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The Volcano Vaporizer is a vaporizer machine consisting of a conical heater base with controls for manipulating the airflow and temperature. It is used for aromatherapy, smokeless ingestion of herbs, and culinary preparation. The Volcano Vaporizer is manufactured by Storz & Bickel, a company specialized in vaporization technology based in Tuttlingen, Germany.
The air collection system consists of a heatproof bag, a set of valves to control dispersal, and a chamber in which the material is heated. The vegetable matter or essential oil is heated by a variable temperature, pressurized hot air convection stream, and the resultant vapors are collected in the heatproof bag. Once the bag has inflated, the user removes it from the heater base and inhales or otherwise disperses the vapors using a set of valves.
Contents
Uses
Aromatherapy
The Volcano Vaporizer is used to apply heat to release aromatic compounds from herbs and spices, plant extracts, and essential oils for aromatherapy. It is useful to release delicate aromas that may be destroyed by excessive temperature or difficult to release because of their chemical property.
Medical
Clinical evaluations of the Volcano Vaporizer have been carried out, primarily under the rubric of medical cannabis. Research undertaken by the University of California, San Francisco in November 2007, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Neurology, compared the levels of the bioactive cannabis compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the harmful constituents produced by smoked (burned) cannabis to the vapor produced by the Volcano Vaporizer. The study examined blood concentration of carbon monoxide as a harmful-products marker, and found there was limited exposure to harmful combustion products using the vaporizing device.[1]
A 2004 study published in the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics found that compared to marijuana smoke, vapor from the Volcano Vaporizer contained higher levels of THC and dramatically lower concentrations of toxic compounds.[2]
Another study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology in May 2008 investigated the feasibility of intrapulmonary THC administration using a Volcano Vaporizer. This study found that consistent, reproducible THC extraction and delivery is possible with the Volcano Vaporizer, suggesting that the vaporizing device was a suitable method for the administration of THC.[3]
In June 2006, a study conducted at Leiden University in the Netherlands was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. The study evaluated the performance of the Volcano Vaporizer for reproducible delivery of THC by using pure molecular preparations. The results demonstrated that the Volcano Vaporizer was a competent delivery system for THC. The final analysis indicated active cannabis compounds were readily liberated by the vaporization device.[4]
Culinary
The Volcano Vaporizer is used by chefs including Grant Achatz at the Alinea restaurant in Chicago and Ferran Adrià at El Bulli in Spain as a method of applying controlled heat to foods, herbs and spices to release flavors that are otherwise difficult to titrate or apply, or that might be spoiled by overheating during cooking. The technique is useful for the practice of the modern cooking technique referred to as molecular gastronomy.[5][6][7][8]
Awards
The Volcano Vaporizer received the 2003 Dr. Rudolf Eberle Prize for outstanding technical design and innovation.
The Volcano Vaporizer also received the Simon Ackwayus award of excellence in the field of condensed vapor filtration in 2009.
References
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Studies
- Cannabis Vaporizer Combines Efficient Delivery of THC with Effective Suppression of Pyrolytic Compounds
- Marijuana Vaporizer Provides Same Level Of THC, Fewer Toxins, Study Shows", Official Journal of the American Academy of Neurology (summarized by Science Daily) (2007-05-16). Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
- Cal NORML/MAPS Study Shows Vaporizer Can Drastically Reduce Toxins in Marijuana Smokept:Vaporizador Volcano
