The increasingly widespread use of cannabis concentrates - the so-called dabs - has inevitably led to the adoption of a specific english terminology: dabbing.
BUY TOOLS FOR RESIN EXTRACTION
This word refers to the process of consuming concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) similar to vaping. Oils, waxes, budder, BHO or shatter are increasingly used by those who use cannabis therapeutically.
However, there is much discussion in the industry surrounding the potential dangers of consuming these concentrates. Dangers mainly due to their production, which in some cases occurs through the use of flammable chemical solvents such as butane.
If you are interested in learning more about the topic, in this article we will first illustrate the basic concepts of this practice.
Secondly, we will explain how to dab and what tools to use to do it safely, so that you get the most pleasant experience possible from this method of consumption.
What is dabbing
Let's start from the base, that is, what dabbing is.
Dabbing is a method of consuming the active ingredients contained in legal weed (THC and CBD) by inhaling the vapor of the concentrate. This is a much more intense and powerful mode.
The dabbing procedure is roughly as follows: once the dabber has been heated, the resin (in the form of oil, wax, budder, BHO or shatter) is placed in it, generating a particularly dense vapor that must be inhaled.
Dabbing is among the most recent and popular trends characterizing the cannabis industry, thanks largely to the purity of vaporizable concentrates. Having concentrates, in fact, means taking high levels of cannabinoids and, therefore, having more immediate and powerful effects.
Regular cannabis flowers have between 10 and 15% THC. On the contrary, concentrates can even have a concentration of 80%. Having clarified what dabbing is, we will explain how dab is obtained.
Cannabis concentrates: what they are and types
Dab is a concentrated extract of cannabis. It is obtained through a fairly complex process which consists in the extraction of all its active ingredients from the plant.
Essentially, THC and CBD are extracted from the inflorescences of the plant and are subsequently brought to a liquid or semi-liquid state.
This process occurs thanks to the use of a chemical solvent, such as butane or carbon dioxide which serves to separate the trichomes from the remaining plant material of the plant.
In fact, it is in the trichomes that the highest concentrations of cannabinoids are contained. Through this chemical process, the resin droplets are extracted and concentrated into a single agglomerate of wax-like resin.
Once the extraction process is completed, the last step involves the decarboxylation of the resin. This process will completely eliminate the last residues of the solvent used for the extraction. To purify the dub, very common vacuum cleaners are used.
Returning to cannabinoid extracts, “dab” is the most common name to refer to them, but you can often find them associated with terms such as:
- Butane Hash Oil (BHO);
- Shatter;
- Wax;
- Live Resin;
- Bubble Hash;
- Rosina;
- CO₂ oil.
BHO is the best-known concentrate, with a strong presence of THC and other cannabinoids. This is a resin extraction done with butane gas, using a very valid extraction process. The gas passing through the flowers will release all the resin from the flowers to offer a highly concentrated extraction.
Butane Hash Oil includes different concentrates called Shatter, Wax, Budder, Live Resin, in reference to the more or less viscous consistency they take on and the different production method.
For example, if you are wondering how wax is made, this concentrate is extracted with liquid butane which separates cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant's buds.
The mixture obtained, after being subjected to the vacuum process, will take on a consistency similar to beeswax. Depending on the colour, texture and consistency it will be called Honeycomb, Crumble or Budder.
Bubble Hash, also called ice water hash, is a type of dab that is produced using ice water in the extraction process. It has a final granular consistency, easily manipulated, as well as much simpler and safer to make.
Rosin is a dab that does not involve the use of a solvent or ice. It is obtained, in fact, using heat and pressure, i.e. by compressing the flowers of the plant between two hot surfaces and collecting the oil extracted from the buds. There are special presses on the market for the rosin extraction technique.
Finally, CO₂-extracted cannabis oil is among the purest and most popular concentrates on the market. However, it requires specific and very expensive equipment to be produced, which inevitably also affects the high price compared to other concentrates.
Read on to learn how to dab bho, wax, resin etc. safely.
How to dab wax extraction and other concentrates safely
Dabbing is then done by placing a concentrate on a heated surface and inhaling the vapor that is created.
The use of open flames and cannabinoids in high concentrations requires a lot of attention in order to avoid not only accidental accidents or burns, but also incorrect dosages.
To dab you will first need a dabber, which is a steel tool very similar to a scalpel that you will need to cut a small piece of dab to put on the nail, the plate used to heat and evaporate concentrates. There are also special vaporizers on the market specifically designed for dabbing.
BUY THE PUFFCO PEAK PRO DABBING VAPORIZER
So let's see how to use a dabber and what are the steps you need to follow:
- Assemble the dab rig or water dabbing pipe and start heating the nail - just use a torch lighter.
- When the nail turns bright red, place the glass dome on top;
- Wait a few seconds until the nail reaches the correct temperature for dabbing: the time varies depending on the material the nail is made of;
- Take a small piece of extract with a dabber or chopstick and place it on the hot nail, making sure it comes into contact with the hot surface;
- Place your mouth on the water pipe or rig: sharply inhale a breath of concentrated vapor and exhale, continuing until the concentrate is finished.
There are two different ways to heat dabs: high and low temperatures . The dividing point between the two modes is approximately 150°C. The difference lies above all in the effects, which are less incisive and long-lasting in low temperature dabbing.
One of the methods used in high-temperature dabbing is conduction heating, where the concentrate is placed directly on a heated utensil so that it is converted into a consistency that can be inhaled.
In this method the concentrate is heated to the point where the THC is converted into vapor for inhalation. This is a safer method because it allows you to inhale only pure products.
Our advice is to try and experiment with different temperatures until you find the most balanced compromise between flavor and effects.
BUY DEXSO GAS
All the advantages of dabbing
Having reached this point, the question may arise spontaneously: "why dabb?" The advantages of adopting this practice are several:
- Fast and intense effects;
- Purer drinking experience;
- Lower exposure to toxic substances than other methods of cannabis consumption.
The popularity of dabs is due to the fact that they offer a high concentration of active ingredients, combined with an administration and consumption method that allows powerful effects on the body to be quickly obtained.
The high temperature reached when smoking a pipe, for example, triggers a combustion process that can destroy a large part of the active ingredients contained in cannabis, altering its effects.
Dabbing is not. And this is highly appreciated especially by those who use cannabis for therapeutic purposes, because it allows the pain and symptoms of the pathology to be relieved very quickly.
Furthermore, the inhalation method of consumption has the advantage of exposing the consumer to a significantly lower quantity of toxic substances, compared to, for example, cigarette smoke.
BUY THE BLACK LEAF DUB RING
Which tools do i need to dab weed
The safest and most effective way to dab is to equip yourself with specific tools and equipment. What you need to get started will be:
- Dab Rig: It is a kind of bong specifically for inhaling dabs. There are different types, designs and prices on the market. Alternatively you can purchase accessories to adapt your water pipe to dabbing;
- Nail (or Nail): it can be made of titanium, quartz, glass or ceramic. It is a saucer that is heated and on which the concentrate is placed;
- Dome or Carb Cap: they are positioned above the nail to better retain the vapor to be inhaled;
- Torch lighter: serves to heat the nail to a sufficiently high temperature compared to that which a common lighter can reach;
- Dabber: it is a tool that is used to easily take wax and other types of dabs - which often have a viscous or semi-liquid consistency - and place it on the nail.
Other accessories you may need are: tools for cleaning dab rigs (pipe cleaners, cotton pads, 90% isopropyl alcohol, etc.), containers for storing dabs (preferably airtight).
And then, again: tools to recover dab residues, mats to place under the dab rig so as not to damage the underlying surfaces, friction caps for dab rigs without domes, etc...
Tips for dabbing weed
Having clarified what dabbing is, how to do it safely and what tools are needed, we leave you with some advice dedicated especially to a first-time dabber:
- Always start with a minimum dosage (to be increased gradually): a grain of rice of product is enough to start with;
- Always use high quality concentrates to avoid negative effects and adverse reactions;
- Learn from the professionals, observing friends who are more experienced than you from whom you can learn the basic techniques;
- Keep your dabbing tools and equipment clean to preserve the flavor and aroma of the extract;
- Use a timer to heat the nail for the right amount of time.
Other tips we can give you to make your first dabbing experiences more enjoyable are to start with low temperatures before experimenting with high ones.
Furthermore, it is very important to carve out a moment free from commitments to db, so as to do it in complete relaxation.
Finally, inhale the dab while sitting down to avoid feelings of dizziness if you are not used to it, and remember to keep yourself hydrated both before and during the session, obviously avoiding alcoholic drinks.
By following these precautions you will be able to make the most of this experience and fully enjoy its effects.
Now that you know everything about the dabbing process, all you have to do is try it.
Visit the Grow Shop Italia website and discover all the essential accessories to purchase to make your dabbing experience even more unique and enjoyable.