Characterizing Concentrate Vaping Chemistry Reaction Pathways, Dosing and Aerosol Emissions

Dabbing and vaping with e-cigarettes are currently popular means of cannabis ingestion. However, characterizing the factors impacting the efficient aerosolization and delivery of terpenes and cannabinoids, versus their transformation to unwanted, potentially harmful aerosol emissions, is a current challenge. To begin to address this issue, the mechanistic details of the reactions of a major volatile oil component, beta-myrcene, were elucidated via isotopic labelling, along with a concurrent study of THC chemistry. The investigation afforded new insights as to how relatively simple changes in extract formulations, such as varying the ratios of terpenes to THC, can modulate the competing processes of aerosol transfer efficiency and degradation. Dabbing and vaping displayed seemingly disparate results that could be understood based on the inherent differences in their physical configurations. Reaction product analysis enabled the determination of how specific pathways were associated with modulating heat transfer during aerosolization. The results to be presented embody beginning efforts towards understanding variables that enhance dosing and limit the formation of unwanted reaction products, towards optimizing harm reduction