Best Vape Herbs For A Good Mood

Miguel Antonio Ordoñez

Freelance Cannabis Journalist

Miguel Antonio Ordoñez

Last updated: June 18, 2020

Recent archaeological discoveries have shown that humanity's close cousin, the Neanderthal, used herbs in all kinds of scenarios. Herbs have been an essential component in the diets of not only hominids but many mammals since the dawn of conscious life on Earth.

VAPE HERBS TO LIFT YOUR MOOD

There are a number of herbs that have been celebrated throughout history for their ability to lift the mood and soothe the soul. Ancient Greek, Roman, Chinese, and Renaissance schools all utilised herbal species for these purposes and others.

At Zamnesia, our contemporary range of herbs caters to the natural demands of the modern Homo sapiens. Here are the best herbs for lifting your spirits naturally and effectively.

DAMIANA

• Promotes natural sleep
• Helps when feeling down or nervous
• May work as an aphrodisiac

The flowering shrub damiana produces a host of compounds, some of which exert an uplifting and euphoric effect in humans. The original margarita drink is believed to have been made from damiana liqueur, which is noted for its aphrodisiac qualities.

Damiana is a daytime mood-lifter and nighttime “dream herb”. With its mood-boosting prowess, damiana can be somewhat likened to cannabis. It is mildly euphoric and will put a bounce in your step and a smile on your face. Damiana contains a flavonoid thought to be responsible for the herb’s relaxing and mood-boosting effect.

At the right dose, damiana can help you achieve a natural, restful sleep; however, prolonged evening use can excite dreams to a point of being so absorbing that sleep is inhibited. Damiana grinds easily and is best vaped at 190°C.

CHAMOMILE

• Relaxing
• Helps when feeling nervous
• Promotes a good night’s rest

Chamomile is widely enjoyed as an herbal tea for its relaxing effect. This dainty member of the daisy family has a number of compounds present in its flowers, which combine to produce a relaxing and mood-lifting effect.

In tea form, chamomile is believed to be most effective when administered in more-concentrated doses where its soothing effect can be fully pronounced. When vaporized, users can start with comparatively smaller doses to achieve the same effects. This is a great vape option before bed or any other time when you’re trying to wind down.

Dried chamomile flowers will break down readily and easily fill any size of vape chamber. But don’t pack too tight, as air still needs to flow. Depending on how dry your sample is, set your vape temperature between 175–200°C.

PASSIONFLOWER

• Helpful when feeling nervous
• Relaxing
• Helps achieve natural sleep

The dried flowers of passionflower have historically been consumed to aid with nervous feelings and for their beneficial effect on sleep function. Flavonoids make up the bulk of the beneficial compounds available in passionflower and are thought to be responsible for the flower’s soothing effect.

Passionflower is thought to affect receptors in the brain involved in processes such as motivation, pleasure and cognition, although the research here is limited. Still, passionflower is enjoyed by many users seeking peaceful and serene effects.

Passionflower (80 grams)

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Dried passionflower needs to be ground in order to be vaped. The flowers are very stringy and can't be sufficiently broken down with the fingers alone. Tear them apart as much as possible before putting them in your grinder. You may need to empty out your grinder then reload it to make sure the fibres are torn up. Passionflower should be vaped at 100–150°C. If you are more experienced and want to experiment with a stronger form, you should look to a passionflower extract.

VALERIAN

• Promotes natural sleep
• Lifts mood
• Supports when feeling nervous

Valerian is another herb well-regarded by many European and some Asian cultures throughout history, from the ancient Greeks and Romans to pre-Mongol Asia. The sweet pink flowers have been used as a base for perfumes, and the roots contain the active ingredients for holistic use.

Valerian has many active compounds, a couple of which are most responsible for the herb’s soothing effects. These compounds interface with receptors in the brain to produce a significant relaxing effect on the body.

Vaping valerian can be a flavour challenge. The roots have a very distinguishable smell, but not so bad that it prevented use for thousands of years. Valerian will give up its soothing goodness at 200°C.

WILD LETTUCE

• Promotes sleep readiness
• Mood-lifting

Until the domestication of ordinary salad lettuce species, all lettuce had opioid-type qualities. Wild lettuce, or opium lettuce, has a definite opium-like effect when consumed in large quantities.

Wild lettuce contains chemical compounds that can regulate neurotransmitters and play a part in the immune response. As such, wild lettuce can have positive effects that ease the body into a pleasant state and keep the mind afloat.

Wild Lettuce - Lactuca virosa

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Be gentle with dried wild lettuce as it will powder very easily, making vaping difficult. Crushing in the palm of your hand works well. When grinding, just one twist will do the job. A temperature of between 125–150°C will be just right for unleashing the benefits of wild lettuce.

YERBA MATE

• Improves focus and energy
• Mild stimulant that elevates mood
• For supple muscles

Yerba mate is the preferred beverage of choice in much of Central and South America. It contains a plethora of nutrients and antioxidants, such as caffeine and theobromine.

Little study has been done on vaping yerba mate, but it is thought to be a versatile herb for boosting performance and focus. Although it contains caffeine, the presence of theobromine makes yerba mate a much smoother and more relaxing experience than coffee. Still, the energy boost from this herb makes it popular among athletes and other active individuals.

Yerba mate contains up to 1.7% caffeine. Vaping caffeine provides the benefit of a faster onset of effects, so remember to take it slow. Break the yerba mate down into grinder-sized pieces and grind well. Bits too powdery for vaping can be set aside and steeped into tea. A temperature of 150°C is needed to release the benefits of yerba mate.

BLUE LOTUS

• Soothes body and nerves
• Mildly euphoric
• Mood-lifting effect

Blue lotus is the primary herb in many tea blends. It has a long history of use among humans and is even part of modern language. A “lotus eater” is a person who leads a life of "dreamy, indolent ease" and is happy to watch the world pass by.

Blue lotus contains a compound thought to reduce the jitters while lifting the mood. It is also more on the relaxing side, making it a good option for those who vape after a long day of working.

Vaporizing blue lotus can induce a cannabis-type rush followed by a similar lasting languid feeling. Blue lotus is quite stringy and needs to be ground well. You may even need to pick thin, cotton-like fibres from the ground material. Heat at a temperature of 125°C and inhale deeply for maximum effect.

VAPING HERBS FOR ROBUST WELL-BEING

Vaporizing guarantees quick absorption of all the beneficial heat-sensitive compounds found in these mood-lifting herbs.

With a little effort, you can customise the way you grind and adjust vape temperatures for different herbs on demand. It is much easier than steeping teas or distilling tinctures. As inhaling burning matter of any kind isn't very good for your lungs, vaping herbs is much preferred to smoking.