Beginner’s Guide to CBD Dabs
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring chemical found in cannabis. However unlike THC, that other well-known compound found in cannabis, CBD is not a psychoactive substance. That means it doesn’t get you high.
CBD can however improve mood, alleviate nausea, decrease hypertension, relieve pain, and even lower the risk of cancer. So while marijuana and THC remain subjects of debate within a legal gray area, medicinal CBD harvested from hemp is generally considered safe and legal by the federal government.
What are dabs?
CBD comes in many forms, from oils and tinctures to topical creams and edible gummies. The purest form, though, is the dab. In the process of creating dabs, CBD is taken from a cannabis plant and repeatedly distilled and refined with the goal is to remove as much extraneous plant matter as possible.
When the purification process is finished, what you’re left with is a highly concentrated material with a CBD level as high as 99.9%. Dabs are useful, then, for achieving stronger, faster results, and they often succeed in treating conditions that weaker doses of CBD cannot, such as extreme depression or anxiety.
How many kinds are there?
Just like CBD itself, there are many different kinds of dabs with varying textures and consistencies due to how they were processed. These include…
Wax: Named for its gummy consistency, this gold-colored CBD concentrate is not sticky like you’d expect, but is instead prone to cracking and crumbling.
Shatter: The most potent variety of dab, this CBD concentrate is hard and transparent like glass, and easily breakable. Shatter with a lighter yellow coloring tends to be purer, while a darker color sometimes suggests the presence of impurities.
Butter: Similar to wax but even softer, to the point of almost being more of a cream.
Crystals: Similar to shatter in its solidity and transparency, but takes the form of very small, powdery rocks. Also known as “crumble.”
How do I use them?
Because of the increased strength of CBD dabs, the most effective way of using them is with a vaporizer, vape pen, or water pipe. Neither smoking nor ingesting are recommended, however, as these methods both require mixing the concentrate with other substances, thus lessening the CBD’s efficacy.
By vaporizing a dab, you are consuming the purest form of CBD in the most efficient way possible. Inhaling CBD vapor allows the chemical to enter your bloodstream much faster, meaning that you will experience its effects more quickly. It also means you won’t have to use as much of the concentrate. Since the main reason to use dabs over other delivery methods is the increased potency, vaporizing ensures you get the most bang for your buck.
