What Is Dabbing Weed?

Although the legalization of cannabis is progressing at a slower pace than we would like, there are more and more ways to ingest greater amounts of THC. When marijuana is chemically concentrated in different products, such as shatter, wax and other similar ones, these products are called “dabs,” and they are consumed by “smoking dabs” or “dabbing.” And, as technology advances in both consumption methods and the types of concentrates available, their popularity is only increasing.

Dabbing is the term used to describe the act of vaporizing cannabis concentrates to consume it. Like a cannabis oil, concentrates are made by extracting cannabinoids and other compounds from the cannabis flower, resulting in a very potent extract that has many names, depending on its production method, such as shatter, wax, crumble, rosin or sauce.

Some techniques use solvents such as butane to strip the cannabis flower of THC and other cannabinoids, while other concentrates are “solventless,” meaning that they are created by natural measures using pressure and temperature.

Thus, the different types of dabs are classified based on their consistency and method of extraction. Although dabbing may seem daunting at first, with its blowtorches and unknown substances that look more like Play-Doh than marijuana, it is a surprisingly simple and tremendously satisfying way to enjoy the versatility of marijuana, with THC concentrations of up to 80%, compared to the 10-15% average of cannabis buds.

How does a dab rig work?

A dab rig works much like a bong. In fact, you can think of it as an extension of the bong, adapted specifically for concentrates, but also with a water chamber, a nozzle and a downpipe that fits into a bowl. In this case, the key difference is that the bowl where you put the dried flowers has been replaced by a small platform that is called a ‘banger.’ And, instead of filling the bowl with flowers, you pour some concentrate on this hot banger.

Just like with a bong, the key component of the whole experience is the bubbling action. When smoke passes through the water, two things happen. First, the temperature of the smoke drops, making it colder before inhalation. Secondly, heavier particles are extracted from the smoke, resulting in a cleaner and smoother smoke, which has many advantages.

The benefits of dabs

First, concentrates give you access to a much richer terpene profile than flowers, which not only makes puffs taste better, but the well-documented “entourage effect” between cannabinoids and terpenes makes the effect more complex and precise.

In addition, dabs are much stronger than regular marijuana: 3 to ten 10 more powerful, which makes the session much more efficient, which is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, you don’t have to take as many puffs to get where you want to go; but, on the other, it’s easy to overdo it and find yourself in the clutches of a more intense high than you expected. As always, the trick is to start slow and get used to it, especially if it’s your first time. You can always take another puff, but you can’t expel it by coughing.

Finally, when you smoke a dab, you vaporize the material instead of burning it and avoid all the tar, carcinogens, and other combustion byproducts that make smoking harmful to the lungs. While neither method is 100% risk-free, most experts agree that vaping is a safer option, by far.

The risks of dabbing

But, like everything in this life, dabbing is also not devoid of risks. Drawbacks of this consumption method include the need for specialized tools and accessories, and it involves heating the concentrate and tools to high temperatures, which entails the inherent risk of burns. Also, if the cannabis concentrate is not produced using proper extraction techniques and using quality control measures, it could be exposed to impurities such as residual solvents, pesticides, or contaminants.

Most importantly, the short-term side effects of dabbing are similar to those associated with any type of excessive THC consumption. These may include tachycardia, paranoia, hallucinations, numbness or a tingling sensation, anxiety, panic attacks, and/or uncontrollable tremors.

If you smoke a little and experience any of these symptoms, remember that no one has ever died from a marijuana overdose. You’ll have to wait, but time is on your side. Take a few deep breaths, find a quiet and safe place to sit or lie down, put on your favorite TV show, and wait. To avoid overdoing it with dabbing in the future, consider consuming your dabs at lower temperatures.

The importance of temperature for dabbing

The action temperature is a double-edged sword, despite the apparent safety of this inhalation method. For example, a Portland State University study published in 2017 found that vaporizing terpenes at temperatures above 600°F (322°C) produced methacrolein and benzene, toxic substances. In other words, if marijuana concentrates are vaporized at high temperatures, the terpenes can become toxic.

Therefore, although it may seem contradictory, when smoking concentrates you have to let the banger cool down so as not to burn the dab. Smoking at too high a temperature can lead to toxic exposure and the risk of burning valuable terpenes, leading to a decrease in taste and potency. How long to wait depends on the thickness and material of the banger.

The desired temperature is usually between 300 and 450°F (149 and 232°C), which varies depending on the equipment used. As a general rule, it takes between 30 and 60 seconds for the banger to cool down, depending on how hot it is. Nowadays, there are accessories for dabbing, used together with the equipment, designed to warn you when the temperature is right. You can also learn how to perform dabs at low temperature for an optimal experience.

For example, lower temperatures produce smoother, tastier steam, while higher temperatures produce stronger steam. Dabs at high temperature, 340-700°F (170-370°C), will burn the concentrates, giving it an astringent and harsh taste. Conversely, dabs at low temperatures, below 340ºF (170ºC), do not completely vaporize all the concentrate.

Now all that’s left is to enjoy it!

By now you know that dabbing is a fun and tasty way to enjoy the versatility of marijuana, with many benefits, but also some drawbacks. So, if you’re interested in trying it for yourself, head to a dispensary and ask your friendly bud vendor to recommend the best concentrate to start with. Happy dabbing!