friends.

• Privacy and discretion: Historically, and still in areas where cannabis use is not legal, hotboxing offers a way to smoke discreetly and “on the down-low” in a private setting. 

• Fun and novelty: Lastly, filling a small room with smoke until it billows out when the door opens can feel exciting and a bit rebellious. For many young adults, their first hotbox session often becomes a highlight in their cannabis journey, filled with fun and a sense of accomplishment. A right of passage!

Common Smoking Methods Used For Hotboxing

There are many methods for consuming cannabis, and virtually any of them can be used when hotboxing as long as you are in a small space that can easily be filled with smoke.

However, hotboxers tend to prefer methods that tend to generate more smoke, like joints, bongs, blunts, vapes, and pipes. Methods like dab rigs and hookahs are rarely used in hotboxing.

Side Effects Of Hotboxing

Respiratory issues

Smoking weed, while it does have its benefits, also comes with its downsides, such as filling your lungs with unwanted tar. And in hotboxing, extreme exposure to secondhand smoke can further irritate your lungs because the smoke has already passed through someone else’s system.

Hence, if you have any underlying health conditions like asthma, proceed to hotbox with caution and awareness– or not at all!

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. Still, the heat from the hotbox can intensify this sensation. Ensure you have water nearby to prevent dehydration-related dizzy spells. And of course, hydrate up afterwards!

Oxygen deprivation (hypercapnia)

Speaking of dizzy spells, you may also feel lightheaded inside a hotbox. This isn’t solely to do with the effects of the cannabis, but relatively low oxygen levels in the enclosed area.

The lack of ventilation can limit your oxygen intake, leading to symptoms like lightheadedness. This condition, known as hypercapnia, occurs when carbon dioxide accumulates in the blood, leading to symptoms such as dizziness and confusion.

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. 

FAQs:

Is Hotboxing dangerous?

Hotboxing can be more risky compared to smoking in a well-ventilated space due to exposure to high concentrations of smoke and carbon monoxide. However, if you’re healthy and take precautions like keeping sessions short and staying hydrated, hotboxing for one session is not deadly.

Can You Hotbox Safely?

There are plenty of ways to safely hotbox and still have a good time. 

First, always let someone know when you’re hotboxing. Schedule your hotboxing sessions to only last an hour or less. If you stay at a hotbox for hours at a time, you can expect to feel nauseous and sick. If you feel yourself getting out of breath, it’s time to exit the area and enjoy your buzz.

It’s also worth considering your pre-existing conditions, especially those affecting the respiratory system. Hotboxing is perfectly safe, but it also requires a good understanding of your body’s limits.

How Long Does the High From Hotboxing Last?

The high from hotboxing typically lasts about the same as a regular smoking session – usually 2 to 4 hours, depending on the strain and how much you smoked.

However, since you’re getting that extra THC from secondhand smoke, some people report feeling the effects a bit more intensely during the peak, though the duration stays pretty similar.

Is Hotboxing Okay for Beginners?

Hotboxing is not recommended for beginners due to the heightened risk of an overwhelming, intense high and other potential health issues. The enclosed, smoke-filled space concentrates THC and other chemicals, which can cause intense effects for those with a low tolerance.

How does hotboxing affect the intensity of a high?

It does increase intensity, but very slightly, through intake of more THC from secondhand smoke. Another factor that contributes to the placebo effect of feeling extra high during a hot box session is lightheadedness due to a lack of oxygen.

Is hotboxing considered illegal?

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. It’s best to avoid these possible complications and stick to hotboxing at home with your friends!

Common ways people hotbox marijuana?

The most common ways(places) people hotbox include a car, bathroom, tent, and closet.

What does hotboxing a car mean?

It simply means smoking cannabis inside a car with all the windows and doors closed. This traps all the smoke, filling the entire interior of the car. As you can imagine, this makes for a very smoky, very intense session.