What is Dabbing and How it Works?

Dabbing cannabis is known for delivering a potent high and better bang for your buck, attracting many curious users. However, the setup and tools involved can be rather intimidating, leading some to stick to traditional methods like bongs and joints. However, as cannabis use grows globally, there's a growing emphasis on promoting healthier consumption practices. This includes favoring methods like vaping, and dabbing stands out as one of the most intense ways to experience it. So, what is dabbing exactly, and what does it all entail? Let’s find out!

Understanding Cannabis Concentrates

Besides the complexity of the dab rig, one of the things that freaks many out from trying dabs is all the various concentrates. To keep it simple, all the concentrates are great, and you’ll likely want to experiment with each concentrate to find your preferred texture, consistency, and potency. 

Wax

Also known as earwax or honeycomb wax, dabbing is a great way to consume wax. This concentrate has a soft, sticky texture similar to…you guessed it, wax — in particular, candle wax. 

Like most concentrates, hence the term, wax is much more concentrated in cannabinoids like THC than flower, with levels ranging from 60% to 90% — sometimes even higher in some cases. To give it its defining texture, wax is whipped to introduce air bubbles.

Shatter

As we saw with wax, concentrates are often named after their resemblance to another object. This time that’s shattered glass. While it has a yellow-amber color like other concentrates, shatter is more see-through. Then, it has a glass-like appearance and texture. Like wax, shatter is made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes using solvents like butane or CO2, resulting in a high THC content that can exceed 80% to 90%. The greater the THCa to THC ratio, the more brittle the shatter. 

Budder

Unlike the last two concentrations, it might not be immediately apparent what the budder's texture is like. But just say budder rapidly a few times, and you’ll quickly realize it stands for butter. As such, budder has a creamy, butter-like consistency. Similar to wax, it’s produced through a whipping process during extraction, which introduces air bubbles, giving it a light and fluffy texture. Budder typically contains high levels of THC, ranging from 70% to 90%. 

Live Resin

Traditionally, cannabis flowers are dried and cured over a period of a few weeks before they are sold or turned into a concentrate, but not this time. Live resin is made from fresh, frozen cannabis flower that is immediately processed, in hopes it protects the terpene profile — terpenes are pretty vulnerable to light, heat, etc. This results in potentially our richest flavor and more aromatic concentrate. Like our other concentrates, live resin typically has THC levels ranging from 70% to 90% and above.

Hash

It usually takes some big equipment to produce the concentrates above, but not this next one. Hash is one of the oldest forms of cannabis concentrates and is very simple to make. You simply press the trichomes together into a solid form. Since it’s a ‘loser’ method, hash products can really vary. Its texture ranges from soft and pliable to hard and brittle. Then, THC content in hash can range widely — from 20% to 60%+.

Rosin

Looking to make a dab concentrate at home, but don’t want to mess with a lot of solvent science, but find hash’s quality to be all over the place. Look no further than rosin. With a sap-like consistency, rosin is produced by placing extreme pressure on the flower while additionally applying heat. By carefully applying heat at the right duration, rosin sometimes has greater terpene levels vs. solvent concentrations. Rosin typically has THC levels ranging from 50% to 80%. 

The Dabbing Process Explained

Tools 

To dab, you'll need: 

• Dab rig
• Nail or banger
• Torch (to heat the nail)
• Dab tool or dabber (to handle the concentrate)  
• Carb cap (to regulate airflow). 

How To Dab

• Prep Your Rig: Fill your dab rig with water and attach the nail or banger. Get your torch ready on standby.
• Let’s Get Hot: Take your torch and fire it up. Then heat the nail until it's glowing hot but not red hot. Let it cool for a few seconds if it's heavily scorching. This is one of the parts that freaks people out a bit, so take your time. 
• It’s Dabbin’ Time: Use your dabber and scoop up a small amount of concentrate, i.e., your “dab.”
• Apply and Cover: Place the dab into the hot nail and cover it immediately with your carb cap to trap the heat and goodies.
• Inhale Slow and Steady: Gently inhale through the mouthpiece, drawing in the vapor. Hold it for a brief moment, then exhale and enjoy the pure flavor of your concentrate. 

Why Dabbing? Benefits and Drawbacks

You would be hard-pressed to find a health expert who prefers smoking cannabis to vaping it due to the tar combusting cannabis produces. However, vaping doesn’t always produce the same strong and potent high. Some even joke it’s diet weed because vaping can lack that strong body high. Many find dabbing helps bring back the intensity that vape cartridges fail to achieve while retaining the better aroma and flavor vaping provides over smoking. 

With the ability to produce an intense high, you will want to start smaller dosages to avoid triggering THC’s harsh side effects, such as paranoia. I recommend sticking with those smaller dosages until you get a hang of how dabbing works. This is because you’ll likely apply inadequate temperatures and airflow in the beginning, which can reduce the concentrate’s potency. 

Health Considerations and Safety Tips

Like with all cannabis consumption methods, dabbing comes with health risks. Increased tolerance is common due to the concentrated THC levels, potentially leading to higher consumption and dependency. While a preferable choice to smoking, respiratory issues can arise from inhaling heated vapors and residual solvents. 

Please buy concentrates from reputable sources. As well, ensure proper ventilation when dabbing while starting with small doses to gauge tolerance. Regular breaks can help reduce tolerance buildup. Sticking to a temperature-controlled electric dabbing rig to avoid overheating your concentrate is a great idea. Please use responsibly and seek medical advice if experiencing adverse effects.

Can You Dab CBD or Other Cannabinoids?

When looking at dab concentrates, you’ll notice they are often full spectrum — i.e., they contain the full range of cannabinoids and terpenes cannabis plants produce. This means any of the cannabinoids can be dabbed, whether by themselves or with the others. As such, you can find high-CBD dabs with minimum traces of THC that won’t cause an intoxicating high. Dabbing is a great way to consume cannabis, so make sure to take a good look into dabbing when on the hunt for healthier consumption methods.

See also: Articles, Cannabis, Lifestyle, Vape

Nicholas McEnzie

Cannabis Expert EditorExpertise : Cannabis and Hemp Cultivation

Over the past decade, Nicholas McEnzie has dedicated himself to educating gardeners, enterprises, and enthusiasts on thriving in the dynamic cannabis industry. Whether he's actively involved in cultivation or conducting research on cannabinoids in the laboratory, Nicholas is committed to providing thoroughly researched, accurate, and clear information to a sector that greatly benefits from it.