Benefits and Drawbacks of CBD Dabs: You Need to Know
Those unfamiliar with dabbing are likely to associate it with stereotypical stoner culture or a millennial dance move. But in this context, dabbing is a method to consume CBD that’s quickly gaining popularity in the mainstream cannabis industry. Read on to learn more about this practice that’s taking the CBD industry by storm, and find out if it’s the right delivery method for you.
How to Dab CBD
Dabbing is the practice of
inhaling small quantities of concentrated vapors, typically cannabis products
like hemp or marijuana, which can come in the form of wax. There are two
methods for dabbing CBD extracts.
The most simple way to dab CBD
oil is through a CBD dab pen, which functions a lot like a standard vape pen,
but is designed to work with non-liquid substances. Simply place a small amount
of CBD wax on the dab pen’s coils and it will heat up the substance to create a
vapor that can be inhaled through a mouthpiece.
Another more complicated way to
dab CBD is with a dab rig. This is a device typically made up of a water pipe,
a dome, a blowtorch, and a dab tool. Use the handheld blowtorch to heat up the
bowl, then use a dab tool to place a small amount of CBD extract inside the
nail, vaporizing the substance. Finally, inhale the vapor and place the dome on
top of the nail to prevent vapor from escaping.
What is a CBD Dab?
The most commonly used CBD dabs
are treated so that they crystallize and solidify. These concentrated
substances are derived from a process that extracts compounds like THC, CBD,
and terpenes out of hemp oil. The resulting substances come in varying forms,
the most common being wax, a sticky concentrate. Other similar CBD concentrates
are budder, crumble, shatter, pull-and-snap, and honeycomb.
Beyond their texture and
consistency, there aren’t many differences between these substances. Their
texture is determined by how much moisture they hold, and how agitated they are
during the extraction process. As their names suggest, “budder” is creamy and
butter-like, while “crumble” has a crumbly texture. “Shatter” is transparent
and glass-like, while “honeycomb” has a soft, honeycomb-like texture.
“Pull-and-snap” extracts are taffy-like, and usually snap when stretched or
bent.
Though most CBD oils cannot be
used for dabbing, CBD dab oil is highly concentrated and designed specifically
for dabbing. With a thick dark gold liquid, it’s also referred to as honey oil.
Another dabbed substance is the CBD crystal, or isolate, which is a highly
purified substance that is tasteless and odorless.
What are the Benefits of Dabbing CBD Wax?
If you’re familiar with CBD
products, you probably know that they’re a lot cleaner than smoked cannabis.
Smoking cannabis produces resin and smoke. Extracts do away with most of these
toxins while still delivering the benefits of cannabinoids. CBD dabs can be
derived from hemp, the non-intoxicating and legal variety of cannabis, for
those who do want the benefits of CBD without getting high.
CBD products are more commonly
ingested orally or applied topically. It takes some time to feel the effect of
edible CBD, as opposed to dabbing, where CBD wax vapor is able to quickly enter
the bloodstream within 5 minutes. CBD dabbing is also considered a very
bioavailable method, which means that much of the CBD content enters the
bloodstream quickly.
According to research, only
13-19% of orally-consumed CBD makes it into the bloodstream. With dabs, they’re
believed to significantly increase that absorption rate, meaning users need to
consume more to get the same effect of CBD dabs. While that would explain the
stronger effects experienced with dabbing, we haven’t found reliable studies to
prove that fact yet.
Compared to vaping, dabbing is
more effective as it uses a much more potent form of CBD. Vape oils are blended
with several ingredients to create a liquid substance while dabbing uses pure
CBD extract.
People who suffer from soreness,
anxiousness, and trouble sleeping but have not felt much relief from vaping may
have more success with dabbing. Many also prefer the flavor of dabbed CBD to
vapes, as they’re quite flavorful. However, people who are new to dabbing
should be prepared for stronger effects as compared to other CBD products.
While some dabs contain extremely
high levels of THC, a pure CBD isolate extracted from industrial hemp only has
trace levels of THC, up to 0.3%, if that. This means their consumption won’t
lead to addiction or other intoxicating effects, making dabbing ideal for
people who want relief and soothing benefits without getting high. If you’re
buying from a dispensary, make sure to ask questions and for a lab test about
the THC content so you know exactly what you’re purchasing.
What are the Drawbacks of CBD Dabbing?
Most of the dangers of dabbing
revolve around extraction. Though the process is quite complicated, many
amateurs try extracting their own dabs, which can lead to contaminated finished
products and even explosions. Therefore, it’s best to leave the extracting to
the professionals and always buy from a reputable company.
Apart from the extraction, CBD
dabbing is quite safe, although it’s not as accessible as, say CBD edibles.
Most of the health risks linked with dabbing are related to the excessive-high
that some people get when dabbing marijuana. However, hemp-derived CBD has very
little amounts of THC, so it doesn’t get you high, and side effects are quite
mild, such as fatigue.
Some say that the effects of CBD
dabbing don’t last as long as orally consumed CBD. While the effects of
swallowing CBD can last up to seven hours, the effects of inhaling vapor
typically only last two to three hours. Also, for many new users, working with
a blowtorch may seem daunting. If conventional dab rigs are too intimidating or
off-putting, using a dab pen or electric nails is a great workaround.
Because dabbing is a fairly new
practice, there are many misconceptions around the practice, especially when a
person is using a dabbing rig with a blowtorch. But CBD dabs derived from hemp
containing less than .3% THC are legal in all 50 states. Still, CBD dabs can be
hard to find in states where recreational marijuana isn’t legal.
How Much CBD Wax Should You Use?
Different CBD extracts have
different potencies, so it’s always good to know how concentrated your CBD dab
is. Generally, it’s recommended to start small and see how your body reacts.
Most CBD dab users use 1-2 crumb-sized pieces per dose. Though it doesn’t look
like much, note that these substances are very potent. Start with a very small
serving, then add more if you feel like your body can take it.
This article first appeared on
MadeByHemp.com