What Are Dabs?

What Are Dabs?

Since medical and recreational marijuana use is now legal in many states, more people have access to higher THC doses than ever before. Dabs, a form of cannabis-infused concentrate, are becoming increasingly popular. High concentrations of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, can be found in concentrated forms such as dabs. Dabbing refers to consuming concentrated cannabis products such as shatter, wax, CBD oil, and similar substances rather than smoking loose marijuana. 

Let's take a look at what are dabs, their types, their benefits, and how do you smoke dabs.

What Are Dabs?

Dabs, also known as budder, shatter, amber, honeycomb, and wax, are highly concentrated forms of butane hash oil (BHO) that contain large quantities of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Chemical processing using butane oil extracts the cannabinoids responsible for this substance's potency.

Evidence suggests that the THC content of dabs and BHO can be as high as 80%, compared to the THC content of traditional cannabis, which is typically between 10% and 15%. Dabs can be up to four times as potent as a joint. Additionally, the high from dabbing is much stronger than the high from smoking.

A dab is created by heating marijuana with butane. This method of processing marijuana yields a gummy, semi-solid product that contains significant amounts of THC after the THC has been extracted and dissolved in the butane.

Types of Dabs

To help you choose, we've compiled a list of the several dab options now available, along with some notes on how they differ. Concentrates are classified based on their production method: Both solvent and solvent-free extracts exist, but the former requires the use of chemicals during production.

Solvent Extractions

This concentrate is produced in a closed-loop system using a solvent or chemical, like butane or propane, and is handled by trained professionals. When the extraction process is complete, the remaining solvents are purged from the final products. Compared to solventless extracts, they are typically more straightforward and more affordable to manufacture.

Any cannabis product sold legally in the United States must pass a test for the presence of residual solvents to ensure it is safe for human consumption. To avoid ingesting unsafe levels of residual solvents, only purchase solvent extraction products from a legitimate market. Products such as oil, shatter, wax, Pull 'n' snap, Batter, sugar, crumble, live resin, diamonds, and sauce are all included.

Solventless Extractions

Solventless dab production involves no chemical processes and relies on heat and mechanical means. Since they are more challenging to produce, they are more expensive. However, they are also more hygienic. In this category, we find rosin, hash, and bubble hash.

Benefits of Dabbing

Smokeless

One of the main advantages of dabbing is that it is a healthier alternative to smoking. It is common knowledge that inhaling smoke from burned marijuana leaves or resin can harm one's lungs. Dabbing is more hygienic than smoking a joint or using a vaporizer because it involves inhaling vapor from a concentrate rather than smoke. As a bonus, unlike traditional smoking, most dabbing techniques don't create an unpleasant odor.

Potency

As a result of their potency, dabs are increasingly popular. Some users have a high tolerance for cannabis and want a strong high, while others enjoy the ritual of smoking weed. Dabbing could be the solution if you seek a fast-acting and highly effective cannabis treatment for your symptoms.

Due to the use of concentrates, the dosage in dabbing is significantly higher than in other administration forms. Those with severe diseases or conditions may find that dabbing marijuana increases its effects.

Flavorful

A dab rig allows you to enjoy the most full, nuanced flavor from your cannabis concentrate by precisely regulating the heat at which it is consumed. You'll get the most out of your experience if you keep the temperature low and steady while utilizing the concentrate.

Efficient

The layout of a dab rig maximizes the effect of your concentrate. Carb caps on water pipes make an airtight seal around the banger or nail, turning the water pipe into an oven.

Due to this, your concentrate will evaporate rapidly but effectively. As a result, when you dab, every last bit of the terpenes and CBD will be vaporized.

Cleaner

Compared to smoking cannabis, which creates resin and heated smoke, extracts can be cleaner, richer, and gentler on the lungs since they remove most undesirable elements while still delivering essential CBD, terpenes, and other compounds.

How Do You Smoke Dabs?

Now let's get to the meat of the matter, which is how do you smoke dabs. Do not be intimidated; this is not a complicated issue. You'll need more than a trial run to get the hang of dabbing, as it's something of an art form.

Keep all of your equipment close at hand before you begin the process. Pick an extract that works best for you and get to work.

Make a tiny scoop of the concentrate using the dabber. Beginners should begin with a small amount and build up to their desired level of capacity. Remember that even a tiny amount of effort can have a significant effect.

It's time to turn up the heat now. A butane torch can heat the nail to a red heat, at which point it is ready to be used. Whether or not it takes as long as you'd like depends on the nail's composition, its size, and the ambient temperature. Once the nail is heated to the proper temperature, set the torch aside and carefully cover it with the dome.

If you don't want to destroy your concentrate and instead wish to vaporize it, give your nail about 10 seconds to cool down. When the concentrate has cooled, scoop some onto the nail using the dabber, wait for the magic to happen, and then take a hit. If you want to enjoy your smoke without coughing or choking, you must take deep breaths.

Can You Overdose On Dabs?

The good news is that it is impossible to take too much marijuana. Yet, dabs are extremely strong and may take you by surprise if you aren't prepared. It doesn't take much cannabis flower (15–25% THC) to become high, but concentrates (60–90% THC) can produce a deep intoxication. One tiny dab can have the same effect as two large joints.

If you consume too much THC, the effects could become unpleasant and overwhelming. If you've never dabbed before, it's best to do it somewhere private and quiet where you won't be disturbed. It's also a good idea to have someone walk you through the process. There's more to it than just lighting a bowl on fire.

If you want to make sure you have a good time, it's best to ease into it by using a small amount at first and then increasing it if you feel ready.

Bottom Line

Due to its rising popularity, dabbing has sparked a renewed fascination with other forms of cutting-edge engineering. Experts in the cannabis industry are constantly researching new methods of extraction and delivery of the drug to patients. Now you know what are dabs and how do you smoke dabs. Practice makes perfect, so they say. In that case, break out the dab rigs, spark one up, and take a hit.