Shatter VS Dabs
Many people have been raving about cannabis concentrates and the difference between shatter and dab.
But before choosing between the two, you need to know what makes them different from one another in order to get your desired effect. I personally looked into this query to clear up things for you.
What is the difference between shatter and dabs? The consistency of shatter is different from that of dab wax because of how they are extracted. During the initial extraction, the BHO in shatter is cooled to induce solidification. Meanwhile, dabs are left undisturbed while solidifying.
This article will discuss the differences between cannabis concentrates and how to make a shatter and dab wax properly.
Because it is also essential to know the different usages and risks you will face once you start using concentrates, I will be explaining these in the latter part of the article.
What Are Cannabis Concentrates?
Cannabis concentrates are made by extracting the most effective compounds found in the cannabis plant itself. They will be processed to make a concentrated form of cannabinoids and terpenes responsible for the psychedelic effect of marijuana usage.
To make cannabis concentrates, you need to use solvents and the help of many professionals to extract these concentrated chemicals by separating essential compounds.
After these processes, you will get a mixture that consists only of psychedelic elements distilled into their purest and most potent form.
Depending on how you extract your cannabis plant, concentrates can take many forms, as they can be either solid or liquid. It is also worth noting that their effects vary depending on how they are produced from a standard cannabis flower.
The reason is that the quality of the cannabis flower affects the THC level of the concentrate, which usually ranges from 50 to 90 percent.
This is far higher than the typical 10 to 25 percent levels coming from marijuana buds. Therefore, many people are leaning toward this way of enjoying their cannabis plant.
As a matter of fact, there is a rise in popularity every year. The most common concentrates available today are dab wax and shatter, but because of their similarities, many think they are the same.
Making Cannabis Concentrates
Cannabis concentrates are cannabis extracts that are made by using chemicals or solvents. These substances are necessary to separate the cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant.
As a result of the chemical reaction, you will end up with a concentrated mixture that is composed purely of psychoactive cannabinoids and terpenes.
These are naturally concentrated in resinous glands that are commonly known as trichomes.
During the extraction process of making the concentrates, the trichome and the psychedelic compound are separated using a solvent or any extraction chemical.
The mixture will then be subjected to temperature and pressure changes, which will eventually determine its physical texture.
Making Dab Wax
Dabs are known to be a form of butane hash oil which is most commonly known as BHO. It is a term that usually refers to the solvent that is first produced in your cannabis buds.
The soaked buds are then purged in an oven or a vacuum at room temperature, removing the butane. The subsequent temperatures, pressure levels, and handling applied will be the factors determining whether it can be made into a malleable dab wax or a shatter.
Because the temperatures used in this kind of process are not hot enough to decarboxylate your THCA into active THC, the BHO is not orally active.
This means that it must be vaporized before you can experience all the desired effects. Vaporizers are usually electric, as this way you can have temperature control, but some consumers use a ceramic/titanium quartz nail with a crème brulee torch.
However, this is not ideal and won’t be able to produce the consistent temperature you are looking for.
Making Shatter
Just like dab wax, a shatter is made from BHO and both are extracted from the cannabis plant. The only difference comes after the initial extraction procedure.
When the BHO is cooled to introduce solidification, and unlike dabs, the BHO is shared and stirred as it is left to cool down. As a result, you will get a solid cannabis concentrate with an entirely different appearance.
It looks very translucent and glasslike, but the effects of dabs and shatter remain the same despite these differences.
On the molecular side, the difference between the dabs and shatter can be referenced into molecular alignments. It can be determined by cooling and heating, pressure application, and handling.
If you think about the science part of it, a dab wax has a disorganized molecular composition while a shatter has an organized molecular alignment.
Shatter can also be vaporized using a dab rig, and a small pinch of shatter is applied to the dab nail. It will subsequently ignite to heat the concentrate and produce a potent vapor that can deliver powerful and instant effects.
Health Risks of Doing Dabs or Shatter
The usage of marijuana comes with many health risks. That includes using dabs or shatter concentrates. Aside from smoking, many users can vape, bake edibles, and even use topicals to get high in states where THC is legal.
There are also body lotions and chapsticks with cannabidiol to deliver purported relaxing effects without the high. Regardless of the effect, you need to know the health risks of using cannabis concentrates.
Could Get Burned During the Extraction Process
The extraction process requires everyday use of butane, which is not an easy compound to utilize. It is a highly volatile, unpredictable, and, most importantly, dangerous gas.
Many experts found that people who tried to do their extraction process obtained severe burns and injuries. This is because butane can heat metal or even glass that is used in extracting THC.
As a result, anybody parts that come into contact with the materials can be burned easily.
It Could Harm Other People As Well
Not only could you get burned during the extraction process, but you could also inflict harm on other people. This is because butane being used to turn marijuana into dabs could run the risk of starting a fire.
One time, a man-caused an explosion in his apartment building while using butane to extract cannabis buds.
The High Is Extremely Powerful
You have no idea how extremely powerful dabs are. This is why concentrates have two nicknames: shatter and pot on steroids.
A single inhalation of the concentrates, whether it is a dab wax or a shatter, will deliver the THC and other cannabinoids in 3 to 10 inhalations of herbal cannabis. It also depends on the potency.
The danger lies in the fact that dabs can slam your system with a very high concentrated feeling in just one hit.
May Increase Your Tolerance to Marijuana
Many experts believe that dabs’ potency is more of a concern than potentially causing an explosion in your house. This is because dabs have a strong THC dose.
When it is administered suddenly, your body will become accustomed to the high level of THC. As a result, your tolerance will increase rapidly, which will cause many problems.
Scientifically speaking, the cannabinoid receptors are now over-saturated by the increased concentrations. For this reason, in your next intake, you will have trouble achieving the same high.
In layman’s terms, patients will have to consume higher amounts to feel any psychoactive effect.
Might Experience Side Effects
Many potential side effects accompany an excessive amount of THC and frequently getting high. They include paranoia, psychosis, and anxiety.
Some people reported having many hallucinations when inhaling weed. There are also symptoms like vomiting, and many patients suffer from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. This can occur during chronic marijuana use and once you start to quit.
Unknowingly Ingesting Other Hazardous Chemicals
The equipment that is responsible for the extraction process might contain hazardous chemicals and nasty ingredients.
This is not good for your body, as eventually, it will make its way into your system. For instance, the metal in the rig that you utilized to make dabs could have rust and solder in it.
Smoking these unknown chemical contaminants can cause health hazards in the future.
Conclusion
Most people prefer cannabis concentrates, especially those who are looking for a powerful high. While many types of cannabis concentrates exist, dab wax and shatter are among the most popular.
These cannabis concentrates can produce the same inhaling experience and result. However, their main difference is their unique texture and consistency.
Shatter has a glass-like consistency, while dab wax has a BHO or butane honey oil consistency.
As cannabis concentrates grow in popularity, more people are introducing innovation and research into these potent delivery methods.