If you are hell-bent on enriching your marijuana experience, exploring concentrates is a gateway to new highs and intense effects. No, this isn’t like your regular product getting a makeover or adding another layer of potency to your average smoke: concentrates are the priceless gems of the psychoactive part of the cannabis plant. They are works of art coming from the alchemy of lab techniques and natural perfection.
THCA concentrates enable you to discover the beauty of expression of all the best THCA flower can offer. The technology of isolating its most potent and flavorful elements puts them into new concentrated formats for you to enjoy.
What are THCA concentrates and how to smoke these?
The distilled formulations that maximize the extracted cannabinoid content aren’t just potency record-breakers. These refined combinations are renowned for their taste and delivery, making them the elite of the cannabis market. Compared to marijuana smoke, concentrates are smoother on the throat while boasting a cannabinoid content a few times higher than that of premium flower (80% or even more).
Catering to discerning consumers with higher tolerances and expectations, manufacturers are catching up to produce “next-level” THCA concentrates and breed strains for extracts. To isolate cannabinoids out of the plant matter, they may adopt different methods:
- Mechanical (solventless) techniques involving pressure (hash, live rosin)
- Solvent-based extraction processes followed by purification (crumble, wax, diamonds)
The basic answer to how to smoke a concentrate involves consuming it separately or adding it to flower in a bowl or joint. Either way, you’ll be getting euphoric effects with less harshness and lung damage, often referred to as a “cleaner high.”
The most popular types of THCA concentrates
This ever-growing segment of the weed market will impress you with a slew of forms, consistencies, and potency levels ranging from high to super-high. The names behind THCA concentrates mostly come from their appearance, texture, or tactile feel:
- Wax
- Shatter
- Crumble
- Diamonds
- Budder
- Rosin
- Hash
While some are stickier and more tricky to handle, others have crystal-resembling structures or a hard glass-like surface that cracks when tapped. No doubt, THCA concentrates can look like magic crystals and elixirs. And they work like these to instantly unlock the next level of your experience or take you where you’ve never been before.
But how do you activate them? This part is not rocket science. It is similar to other THCA products, as the conversion to THC (decarbing) is the point where the magic starts unfolding.
How to smoke a flower concentrate: Best methods
The decarb process is essential for any THCA concentrate form if you are after potent and indulgent experiences. So, the most convenient ways of consuming it are vaping, dabbing, and smoking when mixed with buds.
Vaping
Vaping can be adopted by seasoned smokers and those who are new to concentrates. It is the fastest, easiest, and most discreet method of consumption and dosing – with just a press of a button.
Given the immense choice of vaporizing devices today, you should only make sure you get the one that is concentrate-compatible or uses pre-filled concentrate cartridges. When selecting your vape, see whether it can work with rosin or waxy substances.
Dabbing
This method involves mastering more sophisticated equipment: a dab rig. The device gets its name from concentrates being “dabbed” onto a heated element to be vaporized through a glass water pipe.
This method is preferred by many for precise temperature control as they seek the perfect balance between flavors and effects. A dab rig allows you to smoke almost any concentrate type.
How to smoke a concentrate with flower added
Layering concentrates with buds to be used in bowls, pipes, bongs, and joints may seem a bit messy, but it can be an enjoyable combination of your favorite weed rituals and new products. You can customize your dedicated smoking sessions or party treats by sprinkling crumble or crushed diamonds over your dried flower or dipping your pre-rolls in concentrated oils.
Live resin, wax, and budder joints are a hit at marijuana events, as these are more potent and fun than traditional smokables. Besides, they are convenient not just for recreational use but for quick symptom relief and amped-up therapeutic effects.
Best practices for quality and mindful dosage
Before enjoying your experience to the fullest, the first step is selecting quality products. This is always the case whether you prefer weed buds, concentrates, or a mix of both. Premium THCA concentrates provide a better and cleaner smoke when produced with pesticide-free flower, medical-grade solvents, and advanced technology.
No matter which method you choose regarding how to smoke a weed concentrate, the only way to a safe and refined experience is to verify the purity of the product before purchasing. Make sure your supplier can provide COAs so you can see that its THCA concentrates do not contain:
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides
- Residual solvents
- Contaminants
Arguably, there’s a concentrate for everyone – and so is a consumption method to suit different tolerances. Plus, it can be your most discreet option, as concentrates don’t have the smell or bulk of regular weed while exceeding its potency and effects.
However, it’s difficult to predict or gauge how your body reacts to such strong effects when it’s been a while since your last session. That’s why concentrates can’t be considered great for everyone. On top of that, their remarkable potency (when a single hit is the equivalent of smoking an entire high-THCA pre-roll) tends to be underestimated by experienced and overly enthusiastic new users alike.
The top advice on how to smoke a concentrate and which one to consume in the first place is to select a method that’s good for you and adjust your intake of rosin or hash incrementally. Due to a quick and intense onset of effects, pace yourself carefully. The dosing here is more important than the consumption method because smoking too much may get you off track, whether you use a vape or dab rig.
