Written by Shepherd King

If you want to add some intensity to your cannabis use, cannabis concentrates are the way to go.

These potent forms of cannabis come in a variety of forms — including dab wax, diamonds, and more — each with its own unique flavor profile and cannabinoid content.

Hemp enthusiasts call these concentrates dabs since a little bit goes a long way to produce a potent high. Unlike regular cannabis flower, you only need a fraction of a gram of a high-potency dab to enjoy powerful psychoactive effects.

Cannabis concentrates range in THCa content from 60% to 90%, which is miles ahead of the 10% to 25% found in cannabis flower.

Let’s take a look at the basics of highly potent cannabis concentrates and how to smoke them, along with some recommendations for must-try products.

Check out our diverse selection of Cannabis Concentrates in the Mood Shop. Subscribe for recurring orders and save 15%.

What Is a Dab?

A dab is a small amount of cannabis concentrate that you can smoke using a specialized water pipe called a dab rig.

The dab rig’s design is very similar to a standard bong; the key difference is the nail, a heated piece of metal on the end of the rig that vaporizes the concentrate as you inhale.

Dabs may be small, but they’re highly concentrated forms of all of the cannabinoids and terpenes found in the cannabis plant. These extracts make one hit from a dab the source of an intense high.

Grab a handy Dab Tool from the Mood Shop for just $10.

The History of Smoking Dabs

Dabbing first hit the cannabis scene in the early 2000s, but concentrates have been around for much longer.

Hashish (hash) dates back as far as the 12th century and was once used for spiritual rituals by ancient Islamic Sufis.

While the basics of concentrates have stayed the same since ancient times, advanced extraction methods made it possible to get even more potency and flavor from cannabis.

Methods like butane hash oil (BHO) extraction are now the gold standard for creating concentrates like badder, shatter, and dab wax.

During the butane hash oil extraction process, a solvent like butane gas passes through the cannabis and separates the raw plant material from the cannabinoids and terpenes, leaving behind the most powerful and flavorful parts of the plant.

Types of Cannabis Concentrates

There are quite a few forms of concentrated cannabis extract out there, and each has its own pros and cons for users. Our personal favorites are hash, moonrocks, dab badders, and diamonds.

Hash

Hash is an iconic concentrate that dates back centuries. It’s made by harvesting sticky resin called trichomes from the cannabis flower and compressing it into a high-potency solid form. You can enjoy hash with a dab rig, a vape, or mixed with flower.

Pick up 1.5g of Classic Hash for just $46. Subscribe and save 15%.

Moonrocks

Moonrocks are a unique concentrate combination of THCa flower, which turns into Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol when heated, with THC distillate and CBD kief.

The result is a one-of-a-kind, ultra-powerful type of concentrate that you have to experience firsthand to fully understand.

Pick up 3.5g of Delta-8 THC Moonrocks for just $40. Subscribe and save 15%.

Badder

Dap badders, sometimes called budder, is a cannabis extract that has a whipped, buttery consistency — hence the name. Its creamy texture makes it easy to apply to the end of a dab nail or include in small amounts in a batch of edibles.

Get 1g of THCa Blue Fire Dab Badder for just $49. Subscribe to save 15%.

Diamonds

Often called Liquid Diamonds, these are some of the purest cannabis concentrates out there, boasting THCa levels in the high 90s. You can smoke or vape these for a powerful high.

Grab 1g of THCa Diamonds for just $55. Subscribe and save 15%.

Other Cannabis Concentrates

The four mentioned above are far from the only cannabis concentrates. Others to try include:

• Shatter: This glass-like, brittle concentrate gets its name from how fragile it is.

• Dab Wax: With a texture similar to candle wax, this concentrate is soft and easy to apply to a dab rig.

• Crumble: dab wax and crumble are very similar in cannabinoid content, but their texture is what sets them apart; crumble is dry and breaks apart easily.

• Rosin: This solventless concentrate is made by applying heat and pressure to flower or hash.

• Live Resin: Made from flash-frozen cannabis plant material, live resin is known for its flavor and potency.

Dabbing: Equipment & Smoking 101

Smoking a dab is a bit more involved than lighting up a joint or taking a hit from a vape pen. It’s not hard, though, and with some practice and patience, you’ll definitely get the hang of it.

Here’s a rundown of the basics of smoking dabs:

The Dab Rig and Other Gear

To dab, you’ll need a dab rig, a specialized water pipe with a nail (sometimes called a banger) on the end. The nail is where you place and heat your concentrate of choice.

The Dabber’s Tools

In addition to your dab rig, you’ll need a dab tool, a small piece of metal designed to help you safely handle concentrate. The nail gets extremely hot when you’re smoking dabs, so always be extra careful and use your tool instead of trying to load up dabs by hand!

Speaking of heat, you need a butane or propane blowtorch to get the nail hot. Without heat, you won’t be able to convert the THCa in your concentrate into psychoactive THC. In other words, no heat, no high.

Finally, you’ll want to pick up a carb cap for your dab rig if it doesn’t have one already. This accessory controls airflow and temperature while you’re dabbing, optimizing your hits and helping you feel the effects of dabbing more consistently.

Smoking a Dab Step-by-Step

Once you have all of your gear, it’s time to prepare your dab rig for your first session.

Prepare Your Dab

First, use your dab tool to scoop a small amount of concentrate and load it onto the nail. You only need a little bit, especially at first. For extra precision, you can weigh the concentrate before loading it — aim for 0.25 grams if you’re just getting started.

Heat the Nail (and Let It Cool)

Next, turn on your torch and heat the nail until it glows red. 20-30 seconds of direct heat exposure is usually enough.

While it might sound counterintuitive, you need to let the nail cool before loading it. Most dabs vaporize best at a temperature between 350 and 400 degrees. Your nail should reach this range within a few seconds of cooling.

Apply the Dab

Now that the nail is hot, use your dab tool to apply the concentrate to the nail while inhaling. As you inhale, slowly rotate your dab tool to make sure all of the concentrate gets vaporized.

If you have a carb cap, now is the time to carefully place it over the nail, controlling airflow. This simple step helps your nail maintain the optimal temperature for vaporizing concentrates.

Inhale

Once your carb cap is secure, it’s time for the hit. Inhale and exhale slowly, holding the vapor in to enjoy the flavor and aromas. The rich cannabinoid and terpene content in a concentrate makes smoking a dab an incredible sensory experience. Take it all in; there’s no need to rush.

Cleaning Your Dab Rig

Anytime you dab, cleanup is key. Leaving residual solvents on your dab rig’s nail will mess with the flavor of future hits — and it might also degrade the nail over time.

All you need to clean the nail is a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol. Let the nail cool fully, then gently swap it on all sides until you’re confident that any residuals are cleaned off.

Pick up 14g of THCa Moonrocks for just $149. Save 15% when you subscribe.

Dabbing FAQs

Q: Do dabs have high levels of THC?

A: The THC concentration in a dab can vary based on the extraction method, the type of concentrate, and more. However, these products are much stronger in general than flower.

Q: Are dabs legal?

A: The Farm Bill changed the way that cannabis concentrates are regulated. Under this bill, concentrates are labeled hemp if they contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by weight.

All of the products in the Mood Shop meet the Farm Bill’s criteria for hemp, which is why they’re available in many states.

Q: Will Mood’s concentrates make me fail a drug test?

A: We sell high-quality THCa products, but THCa converts into THC when heated. That means you’ll need to skip THCa products for at least 90 days if you know you have a drug test coming up.

Incredible Dab Badders From the Mood Shop

The Mood Shop has everything you need for your next dab session. Our selection of concentrates goes beyond dab badders — we also offer top-shelf Moonrocks, THCa Diamonds, and more. However, we’re highlighting our badders today:

THCa Ice Queen Dab Badder

This dab badder is 27.56% THCa and has the signature whipped, buttery consistency that makes badders so amazing. High-quality and versatile, it’s a perfect introduction to concentrate.

Pick up 1g of THCa Ice Queen Dab Badder for just $49. Subscribe to save 15%.

THCa Tropical Storm Dab Badder

At 82.43% THCa, this is one of our most potent concentrates. Its sticky texture makes it easy to apply to the nail on your dab rig, and you can always count on it for a powerfully intense high.

Snag 2g of THCa Tropical Storm Dab Badder for just $89. Subscribe to save 15%.

THCa London Pound Cake Dab Badder

Created for a calmer, more mellow high, this concentrate has a balanced 62.54% THCa content.

Grab 2g of THCa London Pound Cake Dab Badder for just $89. Subscribe to save 15%.

Explore more concentrates and hemp-derived cannabis products from theMood Shop.

Prices subject to change.