Shatter Concentrate

As marijuana is increasingly legalized in more locations, it’s becoming easier to get drugs like shatter – cannabis concentrates that are extremely potent. Shatter, which is translucent and glass-like, is on the rise among cannabis users. What is marijuana shatter concentrate, and how does it differ from normal marijuana?

What Is a Concentrate?

Cannabis concentrates, such as shatter, wax, honey oil, and others, provide a different and far more powerful high than ordinary flower. They’re essentially cannabis that’s been subjected to a technique for extracting and concentrating the desired chemicals: notably THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), as well as terpenes.

The ideal completed concentrate for recreational consumers is potent and rich in THC. THC levels in shatter can reach as high as 80 percent. Cannabis oil concentrates are frequently low in THC and high in CBD; shatter with a greater CBD to THC ratio is commonly used for medical purposes.

How Are Shatter Concentrates Made?

To create shatter concentrate, a solvent such as CO2 or butane is required. To extract the cannabinoids from CO2 shatter or wax, manufacturers force a solvent through cannabis plant material in a holding container.

The method is a highly hazardous procedure that requires knowledge on how to handle the chemicals used. Novice BHO producers have caused explosions, fires, and injuries by employing incorrect equipment and extraction procedures after seeing do-it-yourself YouTube tutorials. CO2 extraction is a more natural way to extract oils that uses simpler components instead of toxic solvents.

The process of extracting THC from cannabis plants creates a highly powerful substance with considerably more THC than traditional cannabis. Its consistency depends on what it’s made up of: oil, soft, smooth stuff known as budder, malleable, crystallized material called wax, or shatter – an amber-colored glasslike form of hash oil.

The CBD concentrate is what’s commonly known as “dabs” or “dabbing,” and this is the typical technique for consuming these substances.

Wax, shatter, and crumble all begin as a soft and runny cannabis concentrate.

Smoking Shatter

Smoking dabs, from pull-and-snap to crumble, wax, and shatter, necessitates the use of a dab pen, a dab rig, or a water pipe modified for dabbing.

Dab pens, which are tiny, discrete, and inexpensive, are available to anybody who wants to experiment with concentrates. However, despite their smaller size and modest looks, vaporizers suffer from a number of limitations that may prevent them from reaching the proper temperature.

Dabbing is the most common method of consuming shatter, wax, and other concentrates. A dab rig is a scientific instrument used to vaporize concentrated cannabis extracts by attaching a metal “nail” or glass banger to a water pipe.

To vaporize shatter marijuana concentrates, you’ll need a source of strong heat. Many people like to use a handheld torch to increase the temperature of the nail where the dab will be placed. Electric nails, otherwise known as e-nails, eliminate the need for an open flame (and minimize the risk of burns and fires).

New dabbers are often hesitant to take a hit and retain the smoke as they would with a bong or joint smoking. However, it is not required for dab hits, which can irritate the lungs. Exhaling before taking a hit and then inhaling the vapor before exhaling it again is the best approach. Those that cough easily should use tiny draws. Dabbers use specialized dab rigs to smoke shatter, wax, and other concentrates.

Shatter Effects

The high produced by marijuana shatter concentrate is often referred to as “cleaner” than other inhaled methods of intake because it does not entail breathing in combusted plant material. Many cannabis experts are switching to laboratory-manufactured concentrates because of this clean and more constant high. Shatter provides high concentrations of THC and other cannabinoids to cannabis users looking to consume significant quantities of THC. While a particularly potent strain of flower might have THC levels that range from 25 to 30 percent, shatter has an enormous 80% THC content.

In other words, shatter produces an intense high rather quickly. A single dose of high-THC shatter is more effective than smoking the whole joint in terms of potency. This can result in rapid intoxication, couch-lock, dryness of the mouth, and a sense of weightiness and relaxation.

Storing Shatter Concentrate

The purity of shatter is the first consideration when creating it, and correct manufacturing and storage procedures can ensure that a high-quality shatter concentrate stays clean and debris-free. Medicinal concentrates are especially vulnerable to contamination because patients do not want to use medicine that has been contaminated with dirt or germs.

To keep shatter marijuana concentrates as clean and pure as possible, use gloves or parchment paper to handle them. The oils and germs on your hands will be kept away from the shatter by doing this. Always put concentrates on a nonstick surface to avoid losing the sticky residue that often remains when they’re removed.

Even if it’s stored in the right way, shatter will eventually soften and transform into budder over time. This will happen faster if it is kept at room temperature or exposed to heat. To slow this process down, it should be placed in an airtight container in a cold, dark environment. Non-stick containers are available for crumble, wax, and shatter as well as other concentrates. The shatter may be prevented from adhering to the glass by using parchment paper inside an airtight glass jar.

It’s best to use parchment paper to separate individual dabs for easy portioning when storing shatter in the freezer. When freezing shatter, condensation may be an issue. Moisture will accelerate the deterioration of shatter. To prevent condensation from forming in the storage container, it must be dry wiped.

A container like this silicone storage container is ideal for shattering and other cannabis concentrates.

Potential Risks of Smoking Shatter

Products like shatter come with a certain amount of risk because to the chemicals used during concentrate production as well as the high potency of the completed product. Here are some of the concerns that cannabis specialists have.

Impurities

Aside from the risk of explosions that comes with solvent-based concentrate production at home, one of the most serious issues with shatter, wax, and other concentrates is impurities. When it’s time to purge butanes and other solvents out while producing shatter, this is what happens. It’s impossible to tell the purity of a concentrate just by looking at it whether it’s BHO or CO2 shatter. Lab testing is the only method to determine how much butane remains in a concentrate.

Vape pens that contain solvents or other toxins are extremely hazardous to consume – especially for those who have weakened immune systems and use concentrates as medicine. There are numerous internet discussions regarding tainted BHO and threads where individuals express their concerns about having “tane soup,” which is unpurged BHO that has an unpleasant odor and flavor of butane.

Overconsumption

With just cannabis shatter, first-timers should take it slow since some concentrates contain high amounts of THC. While there haven’t been any recorded deaths from a THC overdose, overeating can lead to an unpleasant experience. Eating too much THC can cause anxiety and dizziness, as well as shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and paranoia. Those who are susceptible to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and anxiety disorder are more prone to negative side effects from ingesting large quantities of THC.

Shatter, owing to its high THC content, poses a danger of accidental overconsumption.

The Medical Uses of Shatter

Because of its high concentration of THC, shatter is a highly beneficial medication for a range of medical problems.

Nausea and Appetite

THC-rich shatter is a very powerful antiemetic, which means it can be used to treat nausea and vomiting. It’s also a strong hunger stimulant. This makes it particularly advantageous for individuals who are receiving chemotherapy or undergoing HIV/AIDS treatment because it aids in the fight against weight loss as a sign of illness.

Muscle Spasticity

THC has been investigated as a potential therapy for the signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including muscular spasticity and pain. Nabiximols/Sativex is a THC-derived drug that has received approval from the FDA to treat MS patients.

Anxiety and Depression

CBD is a cannabinoid that is effective at treating anxiety and depression. CBD shatters are high in CBD, a cannabinoid that may be helpful in the treatment of mood disorders. Anxiety and sadness are among the problems for which CBD shatter can assist.

Pain

Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) shatter are potent forms of marijuana that can help with pain. Shatter may be beneficial to those who suffer from headaches, backache, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and any other number of painful ailments.

Controversy over Shatter Marijuana Concentrates

Despite the fact that shatter, BHO, and other concentrates have a strong following, they are still contentious among cannabis traditionalists. This is due to a variety of reasons. Novices attempting to make BHO at home have sparked headlines due to the explosions and fires caused by their attempts. There’s also the potential for serious side effects from concentrating too much – particularly if people aren’t aware of the potency of high-THC shatter products like this. Concentrates are frequently mentioned in news stories about drug use in emergency rooms.

Even many experienced cannabis users are hesitant to try products like shatter, owing to their potency as well as the fact that the complete dabbing experience does not follow any of the conventional methods of smoking marijuana. Using a torch to heat up the nail reminds people of equipment used for more powerful drugs. In addition, people have questioned if shatter is the “crack” version of marijuana because of its crystal-like appearance.

The Push for Education About Shatter

Despite the protests, shatter and other concentrates are becoming increasingly popular and accessible. While the Netherlands has been slow to legalize concentrates, customers can purchase shatter, wax, budder, honey, and oil at medical and recreational dispensaries throughout the United States. This implies that cannabis tourists may easily come upon this relatively new method of consuming marijuana without realizing its potency.

With so much ambiguity surrounding concentrates, as well as cannabis in general, the cannabis community wish to educate consumers about marijuana safety and responsibly using it. Making it easier for individuals to obtain clean, high-quality concentrates will assist ensure that novices learn how to proceed cautiously – whether they’re using oil, wax, or shatter marijuana concentrate extracts for medical or recreational purposes.