Whether a novice cannabis user or not, you may have heard the term ‘dabbing’ thrown around. And like most, you may be wondering what it means and how it works.
Dabbing refers to the process of inhaling vaporized cannabis concentrates. These concentrates are made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant using solvents like butane honey oil, carbon dioxide (CO2), and ethanol. The result is a highly potent substance containing up to 80% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in different textures and forms.
Dabbing is becoming increasingly popular, but it can be intimidating for beginners. This article will cover the basics of dabbing to help you get started.
Understanding Cannabis Dabbing
It’s crucial to understand the basics before getting started in dabs. To those who may not know, dabbing involves heating a small amount of cannabis concentrate, such as wax or shatter, on a hot surface and inhaling the resulting vapor through a specialized water pipe called a dab rig. Therefore, users must have a dab rig and other tools, which will be discussed in the next section.
But what’s the difference between dabbing, vaping, or smoking cannabis? Let’s find out.
Dabbing Vs. Vaping Vs. Smoking: What Is The Difference?
Dabbing, vaping, and smoking are three different ways of consuming cannabis. Smoking involves burning cannabis flowers and inhaling the smoke, while vaping and dabbing involve heating cannabis concentrates to produce vapor.
Vaping involves heating cannabis oil or flower to a temperature that causes the cannabinoids and terpenes to vaporize but not burn. This produces a smooth vapor that is inhaled. Vaping is generally considered less harmful than smoking because it doesn’t produce smoke, which contains chemicals and carcinogens.
Dabbing is a more powerful method of consuming cannabis than smoking flowers, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, it’s important to use properly extracted and tested concentrates and practice caution when dabbing.
Essential Dabbing Components
Every great dabbing experience requires having the right tools. Here’s a rundown of the essential components:
- Dab Rig: This tool is a specialized water pipe designed for smoking concentrates. It typically includes a nail, the part of the rig onto which you’ll place the concentrate.
- Nail: The nail is the part of the dab rig that gets heated. It’s usually made of glass, quartz, or titanium.
- Torch: You’ll need a torch to heat the nail. A butane torch is the most common type of torch used for dabbing.
- Concentrate: Many different types of concentrates are available, including shatter, wax, and oil. Make sure to choose a concentrate that’s appropriate for your experience level.
- Dabber: This tool, which often looks like a miniature shovel, is used to place the concentrate onto the nail.
Once you have all these parts and the right cannabis concentrates, you’re ready to start dabbing. The next section further explains how it works.
How Cannabis Dabbing Works
Taking a dab means using a torch to heat the nail according to ideal temperatures and letting it cool. The cannabis concentrate is then placed on the nail for vaporization. Then a carb cap is placed over the nail to control the airflow as the dabber inhales the vapor. From the nail, the vapor runs through the rig, where it’s cooled before reaching the user’s lungs.
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Heating The Nail
The first step in dabbing is using the torch to heat the nail at high temperatures, as referenced earlier. Once it’s hot, turn off the torch and leave the nail to cool for a few seconds. Letting the nail cool down prevents the cannabis concentrate from burning, helping you avoid an unpleasant vapor taste.
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Placing The Concentrate
Once the nail has cooled down, use your dabber to place a small amount of concentrate onto the nail. Be careful not to touch the nail with the dabber, as it will be extremely hot.
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Inhaling The Vapor
As soon as you’ve placed the concentrate onto the nail, start inhaling through the mouthpiece of the dab rig. The vapor should be smooth and flavorful. Hold the vapor in your lungs before exhaling.
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Cleaning Your Equipment
After each dab, it’s important to clean your equipment. Use a pipe cleaner or cotton to remove any leftover concentrate from the nail. You should also rinse out the dab rig with warm water to prevent buildup.
Conclusion
Dabbing can be an enjoyable and nontraditional way to consume cannabis concentrates, but it’s crucial to approach it cautiously. Start with a small amount of cannabis concentrate and work your way up as you become more experienced.
Always use caution when handling hot equipment, and make sure to clean your equipment after each use. With the right equipment and a little bit of practice, you’ll be dabbing like a pro in no time.
