Discover the Benefits of Cannabis Nebulization: A DIY Guide

The untapped gem in Cannabis Consumption

Nebulizer-what? the Asthma Inhaling machine?

Nebulization is an effective method for delivering cannabis directly to the lungs without the need for combustion or vaporization. Despite being a healthy, accessible, easy, and appealing way to consume cannabis, nebulization is disappointingly overlooked in modern cannabis consumption. It is often ignored, perhaps because it seems too "medical" for most consumers. However, this guide demonstrates how simple it is to prepare and use a cannabis-infused saline solution with a nebulizer at home. By combining saline with an alcohol-based cannabis tincture, you can create a mist that is easy to inhale, offering fast-acting relief and therapeutic benefits. This method is particularly beneficial for individuals looking to avoid the irritants associated with smoking, those with frequent sinus infections, or those needing a non-intrusive way to inhale cannabis, such as very disabled individuals who can benefit from blow-by inhalation while sleeping.

1. Purchase Saline Nebulizer:

• You can find saline nebulizers online, such as on Amazon, ranging from $20-60.

2. Obtain or Make Saline Aliquots:

• You can purchase saline aliquots online or make them at home. Here is an example: Saline Aliquots.

• See below if you want to make your own saline.

  

3. Prepare or Purchase Alcohol-Based Cannabis Tincture:

• To make your own, use “Everclear” or any other "whole grain alcohol" and soak cannabis flower in a shot glass for a few hours. See THIS post for more info.

4. Prepare the Nebulizer:

• Turn the nebulizer machine on.

• Add 1 aliquot of saline into the nebulizer.

• Drip 3-4 drops of the alcohol-based cannabis tincture into the saline.

• With the machine bubbling (on), wait for 10 seconds to allow the alcohol to evaporate (so you don’t breathe in alcohol).

5. Inhale the Saline + Cannabis Nebulizer Mist:

• Inhale the mist produced by the nebulizer, which now contains the cannabis infusion.

Why Use a Nebulizer?

1. Avoid Heat but Still Have Inhalation:

   • Nebulization allows for the inhalation of cannabis without the need for combustion or vaporization, avoiding potential irritants from smoke or high-temperature vapor.

2. Fast-Acting Onset:

   • Inhalation via nebulization offers rapid delivery of cannabinoids into the bloodstream, providing fast relief.

3. Clearing Out Nasal Passages:

   • Cannabis has antibiotic and antimicrobial properties that can help clear nasal passages, beneficial for those with frequent sinus infections.

4. Blow-by Inhalation While Sleeping:

   • For very disabled individuals, blow-by inhalation can be administered while sleeping, providing a convenient and non-intrusive method of cannabis delivery.

How to Make Your Own Saline Solution:

Ingredients:

• 1 liter (4 cups) of distilled or sterilized water

• 9 grams (1.5 teaspoons) of non-iodized salt (sodium chloride)

Instructions:

1. Sterilize the Equipment:

   • Ensure all equipment (spoon, container, measuring tools) is thoroughly cleaned and sterilized to avoid contamination.

2. Boil the Water:

   • Bring the distilled or sterilized water to a rolling boil.

3. Add Salt:

   • Carefully add the 9 grams (1.5 teaspoons) of non-iodized salt to the boiling water.

4. Dissolve the Salt:

   • Stir the solution until the salt is completely dissolved.

5. Cool the Solution:

   • Allow the saline solution to cool to room temperature before use.

6. Store Properly:

   • Store the solution in a clean, airtight container. If you’re making large quantities, divide it into smaller aliquots to ensure it remains sterile. Use within a week for the best safety and effectiveness.

     

Important Note:

Medical decisions, including methods of consumption, should be directed by individual characteristics and recommendations or guidance from an experienced healthcare provider who knows you and your needs well. The instructions and recommendations here are intended to share general knowledge and may not be appropriate for all consumers. If you'd like personal guidance, I'm only an note away.

When and Why to Use Nebulized Cannabis:

This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but you get the idea, it applies broadly:

1. Asthma and Respiratory Conditions:

   • Nebulization allows for the direct delivery of cannabinoids to the lungs, potentially helping to reduce inflammation and improve breathing in individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

2. Chronic Pain Management:

   • Fast-acting relief from nebulized cannabis can be beneficial for individuals with chronic pain conditions, offering an alternative to oral or topical administration.

3. Sinus Infections:

   • Cannabis has antimicrobial properties that can help clear nasal passages, making nebulization useful for those with frequent sinus infections.

4. Sleep Disorders:

   • For individuals with severe disabilities or conditions that impair their ability to sleep, blow-by inhalation of nebulized cannabis while sleeping can provide a non-intrusive method to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.

5. Anxiety and Panic Attacks:

   • The rapid onset of relief from nebulized cannabis can be advantageous for managing acute anxiety or panic attacks, offering a quick and effective way to calm symptoms.

6. Nausea and Vomiting:

   • Nebulization can be particularly helpful for individuals experiencing nausea and vomiting, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, as it provides a quick way to alleviate symptoms without the need to ingest anything orally.

7. Bronchitis and COPD:

   • The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids delivered directly to the lungs can help reduce symptoms and improve lung function in conditions like bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

8. Cystic Fibrosis:

   • Nebulized cannabis may help in managing the thick mucus production associated with cystic fibrosis, potentially improving respiratory function and comfort.

9. Migraines:

   • For individuals who experience severe migraines, the fast-acting nature of nebulized cannabis can provide quick relief from pain and associated symptoms like nausea and light sensitivity.

10. Postoperative Recovery:

    • Nebulized cannabis can be used to manage pain and inflammation following surgery, offering a non-invasive and effective method to enhance recovery and comfort.

Compare: Nebulizer / Vaporizer / Hookah / Bong / Joint / Edibles / Tinctures

Enjoy the benefits of your cannabis-infused saline nebulizer mist!

Feel free to share your experience or ask any questions in the comments or chat below!

⚠️ Safety Caveat: Understanding Lipoid Pneumonia Risks with Nebulized Cannabis

Even though nebulized cannabis avoids the hazards of smoke and combustion, it’s important to clarify what does pose a danger—and what doesn’t.

This section addresses a common concern:

Can nebulizing cannabis cause lipoid pneumonia?

The Short Answer: It Depends on the Ingredients

If you’re nebulizing a properly prepared alcohol-based tincture, with no oil, the risk of lipoid pneumonia is extremely low. But if you’re nebulizing any oil-based solution, the risk becomes dangerously high—and well-documented.

Let’s break it down.

🧪 How the Lungs React to Different Forms of Cannabis

1. Combusting Flower

1️⃣ Uses high heat (~600–900°C) to release cannabinoids

2️⃣ Produces tar, carbon monoxide, and irritants

3️⃣ Does NOT involve lipids, so no risk of lipoid pneumonia

4️⃣ Long-term risks include bronchitis, reduced lung function, and airway inflammation

2. Dry Herb Vaping

1. Heats cannabis flower at controlled temperatures (~180–220°C)

2. No combustion, no added oils

3. Still free from lipid aerosolization

4. Risks: mild airway irritation from heat or terpenes

3. Vaping Oil Cartridges / Dab Pens

1. Often includes cannabis extract suspended in MCT oil, vitamin E acetate, or other lipids

2. When poorly manufactured, these oils can aerosolize and deposit in the lungs

3. Linked directly to EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury) in 2019

4. Documented cause of lipoid pneumonia, especially with unregulated products

4. Nebulizing OIL-Based Preparations (different from water-based)

👉 Highest risk among all methods

👉 Delivers fine oil droplets directly into deep lung tissue

👉 Alveoli lack the ability to clear lipids → macrophages accumulate fat → chronic inflammation

Can result in:

Progressive shortness of breath, Chronic coughing, Hypoxia (low blood oxygen), Long-term lung damage

NEVER. NEBULIZE. OILS, ever.

🚫 Why Lungs Can’t Handle Oils (But Can Handle Vapors)

Your lungs are designed to:

1. Exchange gases (oxygen, CO₂)

2. Handle dry particulates to a limited extent

3. Tolerate vaporized molecules like THC or CBD at proper temperatures

But they are not equipped to process oils:

♦️ Alveolar macrophages cannot metabolize fat

♦️ Instead, they absorb it—leading to lipid accumulation and a foreign-body inflammatory response

♦️ This is the pathological root of exogenous lipoid pneumonia

♦️ Even small quantities of improperly nebulized oil can trigger lasting harm.

✅ Why Nebulized Cannabis (As Described in This Blog) Is Different

If made properly, nebulized cannabis using an alcohol-based tincture diluted in saline, with full evaporation of alcohol before inhalation, does not contain large amounts of complex, thick, bound oil, and should not pose a lipoid pneumonia risk.

That said…

⚖️ Legal and Medical Disclaimer: This Is Theoretical, Not Proven Safe

Despite its promise, nebulized cannabis has not yet been clinically studied, standardized, or FDA-approved. We don’t have:

• Regulatory oversight on tincture safety

• Quality controls for home-made nebulizer setups

• Long-term pulmonary safety data in human trials

This blog is not medical advice. It’s an educational guide that reflects emerging practices, theoretical safety models, and clinical curiosity.

Anyone considering this method should consult with a knowledgeable healthcare provider. Even with proper preparation, personal medical supervision is essential.

Bottom Line:

⚠️ Do not use oil-based products in a nebulizer—ever.

⚠️ Do not assume all tinctures are safe unless their ingredients are verified.

⚠️ Do allow the alcohol to fully evaporate before inhaling.

⚠️ Do discuss this method with a qualified cannabis clinician before trying it.

For more on this topic, visit this nebulization guide on CEDclinic.com