Month: July 2020

Despite the technological leaps made by the vaporizer industry in recent years, there are still relatively few devices that can vape both flower and concentrate, and even fewer that can do both jobs well. 

The Firefly 2+, a new and improved version of the popular Firefly 2 vaporizer, is a particularly unique portable convection vaporizer that functions as a kind of electric pipe. 

With upgrades from the previous model that include a significant price drop and the broadest temperature range of any vaporizer, the Firefly 2+ is an affordable and versatile option for tech savvy Millennials and Gen Zers looking for an alternative to smoking.  

Whether you’re in the market for a new vape, or just curious as to what all the buzz is about, here’s our take on the new Firefly 2+. 

What is the Firefly 2+? 

The Firefly 2+ is a touch sensor activated portable convection vaporizer that stands out for its on-demand heating feature, versatility in accepting both flower and concentrates, and a glass heating chamber with ember glow LED design that mimics the feeling of smoking a bowl.

At $249.95, this device is still in the realm of affordability when it comes to multi-use vapes with tech features. And at only 5” tall and 1.4” wide, it’s a sleek little vape that packs a punch, producing consistent, great tasting vapor because of its convection method of heating. 

Most vaporizers use conduction heating, meaning the vaping material is heated through direct contact with the surface of the heating chamber. While this works, it can result in uneven vaporization. The Firefly 2+ uses convection heating, meaning the air is preheated before it passes through the material, preserving terpenes, cannabinoids and vaporizing evenly.

What can you vape with the Firefly 2+?

The Firefly 2+ is compatible with both ground flower and extracts. 

How do you use the Firefly 2+?

Now that we’ve gone over the basics, here’s a breakdown of how to use the device itself. 

Charge the Firefly 2+

The Firefly 2+ comes with a proprietary charging dock. To charge, plug the cable into a USB adapter and connect to the charging dock. When placed on the dock, the device’s LED light will begin blinking blue to indicate charge, and solid blue to indicate it’s ready for use.

Pro tip: Use a wall adapter 9 volts or higher to ensure fastest charge. Using a lesser adapter can increase charging time by up to two hours. 

LED Guide 

• Blinking Green: Device is heating
• Solid Green: Device is ready to use 

• Blinking Blue: Battery is charging (while on dock)
• Solid Blue: Battery is charged

• Blinking Red: Battery is low and needs charging
• Solid Red: Device needs to cool down for a few minutes

Heating Control (from device) 

To put the Firefly into temperature setting mode, hold the right button and tap the left button quickly three times. 

The LED will blink red 1—7 times, indicating the current temperature. 

To change the temperature, you must still be holding the right button and tap the left button the following times to set the desired temperature: 

• 7 Taps: 500 degrees: Concentrates (Beware: The concentrate heat setting will cause combustion if used with ground material)
• 6 Taps: High
• 5 Taps: Med-High
• 4 Taps: Med
• 3 Taps: Med-Low 
• 2 Taps: Low
• 1 Tap: 320 degrees: Ultra Low

The Firefly App 

One of the main selling points of the Firefly 2+, especially for younger generations, is the Firefly App. Unfortunately, on November 15th, 2019, Apple removed all vaporizer apps from its store. Firefly apps that were downloaded before removal will still work but cannot be updated, but Android users are not affected. 

Not only can you easily set exact temperatures based on the consistency and material you plan on using, but you can fully customize your vape with features like device calibration, touch sensor activation, battery level updates and more. 

How to pack flower 

When packing flower into the Firefly 2+, you want it to be ground coarsely, much like what you would use for a joint or a blunt. If the grind is too powdery, it can pull through the vape. It’s also important to note that when the glass chamber is filled to the top with flower, it shouldn’t be packed too tightly. 

1. Remove the magnetic lid of the device and fill the glass chamber with the coarsely ground flower. 
2. Make sure the interior surface is completely free of material so it will be able to seal tightly and completely. 
3. Replace the lid, and check that the seal is tight. 

Vaping Flower 

1. Using the device’s “touch and glow” heating feature, place your fingers on the touch sensors on either side of the vape — without pressing down or using force — to start heating. 
2. The LED light will blink two times to indicate it’s heating up, then turn solid green. Once solid green, the heating coil will begin to glow, and you can take a hit. 
3. Continue to hold down the touch sensors while you inhale for ten seconds. After 30 seconds of holding the touch sensors, the Firefly will turn off automatically.

How to pack concentrate

1. Open the lid and press the concentrate pad firmly into the bottom of the glass heating chamber, readying the device for use. 
2. It’s important to use a very small amount of concentrate with the Firefly 2+, roughly the size of a grain of rice for solid extracts, or 2-3 drops of liquid. Place concentrate in the center of the pad. Replace the lid, making sure the seal is tight.

Vaping Concentrate

To vape concentrate with the Firefly 2+, either download the Firefly app and use the “Concentrates” temperature setting, or set the temperature manually from the device. 

Follow the same steps as flower vaping. 

Pro tip: Be sure to take an extra long hit from your concentrate bowl on the first inhale. Doing so will ensure the concentrate melts into the pad correctly and vaporizes evenly throughout the rest of the session. 

How to clean the Firefly 2+

Cleaning the firefly is a simple process that involves the heating chamber, the vapor path, the mouthpiece and the concentrate pad. 

Heating Chamber: Use the small brush or cleaning pick to get out any particles, then use an alcohol wipe to clean.  

Vapor Path: Use alcohol wipes to clean the surfaces of the vapor path. 

Mouthpiece: Wiggle the mouthpiece until it has been removed from the device, and remove any debris with the pick. Click the mouthpiece back into place. 

Concentrate Pad: Preheat the device for 10-15 seconds to loosen any extra material, then remove pad with cleaning pick. Don’t try to clean the concentrate pad itself. 

What is the appeal?

The Firefly 2+ is about as 2020 as it gets with a lot of tech and very little tradition. It’s kind of cool that amidst all the techy features like convection heating, app integration, and touch sensor technology, there’s still a physical bowl to pack that cherries when you hit it, even if that cherry isn’t exactly a real one. 

This vape is great for the younger set of casual cannabis users who are looking for a healthier, or more likely just hipper, alternative to the smelly world of smoking. While pipes and joints are great, it’s a brave new world out there. If the first couple months of 2020 are any indicator, you’re going to have to be high to brave it yourself. The Firefly is a great place to start. 

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Featured image courtesy of Firefly 

The post Everything you need to know about the Firefly 2+ appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm

In 2017, researchers at Stanford University officially confirmed what cannabis consumers have known for a long time: cannabis can enhance your sex life. 

To reach their conclusion, researchers surveyed more than 55,000 cannabis consumers, who, on average, had sex about 20% more than their non-consuming counterparts. But let’s get to the nitty-gritty. Sometimes, even sex can be too much of a good thing. But that can be fixed by buying something that should be in every person’s nightstand for a sexy night in: a good, quality lubricant. 

Some shy away from using lubes with their partner for fear it will signal a lack of desire. However, one Indiana University study found that 70% of 2,453 women surveyed said that using lube made sex a more pleasant and enjoyable experience. 

Lube could be a game-changer for women experiencing perimenopause or menopause, phases that include lower sex drive, vaginal dryness, and discomfort during sex. For men, being well-lubricated can enhance pleasure and prevent vaginal abrasions and penile friction burns. Some medicines, as well as being anxious or stressed out, can interfere with a pleasurable sexual experience. Bonus for everyone: lube can help sex last longer and feel better. 

But what about CBD lube? Does adding this non-intoxicating cannabinoid to lubricant make for better sex or solo play? 

Dr. Rachel Knox, an endocannabinologist and cannabinoid medicine specialist, told Weedmaps that there is little research on lubricants in general, much less the tiny niche dedicated to CBD lubricants. 

However, she points out that there is a lot of research on CBD in general. “There has been a great deal of research on the effects of CBD on the physiology of the body, including its effects on vasodilation, muscle relaxation, anxiety, and inflammation, which are all relevant to the conversation around creating and choosing a great intimacy oil.”  

What is CBD lube used for? Is it safe?

Generally speaking, people are most interested in using CBD lube, and weed at large, to enhance sex, generally speaking. This could be either to get more pleasure from a sexual experience, or to reduce pain. 

“My interest in [using cannabis for sex] came from the many patients that I see in my clinic who have confided in me that using marijuana treats their sexual problems,” gynecologist-obstetrician Dr. Becky Kaufman Lynn told Weedmaps News in a previous article. “I have seen [cannabis] used in women with chronic pain disorders that lead to painful sex, women who experience difficulty with orgasm or an inability to orgasm, and women who use it to improve their libido, which may not match their partner’s libido.”

Lubricants in general start with a base of water, oil, or silicone. From there, lube makers can add other ingredients like CBD to differentiate themselves on the market. However, many lubes contain preservatives and chemicals which could disrupt a woman’s pH balance and potentially cause infection. Additionally, not all lubes are sperm-friendly and may interfere with women trying to get pregnant.

Some CBD lubes (and lubes in general) have preservatives, chemicals, or natural stimulating ingredients like cinnamon or ginger that could be irritating to the nether regions. Lest we forget, CBD lube is applied locally, so there will be some systemic absorption. CBD may reduce or increase the effectiveness of your medications, an important consideration, especially if that medication is birth control.  

When deciding on a lube, make sure that the base will not break down latex condoms. For example, a popular base for CBD lube is coconut oil. This repurposed health food ingredient may break down the latex in condoms and promote yeast and bacterial growth. It will also stain your sheets, so throw down a towel first. 

However, when used as intended, lubes are safe. 

Does CBD Lube get you high? Does it help sexually? 

Since CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, it doesn’t give you the traditional “high” feeling most THC-based products do. This can make it difficult to tell if CBD lubricant is working at all. 

Dr. Brandye Wilson-Manigat M.D., a South Pasadena-based obstetrician-gynecologist, told Shape Magazine, “we do know that the relaxing and anti-anxiety inducing properties of CBD may facilitate a woman being more receptive to sexual activity.” 

While CBD lube makers are quick to point out positive reviews on their websites, CBD review outlet Review Remedy surveyed more than 1,000 people about CBD and their sex lives. Sixty-eight percent of survey takers said that CBD, regardless of how they used it, improved their sexual experience, helped them relax, or improved their overall mood. 

But when it comes to high-quality clinical research on the effectiveness of CBD lube and sex, the research simply doesn’t exist. In addition to cannabis research lacking due to it’s scheduling and complications with the federal government, women’s sexual health is also, unfortunately, lacking.  

And yet while people find success using these products, Dr. Knox thinks that something to consider with CBD lube and sex is the placebo effect, “when people use something that they expect to make them feel good, they often do.”

Below, check out three CBD lubes we currently love.

Foria Awaken

This vegan/gluten-free/organic formula uses organic MCT coconut oil as its base — making it incompatible with latex condoms. Made with broad-spectrum hemp-derived CBD and organic botanicals, this lube is designed to support blood flow and increase sensation and lubrication. It also features 9 plant-based aphrodisiacs. Foria recommends applying 15 minutes before getting busy to let all the warming effects kick in. 

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Quim Smooth Operator

Smooth Operator is aloe-vera based and condom safe. Formulated using full-spectrum CBD hemp oil, this lube could help increase blood flow, decrease inflammation and pain, and promote relaxation. Quim recommends applying the serum at least five minutes before play. As a bonus, Smooth Operator is 100 percent organic and vegan. 

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Kush Queen Ignite

This lube is going old school with Ignite, a water-based lubricant that comes in both THC or CBD formulations. Though it is not a plant-based oil, it is paraben-free, petrochemical free, latex compatible, and non-staining. A benefit of using Ignite, in addition to it being safe with condoms and non-staining, is that you don’t have to apply and wait for it to marinate. 

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Written by Mary Jane Gibson and Erin Hiatt. Featured image by Matthes Trettin/Unsplash

The post CBD lube could be a game-changer for your sex life. But there's still a lot of skepticism. appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm