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\'\'For the county in Liberia, see Bong County\'\'

\'\'For the cooling apperature, see Bong cooler\'\'.

A \'\'\'bong\'\'\' or \'\'\'water pipe\'\'\' is a device used for smoking cannabis or other drugs such as salvia divinorum, tobacco, or crack cocaine. The bong (and its many extant technological elabo

Operation

Principles

Smoking from a bong is somewhat different than smoking from a pipe or cigarette. Bongs are designed to cool the smoke before it enters the smoker\'s lungs, to build up a large buffer of smoke which the user inhales quickly, or to filter unwanted chemicals from the smoke before inhalation.

One inhales with his or her mouth sealed against the large opening at the top of the chamber. Sucking the air out of the bong reduces the air pressure in the chamber of the bong above the water level in the bottom of the bong. To equalize the pressure, the atmosphere pushes air through the bong\'s \"bowl\" - where the combud with a drinking straw, demonstrates the same physics, except that the blower is assuming the role of the atmosphere and not the bong user.

The water helps filter out some of the undesirable substances found in smoke, such as tar, and many other carcinogens as these are water soluble. It also helps cool the smoke down before it enters the lungs, allowing for a smoother and deeper inhalation. Some bongs are designed with twists or traps for ice in the neck. Some people have experimented by replacing the water with fruit juice or alcoholic spirits or have a preference of using steaming water, if their bong can withstand the heat of the water.

Many bongs have a small hole; a \'\'carburetor\'\' or \'\'carb\'\' (also called a \'\'shotty\'\' (from \'shotgun\'); \'\'choke\'\'; or \'\'rush (hole)\'\'). This is simply a valve that the user places his finger over when inhaling allowing the chamber to fill up with smoke. If the user releases the carb then he or she is no longer having to pull the smoke through the downpipe an

In other bongs, the bowl-piece is removable. This piece is then called a \'slide\', \'pull\', \'slip stem\', or \'suicide carb\', and is similar to the carb in function. When the stem is removed, fresh air instead of smoke bubbles through, and acts to clear the chamber. An audio recording of a bong with a slide style carb being used is available (see media help).

Description

A typical bong is made of few components (numbers on the picture correspond to the descriptions below):

1. A \'\'\'mouthpiece\'\'\', this is where the user\'s mouth is placed, sealing out air through that hole. Doing this renders the bong airtight (providing there is an airtight seal around the stem and, if a carburetor hole is present, it is also covered. When \"airtight\" it has but one small source of air, the small bowl where the substance is placed.
2. A \'\'\'chamber\'\'\', where smoke collects. When the desired amount of smoke is accumulated, the \'carb\' hole is released, allowing air/ (the user should be inhaling throughout, from the moment the substance is lit). The height and width of the chamber can vary and this naturally changes the volume. If all the smoke is not removed from the bong in a single hit, the user can exhale and take another hit.
3. A \'\'\'base\'\'\', holds the water and is usually wider than the chamber so it can stand up without tipping (see the consequences of a spillage). Some models have removable bases. The bottom end of the \"stem\" ends up in the base.
4. A \'\'\'Down Stem\'\'\'owls) can be placed on. The bowl forms a seal around the stem so that the only inlet of air is through the bowl. Over time burnt residue will collect on parts of the bowl.

Motivations

The characteristics of the bong enable the material to be smoked in ways not possible with a simple pipe or cigarette. Another advantage of using a bong is that it uses much less tobacco than rolling a whole cigarette, because only the bowl needs to be packed. Because the chambers on most bongs are 2 to 3 inches (50–75 mm) in diameter the temper

Bubbling the smoke through water also serves to cool down the smoke, which is typically very hot, and to trap some of the heavier and more water-soluble particulate matter, keeping it from entering the smoker\'s lungs. Most smokers believe that bongs are healthier than other smoking devices; however, a 2000 NORML-MAPS study found that \"waterpipes filter out more psychoactive THC than they do other tars, thereby requiring users to smoke more to reach their desired effect\" . The analysis used smoke from NIDA-supplied marijuana drawn through a smoking machine adjusted to mimic the puff length of marijuana smokers. The apparatus, comparing smoke from a standard bong, a small portable device with a folding pipestem, a battery-operated model with a motorized paddle to thoroughly mix the smoke in the water, and two different types of vaporizers, found that the unfiltered joint outperformed all devices except the vaporizers, with a ratio of about 1 part cannabinoids to 13 parts tar.

However, MAPS also conducted a review of some of the scientific work that has been done regarding the effects of water filtratt effective in this regard; the gas dispersion frit serves to break up the smoke into very fine bubbles, thereby increasing its water contact area.\" This seems to suggest that from a harm minimisation perspective bongs may quite well be the best option, regardless of the small amounts of cannabinoids lost through condensation (note: THC has a very low solubility in water).

Bong water

When a bong is not properly maintained especially in regards to cleaning, the water used to filter and cool the smoke can take on many undesireable characteristics. These effects can include simple discolouration in the form of a green and eventually brown tint. In addition, as a bong is smoked, often ash is sucked through the stem where it rests in the bong water.

Many bong users prefer using other additives, such as flavoured drinks and alcoholic beverages, in place of water; however, certain chemicals bond easily to alcohol, and could reduce the effect of the substances contained within certain strains of tobacco and cannabis. Additionally, there is a minute risk of fire when using flammable substances in place of water.

Finally, there are energy drinks advertised as \"bong water\". These often add flavour while containing very few other properties.

Cleaning

Bongs become quite dirty and smelly after use.ll.

Materials

Bongs can vary greatly in their shape, material, style, color, and size. Commonly constructed from metal, acrylic, ceramic or glass, bongs can also be fabricated from materials as diverse as pykrete or even from household objects such as empty water bottles. Some people even make bongs out of fruits and vegetables and discard them after use. Many bongs are regarded for their style, distinct vivid colors, or customizations such as stickers, and become a personalized signature of that particular owner. Some people even name their bongs. These names usually reflect tobacco culture or some particular distinction of the bong.

Since the bong is such a simple device it can be constructed out of nearly anything that is at least semi-rigid and can be made airtight. This includes, but is not limited to bamboo, plastic bottles, soda-pop cans, buckets, vases, beer bottles, hollow plastic and ceramic statues, chemistry beakers, snorkels, even apples and potatoes. Though care should be taken since burning plastics results in the production of dangerous toxins. Most bongs purchased will be made out of glass (either hand-blown or cast in molds) or clear acrylic tubing. Most of these bongs will include or otherwise utilize glass stems and bowls. However, cheaper bongs (nearly all made out of acrylic) may be designed with metal stems and bowls.

A common home-built bong is made from a bowl and stem

Materials such as PVC, plastic, rubber or garden hoses may emit toxic chemicals when heated. Aluminum has been linked with Alzheimer\'s disease but research in this area has been inconclusive. Plastic can release fumes which may induce asthma. Little has been documented on the inhalation of these fumes but the practice should be avoided. Duct tape may release rubber, metal and aluminum fumes.

Variety

Offshoots from the simple bong concept do exist. These devices either bubble the smoke through water to cool it or have very large chambers. Some of the devices are designed to allow slower and more controlled draw through the bowl which causes the smoke to be much denser and even vaporizer attachments.

Carburetor

Carburation hole bongs use a hole to release the vaccum and allow the smoke to enter your lungs.they are easy to construct so are more often used in home-made versions.

Slide

Slide bongs have two piece downstems. One is attached to the bong itself and the other, with the bowl, slides into that one using a smaller diameter. To use you pull ou interesting looking package. The kinks also prevent water from splashing on the smoker\'s mouth. Zongs are typically made of glass, and can vary in number of kinks and diameters. Ice can also be added in the zong neck, getting trapped at a kink, and cooling the smoke for the user. (For more on ice bongs, see below) Zongs are usually more expensive than regular bongs due to the more complex shape.

Ice Bong

One of the most common variety of bong is the ice bong which are a sub variety of slide or carburetor bongs. These are typically made of glass or acrylic like this one to the right. Ice is placed in a twist or ice trap in the neck. This has the effect of cooling the smoke when the user comes to inhaling. These bongs are typically bright colours and are popular due to the durability, ease of use and controlability. They usually have carb holes on the opposite side to the bowl or slightly to the left or right of that position. These tend to have larger chambers than other bong varieties as ice is used rarely in smaller bongs.

Bubbler

A bubbler is a small bong that can be operated with only one hand (aside from having to provide an ignition source). In these devices the stem is internal and the bowl is at the very top. A majority of the bong is enclosed with only a hole in the side to act as the carb and the hole the smoke will exit on its way to the operator. These operate very much like a pipe since their internal chamber is so small but they have identical parts to a common bong. They are more pleasant to smoke out of than a regular pipe, because the smoke is cooled through the water. nal herbs recommended by a physician.]] A vaporizer-bong, or \"vapor-bong,\" is the use of a box type vaporizer or heat gun and a bong. Connected via a special glass attachment. The vapor goes through attachment, filters through the water, and may pass through a layer of ice - creating an ice-cold, vaporized hit of herbal material.

Popper

A popper, also called a shotty, is made out of a plastic bottle and is similar to a bong but lacks the bowl. The bottle should be made from a firm and rigid bottle, so as not to buckle from the force of \'shooting\' the shotty. A good example is a soft drinks bottle or bottle that used to contain carbonated drinks, as these have to be stronger than water bottles to maintain their shape under pressure. A small hole is burnt in the bottle about one quarter of the way up. A pipe is pushed into this hole at a downward angle while still warm, ensuring an airtight fit as the molten plastic cools around the pipe. The pipe used can be made from materials such as metal wind chimes, tubular aerials and bong pipes with the bowl unscrewed. A shotty is performed in much the same way as a bong, except a rush-hole is not required, as when it is \"shot\" or smoked the mixture in the pipe falls into the water, allowing air to enter quickly. One way people do this is by cutting 1cm off a cigarette and putting it in sideways into the piece then packing cannabis on top by stamping the piece into a cannabis covered flat surface. One could also take a flattened piece of tobacco and maneuver it into the top of the tube; again, the cannabis is added on top. When the user smokes a popper they light the cannabis and breathe slowly. Then, when the cigarette underneath begins to burn, they inhale as hard as they can, creating a \"pop\".

Gravity bong

A gravity bong (also known as bucket bongs, buckets, g-bongs, GBs, sinkers, torpedoes, depth-charges, aqualungs, or turbos) does not necessarily filter the smoke through water but instead use water to generate a slow and constant vacuum in the chamber. This offers the same benefit of delivering a concentrated charge of smoke to the user but are much more effective at making the smoke denser, hence, more chemicals can be absorbed. These devices are known for inducing huge coughing fits in their users and can be very un filtering the smoke through water.

Another variation of the gravity bong is the reverse gravity bong, also known as a \"waterfall.\" A waterfall is made by punching a hole in the bottom of a\"SoBe bong\" is a waterfall made from a glass SoBe bottle; these bottles are often used because the manufacturing process creates an indentation near the bottom, which can easily be knocked out to form a drain hole.

Another variation of the waterfall consists of a .5 liter water bottle and a metal 4mm (or around) socket wrench bit. The bit is placed in a pre drilled (or burned) hole in the cap of the water bottle. The tobacco (usually no more than .2 grams) is then placed in the metal bit. A hole is cut or burned into the bottom section on the side of the water bottle, the bottle is filled with liquid, top is replaced and the marijuana is lit, and the bottle is drained.

See also

• List of bong patents
• Tobacco
• 420 (cannabis culture)
• Audio sample of a bong hit (Media help)
• Popular bong manufacturers: Roor. Hurricane, PHX, Illedelph, Ehle, Blue Dot, Gear

References

1. http://www.maps.org/mmj/vaporizer.html
2. Nicholas V. Cozzi, Ph.D. Effects of water filtration on marijuana smoke: a literature review
3. Nicholas V. Cozzi, Ph.D. Effects of water filtration on marijuana smoke: a literature review

External links and references

• Cannabis Culture thread on Bongs and Boizer Study, from the Newsletter of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies; MAPS - Volume 6 Number 3 Summer 1996.
• Bongs, pipes and other wonderful contraptions, Erowid Psychoactive Substance vault, Bongs FAQ

• Drug paraphernalia
• Cannabis