At the San Antonio Recovery Center, we offer a marijuana addiction rehab program in San Antonio TX. This center for addiction treatment supports individuals who are abusing marijuana. One way that this happens is with marijuana dabs, which are highly concentrated forms of cannabis.
When consumers take dabs of marijuana they are consuming a large amount of THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. This can have a negative effect when it comes to individuals who are struggling with substance use issues.
Learn more about what are marijuana dabs and addiction treatment programs in San Antonio that can help.
What Are Marijuana Dabs Made Of?
As you dive into what are dabs, a dab starts with a concentrated amount of cannabis that is super sticky. This is the resin of the Cannabis Sativa plant. The resin is gathered from the trichomes of the flowers and leaves of the plant during harvest. The trichomes are crystalized molecules and hairs that contain the majority of the tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC.
THC is a cannabinoid that is the primary reason why individuals smoke or otherwise consume cannabis including dabs. This is what gets the user high and leads to the rush that, when overly used, becomes addictive. This is similar to the addictive properties of sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and heroin. Other substances that are found in dabs include:
- Terpenes—organic compounds generally found in plants
- Flavonoids—phytonutrients found in all fruits and vegetables
- Pesticides—can be toxic or organic and all-natural
- Fertilizers—can also be toxic or organic
Chemical contaminants and residual solvents are also used in the production of some oils and can be considered hazardous to one’s health. In addition, dab concentrates can be flavored or otherwise changed by the way these are made. The flavorings include substances, such as vegetable oil, that may lead to adverse health issues when inhaled.
While medical research is still new, since dabbing is a relatively new way of consuming cannabis, several deaths have already been linked to vaping using e-cigarettes. Vaping uses nicotine and is similar to dabbing in the use of inhaling an oil-based concentrated substance.
How are Dabs Made
The trichomes used to make dabs are taken from the Cannabis sativa plant by harvesting entire plants. Then, the trichomes and other materials are taken from the plant using a solvent. This is called extraction and can be done using:
- Butane gas
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Ethyl alcohol
The treatment using the substance results in a variety of substances that are used in marijuana dabs, such as:
- Budder
- Butane hash oil or BHO
- Oil distillate
- Honey
- Shatter
- Wax
This substance is then heated at extreme temperatures using a butane torch style lighter or special dab equipment called a dab rig. The amount of THC in the resulting cannabis extracts ranges from 60% to 95%. This far exceeds the amount of THC in flower cannabis, which typically tests at 10% to 30%.
That is why, while you cannot overdose on THC or dabs, you can take exceedingly too much at once. In addition, users build up a tolerance to the THC, which means you have to take more to feel the effect. For those struggling with marijuana abuse, a substance abuse treatment center in San Antonio can help.
Side Effects of Smoking Dabs
The side effects of smoking “dabs” are very different than the traditional effects of smoking marijuana. Dabs are made by extracting THC (the active compound in cannabis), and heating it to a temperature where it will vaporize, but not burn like traditional dried cannabis flower. The resulting thin film is then inhaled through a glass pipe, and the effects take hold much faster and in a different way than traditional marijuana flowers.
The side effects of smoking dabs include:
- Dry mouth
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Enlarged pupils
- Bloodshot eyes
These symptoms may be more intense than the effects one would feel after smoked flower cannabis because dabbing does not contain any plant material such as terpenes, the compounds responsible for the smell and taste of cannabis.
On a far more serious note, long-term use of dabs can lead to mental health problems because it is highly addictive and potent THC has a stronger action on cannabinoid receptors in your brain that regulate your perception of time, memory, pleasure and coordination among other things.
Marijuana Addiction Treatment in San Antonio, TX
If you are curious for more info on what are dabs let us help you. We know addiction can try to control your life. We also have addiction therapy programs specifically for marijuana addiction, including dab addiction, as well as alcohol and heroin addiction. To request additional information and start your journey to recovery, contact the San Antonio Recovery Center at 866.957.7885.
