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What are cannabis concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are a highly potent form of marijuana that is made during an extraction process to extract specific compounds from the marijuana plant. The concentrates this process yields come in different forms; dabs, diamonds, wax, budder, shatter, and oils or vapes.

What is dabbing?

Dabbing is a more efficient way to smoke than smoking flower (bud). This is due to the concentrated form that requires tiny amounts of the substance to achieve the desired effect. This way of smoking can be cost-effective for those who want to save money and still use marijuana. Dabbing marijuana can offer diverse flavor profiles, smells, and textures that can be smoked at different temperatures. This can give the user the unique experience of experimenting with distinct types of concentrates. This variety allows the user to be able to choose which type of concentrate and flavor profile when smoking concentrates.

Battery-powered dab rigs with temperature controls have made dabbing more attractive to those who did not want to use a torch and a glass dab rig to smoke their concentrates. Battery-powered dabbing rigs have the potential to reduce the amount of harmful smoke-related byproducts inhaled, which has led to its rise in popularity.

It is important to use concentrates responsibly, as this will minimize the risks of developing a substance use disorder or marijuana use disorder in the future. It is always a good idea to consult a healthcare provider before dabbing or using highly potent concentrates. When buying your concentrates, it is recommended that you always get them from a reputable source like a dispensary that goes through rigorous testing to make sure their products are safe for use.

Why is dabbing so popular?

Over the last 10 years or so, the use of cannabis dabs has increased. This has happened for several reasons. Dabbing became more popular among cannabis users when videos of people dabbing large quantities of concentrate and then releasing a huge cloud of smoke became more popular on social media. Another reason is the availability of concentrates at local dispensaries. In many states, medical marijuana is legal and these dispensaries sell very high THC doses of concentrates. This helps increase to popularity of dabbing among cannabis users nationwide.

If you have become dependent on using Cannabis concentrates you might need to get help managing your use or consider quitting. If you need help quitting, we can help you. Our intake specialists will collaborate with you to help you find the best solution. Our confidential helpline has been helping people find recovery options since 2002 and will work with you, to find the best solution. Give us a call today and we will start working with you to find the best solution for you.

1-800-513-5423

Health risks of dabbing

Dabbing concentrates or (doing dabs) can come with certain health risks. Below we have listed some of the potential concerns.

Dependency and addiction concerns: The regular use of highly concentrated cannabis products can lead to dependency or addiction concerns among some users especially younger groups.

Decreased memory and impaired thinking skills: There have been many studies that have linked regular cannabis use to short-term memory loss and cognitive thinking abilities, especially in those who are at risk for mental health disorders.

Contaminants and impurities: Homemade concentrates can have impurities that can lead to health concerns depending on what the impurities hold. One of the processes uses butane to extract the concentrated THC, then it must be washed or put in a vacuum chamber to ensure that no residual butane is left in the shatter oil or hash that it makes. Inhaling butane can do severe damage to the lungs.

Psychological effects: When dabbing a person will feel a rapid progression of effects from the high potency of concentrates. This can become overwhelming for some and can lead to paranoia, anxiety, or panic attacks. Continued use can affect other areas of cognitive thinking and short-term memory retention in some cases.

Increased tolerance: With regular use of high-potency concentrates the tolerance levels of the individual to TCH, can go up. When a person’s tolerance to THC elevates, the individual will have to smoke more and at shorter intervals to achieve the same desired effect which can turn into marijuana use disorder. It is important to take tolerance breaks when using concentrates medicinally to avoid a tolerance increase and lessen potential side effects associated with Cannabis use disorder.

Respiratory health: When dabbing first became popular a person would heat what they called a “nail” at an extremely high temperature and use it to vaporize concentrates which can create harmful vapors. These vapers can irritate the respiratory system at the least. Generally speaking, dabbing is less harmful to lung health than smoking cannabis flower, depending on how it is used and where the concentrate came from. Heavy use can still damage the lungs and long-term side effects have not been able to be studied since dabbing has only become popular in the last 10 or so years.

What is Vaping?

When a person vapes medical marijuana, they inhale a vapor made from a liquid or dry cannabis flower that is heated in an electronic-powered device, called a vaporizer, or dab pen. The liquid can contain flavoring, with marijuana concentrates. Dry herb vape devices can heat dry marijuana without combusting it and without using additional liquid. Generally, the vaping device consists of a battery, a cartridge for containing the cannabis oil, dab, or dry marijuana, and a heating component. Vaping devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with some resembling USB flash drives, pens, or other everyday objects that are often difficult for parents and teachers to recognize. 

Will insurance pay for marijuana use disorder treatment?

Marijuana use disorder is covered by most insurance coverage plans. With that being said, depending on your insurance plan, coverage, and policy can determine what type of treatment may be available to you through your insurance company. If you need help navigating your insurance plan and finding the best treatment program that is covered by your insurance, give our insurance verification specialists a call. We will help you verify your insurance and work with your insurance company to find you the best possible solution to end your marijuana use disorder today.

How We Can Help

If you think that you or someone you care about is addicted to concentrates or has developed a marijuana use disorder and would like to get help, give us a call today. We will help you develop a treatment plan that not only works for you but also stays within your budget. If you need further assistance or would like to talk to a rehab specialist about the choices near you, give us a call and we can assist you in finding the best drug rehab today.

1-800-513-5423

Sources
Cannabis Concentrates Drug Facts
Health Risks
Marijuana Tolerance
Vaping and concentrates
Marijuana
Erik Epp – Content Author