What Are Dabs?
Dabs are a very concentrated form of cannabis, usually ranging from 70% to 99% THC. There are various techniques to manufacturing using solvents like carbon dioxide or butane to extract cannabinoids from flower and sugar leaf. The resulting concentrates go by many different names, depending on their consistency, including shatter, wax, and BHO. These concentrates are usually smoked by heating them on a hot surface, usually called a nail, and then inhaling the resulting vapor through a dab rig, much like taking a hit from a bong.
Most amateur smokers and casual marijuana users find dabbing too strong for their tolerance; but for many medical marijuana users, dabbing offers significant symptom relief to patients that have an unusually high tolerance for THC. Twisted Extracts offers many forms various concentrates for the Oklahoma medical marijuana patient.
How Strong Are Dabs Compared To Smoking Flower?
Marijuana flower generally contains about 10% to 35% THC. In can be smoked or vaporized and results in a mild high that usually lasts around 90 minutes to 4 hours. Dabs are concentrated marijuana extracts that can come in many forms, including:
* Shatter,
* Crumble,
* Wax, or
* Oil.
Most Twisted Extracts concentrates are generally about 60% to 90% THC, and not recommended for the novice user at all. They produce a very potent high that comes on strong and fast and peaks over the course of a half hour to 45 minutes. People have been known to pass out or get “couch lock” when they dab the first few times.
How To Dab With A Dab Rig
But what is this “dab rig”? Above, you see a custom rig in-action with the use of a blow-torch. The picture displays the four main components of atypical dab rig: oil rig, torch, nail, and wand(also known as a dabber tool).
You should dab from a rig ONLY if you have a fairly high tolerance AND know what you’e doing. If you have no clue, you can ask a knowledgable bud tender at most Oklahoma dispensaries for advice on dabbing. For many, a single hit from a monster rig is equivalent to smoking an entire blunt in one sitting.
1. Apply Marijuana Concentrate To Your Dab Tool
Apply just a tiny amount of marijuana concentrate directly onto your dab tool (wand).The amount that you scoop onto the tool, whether it’s shatter, wax,crumble or oil, will directly affect how high you get. So if it’s your first time, use a very small amount, like the size of a head of a pin. You’ll be surprised at the potency.
2. Heat The Nail
Next, you’ll turn on your blow torch and heat the nail so that the flame is directly applied to the nail. It will become red hot after a few seconds. Most people recommend you wait about 8 to 10 seconds before moving on to the next step, just to let the nail cool a little. Be sure to turnoff your blow torch BEFORE you inhale. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR TORCH ON.
3. Dab Your Concentrate
Touch your small,very small piece of concentrate against the nail and inhale very,very slowly. Rotate the nail as you inhale so you don’t waste any of your concentrate. Don’t go too fast because the size of the rig affects how much the vapor cools before it hits your lungs. You don’t want to inhale the vapor while it’s too hot because you could hurt your lungs. You’ll be able to adjust your pull once you have a feel for your rig.
Make sure you don’t use too much concentrate for a single hit and please sit down before you inhale. Again, this hits very fast and can take the user by surprise. People have been known to pass out from a dab hit, so it’s absolutely essential that you have someone with you the first few times you dab.
Other Ways to Dab Cannabis
Now that you know how to dab using a dab rig, here are three other methods for dabbing concentrates. The method you use is a matter of personal preference. You may find that you prefer one method over another because it’s easier or more convenient, or because it’s action is a little mellower than using a rig. Whichever method you choose, remember to start low and go slow if you’re a first time user.
And most importantly, safety first. Remember:
* Don’t use concentrates from untested sources. Untested concentrates can contain dangerous contaminants.
* Find a buddy to help if you’re a first time user
* Always sit down first
* Never leave your torch on
* Use a small amount and wait before taking more.
Electric Nail
An electric nail and dab rig. Electric nails replace the blow torch traditionally used with a dab rig.
If using a blowtorch to get high is too maniacal for you, then the electric nail is the way to go. The process is similar to your typical dab rig, except instead of blow-torching the “nail,” it’s already plugged into a separate power source!
This means you have full control over the temperature (which helps ensure that you’re vaporizing your concentrates instead of combusting) and you’ll never have to worry about third-degree torch burns.
T-waxing
Dab mixed with weed
You don’t need any fancy devices to consume super-potent cannabis—it’s really as simple as mixing the concentrate of your choice with some dry herb. Admittedly, the quality of the hit is sub-par compared to an oil rig or dab pen, and you just don’t get as high.
That being said, adding concentrates to flower is a great way to enhance you’re smoking experience, just be warned it might not be the best bang for your buck. Note that when smoked alongside flowers, concentrates like shatter, crumble, wax or oil often burn slower, so you’ll need to puff more when you take a hit.
There are many other ways to dab not mentioned in this article, but these methods are most commonly used, and should be a great starting point for anyone new to the dabbing game. Find various forms of Twisted Extracts concentrates in an Oklahoma medical marijuana dispensary near you.
