Yo, what’s good, it’s ya boy, Dan! We gotta talk about the OG of cannabis culture – the bong. This ancient tradition has been a part of our community for generations, bringing stoners together and creating memories that last a lifetime. From your first hit to your hundredth, the bong is a must-have accessory on your cannabis journey.
You remember buying your first bong? How you carefully picked out the right one for you, and then gave it a dope name that connected you and your friends forever. Every rip off that bong was a moment to be cherished, whether you were hanging with your squad or meeting new smoking buddies.
But let’s not forget, the way of the bong ain’t always easy. Breaking your beloved piece can be heart-wrenching, and reminds us that nothing lasts forever. Yet, the way of the bong endures, proving the strength and resilience of cannabis culture.
As we move towards legalization and new products pop up left and right, some might think that the younger generation is losing touch with the way of the bong. But hold up, cause a recent study from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia shows that Canadian youth still prefer using bongs as their go-to method of consumption. This love for bongs highlights our strong connection to cannabis culture and opens up opportunities to explore why this preference still holds strong.
Let’s dive into the data
The study surveyed almost 300 young Canadian university students aged between 18-25 years who use cannabis at least twice per week. And guess what? The results showed that bongs and joints are still their preferred methods of consumption. Over 65% chose bongs compared to just under 24% who opted for joints. Surprisingly, only a few chose alternative methods such as edibles, blunts, vape pens, hand pipes or vaporizers.
This preference for bongs and joints over vape products might be surprising, given the hype around vaping among young people. However, when looking at why they chose these methods, the convenience and cost-effectiveness of bongs and joints influenced their choices. They also rated these methods as “harsh/smooth” for their throat and lungs.
According to the study, the most common reason given for choosing bongs was convenience. Many respondents mentioned that they already owned a bong or found it easy to obtain. They also felt that packing a bowl was far more convenient than rolling papers to make a joint. Plus, bongs were seen as a more cost-effective option as they allow for better control of the amount of cannabis being used and reduce waste.
Now, the researchers did acknowledge some limitations to the study, like how the sample was predominantly white and university-attending. Nonetheless, this study is one of the first to examine why young people in Canada still prefer bongs over other methods of consumption.
Sometimes all you need is a good bong rip…
Imagine this – you’re having the worst day ever. You wake up late, miss your morning coffee, get stuck in traffic, and arrive late to work. Your boss is trippin’, and you’re swamped with tasks and deadlines piling up by the minute. As your day goes on, your mood keeps plummeting, exhaustion settling in more and more as every little annoyance grinds on you. You’re pushed to your limits but try to stay calm and professional.
By the end of this dreadful day, you’re a bundle of frayed nerves and stress. You make your way back home, every step heavy with pressure weighing down on your shoulders. As soon as you finally walk through your door, you know exactly what you need to shift your mood into something better – a good bong rip.
You reach for your trusty bong, load up the bowl with your favourite strain, and put flame to the plant. The orange glow illuminates the chamber, and you watch as the smoke travels through the water, creating a mesmerizing dance of bubbles filled with smoke. They pop and float up into the neck of the bong, where you eagerly inhale the cool, soothing vapor.
The smoke fills your lungs, the tiny particles of cannabinoids passing through the lung membranes and into your bloodstream. These molecules travel through your body, finding their way to your brain, where they latch onto receptors in your endocannabinoid system. This interaction triggers a cascade of physiological mechanisms, releasing feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
As these chemicals flood your brain, you start to feel the tension in your body dissipate. Your shoulders relax, the knot in your stomach loosens and a sense of calm washes over you. Your mind begins to clear, and the worries and stresses of the day fade into the background. You’re enveloped in a warm, comforting embrace, as if your body is telling you that everything is going to be okay.
Slowly, you sink into your favourite chair, feeling the soft cushions cradle your weary form. The world outside fades away, leaving you alone with your thoughts – but now, these thoughts are kinder, gentler, and more forgiving. You’re able to look back on the day with a sense of perspective, realizing that the hardships you faced were temporary and that you can overcome them.
With each exhale, you release more of the day’s worries, allowing yourself to let go and be present in the moment. Your body feels replenished, and your spirit is reinvigorated. You know that tomorrow is a new day, and you’ll be ready to face whatever challenges come your way.
Sometimes all you need is a good bong rip, and everything falls into place.