The last decade has shown the world a different and very technologically advanced side to cannabis consumption. Today we’ll be taking a look at the combination of two newer fads: Delta 8 THC and dabbing.
Both Delta 8 THC and dabbing are relatively new to the world of modern cannabis products. Delta 8 THC is an analogue the psychoactive compound in cannabis, Delta 9 THC. Dabbing is a method of vaporizing and inhaling cannabis concentrates. Combine the two and you’re in for a fun yet relaxing adventure.
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Delta-8 THC explained
Delta 8 THC is trending big time, but if you’re still not sure exactly what it is and how it compares to Delta 9 THC, trust me, you’re not alone. From a chemical standpoint, they’re really not that different. Delta 9 THC starts as Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCA, which is found in raw plants before heat is applied. Once the buds are exposed to higher temps, the THCA loses its carboxyl acid group, or CO2 molecule, creating the chemical formulation (C21H30O2) and then turning into Delta 9 THC.
This process is known as decarboxylation. From this point, a small percentage of Delta 9 will oxidize to become Delta 8 THC – a delta 9 analogue that is only found in trace amounts in ready-to-smoke, finished flower. Delta 8 is only a slightly altered version of delta 9 that has a double bond on the 8th carbon atom whereas Delta 9 has it on the 9th one.
Just like other cannabinoids – cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabinol (CBN), for example, all of which appear in small amounts in the cannabis plant – delta-8 THC must be isolated and extracted to produce concentrations higher than what could be achieved via smoking or vaping.
Delta-8 is already associated with a number of health benefits. The National Center for Biological Information (NCBI) describes delta-8 THC as follows: “An analogue of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with antiemetic, anxiolytic, appetite-stimulating, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties.”
It goes on to say: “This agent exhibits a lower psychotropic potency than delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), the primary form of THC found in cannabis.” So in other words, it’s mildly psychoactive, but the effects aren’t nearly as strong as those caused by Delta 9 THC.
What are the medical benefits?
Delta-8 has numerous health benefits and possible therapeutic applications, which is not surprising considering we’re talking about a cannabis compound here. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the molecule has “antiemetic, anxiolyticn, appetite-stimulating, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties.” Studies from as early as 1974 peg this cannabinoid as as an immune system booster.
Delta-8 interacts directly with the CB1 receptors, just like Delta-9 does. This is because THC is one of the only cannabis compounds that does this. Other cannabinoids, like CBD, interact with other cells that influence the endocannabinoid system, but not with those receptors directly.
In 1995, a small but important study was conducted that looked at the ability of Delta-8 to help patients who are fighting cancer. Researchers looked at eight children suffering from three different types of blood cancer – leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. All the subjects found major relief from chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting after using Delta 8 THC. Additional studies found that Delta 8 THC may actually been have a positive effect on the cancer itself by shrinking active tumors.
What is dabbing?
Dabbing refers to the act of consuming small portions of cannabis concentrates – known as dabs – that you vaporize using a dab rig or similar device. Dabs are much more powerful than flower and because they contain high concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes, they are incredibly flavorful, the taste is clean and fresh, and you don’t have to worry about all that combustible plant matter that is unhealthy to smoke anyway. Some in-demand concentrates/dabs on the market include budder/badder, crumble, sauce, diamonds, rosin, honey oil, sugar, or crystalline.
Over the last few years, dabbing has gained tracking among cannabis users and now it’s one of the most popular consumption methods, up there with regular smoking and edibles. Compared with the latter two, dabbing offers more potent and immediate effects and is great for someone that enjoys and/or benefits from cannabis but needs a bit more potency.
Another less-frequently discussed benefit of dabbing is discretion. Dabs don’t smell as strong as fresh, burning cannabis, and the odor doesn’t linger very long either. When using handheld vaporizers and portable e-rigs, dabbing is arguably even more convenient and low-key.
There is one obvious downside to dabbing and that’s the need for equipment and accessories, some of which can be complicated to learn. You have to figure out what equipment is best for you, along with the perfect temperature to consume your concentrates – too and you torch it and kill the flavor, to low and it melts without vaporizing and you get no hit. There’s a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, dabbing is primo.
Dabbing vs Vaping
Throughout this article you’ve probably noticed that when referring to dabbing I also mentioned how the Delta 8 THC wax is vaporized in the process. That’s not to mean that vaping and dabbing are the same, because they are quite different despite a few similarities.
The main difference between vaping and dabbing is the use of heat – vaporizers use convective heating while dab rigs use conduction heating. Convection heating uses hot air to heat, or vaporize, the cannabis oil or flower. Most of the high quality vapes use ceramic coils to apply indirect heat to the flower. Keeping direct heat from being applied to the substance prevents combustion and the stops the release of some harmful chemicals.
Conduction heat applies the heat source directly to the wax, which is more effective and delivers a much more potent hit. Again, it’s not as health-conscious as vaping but since the potency is higher that reduces some of the risks associated with long-term use.
Best Delta 8 Dabs
While it is easy to find great deals on Delta-8 THC and Delta-8 THC vape cartridges finding good products for dabbing is much harder.
However we have reached out to some of the leading suppliers and got an exclusive deal for the subscribers of the CBD Flowers Weekly newsletter. While the the regular price of Delta-8 THC dabs is arround $20/g, we can get it to you for as low as $7/g!
Not only this product is affordable, it also comes blended with CBD. This balanced blend is proved to deliver the true benefits of Delta-8 THC, as the 1:1 ratio with CBD will give you the best in both world.
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Favorite products
Concentrates are cannabis products made by extracting the cannabinoids, terpenes, and any other desired compounds from the plant matter. Concentrates come in a variety of consistencies from thick and waxy, to sticky liquids like honey, to power, and even crystals. They can be used on their own in dab dig or you can sprinkle them on top of a bowl, joint, or blunt to boost the flavor and potency of your bud.
Crumble is my personal favorite because it’s easy to use in so many different ways. It’s shatter that has been whipped, like budder, and then purged in a low-temp vacuum oven. This process dries out some of that excess liquid, leaving you with a malleable-textured concentrate that feels “crumbly”. Some is drier and some has a bit of moisture. Crumble ranges in color from a deep amber to almost white.
When it comes to hardware, my favorite way to dab is using a Nectar Collector. Just like a standard dab rig, Nectar Collectors are designed to vaporize and inhale cannabis concentrates, but they’re more user friendly and simple to assemble. What makes the Nectar Collector’s functionality so unique is that instead of applying a dab to the surface of an already heated nail or banger, you apply the hot tip of your metal straw to a small pile of concentrate. Whether you’re dabbing Delta 8 THC, Delta 9 THC, or CBD, a Nectar Collector will get the job done.
Final thoughts
To briefly summarize, Delta 8 THC is a medicinal, mildly-psychoactive, and legal alternative to Delta 9 THC – and dabbing is a fun way to consume cannabis concentrates, Delta 8 included. As far as I’m concerned, they sky is the limit when it comes to trying out cannabis products. If it’s safe and effectiv why not test it out and see how it makes you feel? The best way to learn about new products is to try them out for yourself.
Have you tried dabbing Delta 8 THC? If so, how was your experience? We’d love to hear from you, drop us a line in the comment section below. And thank you for stopping by CBD FLOWERS, your hub for all-things cannabis related. To learn more about Delta 8 THC, and for exclusive deals on flowers and other products, subscribe to The Delta 8 Weekly Newsletter.
