Every cannabis patient must decide what is best for their situation and the experienced cannabis nurses at 2 Leaf Nurses want to provide you with the medical cannabis education to make those decisions. Innovation, creativity, and technology are producing an incredible variety of cannabis products to meet the needs of cannabis patients. As exciting as that is, it can overwhelm new (and veteran) patients to dial in on the products that will benefit them most. One of the most potent and versatile forms of cannabis are concentrates. Wax, shatter, budder, rosin, live resin, hash, BTO….and the list goes on. It can be a bit daunting and intimidating. Let’s dive into a brief overview of concentrates and dabbing to help remove some mystery and apprehension for first-time dabbers.
As the name implies, concentrates are incredibly potent sources of cannabinoids extracted from cannabis. Concentrates are named based on their texture and consistency, varying from an oil to a “diamond” depending on extraction techniques. Three prevalent types of concentrates are shatter, wax and budder. Shatter concentrate is clear and glass-like. Wax (which can include sugar wax, crumble wax, budder wax, and more) contains more lipids than shatter and is opaque. Budder is a popular choice for its solid yet pliable consistency. The most important thing to know about any concentrate, regardless of extraction method or product, is that they are all extremely potent, up to 80-90% THC (cannabis flower is usually around 15-30%). You’ve heard to go low and slow; with concentrates, go even lower and even slower. It can be a rather unpleasant experience to intake more THC than you are used to (often referred to as “greening out,” but that is a topic we can explore another time.)
A typical administration method used for concentrates is a dab rig. Don’t let the dab rig intimidate you; it is similar to a bong – with a few essential differences. We will focus on a very basic dab rig setup. You will need the dab rig, a banger/nail, a dabber, water, and a handheld torch (think crème brûlée kitchen torch, not welding torch – that should take the intimidation down a notch.)
A dab rig consists of a glass, water-filled chamber, and mouthpiece; however, rather than a bowl for cannabis flower, the “bowl” of a dab rig is the banger or nail, usually made from quartz. The banger is heated with the torch for 30-90 seconds and allowed to cool briefly for 30 -60 seconds. Then a dabber or wand (made of metal or glass) is used to transfer a rice-sized (or smaller) amount of concentrate to your banger (think of the banger or nail as your “bowl”). Extreme heat will cause the concentrate to flash vaporize into a robust and flavorful vapor. Inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece, but go easy – dabs are smooth, and it is extremely easy to take in a much more significant amount of THC than you usually would. Don’t be fearful but do be cautious. The are many stories of people having horrible experiences with their first dab – this does not have to be your experience. Just go very low and slow. Lower and slower than you think is needed. Dabs do not creep up on you like a bowl or a joint might. The effects are almost immediate and will last one to three hours. Once you are comfortable dabbing, products are available to enhance your dabbing experiences, such as portable rigs, e-rigs, terpene pearls, and an assortment of bangers and dabbers.
Can dabbing be an effective way for a patient to administer their medical cannabis? Absolutely. Is it for everyone? Maybe not. Dabbing is a fast, potent, and efficient method of administering robust, flavorful concentrate vapor. However, with the concentrated purity comes an increased potential for unwanted side effects, or going green, which may be a turn-off for some patients. In addition, precise dosing is difficult, and the initial dab rig investment can be pricey. However, dabbing may be an effective and efficient method to explore for patients who require large doses of THC for symptom management or need instant relief. First-time dabbers must remember to go low and slow (tiny dabs at first, absolutely nothing bigger than a grain of rice) and should choose a comfy environment, preferably with someone experienced in dabbing.
Choosing a method of cannabis administration is a patient’s choice that requires time and patience to find what works best. Every medical cannabis patient has unique needs. The experienced cannabis nurses at 2 Leaf Nurses provide one-on-one personalized consultations to assist patients on their journey with medical marijuana. Every medical marijuana patient deserves a nurse that cares. We want you to feel confident and informed about your medical decisions.
DISCLAIMER:
The information provided by 2 Leaf Nurses is for educational purposes only. Nothing contained within this website should be construed as nor intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. This information should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program. You should never disregard medical advice or delay seeking it because of any information on this website.
What do you think?