Imagine inhaling pure cannabis essence in a single breath. That's dabbing. 

This potent ritual delivers 3-4 times the THC of traditional flower in one powerful hit. Not for the faint of heart, dabbing has transformed from underground technique to mainstream method that connoisseurs swear by.

Before we can explain how to dab, we need to clarify: what is dabbing?

A dab (noun) is a strong dose of concentrated cannabis. There are many types of concentrates, which we'll discuss shortly.

To dab (verb) is to vaporize cannabis concentrate with high heat, and then inhale that vapor.

Grammar lesson complete. Now let's get into the details.

Understanding Dabbing

What is Dabbing? (The Longer Answer)

Dabbing requires some extra tools, and that makes it seem complicated. But it's really pretty simple.

When you smoke flower, you ignite your herb with a lighter and inhale the resulting smoke, right?

With a dab, instead of applying heat to the concentrate, you apply the heat to an attachment like a banger or nail. Once it's hot enough, you drop your concentrate onto the hot surface, vaporizing it on contact. Then you inhale the resulting vapor. See? Not so tricky.

Quickie History and Evolution of Dabbing

Cannabis concentrates are nothing new. Ancient people in Indian, Persian, and Chinese cultures used to make hashish, a type of compressed trichome resin, which they'd then eat. It even shows up in One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, dating back to 10th-century India and Persia.

Hash arrived in Europe in the 18th century, where it was used in the medical community. It later made its way into literary and artist circles, with famous writers like Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas reported users. Pretty good company, eh?

Today's modern concentrates are made with mechanical extraction processes that have been around for about 30 years. They’re highly efficient, yielding almost pure THC and terpenes without any of the plant material remaining.

There are even some ways of creating your own concentrates at home, using common household objects—if you're the DIY type.

Why Choose Dabbing Over Traditional Smoking?

How you choose to smoke is, of course, totally up to you. But there are some common benefits to dabbing that make this the method-of-choice for many seasoned stoners.

Better Taste

Some people prefer the flavorful experience of dabs over flower. Dabs are highly concentrated, so you can taste and smell a lot of terpenes, especially if it's a live resin or full-spectrum extract. Plus, there's no "extra" material to burn, like plant matter or rolling papers, which can make smoking flower harsher.

Higher Potency

Flower directly from the cannabis plant usually contains between 15-25% THC. That's cute.

Concentrates, on the other hand, generally range from 60-90% THC. They kick in fast and they get you soaring.

That's why we wouldn't recommend dabs for beginning smokers.

Fewer Carcinogens

Since dabs don't create harsh smoke and you're not burning paper, the dabbing process produces fewer carcinogens and toxins. You're inhaling more cannabinoids and less by-products like cellulose and other carbon compounds.

It can also be less irritating to your lungs, if you have any respiratory symptoms.

But it’s important to note that these benefits only hold true if you dab at the right temperature. If your dabs are too hot, you can produce some nasty toxins, which we want to avoid.

Types of Cannabis Concentrates

All dabs are not created equal. There are numerous extraction methods that can yield different quantities of THC and product consistency. Here are some of the most common types of cannabis concentrates, but certainly not all of them!

Oils

Oils are thick, runny concentrates made by using a liquid (like alcohol or butane) to dissolve and distribute terpenes and cannabinoids. Then the liquid is evaporated away, leaving the potent oil behind.

You're most likely to find oil in vape carts, rather than sold on its own for dabbing.

Waxes

Wax has a drier, more malleable texture than oil. It can be gooey or have a crumbly consistency, depending on how much heat and pressure are applied in the extraction process.  Wax can be very versatile, used with wax pens, dab rigs, or sprinkled on a packed bong bowl for a flower/dab hybrid experience.

Shatter

Shatter is a hard, glass-like extract, like hard candy. It holds its shape, and you can break it into smaller pieces (hence the name). Since it's a solid with very low moisture content, it can be very pure and long lasting.

Rosin

Rosin is an all-natural concentrate, made with just heat and pressure (no solvents). Cannabis flower is squeezed between two hot plates, making a thick, amber-colored sap ooze out. 

Live Resin

Live resin is among the most desirable types of concentrate. It's made from plant material that's frozen right after harvesting, so it keeps more of its natural aromas and flavors.

Sauce

Sauce actually contains two parts. The sauce itself is a terpene-rich goo, containing terpenes and flavanoids. And suspended inside that goo are potent THC crystals. Think of it like honey that's begun to crystallize.

Diamonds

What if you just want the crystals from the above-mentioned sauce? You can have that. These extracted crystals are called diamonds, and they're basically pure THC—up to 99%.

Tools and Equipment for Dabbing

Dabbing isn't complicated, but you will need some specific dab tools and supplies for this consumption method.

Your Dab Rig

It's the foundation of your dabbing station.

A dab rig generally resembles a bubbler or a small bong. (And in fact, some bubblers and bongs can be used for dabs by adding a banger instead of a bowl, which we'll get to shortly.) It has a water chamber, a mouthpiece, and a joint for a banger or nail. Some also have extra arms that create a "recycling" system for extra vapor cooling.

You can also get an electric dab rig which includes a built-in heating element for precise temperature control.

(FYI if you're feeling overwhelmed: start here with this list of some of our top rigs.)

Dabber

Also called a "dab tool," this is a little scoop—usually metal or quartz—that you'll use to apply your dab to a verrrry hot banger or nail so you don’t burn the shit out of your fingers.

Banger or Nail

A banger is to a dab rig as a bowl is to a bong. It’s where the magic happens. A banger usually has a bucket-shaped "bowl" where you'll drop your dab (after getting the bottom nice and hot).

These are often made of quartz, which is resistant to high temperatures. Borosilicate can crack at the temperatures we're aiming for.

There are also variations of the banger, called nails. These are often made of titanium, but they're less popular these days. Quartz bangers preserve concentrate flavor better than titanium nails, and they're inexpensive.

Carb Cap

The carp cap sits on top of the banger, keeping vapor from escaping and raising the temperature so your entire dab is vaporized. Some carb caps can be moved directionally to control air flow through the banger.

Dab Torch

A dab torch is a small butane torch used to heat up your banger to the proper temperature.

How to Use a Dab Rig

Preparing Your Dab and Kit

First, set up your dab rig by adding water to the chamber. Test the waterline by inhaling with no banger in the downstem. If water splashes into your mouth, you have too much water in the rig and should pour some out.

Next, you'll get your dab ready. Unlike a bowl that you can pack to the brim with flower, you'll need very little concentrate for a successful dab. Using a titanium or quartz dabber, collect a small amount of concentrate on the end and set aside until the nail is heated to the appropriate temperature.

Just remember: the larger the dab, the more intense the initial high. So take it easy.

Heating the Nail

Ideal dab temp can vary based on the type of concentrate and personal preference. But aiming for 500°F is a good middle ground.

Using your butane torch, heat the outside bottom of your banger for about 45 seconds. Then wait 30 to 45 seconds before dropping your dab into the bucket. If it is too hot, it will scorch your concentrate, and that’s not how you do dabs.

If you want to be precise, you can check the temperature of the quartz with an infrared thermometer. Or you can use an e-nail, which uses an electric coil to heat up your nail or banger. It plugs into a wall, so don't trip over the cord. 

Applying the Dab and Carb Cap

Apply the wax onto the banger with your dabber. If the temp is right, it will immediately start to vaporise. Slowly inhale the vapor it through the mouthpiece. Rotate the dabber tip on the hot banger to vaporize every last bit of sticky concentrate. Inhale gently and slowly, as it will take a several seconds to get full vaporization.

Cover the dab with a carb cap and finish inhaling. The cap helps regulate the airflow and prevents vapor from dissipating into the air.

Repeat!

Exhale the vapor and repeat the process. Remember to be cautious when you first begin dabbing. You don’t want to overconsume and green out. It’s easy to do when dabs are so potent!

Once you're a more experienced dabber, you can experiment with different temperature dabs and types of concentrate to personalize your session.

But remember...baby steps.

Time to Fire Up Your Rig!

Ready to give dabbing a try? The entire process of taking a dab shouldn't take longer than a minute once you get the hang of it. You've got intense flavor and a serious high in your future.

Get kitted up for your adventure into dabbing with 420Science. We've got all the dab rigs and dab accessories you'll need to take it to the next level.