Photo by Rubén Bagüés
Dabbing and vaping are two powerful and effective methods to consume cannabis extracts and get high in the present-day world. Each method has unique benefits that make them some of the best ways to consume cannabis.
Vaping is an excellent means to get high without ingesting the by-products of regular smoking. Vapes are also more private and modest as they don’t produce too much smell and resemble a traditional cigarette. On the contrary, dabbing is a powerful and exciting method to consume cannabis concentrate and presents a strong and surprisingly clean high. You can try both methods, but it boils down to your preferences.
Dabbing and vaping function as different methods to get high, and each has definite advantages and disadvantages. Significant differences lie in the concentrate used, which impacts the flavor, the quality of the high, and other things.
With that said, here are a few differences between dabbing and vaping.
- Portability
The devices used for dabbing and vaping are among the most evident difference between the two methods.
Vape pens have the most convenience as they’re portable, especially disposable vape pens. They have a famous pen-like shape that is easy to hold and use. Also, it can easily fit in your bag or pocket. It’s a handy device that provides an excellent vaping experience.
As for dabbing, although there are small dab rigs and other accessories available for dabbing on the move, you’ll still need to have a dabber tool, a nail, and the blowtorch. However, some modern rigs nowadays look much more like vape pens. They’re more convenient safer and more portable. Here are some of the talked about things to look for in portable dab rigs and the best solutions.
Vape pens are usually great for a solo experience. Most vape panes are small and only significant for one person. If you want to share an experience with friends, dabbing is the right option. Vapes might appear to be the best alternative because they’re easier to use and more portable, but there’s another significant difference compared to dabbing.
Although vaporizers function efficiently and quickly, the dabbing experience is on another level. The flavor and the buzz are usually enhanced when using a dab rig. Dab rigs are also devised for concentrate consistency which many vape pens don’t have.
- Convective Vs. Conductive Heating
Another critical difference between vaping and dabbing is their use of heat. Dab rigs use conduction heating, whereas vaporizers use convective heating.
Convective heat utilizes heated air to vaporize the cannabis concentrates. Most vape pens use ceramic coils to prevent carbonization and combustion. Therefore, there are no toxic chemicals ingested or released. It means that the cannabis isn’t heated directly, as with dabbing. Convective heating is accountable for a healthier kind of inhalation, which averts burning and carbonizing the concentrate.
On the other hand, dabbing uses conductive heat to release the psychoactive contents of cannabis concentrates. Conductive heating involves positioning a dab directly onto the burning hot nail that’s burned using a blowtorch. It’s a more effective and efficient way to heat the concentrates. However, it’s not entirely good for your health and can lead to a burnt flavor. Luckily, dabbing potency is high, so you’ll only need to consume small amounts.
- Substance And Temperature
The substances used in dabbing and vaping are typically distinct. A dab pen typically uses shatter or wax, while a vape pen uses cannabis oil or flower.
Wax is a viscous substance, so a dab rig needs a higher temperature to transform it into an inhalable vapor. This high temperature needs a substantial power input, so a strong battery is required for dabbing. A powerful dab pen battery is essential to ensure the charge endures and provides sustained results.
- Potency
Dabbing wins the potency contest with ease. One of the reasons behind this has to do with the material used. While traditional dried herbs can usually go up to around 30% THC, concentrates can go above 80%.
Dabbing involves inhaling a single large puff at a time, leading to a higher psychoactive experience than vaping. Vaping involves sipping vapor from a pen loaded with oil concentrates that have reduced cannabis content.
However, don’t underestimate vaped herbs. High-quality herbs vaporized at the right temperature can still offer an enjoyable experience, although it’s impossible to achieve the same potency as dabbing.
- Health Factors
Although there isn’t enough evidence to confirm this, dabbing and vaping are considered healthier than smoking. However, dabbing has increased psychological risks because of its potency. These risks include symptoms of psychosis and paranoia and may lead to addiction.
Therefore, when it comes to which method is the best for your health, it’s crucial to understand that neither has a substantial benefit over the other. There’s a likelihood that vaping is better for your lungs than smoking, but whether dabbing or vaping is better, health-wise, is still being determined.
Conclusion
Vaping and dabbing have vast differences, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. The best method depends on your specific needs and wants. A vape pen appears healthier, whereas a dab pen provides higher intensity and potency. Most people use both methods based on their explicit purpose.
