Can You Dab Delta-10?

by Kat Austin May 12, 2023 7 min read

Can You Dab Delta-10? - VO Inc

Delta-10, one of hemp’s newest THC isomers to come from the recent cannabinoid boom, is making waves in the cannabis community as a mild starter dose for new consumers. But experienced consumers want to know if there’s more to this cannabinoid than meets the eye–can you dab Delta-10?

The answer is yes, you candab Delta-10, but you have to get your hands on Delta-10 concentrates, which aren't always easy to come by. Here, we’ll unpack what we know about dabbing Delta-10, from effects, to side effects, and more.

Table of Contents
What is Delta-10?
What is Dabbing?
Why Dab Delta-10?
Types of Delta-10 Concentrate
Benefits to Dabbing Delta-10
How to Start Dabbing Delta-10
How to Use Delta-10 Dabs
What’s the Best Delta-10 Dab Temperature?
Alternatives to Delta-10 Dabs

Key Takeaways

  • THC-O is highly potent, so dabbing may not be necessary.
  • You can dab THC-O concentrate if you want, but the effects may be intense.
  • THC-O wax and distillate can be used with standard dab rigs.
  • Many consumers choose THC-O vaporizers for an experience that is similar to dabbing but easier to control.

What is Delta-10?

Delta-10-THC is a phytocannabinoid, or a compound derived from cannabis that interacts with the body’s Endocannabinoid System, a neuromodulatory system responsible for regulating various health functions and for THC’s ability to get you high.

Delta-10 is a natural cannabinoid, meaning it naturally exists in cannabis without intervention, albeit in trace amounts. It’s similar in some ways to traditional THC products made with delta-9-THC (the primary cannabinoid responsible for cannabis’ psychotropic effects), but it does have some differences.

For one, it can be made from legal hemp material by converting CBD through a process called “isomerization.” We’ll dig into this process more below, but for now it’s important to note that Delta-10 can come from hemp, which means that, unlike Delta-9, it's federally legal and can be bought and sold on a widespread basis.

Just like traditional THC, however, Delta-10 interacts with the CB-1 receptor in the brain and Central Nervous System, which means it can produce psychoactive effects. It is thought to have milder effects than traditional THC, but still poses plenty of potential for therapeutic use. All in all, Delta-10 is quickly increasing in popularity both for recreational and therapeutic purposes.

Read more about cannabinoids to learn more.

Delta-10 is Much Less Potent

We mentioned that Delta-10 is similar to Delta-9, but we need to point out that it’s actually way less potent. While it does act on the same endocannabinoid receptors, it has a much lower affinity for CB-1 receptors, the endocannabinoid receptors responsible for inducing psychoactivity. Experts believe that it’s only about 25% as potent as traditional Delta-9, which means that dabbing, a form of cannabis consumption that helps you take concentrated doses, may not be suitable for getting more potent effects from Delta-10.

What is Dabbing?

“Dabbing” refers to the technique of vaporizing THC concentrates with a device commonly known as a “dab rig.”

Generally speaking, dabbing is accomplished by using a torch lighter to heat a dab nail to high temperatures before placing a small amount of wax material on top. The high temperature will immediately vaporize the THC material so that it can be inhaled through the mouthpiece on the rig.

Of course, as dabbing has grown in popularity, electric dab rigs have flooded the market. The idea is similar, but these rigs have an electric nail that heats on its own, without the need for a butane torch.

Dabbing is a method used to take larger, concentrated doses of THC in a vapor form that is quickly ingested. It’s also thought to be conservative, even if dab (cannabis concentrates) are usually more expensive than flower or other dosing styles.

Why Dab Delta-10?

So, Delta-10 is already mildly psychoactive on its own, and it makes a good beginner dose for those with no THC tolerance, or a great therapeutic dose for those who don’t want to feel too intoxicated. The problem is, those with a high THC tolerance may not experience much when they take small to moderate doses of Delta-10, so dabbing is a high-dose option that may suit a very specific type of cannabis user.

Why not just opt for Delta-8 or Delta-9 (or even highly potent THC-O, which is possibly 3 times stronger than traditional THC)? Because, like all of the aforementioned cannabinoids, Delta-10 has unique effects that are more desirable for some people.

Let us explain:


Delta-10 Effects (vs Other THC Products)

To break it down simply, Delta-10 has uplifting and energizing effects that are much less foggy and intoxicating than other THC products. Most people describe a Delta-10 high as clear headed-focused, and energized. It’s not known to produce sedative-like effects like Delta-8 or Delta-9 may induce.

Of course, some of this has to do with the lower potency since THC is biphasic, meaning larger doses have very different effects than small doses. So, opting to dab Delta-10 may negate some of the “clear headed buzz” associated with a small D10 dose, but that has more to do with dosage than it does with dabbing itself. So, opting for a Delta-10 dab dose may be a good idea, assuming you can narrow down a good, high-quality Delta-10 concentrate and have a rig at the ready:

Delta-10-THC Wax on the end of a dab tool, used for vaporizing Delta-10 with a dab rig

Types of Delta-10 Concentrates for Dabbing

There are two common forms of Delta-10 concentrates that can be used for dabbing:

Wax

Wax is a potent, solvent-based concentrate that’s perfect for using on a traditional dab rig or e-rig. Wax has a thicker, but malleable consistency that makes it easy to measure out in small quantities. Compared to hard forms of concentrate, like shatter, wax is very user friendly and easy to manage.

Wax usually has a potency of at least 70% THC, but the potency can range as high as 90%. It only takes a small amount of wax to get potent doses of THC, so a little bit of wax will go a very long way.

Distillate Oil

Distillate is an oil form of THC concentrates that vaporizes easily. It’s incredibly potent, usually measuring at around 99% purity. In fact, distillate has had all of the “extra” plant materials stripped away, resulting in a concentrate that’s virtually flavorless. The exception is when terpenes are added, which may account for 10% of the formula or more.

Distillate is an oil form of concentrate that may be a bit more difficult to measure, but it can still be dabbed using a traditional dab rig or e-rig. Still, Delta-10 vapes make this super convenient and may even make it easier to “stack” doses to your perfect potency.

Benefits to Dabbing Delta-10

Not everyone will prefer dabbing Delta-10, but those who do will enjoy the following benefits:

  • Get more potent doses: Dabbing Delta-10 is more appropriate for experienced cannabis consumers looking for a “rush of effects” that they may not get from regular doses.
  • Enjoy immediate effects:Unlike edibles, dabbing THC-O results in immediate effects that peak in only a couple of minutes. The effects can last anywhere from 1-5 hours. You can, of course, get these fast acting effects from vapes and hemp THC flower, too.
  • Save money: Concentrates are more expensive by weight, but they are also more concentrated and therefore more conservative while dosing. Many people find that dabbing saves them money in the long run, even though the upfront costs may be higher.

How to Start Dabbing Delta-10

If you’re interested in trying Delta-10 dabs, you’ll need a few things:

  1. A dab rig or dab straw
  2. A nail, usually made of titanium or quartz. These can be either “standard” or “electric.”
  3. A dab tool, or a small (usually metal) tool used to portion out the THC concentrate and place it onto the heated nail.
  4. A butane torch to heat the dab nail.
  5. Delta-10 concentrate, usually in the form of wax, shatter, or oil.

How to Use Delta-10 Dabs

Once you have everything you need to get started, how exactly do you dab Delta-10? We'll break it down:

  1. Portion out a small amount of THC concentrate on your dab tool. We recommend starting with a tiny dose if you’ve never dabbed before.
  2. Ignite the torch and hold it over the nail (unless using an electric nail, in which case you should follow the instructions provided with the nail you purchased).
  3. Once the nail is hot (like piping hot!) turn off the torch and set it aside. Use the dab tool to place the concentrate material onto the hot nail and inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece on your dab rig.
  4. Exhale slowly and wait a few minutes to feel the effects. Be sure not to touch the dab nail because it will remain hot for quite some time after each dab.

What's the Best Delta-10 Dab Temperature?

Depending on the dab rig you use, you may have some control over the temperature of your dab hit. The temperature at which you vaporize cannabinoids affects how potent its effects will be. All cannabinoids have a boiling point at which they virtually disintegrate, meaning you won't reap most of the therapeutic benefits, so you need to keep your dab hit temperature below this point.

The boiling point for THC products is pretty high–somewhere around 350°F. While it's unlikely that you'll reach (and maintain) this temperature with a standard dab rig, there is still an "optimal temperature range" for every cannabinoid in which you reap the strongest effects.

The optimal dab temp range is estimated at 150-175ºC, although very little is known about the structure of Delta-10 when heated. You may just play around with different temperatures until you figure out what works best for you. Or, you may consider vaping Delta-10 so that you have even more control over the dosing process.

Where to Find Delta-10 Dabs

As you can see, dabbing is a unique and involved dosing method that usually suits high-dose THC users. Although it is a great way to get in heavy doses of Delta-10 for consumers with a high tolerance, it isn’t the most discreet or portable method, and it may not be appropriate for new consumers who are still feeling out their THC dosage needs.

Plus, Delta-10 is generally sought after by those looking for mild doses, which means there isn’t a huge market for Delta-10 concentrates. If you want to try an alternative with similar energizing, clear headed effects, consider a THC-O vaporizer. THC-O is highly potent and can offer results similar to dabbing Delta-10. In fact, the concept is almost exactly the same, and THC-O vapes are much easier to come by.

In fact, you can check out ourElev8 collection to find a hemp THC dose that suits you, including highly potent THC-O vaporizers. All Vida Optima products are third-party lab tested and hemp-derived in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill.

Vida Optima Cloud 9 Hemp Delta-9-THC Gummies

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