Finding the right dab size for your specific situation has never been easier. From clearly labeled products to versatile dabbing tools that allow you to measure out doses as precisely as possible, dabbing has become a more accessible activity for the novice user.
Despite their miniature size, dabs pack a high concentration of potentially intoxicating cannabinoids, terpenes and more. Knowing how big of a dab and how frequently to take it is a crucial component to avoiding adverse side effects and enjoying your flavorful concentrates.
Watch our Tina giving you the lowdown on dab dosage from beginners to more experienced users.
Dab Size for Beginners | Ask Terp Tina! from Yo Dabba Dabba on Vimeo.
Find your perfect dab size
Cannabis concentrates come in various sizes, consistencies, and potencies. Dab potency can range anywhere from 60 to 90 percent THC or CBD. Some cannabinoid isolates and extracts can contain higher than 90 percent cannabinoid concentration.
A solvent-based concentrate’s cannabinoid content is significantly higher than solventless levels which reach around 50 percent, or flower concentrations that can reach up to 30 percent THC. Not only does a dab contain a hefty dose of cannabinoids, but each person handles them differently.
There is no universal dosage guide that can guide everyone’s consumption habits. How a person reacts to a cannabis compound depends on their weight, health, body chemistry, mood and desired effects.
For example, a medical user with chronic pain may require a higher and more frequent dosage than a recreational user that microdoses CBD to relieve acute symptoms of anxiety. Some users may just require a single, large dose at night to fall asleep.
Users are advised to start with the lowest possible dose and gradually increase the dosage until the desired effects are felt. Once users have established a baseline dosage, they can continue with it to avoid developing a significantly higher tolerance and side effects.
Be aware of your concentrate’s chemical profile
Licensed retailers are required to carry concentrate products that feature a label detailing their cannabinoid content. Generally, concentrates come in either 0.5 or 1 gram sizes. One gram contains about 800 mg of cannabinoids, or about 80 percent of the oil, and other cannabis compounds.
Concentrate labels indicate the amount of THC, CBD, CBG or any other cannabinoid included, if it’s a full-spectrum product, or a single product for distillates. Some brands and dispensaries may also choose to include the concentrate’s terpene concentration, which affects the aroma and experience.
If you’re trying to establish how much THC is in a dab, the best method is to take the weight of the original concentrate, multiply it by the amount of THC, and then divide that by the number of dabs you get from the concentrate. For example, if you start with 1 gram of wax that contains 700mg of THC, and you get 50 hits per gram, then the amount of THC per dab would be 14mg
THC per dab = weight of concentrate x THC percentage / number of dabs
Use the right dab tool
Cannabis concentrates run the gamut from hard to crumbly to buttery and more. Due to the variety of extract types, there are a variety of dab tools with different tips (paddle, scoop, flat, hook and more) meant for easier handling of the product.
For example, hard shatter requires a sharp and pointy dabbing tool, or dabber, to break apart its solid consistency. Runny or crumbly extracts are better suited for a scoop or spoon-style dabber. Choosing the right dabber can help you evenly portion an extract without wasting any of it.
Portions
Portioning an already small amount of concentrate can be the most difficult part of the dosing process. For edibles, the recommended starting dose is 5 to 10 mg of THC to gauge the effects. With dabs, however, portioning a 5 mg dab is impossible.
For example, with a concentrate containing about 800 mg of THC, a peppercorn-sized dab would contain about 25 mg of THC, five times the recommended starting dose for edibles. Slightly heating hard and viscous concentrates can make portioning much easier than pulling off a dry and sticky piece. Carefully estimating the right dab size will take time to perfect.
Use the right tool for the job
Dosing your cannabis concentrates is made easy work by using the right tool for the job depending on your preferred dab consistency. Browse some of our dabbers below.
Vapes allow for precise dosing
Vape cartridges are a convenient and portable way to dab on-the-go or at home. These pre-filled cartridges come with distillate or full-spectrum cannabis oil. Some vape pens for dabs also offer a pre-set dose giving you a consistent experience every time.
Vape manufacturers may also indicate the number of hits or pulls available inside each 0.5 or 1 gram cartridge or vape pen. In order to take an educated guess on the dosage amount, divide the milligram content by the number of hits available. Each three to five-second draw will yield about the same amount of milligrams every hit.
Cannabinoid ratio
Some cannabis extracts will contain a ratio of THC and CBD compounds that affect the potency and duration of effects. A 20:1 THC:CBD ratio would yield higher intoxication levels than a 1:1 ratio of cannabinoids, due to CBD’s balancing and clear-headed effects.
Onset of effects
Delivery methods can influence the onset and duration of effects. Inhalation is the fastest way to experience the power of cannabis’ compounds. After a dab, effects can be felt instantly or take one to three minutes. The effects can last between two to three hours.
Dabs offer quick-acting effects on the bloodstream. Finding the right dab dose can take a bit of experimentation and finesse. As long as you read the label and try to portion out your dabs as effectively as possible, you’ll be able to find the best dose that works for you. While a variety of environmental and lifestyle factors affect your high, the dosage amount is in your hands and shapes your dabbing experience.
I am new to this. I have diamonds at home. I went to the head shop and asked for a low cost way to smoke dabs and i was given i glass straw bong type aparatus with a nail at the end. I was told to heat up til it glows and then wait 10 to 30 seconds and then touch the diamond with the nail and hit. My first hit went right through the nail and into the glass bong straw. No smoke. Second hit same thing. I figured i needed a slightly larger dab so i did that. If i touched the diamond with the nail when it wasnt glowing then nothing happened. I hit it literally less than 10 seconds after it started glowing. Next try i hit while glowing. I got a good hit and the flavor was unbelievable and wasnt expected. This is my new weekend treat for sure. The dab melted to the end of the nail and i couldnt get a hit again until i heated up the nail. Then i saw a big puff of smoke shoot off the nail before i got a chance to hit it. I am wasting and this is a pain in the ass. What am i doing wrong? Is there a better way to do this without wasting and i have the ability to use a smaller portion. A cost efficient way? I am.the pioneer at this among friends in a very recently legal state. The double banger looked good because i think i can torch the first banger and then drop the second banger with the dab already in it inside the first one right? Idk what the hell im yalking about or doingm i watched a youtube video of some kid doing the straw and nail thing and he made it look easy but i dnt know if i like using the straw. Any help so i can enjoy myself dabbing the right efficient way would be greatly appreciated. I figure i can invest about 150.00 to 200 into the rig and bangers and i am not looking to pay for aesthetics. I just want to pay for performance.
You should watch a youtube video… and it sounds like you were putting the dab into the intake hole rather than on the outside wall of the intake so it could drip onto the “tray” like area
I used to that these problems when I was younger. It comes down to a temperature and portion issue. Getting your portions down is essential and the temp is how long to wait before hitting it. After that, it’s just combining that knowledge with some of the issues you’ve mentioned here. Like, with the larger dab not lighting even after it just went out, probably was too cool of temp for the size of the dab.
Sounds like investing in a “dab” pen may be your best go to. They can range in the 50-150 range depending on what you get but it may be your best bet for “I just want something that works.” Only draw back *ha* a dab pen has is that it does need to be cleaned after every session or so.