Can Drinking Bong Water Get You High?

Thinking of tipping back some bong water for a buzz?

Let’s be blunt: your bong water will not get you high. So skip the swig—unless you’re thirsty for trouble.

Here, we dive into the truth behind bong water and what really happens when you drink it.

Bong water is used for smoking out of a bong and is contained within the base or chamber of your bong.

The main purpose of bong water is to filter and cool the smoke before you inhale it. When the smoke bubbles through the water, particles like tar and ash get trapped, which makes each hit smoother and less irritating to your throat.

Post-session, this water turns into a murky collection of contaminants, including:

• Ash and tar residue from the burned cannabis plant

• Resin buildup from the smoke

• Potential mold, bacteria, or fungi growth from the moist environment inside the bong

• Saliva

If your bong water isn’t changed regularly over time, it will become a swamp full of contaminants, look discolored, and smell foul. It’s essential to change your bong water regularly to have cleaner, more flavorful, and smoother hits.

Even though bong water traps a small amount of cannabinoids as it filters smoke, molecules like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) aren’t water-soluble, meaning they can’t actually dissolve into the bong water.

Drinking bong water is straight up a bad idea. The murky liquid is extremely unpleasant and harmful to your health.

Here are health risks associated with drinking bong water:

Nausea and Vomiting

All of those contaminants present in the bong water mentioned earlier will severely irritate your stomach, leading to nausea and vomiting. This can then cascade into dehydration if not managed properly.

Diarrhea and Cramping

Drinking bong water can quickly leave you having frequent, urgent bathroom trips with loose bowel movements. You might also experience sudden and intense abdominal pain as the dirty bong water makes its way through your digestive system.

Respiratory Infections

Bong water is a real breeding ground for harmful bacteria and fungi, including E.coli and Staphylococcus. These pathogens can cause respiratory infections ranging from bronchitis and pneumonia to sinus infections. In severe cases, these infections can escalate into life-threatening conditions.