What Does French Inhale Mean and How to Do It

Written by Lorien Strydom

February 4th, 2026

A French inhale is when vapor leaves your mouth while you inhale it through your nose, creating a reverse waterfall effect. This vaping or smoking trick goes by other names too—Irish Necklace and Irish Waterfall both describe the same technique.

The French inhale technique itself does not add risk beyond normal vaping or smoking. It won't get you higher than a regular hit either.

We'll show you the working method with the key insight most guides miss: this works through breath control, not blowing.

Table of Contents

• What a French Inhale Is
• How to French Inhale Step by Step
• The OUAIS Mouth Shape
• Common Mistakes and Quick Fixes
• Practice Tips That Make It Click
• Is French Inhaling Bad for You
• French Inhale vs Ghost Inhale and Bane
• Using French Inhale with Vapes and Cannabis
• A Note on Flavor and Live Resin
• What to Learn After You Master French Inhale

What a French Inhale Is

A French inhale is a vaping or smoking trick where vapor released from the mouth is simultaneously inhaled through the nose, creating a reverse waterfall visual effect. Vapor rises from your open mouth into your nose like a cascade.

The trick goes by multiple names. Irish Necklace and Irish Waterfall both describe this same technique.

How It Differs From Other Tricks

A Ghost inhale involves exhaling a vapor ball then quickly sucking it back into your mouth. A French inhale releases vapor continuously from the mouth while inhaling through the nose at the same time.

The French inhale creates a more sustained visual effect. It's often considered easier to start with and builds breath control for more advanced tricks.

How to French Inhale Step by Step

Pull vapor into your mouth only, not your lungs. Keep your tongue parked at the back of your mouth to hold vapor in place.

Position your tongue at the back of your mouth. Set your lower lip slightly forward with a small mouth opening.

Gently nudge vapor upward with your tongue while you inhale through your nose. Let vapor spill upward while inhaling through your nose.

The Critical Rule

You are not exhaling. If you blow even a little, the vapor shoots away before your nose can catch it.

Blowing pushes vapor away. The trick requires letting vapor rise on its own while you sip air through your nose.

The OUAIS Mouth Shape

Saying the French word OUAIS naturally positions your lips correctly for the trick. This simple cue pushes the lower lip forward and keeps the opening controlled.

Try saying OUAIS right now. Notice how your mouth automatically forms the exact shape you need.

This is the most memorable, instant fix for getting your lip position right. No other guide mentions this technique.

Common Mistakes and Quick Fixes

Blowing or Exhaling

Most people blow vapor out instead of letting it spill. Think of sipping air through your nose while vapor rises on its own.

The moment you exhale, even slightly, the trick fails. Focus on nasal inhaling only.

Opening Your Mouth Too Wide

A smaller opening gives you denser, more visible vapor streams. Wide openings thin out the cascade before it reaches your nose.

Adjust your mouth opening width while watching in a mirror. You'll see the difference immediately.

Practicing Near Airflow

Even a ceiling fan or someone walking past disrupts the cascade. Use a still room with no drafts.

Windows, fans, and open doors all create enough airflow to ruin the effect. Practice indoors away from any air movement.

Practice Tips That Make It Click

Use a mirror to see the effect in real time. This lets you tune your mouth opening width and timing as you practice.

Practice indoors away from drafts, fans, or open windows. Let vapor out slowly because rushing thins the cascade before it reaches your nose.

Building Consistency

Start with short attempts and build duration as your timing improves. Most people need dozens of attempts before achieving a consistent French inhale.

This is expected, not failure. Patience pays off with this technique.

If you want smoother vapor for more comfortable practice, check out THCa Strawberry Cough Disposable Vape for $40 or the Hero Dose Delta-8 THC Runtz Disposable Vape for $30.

Is French Inhaling Bad for You

The French inhale technique itself does not add health risk beyond normal vaping or smoking. However, nasal inhalation increases upper airway exposure because vapor spends more time in contact with mucous membranes in your nose and sinuses.

French inhaling does not get you higher. Vapor disperses during the trick, mixing with more air and reducing concentration before it reaches your lungs.

Quality Matters

Use quality products with transparent testing. Mood offers millions of users hemp-derived THC, which is 100% legal and fully compliant cannabis.

You may have heard that the legality of hemp-derived THC is currently under attack, which could threaten the wellness of so many. Read here to learn how to join the fight, and help us keep hemp cannabis accessible to all for a long time to come.

THC Vape Users

Start with one or two puffs when practicing to avoid overconsumption. You're focusing on technique, not effects.

Taking multiple practice hits adds up quickly with potent products. Pace yourself.

French Inhale vs Ghost Inhale and Bane

Ghost Inhale

You exhale a small ball of vapor then quickly suck it back into your mouth. This creates a different skill and different visual than French inhale.

Ghost is about the re-inhale. French is about simultaneous mouth release with nasal inhale.

Bane Variation

A French inhale with teeth closed so vapor exits through the gaps creates mask-like strands. This variation is named after the Batman villain's mask appearance.

French inhale builds the breath control foundation you need before attempting Bane. Master the basic version first.

Using French Inhale with Vapes and Cannabis

The technique works with vapes, cigarettes, cigars, and cannabis. Any device that produces visible vapor works for French inhale.

Cigar enthusiasts debate whether retrohaling enhances flavor perception. Some find it helps taste nuance while purists disagree.

THC Vapes and the Trick

With THC vapes, the trick typically delivers less THC than direct-to-lung hits. Vapor disperses mid-trick before full absorption.

Smoother, denser vapor is easier to control in your mouth and creates a more visible cascade. Ceramic coil disposables produce smooth vapor that makes practice more comfortable.

Our THCa Purple Afghani Disposable Vape for $40 and Hero Dose Delta-8 THC Blueberry Diesel Disposable Vape for $30 both feature ceramic coil technology for consistent vapor production. Any device works for French inhale, but these make practice feel better.

A Note on Flavor and Live Resin

For flavor-focused users, live resin preserves 10-15% native terpenes versus distillate's 2-4% added botanicals. Many perceive this as richer taste during vapor tricks.

Disposable temperature control helps protect those terpenes during use. Higher terpene content creates denser vapor that holds together better for French inhale practice.

Check out our complete guide to live resin for background on extraction and verification. You'll learn how to spot authentic live resin on certificates of analysis.

Explore our THCa Gelato Disposable Vape for $40 to experience live resin terpene profiles.

What to Learn After You Master French Inhale

Once you can do a clean French inhale, you have the breath control foundation for other tricks. Next steps include smoke rings, Jellyfish, Tornado or Helix, and the Dragon.

We won't provide tutorials here. These are simply directions for readers wanting progression beyond French inhale basics.

Ready to Practice

You now know what the French inhale is, how to position your mouth and tongue, and how to practice without wasting time. The core insight is simple: let the vapor spill while you breathe in through your nose.

Stop blowing. Start practicing with patience.

If you want smoother vapor for comfort during practice sessions, ceramic coil disposables are worth considering. Any device works for this technique though.

Products for Practice

Try the Hero Dose Delta-8 THC The Original Z Disposable Vape for $30 or the THCa Lemon OG Disposable Vape for $40. Both offer smooth vapor production with ceramic coil technology.

Browse our complete selection at the Mood vape shop to find the right option for your practice sessions.