If you’re a frequent smoker, you probably know what resin is. But for the uninitiated, it’s that sticky, sap-like substance that builds up in your smoking device (especially if you haven’t cleaned it in a while). Basically, resin is the byproduct of smoked cannabis plants. Resin shouldn’t be confused with cannabis resin, the sticky, high-inducing substance found in the flower of the cannabis plant, and reclaim, which is the re-condensed concentrate after a dabbing session.

On the other hand, dabbing is a popular method of cannabis consumption where you heat a small amount of concentrate, allow it to vaporize, and inhale the resulting vapor. It’s usually done with cannabis concentrates, but since you’re reading this, you’re wondering if the built-up resin in your tool is a viable option.

In this article, we’ll let you know whether you can dab resin or not, the pros and cons of dabbing resin, and a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

Can You Dab Resin?

The short answer is yes, you can dab resin.

The long answer is yes, but there are some caveats you’ll want to know first before attempting it. Resin consists of burnt plant material, tar, and ash. And since it’s not a pure concentrate, the resulting vapor can produce harsh smoke that can potentially irritate your lungs.

How Do You Dab Resin?

If you’re really keen on dabbing resin, here’s the best way to do it:

Step 1: Collect the resin.

You can also take this time to clean out your smoking device.

If you’re having trouble scraping the resin out, heat up yourpipe orbong to warm up the resin and soften it a bit. Then, scrape it out of your device and collect it all on a plate. Using your hand, roll the resin into a ball so that it’s easier to put into your dab rig.

Step 2: Place the resin into your dab rig.

For your safety and to get the best results, use a cleandab rig and add fresh water before use. Place your rolled-up resin into the dab nail using a dab tool or claw.

Step 3: Heat it up.

Turn on your heat source and apply heat to the base of the nail until it’s red-hot. We recommend using a blow torch, so you can easily adjust the temperature. 

Let it cool for a bit before placing the cap on the nail and wait for it to vaporize. Inhale the resulting vapor, and voila! You’ve dabbed your resin.

What Do You Need to Dab Resin?

• Dab rig: This is a special type ofbong specifically for dabs.
• Carb caps: It’s a cover you put over your nail to help it heat up and vaporize faster.
• Dab tool: Also known as dab claw; It’s usually used to put the concentrate into the nail to avoid burns.
• Blow torch: A blow torch is recommended since you can control the temperature for vaporization.

Pros & Cons of Dabbing Resin

Still on the fence? To help you decide, here’s a summary of the pros and cons of dabbing resin.

Potential Risks Of Dabbing Resin

While dabbing resin may be the most economical option, you have to take into account the negative side effects you may experience when doing so. This is the reason why a lot of professionals in the cannabis industry don’t recommend dabbing resin and to just stick to using concentrates. 

Here are some of the potential risks of dabbing resin:

• Hazardous contaminants: When heated up, the contaminants in the resin may produce harsh smoke that can be hazardous when inhaled. When smoking resin, you may experience the followingside effects:
• Headaches
• Sore throat
• Breathing difficulty
• Overheating:Resin requires higher temperatures to heat, so there's a higher chance of overheating if not done properly. When overheated, the resin may produce a harsh, unpleasant vapor.
• Low-quality high: Resin consists of a varied mix of plant material, ash, and tar, affecting the quality of high and potentially making it less enjoyable. Also, since it’s a byproduct of smoked cannabis, it contains lower amounts of THC, which results in an inferior high.

To Sum it Up

In conclusion, resin is the leftover, sap-like substance that builds up in your pipe or bong after multiple sessions, while dabbing is a method of consuming cannabis concentrate by heating it up and inhaling the vapor produced. Combine them together, and they turn into a popular method of cannabis consumption, especially if you're on a budget and you want to get the most out of your concentrates. However, it's not without its downsides.

Since it's not a pure concentrate, resin contains contaminants that may present potential health risks and negative side effects when its vapor is inhaled. While it’s most certainly a viable option, most cannabis experts recommend you stick to dabbing concentrates instead.

FAQs

How do you dab cured resin?

Dabbing cured resin is not much different from how you would other cannabis concentrates. First, you scoop a small amount of resin and place it into a dab rig or vaporizer. Apply heat to the device and inhale the resulting vapor through a mouthpiece.

Can you smoke live resin like dabs?

Yes, you can! Live resin is a cannabis concentrate made from flash-frozen plants. And like other concentrates, you can smoke it by putting a small amount on a hot surface like a nail or banger, then inhaling the vapor.

Is resin like a dab?

Resin and dabs are types of cannabis concentrates, but they're different in terms of how they're made. Resin is a sap-like substance that's formed when cannabis buds break down, while dabs are made by extracting cannabinoids and other compounds from the cannabis plant using specific solvents.