Dabbing and Terpenes: What You Need to Know

Today, we wanted to explore the intricate inner workings of terpenes and how they intertwine with concentrates. You see, terpenes can have direct effects on your dabbing experience. When you consume concentrates from our electric dab rigs you’re going to have a profoundly unique experience every time, guided by the terpenes and vaporization.

We’ve previously explored our smart rigs’ temp settings honing in on the SWITCH last summer and most recently, the Boost EVO. You likely won’t get as much in terms of terpenes at the higher settings of either of these e rigs, but both the Boost EVO and the SWITCH offer a wide variety of heat settings that will easily help you to get the most out of your terpenes. Without further ado, let’s dive in and explore terpenes and how they work with your torchless dab rig.

What are terpenes and why do they matter?

You've probably heard of terpenes before. For those less than familiar, terpenes are compounds found within plant material, including cannabis. These chemicals determine cannabis’ aroma and are responsible for giving flower its flavor. They’re also somewhat responsible for medicinal properties of plants. When you consume cannabis, you’re actually consuming the oxidized form of the terpene, known as the terpenoid. This is because terpenes are altered due to the drying and curing process.

Terpenes work alongside cannabinoids to boost or diminish the effects of cannabis. This side by side interaction is commonly referred to as the entourage effect. Essentially, the combination of terpenes and cannabinoids create the effects you experience, with these effects varying based on the balance of the compounds.

Even the method of extraction is important to consider. Sometimes, concentrates are extracted in such a way that terpenes are left behind. We talked about this in our blog about the importance of dabbing at low temperatures, but essentially the extraction method can affect what kind of terpene and cannabinoid profile you’re working with, directly impacting your experience similarly to the entourage effect. Snag a concentrate like crumble, live resin, or terp sauce because these concentrate types have high terpene profiles, so you’ll be set for your smart rig sesh. And remember, vaporization is the best way to get the most out of your terpenes since you’re reducing the risk of combustion.

Different types of terpenes

There are dozens — maybe even hundreds of different terpenes found in the cannabis plant, but we wanted to highlight some key terps that you’re most likely to interact with when you use your e rig.

Humulene

With a boiling point of 225°F, you won’t find humulene in higher temp pulls, but for your low temp dab hits, humulene is it. Commonly found in the cannabis plant, but also in the likes of hops and cilantro, humulene is theorized to treat allergies, fight inflammation, and work as an analgesic for pain relief.

α-Pinene

Did you know that pine might be beneficial in the fight against anxiety and depression? Alpha-pinene is a key terpene in your cannabis concentrate, but it’s also found in pine trees and basil. This terpene gives off a fresh, pine scent. With its 311°F boiling point, alpha-pinene can have strong effects in your dab sesh, potentially fighting depression and boasting anti-microbial properties. This terp is also thought to counteract anxiety; this could help anxiety-prone people to have a chiller sesh by indulging in a higher pinene strain, like Jack Herer.

ß-Caryophyllene

Beta-caryophyllene thrives in relatively cool dab temps as well, reaching a nice 320°F before hitting its boiling point. Beta caryophyllene is one of the most recognizable terpenes, however this one is also quite unique. In fact, beta-caryophyllene is able to bind directly to CB2 cannabinoid receptors, giving it its own edge, which could mean that it could benefit consumers more directly. This popular terp gives off a spicy, woody scent. It’s commonly found in other plants like pepper and surprise — allspice. Amongst other things, beta caryophyllene is thought to promote sleep and relieve pain. A perfect terp to dab before bed.

Myrcene

Entering into the higher temperature boiling points at 334°F, we meet perhaps the most common terpene found in cannabis: myrcene. Myrcene is said to have an earthy, spicy scent. It’s also thought to taste somewhat fruity; interestingly enough, this terpene is found in mangoes and lemongrass. If you’re looking for antioxidants, myrcene is the terpene for your dab sesh. This little guy is also commonly cited for anti-inflammatory properties.

Limonene

When you take a hit of Berry White or Do-Si-Dos terp sauce from your Dr. Dabber electric dab rig, expect limonene to come in swinging. This terpene’s 349°F boiling point is perfect for our low temperature settings. Taste hints of citrus when you vape sweet limonene. This aromatic terpene is commonly found in fennel and, of course, citrus fruits! It boasts anti-inflammatory properties and is very popular for its potential to help anxiety.

Linalool

We’ve all been a little stressed this past year, understandably. If you’re looking for nothing but chill vibes from your dab sesh, linalool has got your back. This terpene is commonly found in lavender and mint, and it's got a fresh floral scent to brighten your space. The best part is that this terpene’s boiling point is 388°F, meaning it’s perfect for our low temp dab settings and you’ll be sure to get an abundance of flavor to help you relax and uplift your mood.

In comes your electric dab rig

You have all the info about the top terpenes, so now what? How can you make the most of it? With your SWITCH e rig, you can make the most of each of these delectable terpenes, with a low temperature dab experience like no other. With our SWITCH purple setting, between 300-380°F, you get five unique options to tune into certain terpenes and vape lower than some of them even boil off! Turn up the heat with the blue setting on your SWITCH electric rig and rock temps between 400-480°F where you can successfully grab flavors of higher boiling point dabs like linalool, without losing out on the other terpenes’ flavor profiles in your flower or wax. Take it slow with your Boost EVO smart dab rig as well. Though the lower temperature settings are much warmer than the SWITCH, you can still experience bursts of flavor and the full effects of the terpenes.

Dabbers Beware: At high temperatures, terpenes create toxic chemicals such as benzene, which is a carcinogen. This is one of the many reasons that you should always consider dabbing at lower temperatures.

We hope this guide will help inform you a bit more about the relationship between terpenes and your dabbing experience. Let us know which terpenes you pick up in your next smart rig sesh!