Exploring Different Ways to Enjoy Cannabis Concentrates
If you’re new to the world of concentrates and wondering how to make the most of your dabs, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss various ways to consume and enjoy cannabis concentrates.
Understanding concentrates
Cannabis concentrates are potent extracts derived from the cannabis plant. They come in numerous forms, such as oils, budders, shatters, waxes, rosin, hash, kief, and more. Due to their diverse consistencies and flavors, they offer versatility and appeal to many people for different reasons.
For instance, concentrates are more potent than cannabis flowers. By stripping away plant materials and retaining only cannabinoids and terpenes, they can range from 60-99% THC, while flowers usually contain around 10-30% THC. Concentrates provide similar benefits to cannabis flowers, but their effects last longer. Moreover, a gram of cannabis concentrate lasts longer than an 1/8th of flower, making it a more economical choice. Concentrates also tend to be more discreet, as they don’t have as strong an odor as flowers.
With so many types of concentrates available, it can be overwhelming to find one that suits you best. That’s why we’re here to outline the different ways to use concentrates, making it easier for you to decide which method works for you the next time you visit a dispensary.
How to consume cannabis concentrates
There are several ways to enjoy concentrates beyond smoking or dabbing. Here are some popular methods:
1. Dabbing concentrates
Dabbing is an excellent way to consume concentrates. Standard BHO or CO2 concentrates, as well as rosin and live resin, can be enjoyed through dabbing. For this method, you’ll need a dab rig, a quartz nail or banger, a torch, a dab tool, a carb cap, and a gram of concentrates. To dab, scoop a small amount of concentrate with your dab tool, apply it to the bottom of your banger, and cover it with the carb cap. Then, use the torch to heat the concentrate until it vaporizes and inhale from the dab rig. Continue to inhale the vapor until the rig is clear, and then clean out the excess oil with rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab. This method is favored for its discretion and the long-lasting, potent effects it provides.
2. Smoking concentrates
For more solid concentrates like crumble wax or shatter, the best way to enjoy them is by adding them to your preferred cannabis flower smoking method. This is an ideal method for dabbing without a rig. Incorporating concentrates into a bowl, pipe, blunt, or joint can enhance the potency, extend the duration, and improve the evenness of your smoking experience. Experiment with adding crumbly concentrates, kief, shatter, or hash to your rolls, bowls, or pipes. For an impressive twist, dip pre-rolls in warm cannabis oils and coat them with kief.
3. Vaping concentrates
Vaping concentrates offers the most discreet and convenient way to consume them, as they can be easily carried, used on-the-go, and enjoyed as needed. Most dab-compatible concentrates can be vaped with a vaporizer specifically designed for use with concentrates. To vape concentrates, load your concentrate into the vaporizer’s chamber according to the instructions. Then, heat the device and inhale through the mouthpiece. The concentrate will vaporize similarly to dabbing, but with greater portability and fewer components.
4. Creating edibles with concentrates
As cannabis enthusiasts, we love using leftover concentrates to make edibles, especially when using distillate. Distillate is a pure THC oil that contains no other terpenes or plant materials, giving it potency without the distinct cannabis flavor. To create edibles with distillate, we simply whip up our favorite recipe and mix in the desired serving size before cooking. Edibles are a fantastic option because they’re discreet, easy to make, and their effects can last up to 8 hours. They’re perfect for managing long-term conditions or maintaining mental effects for extended periods. Just prepare the recipe, add the distillate, and enjoy!
5. Crafting topicals from concentrates
We can make topicals using full-spectrum cannabis oils and distillate, allowing us to experience the various effects of concentrates without feeling high. Most topicals can’t be absorbed into the bloodstream, so they won’t induce a high but can still provide relief in many areas of the body. However, transdermal topicals can be created by adding concentrated cannabis oil to a mixture containing other carrier ingredients that seep into the bloodstream, causing intoxicating effects. We love topicals for treating stubborn pain, inflammation, burns, psoriasis, abrasions, bug bites, and infections without the high. Apply them directly to the affected areas of your body for relief.
6. Producing tinctures or capsules from concentrates
If dabbing, smoking, or vaping seems inconvenient or inconsistent, many of us prefer turning our concentrates into tinctures or capsules. Tinctures, capsules, and pills are made using concentrated cannabis oils. We often choose tinctures or capsules over other methods of consuming concentrates since they’re the easiest to dose and can last up to 8 hours. To use them, hold a tincture under your tongue for about 5 minutes, allowing the cannabinoids to be absorbed into your bloodstream through the glands beneath your tongue. Tinctures, pills, and capsules can also be swallowed like edibles, but they may take longer to take effect.
Ultimately, there are numerous ways to consume cannabis concentrates, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
