Tips to Reduce Chronic Coughing
Shortly after I began vaping dry herbs, I found myself trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of coughing that lasted both day and night. While the benefits of dry herb vaping are numerous, I also experienced two significant side effects from prolonged use:
- Increased Cough
- Increase Phlegm Production
Whether I was at my desk focusing on work, or in bed trying to catch some sleep, I inevitably found myself coughing to the point of exhaustion before finally dozing off. After some quick online research, I realized I wasn’t alone in this experience.

In this post, I’ll share what I found and offer some tips on how to reduce or even eliminate the annoying, persistent coughing that can accompany dry herb vaping.
What Causes Coughing?
In my experience, the two major factors that contribute to coughing when using a dry herb vaporizer are vaping at excessively high temperatures and the buildup of residue in the stem.
Heat Too High

Vaping at high temperatures can irritate the sensitive lining of your throat and lungs. This irritation prompts your body to cough as it attempts to clear the airway and protect your respiratory system.
And, the increased harshness of the vapor at elevated temperatures is also more likely to trigger a coughing reflex. These factors together explain why many people find that vaping at high temperatures leads to more frequent and intense coughing.
Residue Buildup

Even though vaping doesn’t produce traditional ‘smoke,’ it does release microscopic plant particles when heating up dry herbs. These particles can irritate your respiratory system, prompting your body to produce more mucus as a defense mechanism.
If a vaporizer isn’t cleaned regularly, bacteria and even mold can accumulate over time. Organic residues like plant particles or oils can stick to various parts of the vaporizer, such as the chamber, mouthpiece, or any filters and screens.
These residues create a breeding ground for bacteria and other microbes, especially in the moist environment that a vaporizer can generate.
Solutions
Let’s see what we can do about it. We’ll start with something simple and gradually work our way up.
Inhale 50%

Instead of inhaling as much as your lungs can hold, which always makes me cough, try filling your lungs only 50% with vapor. Then, inhale some fresh air. This mixes the heated vapor with cooler air, effectively lowering the overall temperature and potentially reducing the urge to cough.
At the same time, try to control your exhale and release the vapor slowly. Doing so can further help minimize irritation in your throat and lungs opposed to forcefully blowing all out.
Reduce Temperature

Considering lowering your vaping temperature, especially if it’s set too high. There’s no need to go above 400°F, as the boiling points for THC and CBD extraction start at 320°F and 360°F, respectively.
If you’re vaping a strain dominant in either THC or CBD, it’s a good idea to start at these boiling points and gradually work your way up. For a Type 2 flower, which contains nearly equal parts THC and CBD, I’d recommend starting between 360°F and 380°F to reap the benefits of both compounds.
Flower Cannabis by Type Type 1 - THC Dominant Type 2 - Hybrid THC and CBD Type 3 - CBD Dominant Type 4 - CBG Dominant
Take note that higher temperatures can also influence the effects you’ll experience. For instance, when vaping THC, temperatures above 380°F may produce a ‘heavier‘ effect, characterized by deep relaxation, sedation, or even a ‘couch-lock’ feeling.
Conversely, lower temperatures (below 350°F) typically result in a ‘lighter‘ effect, which may include an elevated mood, increased focus, and a sense of euphoria.
Since vaping experiences can vary from person to person, don’t hesitate to experiment with temperature settings until you find what suits you best.
Longer Stem

Vaporizers often come with optional accessories, like longer stem attachments that can replace the original stem. The longer stem provides greater surface area for heat dissipation and the extended path means the vapor has to travel further before reaching your mouth and lungs. This extra distance allows the vapor more time to cool down, resulting in a cooler and smoother draw.

Ever spotted that sticky buildup inside your vaporizer’s stem? That’s the residue the stem has filtered out.
The extra length of the stem acts as a basic filter. As vapor travels through it, some of the larger particles and potential irritants may condense or adhere to the walls, reducing the harshness of the vapor you inhale.
For a compatible upgrade, a quick search with online vendors for a longer stem might just do the trick.
Clean Your Vaporizer
Speaking of residue buildup…
I didn’t realize how bad the buildup was until I took these close-up pictures—yuck!
Neglecting to clean your vaporizer stem and other components can lead to a nasty accumulation of residue, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and sometimes even plant waxes.
This gunk not only diminishes the flavor and efficiency of your vaporizer but also makes the vapor harsher to inhale. Worse yet, as this residue piles up, it could become a breeding ground for bacteria or mold, adding another layer of health risks.
That’s why regular cleaning is essential for maintaining an optimal vaping experience and ensuring you’re not inhaling anything harmful.
Vape Bong

It might seem strange to consider pairing a vaporizer with a bong, which is traditionally used for combustion, but the combo can be surprisingly effective. Rather than traveling through just the stem, the vapor navigates an even longer path through the tube, further cooling it before it reaches your lungs.
Initially, I used this setup without any water. It worked to an extent, significantly reducing my chronic coughing and becoming my go-to method for vaping.
That said, just when I thought I’d found the perfect solution, I noticed an uptick in phlegm production, leading to less severe—but still present—coughing. I was about to throw in the towel when I came across the ‘salty bong‘ technique, which turned out to be a lifesaver.
The Salty Bong

This Reddit post discussing the benefits of adding salt to bong water. While the cleaning advantages caught my eye—meaning fewer cleanings—the user also claimed that this method alleviated asthma and phlegm symptoms related to vaping.
I decided to test this technique and see if it could address my issues. Numerous comments in the thread reported positive results, which was encouraging.
The recommended solution ratio for the salty bong is 3% non-iodized salt, equating to 3 grams of salt per 100 ml of water.
I use an 800 ml mason jar, which would require 24 grams of salt. Although that might sound excessive, the 3% recommendation is actually based on a study about halotherapy, an alternative treatment for respiratory issues, as explained further in the comments by the poster.
That said, you don’t actually need to stick to this exact ratio. Another user mentioned they had success with just a pinch of salt in the water.

I use 3 grams of non-iodized salt—roughly a few pinches—in an 800 ml mason jar filled with distilled water. After shaking the jar to dissolve the salt, I poured some of the solution into the bong and set the remaining salty water aside.
I fired up the vaporizer and let it rip, eager to see if the salty bong water would make a difference.

And the results were amazing!
The very same day I used the salty bong for the first time, I noticed a significant reduction in coughing, which allowed me to get some quality sleep. By the second day, the excessive phlegm had virtually disappeared. As for the taste of the salt, it’s very negligible—even if you’re actively trying to detect it.
So, how did this happen?
Ever wondered what kind of environment bacteria and mold thrive in? That’s right—warm, moist spaces. These are conditions commonly found inside vaporizer stems and bongs.
Salt is known for its antibacterial properties. When you add it to bong water, it creates a less hospitable environment for bacteria, effectively reducing their numbers and chances of multiplying, resulting in a cleaner and more hygienic bong.

While using a 3% saline solution might allow for less frequent bong cleaning, I’m using less salt than that. So, I still go for daily cleaning, which personally, I prefer. It’s kind of gross to even think about inhaling bacteria.
Conclusion
I used to be pretty lax about cleaning my vaporizer, a mindset I adopted after watching a YouTube video comparing e-cigarettes to traditional ones. The video showed far less residue buildup in e-cigarettes, leading me to mistakenly assume that vaporizers didn’t require much maintenance and were completely safe.

The comparison here is the difference between e-cigarettes (conduction) and cigarettes (combustion).
Remember, while vaping is often seen as a less harmful alternative to smoking, ‘less harmful’ doesn’t mean ‘risk-free.’ You’re still drawing foreign substances into your lungs. Take good care of your vaporizer, and even better care of your lungs.
So all is not lost if you’re struggling with vaping. One reason people choose to vape is that it’s generally considered a healthier alternative to smoking, but as with anything that’s better for you, it usually involves some additional steps. I hope the potential solutions I’ve mentioned above are as helpful for your persistent cough as they have been for me.
And because everyone’s experience is different, take my advice with a grain of… salt.