If you stay in touch with the world of cannabis and CBD, it's hard to ignore the popularity of cannabis dabs in the U.S. today. Widely available and preferred by many users, you might be surprised to learn that the act of dabbing actually has a history that stretches back thousands of years.
The history of dabbing cannabis actually begins with hashish, which is a form of cannabis trichomes that have been extracted and compressed. Some cultures in ancient China, Persia, and India would utilize this extraction for both spiritual and medicinal purposes.
Fast-forward in time to the present day and you'll find countless cannabis concentrate products on the market. Many individuals enjoy CBD concentrates because they are free from the mind-altering effects of THC.
Are you interested in learning more about CBD wax and concentrates? Let's take a look at what you need to know.
What Is CBD Wax?
CBD wax is extracted cannabinoids from cannabis that has a THC content below 0.3%. Cannabinoids are the active compounds found in cannabis, of which there are known to be hundreds. CBD is the second most prevalent cannabinoid in cannabis after THC.
True CBD concentrates are made using one of two extraction methods known as supercritical CO2 extraction or butane hash oil extraction. This is used to create a substance that is rich in cannabinoids and terpenes. Other ‘imitation’ CBD concentrates are created by mixing CBD distillate, CBD isolate, and terpenes to create a desired consistency.
There are several different forms of CBD concentrates which include CBD shatter, wax, crumble, budder, and live resin.
Using CBD wax is a way to experience this cannabinoid in its most potent form. It is extracted from CBD-rich hemp flower that is specifically bred to have a high CBD content and a low THC content.
CBD Wax, like most CBD concentrates, is available in ‘true’ wax consistencies and ‘imitation’ wax consistencies. “Wax” is the name given to this concentrate because it is usually soft and malleable. The true CBD wax concentrates tend to resemble this softer consistency to a greater extent than the imitation CBD waxes which tend to be a bit less malleable and closer to crumble in consistency.
These differences in consistency are due to the different processes which are used to create CBD wax. Imitation wax is created using CBD distillate and/or CBD isolate, along with terpenes that are mixed in for flavor. True CBD wax is extracted from hemp using a hydrocarbon extraction process.
True CBD Wax: What is it & How is it Made?
‘True’ CBD wax is our way of describing wax that has been extracted from hemp using a solvent. This type of CBD wax contains the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes present in the hemp material it is extracted from, unlike ‘imitation’ CBD wax. True CBD wax will generally have a soft and malleable consistency like high THC cannabis wax concentrates. Color tends to vary depending on the material used and the specific extraction process used. One of the more popular extraction methods used to create CBD wax is BHO extraction.
‘BHO’ stands for butane hash oil, which is a term used to describe the oil created by running butane through hemp/cannabis plant material. Butane acts to ‘pull’ cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the plant material leaving behind a highly concentrated oil. The butane is then purged from the oil using either a vacuum oven or another method that allows for the complete evaporation of the solvent. The concentrated oil can then be processed further to create a desired consistency or left as is. It will usually be a thick wax at this stage which is known as ‘BHO wax’. CBD BHO wax seems to be becoming more common as more hemp farms and extraction artists are choosing to use butane extraction methods.
CO2 extraction is another popular extraction method that is similar to butane extraction except CO2 is used to pull the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the plant material. This is made possible by making the CO2 ‘supercritical’ which means turning it into a liquid and a gas simultaneously using high pressure and heat. Some extraction specialists favor this method over butane extraction and believe it yields a cleaner concentrate because CO2 evaporates much faster. Consumers also have come to favor CO2 extracted concentrates over BHO concentrates, but BHO products are still widely used. Third party testing is often performed for both CO2 and BHO concentrates to assure no residual solvents have been left behind.
Imitation CBD Wax: What is it & How is it Made?
Imitation CBD wax is a CBD concentrate that has been manipulated to imitate the consistency of a true wax concentrate. The process of making imitation CBD wax usually involves mixing CBD distillate, CBD isolate, and terpenes to create a waxy consistency. These imitation waxes are usually created by companies who want to offer a ‘zero THC’ or broad spectrum CBD concentrate to consumers.
Full spectrum imitation CBD waxes do exist as well though, and these are likely made to avoid the cost involved in producing a true full spectrum CBD wax. These imitation waxes do tend to be lower in price compared to true wax concentrates, and this makes them a good option for anyone on a budget. Of course, if you prefer the experience of a whole plant concentrate, the true CBD waxes are certainly more likely to satisfy.
Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and Isolate: What's the Difference?
If you've started researching the world of CBD, you have probably come across the terms full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. It's worth taking a minute to understand the difference between these types of CBD concentrates, as you might find that you have a preference for one above the others.
Full Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD is a CBD extraction that contains all of the cannabinoids and terpenes present in the cannabis plant. This means that there is even a small amount of THC in full-spectrum extractions.
In order to be considered legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, cannabis must contain less than 0.3% THC. This amount of THC is typically not enough to feel any of the mind-altering effects of CBD. Some people choose to use full-spectrum CBD because of what is known as the "entourage effect," which refers to the notion that cannabinoids work in conjunction with one another to create additional positive effects.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD is a good choice for people who want to utilize the multitude of cannabinoids and terpenes in hemp without exposing themselves to THC. Some people prefer to avoid THC for a number of reasons, including concern that they will feel some of its more intoxicating effects.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD. Free from the other cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis, some people opt for this straight-up form of CBD.
How to Use CBD Wax
CBD wax is a great choice for almost every consumer simply because of its versatility. The softer consistency of wax makes it one of the easiest concentrates to work with.
There are a number of different dabbing devices that you can use once you've purchased the best CBD wax. Some people might find that they are more comfortable with one technique over another. These include traditional dab rigs, e-rigs or e-nails, and dab pens.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's talk about what dabbing is. A dab is a term used to describe cannabis concentrate, which can come in the form of wax, crumble, sauce, budder, shatter, or others. The term dabbing refers to inhaling cannabis concentrates through a heating method that is temperature specific. The CBD wax or ‘dab’ is placed in a heated banger using a dab tool. The vapor is filtered through water and inhaled.
Many find that this is a simple way to use CBD concentrates and wax once they've gotten the hang of it. For this reason, it's become one of the most popular methods of consumption for cannabis users.
This is a quick and efficient method of consumption that provides almost immediate effects. Portable vaporizers are also a popular method of using wax, the soft and malleable consistency makes loading a dab onto a coil very simple. Other common consumption methods involve adding the wax to a bowl of flower or inside/on top of a joint. If vaporizing or smoking is not an option, CBD wax can also be infused with food or drinks!
When it comes to CBD dosage, no matter what method you're using for delivery, it's always a good idea to start small when you're a newbie. Remember, you can always take more, but you can't take less!
Everyone is different when it comes to the ideal amount of CBD. There are a number of different factors that can impact your ideal dosage, including your age, weight, gender, genetics, environmental factors, and more.
It's important to realize that CBD wax and concentrates are incredibly potent, with a CBD content of 99% or higher. This means that you won't need as much as you might of some other forms of CBD.
Because CBD doesn't have psychoactive effects, you don't have to be nearly as concerned with taking too much as you might be with THC-rich cannabis. That being said, it's still a good idea to start with a small amount and work your way up to find the dose that feels right for you.
Are You Shopping Around For CBD Wax?
If you've decided to begin your CBD wax journey, you'll have a lot of different options to choose from. Whether you are looking for a full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate experience, these are potent forms of CBD to help you achieve the outcome you're looking for.
Many individuals prefer dabbing to smoking because it doesn't involve inhaling smoke. If this is your delivery method of choice, you'll want to be sure to find the highest-quality CBD on the market. Check out our selection of CBD wax here.
