In your parent’s day (or your grandparent’s day as the case may be) cannabis was a controversial subject. People who enjoyed a good buzz had to buy their weed on the streets of Denver from some very shady types and roll joints that could be easily concealed and smoked once they got to a safe place, like their friend’s attic. Bongs were rare because they were difficult to hide from parents and po-lice alike and difficult to transport in a safe, discreet fashion.
Fast forward more than 50 years. Weed is now legal or has been decriminalized in a majority of states and it’s estimated that somewhere between 500,000 and a million bongs are sold in the US every year. But while the bong has finally emerged triumphant after decades in the shadows a new debate has emerged that has nothing to do with weed itself. Instead, people today are debating which is better: heady glass or scientific glass.
What is Heady Glass?
Heady glass refers to artisanal, hand-blown smoking pieces designed as much for visual impact as for function. These are often unique creations made by individual glass artists, featuring vibrant colors, sculptural shapes, elaborate marbles or figurative elements, and aesthetic flourishes that elevate them to the status of functional art pieces.
Beyond aesthetics, heady glass still performs the basic role of a water pipe or rig, but the emphasis is on craftsmanship, individuality, and creative expression. Because each piece may be individually crafted, heady glass can often command higher prices, be less standardized in form or joint size, and lean more toward collector-friendly design than purely utilitarian function.
What is Scientific Glass?
Scientific glass describes water pipes, rigs, or other smoking devices that prioritize function, filtration, durability and precision. The term draws on the style of laboratory-grade borosilicate glassware – clear or minimally decorated, engineered for smooth hits, efficient cooling and clean airflow. These pieces often employ percolators, recyclers, standardized joints, and straightforward designs that emphasize performance.
In practice, scientific glass is often more affordable, easier to accessorize (thanks to standardized sizes and joint types), and more predictable in terms of functionality and maintenance. While it may lack the flamboyant artistry of heady glass, its strength lies in delivering smooth, reliable use and ease of cleaning, making it a popular choice for everyday smokers or those concerned with practicality.
If you want to touch off a lively discussion amongst herb lovers ask whether heady or scientific glass is the best vehicle for enjoying quality cannabis. Chances are opinions will be more or less evenly divided. But if you’re a cannabis newbie you may not know much about either type of bong. So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both glass options.
Pros of Heady Glass
- Some people are naturally drawn to more expressive artforms – Some people get a bit teary when standing in front of a Turner. For them, a plain bong with clear glass just won’t do. They want something that makes an emotional connection.
- They are as much art object as functional device – A great piece of heady glass can stand its own as an art object. Whether you are using it or just resting it on the counter it’s going to garner as much attention for its breathtaking design and craftsmanship as it will for its functionality.
- Each one is unique – If you buy a heady bong or pipe, you don’t have to worry that everyone on your block has the same thing. Each and every heady glass piece is unique.
- You don’t sacrifice functionality – In spite of the fact that your heady pipe is an expressive powerhouse you don’t have to worry, it doesn’t come at the price of functionality.
Cons of Heady Glass
Okay, so what are the downsides to this type of bong?
- They’re expensive – Great art is never cheap and this type of bong is no exception. If you are on a tight budget this type of bong probably isn’t in the cards.
- If you break it, it’s toast – With a modular bong, if you break a part you can still use it while you wait for the replacement part to arrive. If you break your heady bong you’re up the creek.
- They have a habit of growing legs – Not that your friends would abscond with your prized bong, but it has been known to happen. The lure of their beauty is just too much for some to resist.
Pros of Scientific Glass
Science has opened up the universe and delivered us technological wonders that would have been unimaginable just 50 years ago. Still, science is a fairly cold pursuit that requires you to leave your imagination at the door and follow the evidence wherever it may lead. Scientific glass bongs express this matter-of-fact approach in their emphasis on function over creative expression.
As such, scientific glass pros tend to be things like slightly larger hits produced by the rational design, cooler hits that are also a function of the well-considered design, and durability that stems from the fact that these bongs are almost all fashioned from tough borosilicate glass. You won’t have much to zone out on when looking at a scientific glass bong. But that zone out will be extra intense because the bong is so efficient and effective.
Because scientific glass tends to be very logically designed and built, they are also easier to create accessories for than eccentrically designed heady bongs.
Cons of Scientific Glass
The biggest con related to scientific glass is that it’s boring to look at. There, we said it. Scientific glass is boring. Don’t believe it? Well, just Google “heady glass” and look at the images that come up, then Google “scientific glass bongs” and see what comes up. It’s like they come from two different universes. Because in a way they do.
The two types of bongs are embodiments of the two categories of expression that almost all art can be divided into: classical and romantic. Ingres was classical, Gericault was romantic. Mozart was classical, Wagner was romantic. Scientific glass is classical, heady is romantic.
Which Type of Glass Is Better?
Asking which is better, heady or scientific glass is like asking if glass pipes are better than wooden pipes. They’re both good although they are good for different reasons. Some people love the cool, intellectual overtones of the scientific bong, while others love to spend hours contemplating the aesthetic marvels of the heady bong.
Many of our customers at the 710 Pipes head shop in Denver have both kinds in their house and rotate their use depending on the circumstances. If they’re alone they might use the scientific glass because it’s simple and easier to clean. On the other hand, when guests arrive they’ll whip out the heady bong to collect breathless accolades from the assembled masses.
At the end of the day both types of glass have their upside and downside and which one you choose is up to you. You really can’t lose either way.