The present disclosure is a handheld apparatus that vaporizes plant-based orsyntheticcompounds, for the purpose of inhalation, or diffusion into an externalenvironment. Morespecifically, the disclosure describes a handheld apparatus wherein a laserbeam from aninternal laser unit heats compounds, such as dried plant, tinctures, resins,or essential oils, tothe compound's vaporization temperature for inhalation, or diffused as part ofaromatherapyor other holistic therapeutic treatments.