Dabbing
Category: Slang & Culture · Level: Intermediate · Slang term
Dabbing is a method of consuming cannabis concentrates by vaporizing a small amount on a heated surface (nail or banger) and inhaling the resulting vapor.
Dabbing involves placing a small amount of cannabis concentrate (a 'dab') onto a heated surface — traditionally a titanium, quartz, or ceramic nail attached to a water pipe — and inhaling the vapor produced. Modern dab rigs include electronic nails (e-nails) that maintain precise temperature control, improving both safety and terpene preservation. Due to the high potency of concentrates, dabbing delivers much higher cannabinoid doses per inhalation compared to smoking flower. Temperature control is critical: low-temperature dabs (below 450°F) preserve terpenes and flavor, while high-temperature dabs produce harsher vapor. Dabbing is predominantly a recreational consumption method.
Also known as
Dab, Concentrate inhalation, Concentrate dabbing
Usage
- Recreational
Related terms
- Wax — Wax is a cannabis concentrate with a soft, opaque consistency produced through butane hash oil extraction and whipping or agitation during the purging process.
- Live Resin — Live resin is a cannabis concentrate made from freshly harvested, flash-frozen plant material to preserve the full terpene and cannabinoid profile.
- Vaporization — Vaporization is a method of cannabis consumption that heats cannabis to temperatures that release cannabinoids and terpenes as vapor without combustion.
- Shatter — Shatter is a brittle, glass-like cannabis concentrate produced through BHO extraction, known for high cannabinoid purity and stable consistency.