How to Smoke Dabs - Everything You Need To Know
As more and more people are entering into the delicious world of dabs we thought it would be worthwhile to explain some of the basic "Do's" and "Don'ts" of dabbing so that you can get the best experience every time.
DO...Set yourself up for success!
Dabbing is a whole different animal than dry herb smoking and requires much more preparation before you start dabbing. So what's involved in a perfect dab set up? Start with the right tools, the basics being a dab rig with quartz banger (titanium may not break but it ruins the flavor), a carb cap (keeps in that delicious vapor), dab tool (some dab tools are a combination dab tool and carb cap), butane torch (don't forget the butane) and a dab mat/tray (this isn't essential but is a handy tool to have). As dabs are highly concentrated another key set up element is to have a comfortable area for doing your dabs and a safe area as using a torch does have inherent dangers.
DON’T....hold in your hit!
While the habit of holding in the smoke for as long as possible is common practice when smoking dry herb this is completely unnecessary for dabs. Concentrates pack a serious punch and while some "stoner bros" may say that no cough equals no high this is very much a lie. Coughing is common and a quick breath out after inhaling can make the experience much smoother. The best way to think of the proper dab inhale is to think yoga breathing which is a 3 second inhale, 3 second exhale. One large misconception is that holding the dab longer gets you more high but if you feel "higher" from holding it for a long time, it's actually from a lack of oxygen. About 95% of THC in cannabis smoke is absorbed in the first few seconds so breath holding is quite pointless in any type of THC consumption.
DO....watch your temperature!
Temperature is one of the most key elements of getting the best experience from your dabs. The best policy is to start low and go slow. If your banger is too cold this will simply equal less vapor to inhale whereas when the banger is too hot the oil will burn, making the hit harsh and destroying many of the tasty terpenes and desirable cannabinoids. Both E-nails and Terp Timers are great option if you're willing to spend the extra money for more precision. Below is a list of ideal temperatures for specific terpenes.
Myrcene: 330° -334°F
With flavors of Clove and Citrus, Myrcene has powerful antibiotic, antimutagenic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects. Working in synergy with THC, the terpene is ideal for patients suffering from sleep disorders like insomnia, pain and bodily discomfort.
Limonene: 350°F
Heavy citrus notes of Orange and Lemon, Limonene is used to promote weight loss, prevent cancer, treat cancer, and treat bronchitis. In foods, beverages, and chewing gum, limonene is used as a flavoring.
Linalool: 388°F
This terpene is found in more than 200 flowers and spices besides lavender, such as coriander, mint, cinnamon, and rosewood and Linalool is an anti-inflammatory, anti-epileptic, used to reduce stress, as a Mosquito Repellent and may increase anti-microbial properties.
Caryophyllene: 390°F
Smelling of pepper, wood and spice, Caryophyllene has potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It is known to help relieve anxiety and pain, reduce cholesterol, prevent Osteoporosis, and treat seizures.
Pinene: 420°F - 430°F
Smelling of sharp pine, Pinene acts as an Anti-inflammatory, Bronchodilator (helps open airways) and helps with anxiety. Pinene also helps combat short-term memory impairment associated with THC.
Humulene: 435°F
Humulene is also no stranger to modern biomedical research, including studies on black pepper, hops, and ginseng, and research has proven it to be an effective anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and appetite suppressant.
DON’T....overdo it!
Dabbing a gram in one go is a great way to gain a lot of acclaim on the internet but is a real waste of product and not the best policy for getting the most out of the dab. Taking a bunch of smaller dabs won’t waste nearly as much and the high won’t be a wild card — you can stop when you’re stoned enough. Also consider how this affects your overall tolerance. The more you try to dab all at once, the more you'll have to dab all at once the next time. The best way to think of concentrates is in the terms of fine wine or scotch, yes you can do shots of scotch, but you are really wasting the overall experience.
DO.....clean, clean, clean!
Any serious dabber judges others by the cleanliness of their rigs and bangers. Nothing is less appealing than being offered a dab from a grungy piece. You should be cleaning your banger ideally after every use and having a handy dab station set up is a great way of staying on top of this. Carrying your own supply of isopropyl alcohol wipes and a mouthpeace is also great way habit for sharing with others and ensuring you can keep clean out and about.
DON'T.....cross contaminate!
Dabs are all about that delicious flavor so make sure to only dab one concentrate at a time. Not only will this ensure you get the best experience from your dabs but also will ensure you don't ever surprise yourself with the high. We also know that DMT is becoming all the rage right now, but please do no dab DMT in the same banger you dab your concentrates out of. DMT has a real rugged taste that will contaminate your piece through multiple cleans so if you're going to go that route by yourself a back up banger.
If you follow these simple "Do's" and "Don'ts" you are guaranteed to have a scrumptious dab experience every time.
BONUS VIDEO: How to Dab - Cold Start Dab Tutorial for Beginners