Salty Bong?!

What is Salty Bong?

I first came across the "Salty Bong" idea on Reddit a couple years ago. The original post mentioned they started using a saline solution in their bong instead of plain water after getting the idea from Halo Therapy which is used to help manage respiratory issues.

Halo Therapy involves breathing in aerosolised salt particles to support lung health and treat conditions like asthma and COPD. After doing some research, they figured it might be worth applying the same idea to their bong, hoping it would reduce their phlegm production and asthmatic symptoms. They mixed up a basic saltwater solution and gave it a shot — and according to them, it actually made a noticeable difference. Other stoners picked it up too, including myself, and we all swear by it now! Once you try Salty Bong, it’s almost impossible to go back to regular water. It's definitely more experimental than anything, but if you're looking to find small ways to upgrade your smoking experience, it’s absolutely worth trying.

The main purpose of Salty Bong is to promote smoother inhalation, minimize lung irritation, and keep your glassware cleaner for longer stretches between cleanings. The salt in the water creates a hostile environment for bacteria and other nasties, which means you can go a lot longer between bong baths. It works way better than you’d think; you’ll notice cleaner glass and quicker cleanup from your very first session. Your water stays clearer, smells way less funky, and cleaning is as simple as a quick swish of isopropyl alcohol.

As for the inhalation side of things, I noticed a reduction in coughing about a week after I first switched to Salty Bong. At the beginning, you might actually cough a bit more and even cough up some serious phlegm. Don't freak out! That’s completely normal. It’s just your lungs clearing out any resin, mucus, and environmental gunk that may have built up in your lungs over time. After a few days, that passes, and from there it’s way smoother sailing. Overall, it’s a simple tweak that makes a huge difference, especially if you’re someone who’s constantly reaching for your water or hacking your lungs out mid-session.

What are the Benefits of Salty Bong vs Regular ol’ Tap Water?

Breakdown of Salty Bong Formula

The original post talked about using a 3% saline mix, but after some trial and error — and factoring in my breathing issues and Colorado’s thin mountain air — I’ve found closer to a 6% solution works perfect for me.

2 tbs = approximately 1oz of salt, added to 16oz of distilled water. With a ratio of 1:17, that’s roughly 6% (5.88% to be exact.)

My personal solution

• 16 ounces distilled water
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt

For my metric system friends:

• 1 Liter distilled water
• 60 grams of kosher salt

Why distilled water?

Distilled water is considered more pure than other types of water because of the way it's processed. The process of making distilled water involves boiling it to kill off any microorganisms, then capturing and cooling the steam so it turns back into pure water, without all the minerals and contaminants. It's cheap, easy to find at most stores, and a smart switch if you're serious about keeping your bong cleaner. Besides being a sterile base for your Salty Bong, distilled water also helps slow down bloom, calcium buildup, and hard water stains in your glass. Compared to regular tap water (which can contain chlorine, minerals, and trace contaminants) or even filtered water (which usually still contains some minerals), distilled water is about as clean and "empty" as you can get. That purity is one of the reasons it's preferred for sensitive uses like medical equipment, lab experiments — and in this case, for a cleaner, smoother smoking experience.

Why kosher salt?

There are a wide variety of different types of salt, but not all work well for Salty Bong. Although table salt is likely what you have most readily available, it contains high levels of iodine and anti-caking agents like silicon dioxide or magnesium carbonate which make it unsafe for inhalation. It’s important that you use iodine-free salt. Iodine can actually work against the benefits of Salty Bong, making the smoke feel harsher and causing irritation in your sinuses. And while Himalayan pink salts and sea salts are naturally occurring and minimally processed, they still contain trace minerals, including iodine, and can also host a myriad of bacterial spores. Kosher salt, while mined in a similar fashion to Himalayan salt, is usually just pure salt, without trace minerals or chemical additives, making it the perfect choice for Salty Bong.

Personal tips and tricks

• After seeing how much Salty Bong improved my experience, investing in a water distilling machine was one of the best choices I made to keep my sessions clean and consistent. (And I got to stop worrying about running out of water!)
• Kosher salt will dissolve in room temperature water, but if it isn’t dissolving as quickly as you’d like, you can warm up your distilled water by microwaving or boiling it. (And don’t worry, it’ll still stay fully distilled.) 
• I’ve found making a weekly batch of Salty Bong to pair with my dry herb vapes and eRigs (yup, I even use it for dabs!) is the perfect amount for my consumption level, and I’ve honestly gone a whole week without cleaning my glass — it still stays clean and hits smooth.
• Try warm or hot Salty Bong in your water piece instead of room temperature or over ice — think of it like a warm steam humidifier. It’ll make your hits much smoother, lessen cough, and makes for an overall soothing experience.