A dab is a small dose of cannabis concentrate, a highly potent extract that typically contains 60 to 90% THC compared to 15 to 25% in regular cannabis flower. The term refers both to the product itself and the act of consuming it: “dabbing” means vaporizing a concentrate on a heated surface and inhaling the resulting vapor. It’s one of the fastest-acting ways to consume cannabis, with effects hitting within seconds to minutes.
How Dabbing Works
Unlike smoking flower in a joint or bowl, dabbing uses intense heat to vaporize a concentrated extract almost instantly. The basic process involves heating a small dish (called a banger or nail) with a torch or electronic heater, then placing a tiny amount of concentrate onto the hot surface using a metal tool. The concentrate vaporizes on contact, and you inhale the vapor through a water pipe called a dab rig.
A standard dabbing setup includes a few key pieces. The dab rig itself looks like a small water pipe. The banger, usually made of quartz, is a deep cup that sits on top of the rig and gets heated to vaporize the concentrate. A butane torch heats the banger, though electronic nails (e-nails) offer precise temperature control without an open flame. A carb cap placed over the banger after you drop in your concentrate traps heat and vapor so nothing goes to waste. And a dab tool, a small pointed instrument, is used to scoop and place the sticky concentrate.
Temperature matters. Low-temperature dabs, between 400°F and 500°F, produce smoother, more flavorful hits because they preserve the aromatic compounds in the concentrate. High-temperature dabs, between 570°F and 600°F, deliver thicker vapor and stronger effects but burn off most of those flavor compounds. Many people start low and adjust based on preference.
Types of Concentrates
The word “dab” is a catch-all term for many different forms of cannabis concentrate. They’re all potent, but they differ in texture, color, and consistency based on how they’re processed.
- Shatter is translucent and glassy, ranging from golden yellow to dark brown. It breaks apart cleanly, like hard candy, though some varieties have a stretchier snap-and-pull consistency.
- Wax is opaque and pliable, with a texture similar to candle wax. It ranges from soft and crumbly to firm and honeycomb-like.
- Budder has a smooth, creamy consistency similar to actual butter. It’s easy to scoop and work with.
- Badder is looser and more oily than budder, closer to cake batter. It can range from a sticky sauce to a soft wax.
- Crumble is a dry, brittle version of budder that breaks apart like crumbly honey. It has a matte, yellowish appearance.
- Rosin is made without chemical solvents, using only heat and pressure, which gives it a reputation as a “cleaner” concentrate.
In 2022, the average THC concentration for cannabis flower sold in Washington State was 21%, while concentrates averaged 69%. Some concentrates test above 80%.
How Concentrates Are Made
There are two broad approaches to making the extracts used for dabbing: solvent-based and solventless.
Solvent-based extraction uses chemicals like butane, propane, ethanol, or CO2 to dissolve the active compounds out of the cannabis plant. The solvent passes through the plant material in a closed-loop system, strips out the desired compounds, and is then purged from the final product. This method is efficient for large-scale production and can create a wide variety of textures, but it requires careful post-processing to remove residual solvents. The chemicals involved are flammable, which is why amateur home extraction using butane has caused explosions and fires.
Solventless extraction skips the chemicals entirely. The most popular method, rosin pressing, uses a mechanical press with heated metal plates to squeeze resinous extract directly from cannabis flower or hash. Ice water extraction is another common technique. These methods are simpler, produce what many consider a purer product, and generate less chemical waste. The tradeoff is lower yield and a more time-consuming process.
What the High Feels Like
Because concentrates deliver so much THC in a single inhale, the effects are considerably more intense than smoking flower. The high typically peaks within 10 to 15 minutes and lasts anywhere from 1 to 3 hours for a single dab. Multiple dabs in one session can extend that to 4 to 6 hours or longer.
For experienced cannabis users, dabbing offers a faster, more powerful version of what they already know. For people with little or no tolerance, the experience can be overwhelming. Research has shown greater cognitive and psychomotor impairment from vaporized concentrates compared to smoked flower among infrequent users. Frequent users, likely due to built-up tolerance, show less difference between the two methods.
Health Risks to Know About
The concentrated potency that makes dabbing appealing also raises specific concerns. New users are more susceptible to intense psychological effects, including anxiety and paranoia, and face higher risk of developing dependence. Because vaping and dabbing are often perceived as safer than smoking, younger users may try them first without recognizing this risk.
The source of your concentrate also matters. During the 2019 EVALI outbreak (a wave of serious lung injuries linked to vaping products), CDC investigations found that 73% of cases involved THC-containing vaping products. The culprit was vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent added to unregulated, black-market THC cartridges and concentrates. It interfered with normal lung function. Regulated, lab-tested concentrates from licensed dispensaries don’t use this additive, which is one reason sourcing matters significantly.
Solvent-based concentrates carry the additional concern of residual chemicals if they haven’t been properly purged during manufacturing. Products from licensed markets are required to pass testing for residual solvents, heavy metals, and contaminants. Products from unregulated sources carry no such guarantee.