One very popular method with marijuana users is to use vaping devices to get high. A variation of vaping marijuana is called dabbing. Dabbing requires using a special vaping device called a dab pen or dab rig. Dabbing has become more trendy with marijuana users. So it is easy to understand you may be wondering what this device is and what is in a dab pen.
What Is a Dab Pen Exactly?
A dab pen is a modified vaping device that has been altered to allow the device to heat dab wax to extreme temperatures to create the vapor to be inhaled. An alternative to dab wax is to use dab oil, which is similar to using other oil-based “e-juices” in vaping rigs.
What Is in a Dab Pen?
The dab pen will consist of the following components:
- Heating Element/Atomizer
- Tank
- Battery
- Mouthpiece
The tank is where the dab wax or dab oil is placed. When someone inhales through the mouthpiece, the battery activates the atomizer, which heats the dab wax or dab oil to create inhaled vapor.
Can You Get High Off a Dab Pen?
Yes, you can get high off a dab pen because you inhale dab, a concentrated form of THC. Most people only require a single hit from their dap pen to experience an almost instantaneous high.
What Is Dab?
Dab is made by highly concentrating the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in cannabis plants. THC is a psychoactive substance that creates high sensations and makes you feel calm, euphoric, and relaxed. It is also attributed to stimulating the appetite.
To make dab, cannabis plants are saturated with lighter fluid or butane to start a chemical reaction to extract THC. Next, the plants are heated using a rosin press or other device. The end result is a waxy substance called dab that can contain a concentration of THC up to 80% compared to only 10 to 15% from “regular” marijuana.
Are Dab Pens Dangerous?
While dab vaping rigs pose no more risks than other vaping devices and rigs, what makes dab pens dangerous is the amount of THC inhaled with the device. Furthermore, the convenience of using a dab pen, compared to using a bong, is very appealing, especially among teenagers and young adults. Additionally, using dab pens makes it easier to use dab more inconspicuously. Since dab has no odor, people will assume the person dabbing is just vaping.
What Makes Dabbing Dangerous?
One might assume that dabbing would not be as dangerous as smoking marijuana since you only need a single hit of dab to get high. However, this is not an accurate assessment. For starters, dab vapor has very high amounts of THC that could potentially shock the body when someone has never dabbed before.
Next, the amount of THC in dab causes the body to develop a tolerance to it much faster than smoking marijuana. As a result, instead of only needing a single hit to get high, as tolerance builds, it could require two, three, or more hits to achieve the same euphoric effects.
Additionally, because dabbing is popular with teenagers and young adults, the elevated levels of THC can impair various brain centers from developing that are responsible for memory, learning, concentration, motor coordination, and pleasure.
Furthermore, the processes used to make dab involve using toxic chemicals and poisonous substances. These substances are also concentrated into the dab and are inhaled into the lungs when dabbing, causing increased exposure to various carcinogens and elevating one’s risk of developing cancer.
Side Effects of Dab Pens
Inhaling concentrated THC using dab pens can cause several side effects depending on the individual, their tolerance to THC, and whether they are addicted to dab, such as:
- Hallucinations
- Enhanced Sensations to Light, Touch, Sound, Taste, Smell, and Colors
- Elevated Blood Pressure/Heart Rate
- Calm/Relaxed State
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Loss of Consciousness
- Panic Attacks
- Itching/Tingling Bodily Sensations
- Blackouts
Getting Help for Dab Pen Addiction
Discontinuing dabbing is challenging when you have an addiction. Due to the highly concentrated THC in dab, the withdrawal effects and symptoms when attempting to stop dap pen use can be rather intense and severe.
As such, it is highly recommended to seek professional help using supervised detox. After detox, it is beneficial to complete an addiction treatment program to reduce your risks of dab lapses and relapse. Signs of dab pen addiction include:
- Experiencing Frequent Hallucinations
- Inability to Function Without Dab
- Engaging in Drug-Seeking Behaviors
- Engaging in Risky Behaviors
- Developing Depression or Anxiety Disorder
- Experiencing Frequent Itching/Tingling/Tactile Sensations
- Insomnia
- Frequent Blackouts/Loss of Consciousness
- Long Periods of Paranoia
Dab Pen Addiction Treatment in Orange County, CA
When you want to overcome your dab pen addiction and regain control over your life, help is available at Pacific Sands Recovery Center in Orange County, CA. We offer personalized detox and treatment programs to help you kick your dab pen addiction.
We can also treat co-occurring disorders if you have developed depression or anxiety disorders from your dab misuse. To learn more about dab, dab detox, and dab addiction treatment options, please feel free to visit our admissions page or give us a call to speak with an intake specialist today.
