Dabbing has become popular, especially with hemp products becoming increasingly available. Despite the varieties of hemp products on the market, CBD dabs are one of the many ways to tap the wide-ranging benefits of hemp cannabinoids.
CBD dabs can make for a uniquely satisfying cannabis experience. And for many users, dabbing is more appealing than vaping or smoking hemp.
So, if you’re reading this, you are probably interested in CBD dabs. No worries, we’ll tell you more about them. But we won’t stop there; we’ll talk about how they work, the differences between various dabs, how to use them correctly, and what to expect with concentrates.
We cap it all off with a list of our top choices of CBD dabs on the market. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Key Takeaways
- CBD Dabs are cannabis products with high levels of CBD. They include shatter, crumble, wax, rosin, etc.
- Producers use CO2-based extraction to separate the CBD crystals from the biomass (organic plant parts).
- Besides a short effects onset window, CBD dabs are an exciting way to spice up your smoking sessions with more flavor and therapeutic benefits.
- Cannabis concentrates have different textures, flavor profiles, and consistency. Usually, shatter is the most expensive because it’s made from CBD isolate.
- Try CBD dabs from some of our picks of top brands like Pinnacle Hemp, CBD FX, and Blue Moon Hemp.
A Quick Look at The Best CBD Concentrates for Taking Dabs
Here’s a quick list of our top choices of CBD dabs brands:
- Pinnacle Hemp – CBD Concentrate Full Spectrum Crumble
- CBD FX – CBD Wax Concentrated Dabs
- Blue Moon Hemp – Blueberry OG CBD Shatter
- A Gift From Nature – CBD Wax Terpene Rich 800mg
What Are CBD Dabs?
CBD Dabs are cannabis products with high levels of cannabis or hemp-derived cannabinoids. They range from shatter, crumble, and wax to products like live resin, rosin, and distillate.
These products have different characteristics, primarily due to the extraction and manufacturing processes. Unlike herbs or buds, dabs vaporize quite fast, producing vapor that can be inhaled.
The most common way to enjoy dabs is by heating and inhaling the vapor. And for the best experience, we recommend using a dab rig or an electronic vaping device. If you prefer, you could infuse dabs into edibles.
When inhaled, dabs usually kick in faster than regular flower. That’s because they possess more cannabinoids per unit measure than flower. The effects are also more potent, which explains why dabs are becoming more popular.
back to menu ↑How Are CBD Concentrates Made?
There are many ways of extracting CBD from cannabis. Solvent extraction is the most common method and involves using CO2 or butane as a solvent. Mechanical extraction processes are other available options. Once harvested, hemp is processed into biomass to isolate the cannabinoids.
Now, depending on the extract type, the production processes can vary. Crumble, shatter, and wax are made using butane to extract the cannabinoids. The solvent is then purged to yield the final product. You get different concentrate types depending on the quality and type of extract.
Some concentrates, like crumble, develop into CBD crystals and thus have a sugar-like texture. Wax, on the other hand, is thick and “spreadable.”
We recommend buying CBD dabs from reputable vendors. This is the only way to ensure you get safe products made under high manufacturing standards and subjected to rigorous third-party lab tests.
back to menu ↑What Are the Benefits of Dabbing CBD?
Let’s now explore the benefits of dabbing CBD.
Users have different ways of using cannabis. Some prefer edibles, while others go for ‘sublinguals’ like tinctures. It all depends on your health goals, as each method has benefits.
Dabbing offers a solid cannabis experience for novice and veteran users alike. So, here are reasons why you should consider CBD dabs.
- More potency with fewer chemicals: Most dabs don’t contain a carrier oil like MCT. They also have fewer chemicals hence a richer dabbing experience.
- Potency: Dabs produce more potent effects thanks to their ultra-concentrated cannabinoid levels. This makes them ideal for users seeking stronger therapeutic effects without taking larger doses.
- Incredible flavors and terpene profiles: Concentrates usually preserve their terpenes (unless it’s a pure diamond distillate) and, therefore, produce more decadent flavors.
- Little to no odor: Smoking herbs can be pretty smelly, and it might be a no-go if you want to keep things lowkey, even in your own home. Dabbing helps you avoid peepers and unwanted scents, as dabs usually evaporate quickly.
- Versatility: CBD dabs can be taken in many ways. Besides vaping, smoking, and dabbing, you could also infuse them into edibles.
In sum, dabbing has several benefits besides the potential benefits of CBD alone. So, if you were wondering whether to embrace dabbing as your new method of consuming cannabis, we’ve given you five solid reasons.
back to menu ↑How Long Does It Take for CBD Dabs to Work?
Broadly speaking, the effects kick in relatively fast when you smoke or vape CBD dabs, usually within a few minutes. Some users might take longer to absorb cannabinoids and feel the effects, but generally, cannabinoids get into your system faster when inhaled via the lungs.
Most concentrates typically produce vapor rather than smoke. The vapor reaches your lungs, from where the ingredients are speedily absorbed into your circulation.
However, people process cannabinoids differently depending on a wide range of factors, including metabolism, body fat content, dosage, and potency. But all factors held constant, concentrates generally produce stronger effects within the shortest time.
back to menu ↑Do CBD Dabs Get You High?
No, CBD dabs cannot get you high in the typical sense. in fact, they may even help calm cannabis-induced anxiety. To understand why CBD doesnt make you high, let’s quickly overview how it works.
These compounds interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which comprises the nervous system and the brain. In between are neurotransmitters and receptors that play critical roles.
Cannabinoids, like Delta-9 THC, bind to these receptors, specifically the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Without getting too scientific, THC intoxicates because it binds to the CB1 receptor hence its ability to make you high.
On the other hand, CBD is nonpsychoactive because it doesn’t bind to the CB1 receptor; ergo, it can’t induce intoxication. This is also why it is sometimes considered “less” impactful for chronic pain than delta-9 THC.
That said, CBD still has many benefits for your system. Since the ECS regulates vital bodily functions like mood, pain, inflammation, hunger, and nausea, CBD’s interaction with CB receptors helps your ECS perform better.
Related: Does CBD help anxiety? Studies show it may help
back to menu ↑What Does CBD Isolate Feel Like?
Enough with the scientific stuff; let’s move on to how CBD isolate feels like. But first, let’s highlight the differences between CBD isolate and concentrates.
While CBD isolates only contain pure CBD, concentrates usually have terpenes and other cannabinoids, depending on the formula.
If the concentrate is ‘full-spectrum,’ it means it contains traces of THC, usually not more than 0.3% of its weight. ‘Broad-spectrum’ extracts contain terpenes and other cannabinoids but no THC. CBD isolate is a pure extract, which means its effects are purely derived from CBD.
Most users experience a relaxing feeling when they take CBD isolate. This is often accompanied by a body high, some drowsiness but remarkable clear-headedness. Depending on the dosage and your tolerance, you may also feel a slight mood uplift and energy boost.
Overall, CBD isolates typically contain no terpenes or other cannabinoids, which impacts their flavor profile and range of therapeutic effects.
back to menu ↑CBD Shatter vs Wax vs Crumble Dabs: What’s The Difference?
We talked a little about different extracts, but let’s go a bit deeper into the differences between these three types of concentrates.
CBD Shatter
Shatter usually has a fragile texture, almost like glass, and breaks easily. CBD shatter is made with pure CBD isolate, which is the purest form of CBD extract. Like crumble or wax, shatter can be vaporized, dabbed, or even added to a bowl of cannabis loose leaf or other herbs.
CBD Wax
Wax usually uses full-spectrum formulas containing other cannabinoids, terpenes, and THC traces (within the legal limit). It usually has a butter or margarine-like texture. It’s preferably dabbed in small portions but can also be added to joints or cooked in edibles.
CBD Crumble
Lastly, there’s Crumble. As you might expect from the name, this extract easily falls apart like a cookie or bread piece when squeezed. Crumble is made with broad-spectrum distillate,
back to menu ↑Best Ways to Dab CBD
There are several ways to enjoy CBD dabs. Here are the most commonly used methods.
Using A Dab Rig
For most cannabis connoisseurs, a dab rig is an indispensable tool. This device is usually made of glass and has a bowl that withstands higher temperatures than regular herb chambers. It’s also built in a way that prevents vapor loss to the air.
Adapting A Nail to Your Current Bong or Water Pipe
Besides thickness and design, one of the main differences between a regular water pipe and a dab rig is the herb bowl. You can get a titanium and ceramic heating chamber (nail) and adapt it to your current bong.
Ensure you get the right size and type (male or female plug), and presto, you are ready to smoke dabs on your current bong.
Using A Vaping Pen Or E-Rig
If you want to dab on the go, there are reusable vaping pens or e-rigs that are quite helpful. These devices use electricity to heat the concentrate until it vaporizes, so you can inhale it. Vape pens and e-rigs are usually more expensive than dab rigs or nails, but the portability and ability to dab anywhere is worth every cent.
Cooking With CBD Dabs
This is a bit of a hack, but you can absolutely cook with concentrates and dabs.
Use smaller portions (the size of a grain of rice) of concentrate as a starting point, adding to the fatty portion of your favorite recipe. Cooking with dabs makes for a smokeless experience and is quite enjoyable with edibles like pastries, cookies, and even savory meals like pasta or pizza.
You also avoid the unwanted skunk smell associated with decarboxylating weed in your oven. So, if you want to try no-smoke CBD, cooking is the way to go.
back to menu ↑Our Picks, Best CBD Concentrates for Dabbing
Dabbing can be a pretty satisfying experience, but this is only true if your dab is high-quality. So, to set you off in the right direction, here are our selection of cannabis brands and dispensaries with the best CBD dabs.
Pinnacle Hemp
PINNACLE HEMP – CBD CONCENTRATE – FULL SPECTRUM CRUMBLE – 400MG
Introducing Pinnacle Hemp, one of the standard-setters in the industry when talking about top-shelf quality extracts.
The folks at Pinnacle Hemp are experts in creating high-quality concentrates from non-GMO and USA-grown hemp. So, for the best CBD dabs on the market, we highly recommend their Full Spectrum CBD Crumble.
Features:
The CBD Concentrate – Full Spectrum Crumble is available in a whole gram with 400mg of high-quality CBD. This delicious extract is best used with a vape pen or dab rig. It has a rich blend of terpenes with no more than 0.3% THC content.
Pros:
- Third-party lab testing ensures quality.
- Perfect dose for beginners.
- Crumble is great whether dabbed on its own or added to loose-leaf
- Full-spectrum formula is perfect for users seeking a synergistic experience.
Cons:
- Crumble can be a little difficult to handle for beginners as it easily crumbles!
CBD Fx
Here’s one of the big names in the hemp industry right now. This brand consistently innovates some of the best dabbing accessories and CBD products, be it vape pens, edibles, or dabs. If you want a brand known for high-quality hemp products for wellness to pet items, look no further.
About the Product:
Their CBD Wax – Concentrated Wax is a whole gram of high-quality extract concoction in a durable, aesthetic glass jar. The wax contains 300mg of pure CBD in a full-spectrum formula for maximum cannabis synergy.
Pros:
- High-quality CBD extract with 300mg of CBD in 1g of product
- Made from organically grown hemp
- The glass jar keeps the wax at the perfect temperature
- Third-party lab tested
Cons:
- Due to the extract quality, the product is a little pricier than similar-sized products
Blue Moon Hemp
Last but definitely not least is Blue Moon Hemp. This brand’s holistic view of hemp guides its manufacturing practices. Leveraging high-quality US-grown hemp, high-precision formulas, and GMP practices, Blue Moon Hemp doesn’t leave anything to chance.
So, if you are looking for the best CBD wax, shatter, or other hemp-derived products with tasty flavor profiles, Blue Moon Hemp may just be your new favorite dispensary. Their Blueberry OG CBD shatter is undoubtedly top-shelf.
About the Product:
The Blueberry OG CBD Shatter is made from extracts of the delicious Blueberry OG strain. Harvested and extracted using the CO2 extraction method, this delicious dab is all 1000mg of CBD isolate thanks to its 99.6% purity levels. The terpene profile of this iconic strain is amazing.
Pros:
- 1g of CBD isolate with terpenes formula.
- No THC
- Delicious Blueberry OG taste profile.
- Has an incredible price point for quality
- CO2 extraction makes this one of the cleanest dabs on the list.
Cons:
- A whole gram of CBD may be overwhelming for new users.
A Gift from Nature
A Gift from Nature is a dispensary that makes high-quality natural hemp products. It sells both in-house and products of other brands, all subjected to the highest manufacturing standards and third-party lab tested for purity and potency.
We are confident you’ll love their terpene-rich CBD wax. Here is why:
About the Product:
This CBD Wax–Terpene Rich extract is perfect for newcomers and veterans alike. Boasting a hefty 800mg of high-quality CBD in a broad-spectrum formula, this wax can be consumed with a dab rig or electric vape.
What’s more, it doesn’t contain THC, so that’s one less thing to worry about. You can also use it orally or add it to your favorite smoking blend.
Pros:
- Pocket-friendly price
- Potent and flavorful broad-spectrum formula with 0% THC.
- Easy to store.
- High CBD concentration in a single gram of product
- It can be dabbed or ingested orally.
Cons:
- The strength can be a bit too strong for low-tolerance users.
How We Chose Our Best CBD Dabs
For our list of the best CBD dabs, we looked at brands that use high-quality extraction processes. We also certified that the concentrates were third-party tested for purity and potency and that the CoAs were readily available on their websites.
Overall, we chose brands and dispensaries with a good history of crafting tasty and practical products. Since hemp concentrates are usually much more potent and need more finesse than other hemp-derived items, we focused on CBD dabs that give users value for their money.
back to menu ↑Final Thoughts
There you have it! In this guide, we’ve explored everything you need to know about CBD dabs. These products have high CBD levels and sometimes contain other cannabis compounds depending on the extraction and manufacturing methods.
Although consumable hemp products are generally safe and well-tolerated, we recommend buying them from reputable cannabis brands. These are likely to be high-quality and safe. Make it a habit to check if a product is sufficiently tested for quality, potency, and purity. Check out their CoAs.
Your choice of concentrate depends on your goals. Keep in mind that full-spectrum dabs are more synergistic and deliver a broader range of therapeutic benefits than broad-spectrums and isolates.
Happy dabbing!