The world of cannabis products seems to be an ever-expanding one, with new ways to enjoy the various benefits of the plant popping up all the time. While it can be a lot of fun to check out all of these new forms of marijuana, it can also become somewhat confusing to keep up with.
Concentrates, in particular, can be overwhelming to follow. Not only are there a ton of different forms of this super-potent cannabis creation, but there are also multiple ways to consume it, which can present a whole lot of confounding questions to someone who’s just looking to kick back with some powerful pot and enjoy their evening.
However, while this area of cannabis culture may seem overly confusing, it’s not quite as complicated as it seems — and with just a few pointers, you can be well on your way to becoming a concentrate connoisseur.
What Are Cannabis Concentrates?
Cannabis concentrates are cannabis products made by extracting the most desirable components of the marijuana plant and condensing them together. The result is a super potent, intensely flavorful cannabis experience that many people have come to prefer over the traditional flower.
There are a number of different processes used to create cannabis concentrates, which is why you’ll find a laundry list of names for very similar products with varying potencies and consistencies.
In other words, don’t be overwhelmed by the variety of concentrates available as they all serve the same purpose – providing the benefits of cannabis as effectively and efficiently as possible.
What Is the Best Form of Cannabis Concentrate?
With all of the options available, it can be difficult to pick which extract you’d like to try first. But you should know that you can’t really go wrong with any concentrate, and part of the fun is exploring what each has to offer.
Some of the most popular cannabis concentrates include the following:
- Budder
- Distillate
- Crumble
- Crystalline
- Diamond
- Live resin
- Sauce
- Sand
- Shatter
- Sugar
- Wax
The biggest differences between these products are the process by which they were created, the terpene profile, the consistency, and the potency. While high potency flower will reach upwards of 30% THC content, concentrates can reach upward of 90%. If you’re looking for the most potent experience, distillates can reach up to 99% THC.
As far as the best form of cannabis concentrate, that depends on what you’re looking for. Different consistencies lend themselves to different methods of consumption, and different terpene profiles appeal to different pallets.
While all concentrates are extremely potent, there are other forms that are even more potent. It’s all up to your personal preferences.
Best Way to Consume Cannabis Concentrates
There are a few options for consuming these potent products. Each one of them offers its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so when it comes to the best way to consume cannabis concentrates, it comes down to which of those advantages you prefer and which disadvantages you’re most willing to deal with.
Dabbing
Dab rigs are among the most popular means of consuming concentrates, and that’s because they’re highly effective at delivering a potent rush of cannabinoids in a hurry. The dab rig resembles a bubbler, only with something called a “nail” rather than a bowl piece.
You’re not going to expose your concentrates directly to a flame with a dab rig. Instead, you heat up the nail, which is made of metal, ceramic, or glass, and then use a utensil to hold the concentrate up to the nail so that it vaporizes.
The biggest disadvantage of dabbing is the complexity of the setup that’s required. The equipment you need is a lot more cumbersome and costly than some other methods.
Vaping
Vaping is the most convenient and discreet way to enjoy your concentrates. You can get a pre-filled cart that fits right into your pocket and doesn’t require anything other than a quick pull on it to get you the hit you’re looking for. However, you also lose some of the potency offered by a dab rig when you opt for this method of consumption.
Adding to a Bowl or Joint
If you still love your traditional flower, and bowls, bongs, or joints are your preferred method of consumption, you can simply add your concentrates to a pack or a roll and give your high a potent boost.
This method is very convenient, but it’s not as efficient as vaping or dab rigs, as burning your cannabis products will result in more lost cannabinoids than vaporizing them.
