What is Hotboxing?

Hotboxing is a drug term that refers to smoking marijuana in a small, poorly-ventilated space (such as a car or bathroom), causing smoke to build up and be repeatedly inhaled, intensifying the effect of the drug.

Because hotboxing is often discussed casually, and you might be unfamiliar with the term, learning from Avenues Recovery’s leading drug experts about what hotboxing actually entails and any potential risks it carries can help you make informed decisions. 

Key Takeaways About Hotboxing

• Hotboxing means smoking marijuana in an enclosed space so the smoke is trapped and repeatedly inhaled, intensifying the effects.
• Because of the intense exposure to direct and secondhand smoke, hotboxing carries significantly greater health risks than regular marijuana smoking.
• In many states, hotboxing can carry legal consequences like fines or drug-related charges.
• Hotboxing increases the risk of marijuana addiction.

How Does Hotboxing Work?

Hotboxing intensifies the drug experience because the smoke buildup exposes the user to higher amounts of the drug, which produces a greater and more immediate high. Additionally, the lack of ventilation in the enclosed space leads to a drop in oxygen levels and a spike in carbon dioxide levels, which can cause dizziness and disorientation that can be mistaken for feeling high.

While smoked substances other than marijuana could theoretically be used, the term “hotboxing” is used most commonly in reference to marijuana.

People often hotbox in cars, sheds, closets, tents, bathrooms, basements, attics, or other small, enclosed spaces. Some may even tape off cracks or vents in a room to trap the smoke and increase the effects of hotboxing. Hotboxing is often practiced at parties or other social venues, where participants seek an intense shared experience.

Why Is Hotboxing Popular?

One reason that hotboxing has become popular among young adults in recent years is that marijuana has been legalized in many states, leading to the misconception that it is a safe drug. 

It can also feel thrilling or exciting to hotbox with friends at social venues, or even alone. Another reason it’s popular among young adults is that they often have easy access to cars, so they may be more likely to try hotboxing in one.

Why Is Hotboxing Dangerous?

Hotboxing (meaning smoking marijuana in an enclosed space) is dangerous because exposure to such a high concentration of marijuana through both firsthand and secondhand smoke can impact your brain and body faster than smoking marijuana in open air. 

Marijuana, also known as cannabis or weed, is currently a Schedule I drug according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, meaning it has a high potential for abuse. Further, because the air in the hotboxed room contains more THC (the main psychoactive chemical ingredient in weed) than when smoking in a well-ventilated area, people tend to overconsume in hotboxing sessions, ending up higher than they expected. This is exacerbated by the fact that the levels of THC in marijuana have increased over the years, making marijuana more potent and dangerous than before. 

This is especially risky for people who aren’t used to such high levels of marijuana, as it increases the risk of a marijuana overdose.

Further Risks of Hotboxing

Another danger that comes with hotboxing weed is that people who hotbox in their cars may attempt to drive while high, which can lead to an accident or even death. This is because the euphoric high of marijuana can impact the user’s fine motor skills, balance, coordination, perception of time and space, reaction time, and other skills vital for driving safely.

A further health concern is that a hotboxed car or poorly-ventilated room may eventually drop in oxygen levels, exposing people in the room to elevated carbon dioxide levels. Exposure to high levels of carbon dioxide is called hypercapnia or hypercarbia. It is hard to detect and address this condition because participants often think they are experiencing the lightheaded, confused side effects of marijuana instead of the deadly reaction to loss of oxygen.

Secondhand Smoke From Hotboxing

People who are present in a hotboxed room are exposed to elevated levels of marijuana. Although secondhand smoke always carries a level of risk, it is significantly more dangerous in a small, enclosed, poorly-ventilated space. Marijuana smoke contains tar and chemicals that damage the lungs and can negatively affect other internal organs.

Extreme secondhand smoke exposure in a hotboxed space can lead people to feel effects from the marijuana even if they aren’t smoking themselves.  In rare cases, they can even potentially fail a drug test if exposed for many hours in a very poorly-ventilated space. 

Exposure to secondhand marijuana smoke may carry some of the same health risks as secondhand tobacco smoke, such as lung issues and an increased risk of cancer. However, this is not conclusive, and more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of secondhand marijuana exposure, including whether repeated secondhand exposure could contribute to dependence or addiction.

Legal Concerns With Hotboxing

Hotboxing is not classified as a specific criminal offense, but related actions, such as illegal marijuana possession, driving under the influence, and violating public drug use laws, can carry legal penalties. 

For example, in many states, smoking marijuana in enclosed spaces, such as vehicles or public restrooms, may subject you to fines or drug-related charges. Enforcement efforts in some places even include technology (“hotbox detectors”) designed to detect elevated THC levels indoors.

Beyond legal trouble, breaking laws around hotboxing weed can lead to other personal issues like strained relationships, losing a job, or a mark on your permanent record.

Risk Factors for Marijuana Addiction

The risk of developing an addiction to marijuana is significantly greater in children who are exposed to it at a young age (under 18). People who use marijuana often, in large amounts, or high-THC products are also at a greater risk of marijuana addiction. Other factors that put people at risk of marijuana addiction are previous mental health issues, a history of drug use, high stress levels, and an impulsive and risk-taking nature.

Is Hotboxing a Sign of Weed Addiction?

For individuals already at a higher risk of becoming addicted, frequently hotboxing marijuana to achieve a stronger high may be an early red flag. Repeatedly seeking more intense effects, whether due to rising tolerance or a desire to experiment with stronger substances, is a cause of concern as it can quickly lead to addiction. 

Using any substance as a way to manage stress, anxiety, or other mental health challenges can further increase the risk and is a sign that you can benefit from professional support from addiction experts. 

How to Know if You’re Addicted

If you or your loved one are playing around with marijuana and different ways of using it, such as hotboxing, you may be wondering if you are simply having some fun or if you’re becoming addicted. Addiction often develops gradually, as marijuana use becomes more central to your life and harder to step away from.

Consistent marijuana use can first lead to dependence, which often becomes noticeable when you try to cut back or stop using the drug and experience withdrawal symptoms. Dependence can cross into addiction when your marijuana use becomes hard to control. You may find yourself using the drug to avoid withdrawal or discomfort, struggling to stop even when you want to, or finding that marijuana is on your mind much of the time. Addiction can develop even before the consequences feel severe or obvious.

It’s critical to recognize the signs of dependence and addiction and take action as soon as possible to prevent any lasting damage.

Recovering From Hotboxing and Marijuana Addiction 

Hotboxing weed is no joke. If you are part of a social group that utilizes small spaces to hotbox marijuana, consider the serious health issues that can result, and do everything you can to avoid such situations.

If you or your loved one is struggling with marijuana addiction, our trusted team of addiction experts at Avenues Recovery Center is here for you. Our dedicated and empathetic staff have helped thousands of people overcome their addictions, and they can support you too. We use a wide array of therapies and provide a community-based recovery environment to facilitate real and lasting recovery. Reach out today, and we will tailor a treatment plan to help you stop hotboxing and stay safe for the long term.

FAQs About Hotboxing

What's the definition of hotboxing?

Hotboxing is a slang term that refers to the act of smoking marijuana in a small, poorly-ventilated space. The goal is to inhale both firsthand and secondhand smoke to intensify the effect of the drug.

What’s the point of hotboxing?

The purpose of hotboxing is to intensify the effects of marijuana.

What does hotboxing a vape mean?

Hotboxing a vape means using a vape in a small, poorly ventilated space to build up vapor and intensify the effects. This is different from traditional hotboxing, which involves smoking instead of vaping. 

Is hotboxing legal?

Hotboxing’s legality depends on a few factors. In states where marijuana is illegal, hotboxing is illegal. Even in states where recreational marijuana use is legal, hotboxing may still violate public safety and driving laws. Smoking or using marijuana in a vehicle or public place can subject you to fines, citations, or DUI charges.

In states where marijuana is legal, hotboxing may be legal on private property if all participants are 21 or older and no minors are present.

Will hotboxing show up on a drug test?

Hotboxing may show up on a drug test if the exposure was: 

• Very intense
• Very frequent
• For long periods of time

If your exposure to the hotboxing session was short and you were just present but didn’t smoke, it’s unlikely that it would show up on a drug test. 

Does hotboxing make you higher?

Hotboxing can often make you feel higher than smoking marijuana “normally”. The smoke buildup in the enclosed space exposes you to higher concentrations of THC in marijuana, while the lack of ventilation causes oxygen levels to decline and carbon dioxide levels to rise, causing dizziness and confusion that mimic the feeling of being high.