Extracts 101: Exploring Cannabis Extracts: Types, Uses, and Benefits
Discover the world of cannabis extracts and concentrates. Learn about different types, methods of consumption, and their benefits. Enhance your cannabis experience with our comprehensive guide.
December 20, 2024 18:31
What Are Cannabis Extracts?
Cannabis extracts, also known as concentrates, are the essential oils extracted from the cannabis plant. Like all plants, cannabis produces essential oils, which are nutrient-rich fats that help the plant survive. These oils can contain fragrances to attract pollinators, antimicrobial compounds, and bitter flavors to deter predators.
Extracting these essential oils allows us to harness the medicinal benefits of cannabis. Concentrates are packed with several times more cannabinoids than regular dried flowers, with potency levels reaching up to 90% THC.
While each essential oil is unique, the oils produced by cannabis contain an impressive array of nutrients. Cannabis resin not only includes the psychoactive cannabinoid THC, which causes the famous "high," but also an abundance of flavor and aroma compounds. Additionally, cannabis oil contains other cannabinoids related to THC, such as CBD, which contribute to the overall experience and may have medicinal benefits.
How to Consume Cannabis Extracts
Cannabis extracts can be smoked, vaporized, or eaten. The most common method is dabbing, which requires a special type of water pipe called an oil rig. To dab, a titanium, quartz, or glass "nail" is heated to temperatures between 315 and 500℉. A small amount of concentrate is then applied to the heated nail as the consumer inhales from the water pipe.
For beginners, cannabis concentrates can also be used in vaporizers and to fill vape pen cartridges. They can be added to drinks and foods to make infused edibles. Both cannabis and hemp oils are also added to balms and lotions for topical application.
Getting to Know Extracts
Types of Cannabis Extracts
Does the type of concentrate matter? Sort of. There are differences between them, and experienced users tend to have their favorites. Here are some common types of cannabis concentrates:
Shatter, Resin, Wax, Budder: These are popular cannabis concentrates made using BHO (butane) extraction and filtration to remove impurities.
Rosin: Prized for its purity, potency, and flavor, rosin is extracted without solvents, using only heat and pressure. It retains more natural terpenes and flavonoids, making it more flavorful.
CO2 Oil: Produced through CO2 extraction, these oils are commonly found in pre-filled vape cartridges. The process preserves more natural terpenes and flavors.
Distillate: A concentrated oil devoid of waxes, terpenes, and flavonoids, containing only a specific cannabinoid (usually THC) at a high concentration.
Why Are There So Many Different Types of Extracts?
Cannabis concentrates come in various forms, from rock-like crystals to syrupy oils. Creating concentrated cannabis oil involves separating the resin from the plant material, which requires a solvent. Common solvents include butane, ethanol, and CO2. The type of solvent used can affect the concentrate's properties.
Botanical extractions are not new; pharmaceutical companies use them to study plant-derived medicines. Decaffeinated coffee and seed-based cooking oils are also made using extraction technology. However, cannabis extractions are relatively new due to decades of prohibition. Advanced extraction technologies are now entering the medical and recreational cannabis industry.
Tips for Beginners
One common mistake beginners make is consuming too much concentrate, leading to an uncomfortable high. Start small, as they don't call them "dabs" for nothing! Begin with a tiny piece of concentrate to determine your personal tolerance. You can always consume more if necessary.
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