Table of Contents
The cannabis industry is trending everywhere and has enjoyed explosive growth in the last few years. Endorsement by celebrities and popular media has resulted in mainstream acceptance by people from all walks of life. This popularity is primarily driven by the recent transformative recreational laws in Canada.
The average person is coming around to the idea of using cannabis if only to derive its purported medicinal properties. THC distillates are extremely versatile in how they are used. You can smoke it, inject it, eat it, or use it as an ingredient to prepare food – the list goes on.
But before you can start enjoying the near-endless list of benefits of marijuana, it is important to understand the basics of marijuana and how THC works.
What is THC Distillate
To start, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive cannabinoid found in both hemp plants and marijuana.
Simply put, THC distillate is the end product of a process known as ‘distillation’ (pretty obvious right?). Distillation is a process that physically separates chemical concentrates in varying amounts to extract the purest THC yields possible.
By contrast, CBD or cannabidiol is the non-psychoactive component of marijuana and hemp plant, as such, it does not cause any euphoric high that is typically associated with THC. Both cannabinoids interact with the human body’s endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is made up of several CB1 and CB1 receptors that control the nervous system throughout the body. These receptors and can influence the brain and regulate emotions, appetite, and most of the body’s operating systems.
THC works by binding onto the CB1 receptors, which play a direct role in cognitive functions such as attention spans, the coordination of movements, and the formation of memories. THC also stimulates the reward system in the brain and may stimulate high dopamine levels to induce an intense biological response that may decrease nausea, pain, inflammation, and more.
How to Use THC Distillate
The ‘cannabusiness’ industry has put forth a couple of innovative products in the past few years, from THC gummy bears to vape to ointments to dabbing, and everything in between. It seems that every other day, someone finds a new way to consume cannabis, case in point: THC distillate.
-
Vaping
Vaping has really grown in popularity in the past few years because of the decreased risk to one’s health, lower smell, and convenience. Unlike other forms of smoking, vaporizers heat THC distillates without combusting, which greatly reduces the risk of ingesting toxins in the resulting smoke. If done right, vaporizers can help you get more out of your product.
Make sure to use high quality vape pens for a more pleasing and controlled experience. We carry disposable THC vape pens in Canada on our website.
-
Smoking
Experienced users prefer to smoke THC distillates because they hit the lungs directly and are more potent. Most people use different bongs (a type of water pipe) to experience a powerful ‘high’. It quickly converts THCA into THC, a process known as decarboxylation. As a result, smoking is an excellent way to de-stress and improve sleep.
-
Adding to a Joint
Joints are the go-to method for consuming THC distillates. You don’t need much in the way of equipment, just a few rolling papers and a bud (make sure to use filters for best results). There are different varieties of papers available, including hemp, rice, and wood pulp. The type of rolling paper will influence your overall experience.
-
Dabbing
Dabbing is a popular form of consuming concentrated THC extracts. It is often used alongside a solvent such as carbon dioxide or ethanol to produce a sticky oil (sometimes known as wax, RSO, or budder). There are healthier alternatives to dabbing that don’t use chemicals. Examples include kief, ice water hash, and rosin.
Dabbing requires specialized equipment such as a dab rig or a torch (see our favourite dab rig here.) You will take a small amount of concentrate, place it on the dab rig, and then provide a heat source to activate the ingredients while inhaling the smoke. Dabs are popular because they deliver a clean, pure dose that is easier on the lungs.
-
Tinctures
Tinctures are oil-based THC extracts that can be used to cook your own treats or consumed through the under-the-tongue method (sublingually). The under-the-tongue mode of administration has a more potent effect than smoking and lasts longer. This is because THC tinctures have a direct entry into the bloodstream instead of passing through the digestive tract. We recommend trying the tincture method if you’ve had lackluster results with smoking and edibles.
For best results, you should use this ratio when making a tincture: use one 3 fluid of alcohol for 1/8th of Pink Kush. This will result in a mild effect. For more potent tinctures, you can reduce the ratio of alcohol to Pink Kush until you hit your desired levels.
-
Edibles
The term ‘edible’, in the context of THC, refers to food items that contain trace amounts of cannabis. One prominent example is pot brownies, but you can find a variety of snacks, infused gummy bears, and ingredients to help you prepare your treats. It is worth noting that the bioavailability of THC edibles decreases (for obvious reasons). In some cases, it may take 2 hours before it can provide any meaningful benefits.
Our favourite THC edibles are these gummies and peanut butter cups. These surprisingly filling snacks give you an uplifting high with each serving. You can munch your way to bliss without feeling guilty because the gummy bears have low calories and low sugar.
-
Pill
Pills are primarily taken by users who have respiratory issues and are unable to safely use THC distillates. They contain THC suspended in some oil. The biggest advantage of using pills is that they can be used to deliver accurate doses. The downside of using pills is the much lower potency due to the lower bioavailability of THC distillates.
This is primarily because the pill has to go through the digestive tract first, where a large percentage of it may never make it to the bloodstream. Nevertheless, pills provide a safer way to consume THC and other cannabinoids. If you’re worried about the smell and taste of THC in smoke form, then pills are a good alternative.
Advantages (Why People Love It)
While the experience of getting stoned on THC distillates is different for every person (since no two endocannabinoid systems are alike), it is generally described as highly pleasurable. Most users experience changes in their sensory perceptions and may even improve creativity.
There is some evidence that supports the argument that using THC or marijuana is associated with the production of creative and novel ideas.
Let’s take a look at the main advantages of THC distillates in particular.
Purity
When it comes to potency and extracting the main benefits of marijuana, nothing compares to the purity of THC distillates. THC distillates are the purest form of the cannabis product thanks to the extraction methods used. The final product is colorless, odorless, and flavorless, making it truly versatile for both recreational and medicinal use.
Percentages
If done right, the purity level of THC distillates varies anywhere from 90% to 99%, making it a truly powerful product. This is because the process of distillation has removed flavonoids, terpenes, and more importantly, the presence of harmful chemicals and toxins. THC distillates are completely free of the following:
- Waxes
- Residual solvents
- Plant matter
- Chlorophyll
- Toxins
Effect
It is widely accepted that THC distillates deliver the best possible experience to users and can improve health in all sorts of unexpected ways. Studies show that marijuana can elevate your mood, improve your energy levels, prevent certain diseases from progressing, and even help you lose weight.
The Entourage Effect
Did you know that the typical cannabis plant contains more than 120 different phytocannabinoids? Most of these phytocannabinoids work to promote balance in your body. But the two that really stand out are THC and CBD, of course. In fact, research shows that if taken together, THC and CBD are more effective than if consumed alone. This is because of the interaction between the phytocannabinoids, also known as the ‘entourage effect’.
A study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that taking the two phytocannabinoids together could be beneficial for several conditions including:
Pain, inflammation, epilepsy, infection, anxiety, and even cancer.
Furthermore, if you’re worried about the subtle side effects of THC (which are typically euphoria and elevated appetite levels), try using CBD to reduce these effects.
Depression, OCD, Arthritis, Migraines
Depression: If you’ve been feeling sad for a long time and haven’t been able to shake it off, you may be suffering from depression. Over 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. This mood disorder is hard to defeat and can lead to disability. Most people are unable to treat depression and stay in this state for prolonged periods of time.
Many treatments have been devised to get rid of depression, including oral medications and therapy. But researchers are now exploring the use of THC in their therapy. In fact, a 2014 study found that consuming marijuana reduced pain in users by up to 64%, decreased anxiety, and improved sleep patterns. It is important to note that research is still being conducted to determine the short-term and long-term impact of THC on depression.
OCD: OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder makes it difficult to focus on productive, goal-oriented behavior. Users will typically resort to body-centered OCD disorders such as skin picking and hair pulling. Like most mental conditions, it affects patients in a number of different ways and often responds poorly to traditional medication.
But studies conducted on rodents have found that THC can reduce repetitive behavior when administered daily. It may take up to a week for results to show up. In one study of patients with Tourette’s syndrome, smoking THC resulted in fewer tics and compulsive obsessive behavior.
Arthritis: THC treats pain associated with arthritis and other joint diseases. We currently only have animal studies to support this position. That being said, popular opinion suggests that THC can help with arthritis.
Migraines: THC may be used as a treatment for migraines, but there isn’t much research to prove this theory. However, a concluded that consuming marijuana reduced migraine headaches every month by 50% in 40% of the participants.
Discretion
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t want to announce to the world that you’ve just had some THC. THC distillates are arguably the most discreet method of getting medicated, namely because no one will smell marijuana vapors in the air.
FAQs
Is Distillate the Same as Oil?
All distillates are oils but not all oils are distillates. This is because distillates yield extremely pure substances that have been stripped of other materials including flavonoids and terpenes. Other forms of marijuana may have undergone this process.
How is Distillate Made?
The manufacture of THC distillates can be whittled down to the following major steps:
- It starts with crude oil separation
- Purifying the crude extract by a process known as winterization
- Converting THCA to THC by applying heat (also known as decarboxylation)
- Utilizing heat and vacuum pressure to separate flavonoids and terpenes based on their unique characteristic traits
Are Distillates a Concentrate?
The process of distillation results in highly concentrated forms of cannabis extracts, whether it’s THC or CBD. Concentrates are the result of the extensive distillation of products from the cannabis plant to only keep the most desirable compounds (in this case THC).
Should I make Distillate or Buy It?
Distillation should be performed only by trained professionals and can be very dangerous. For health and safety reasons, the manufacturing of distillates should be left to licensed individuals who have access to the safety of controlled environments and proper equipment.
It is a lot safer and risk-free to buy THC distillates from a reliable place. As you might guess, we happen to have some in stock, so feel free to check out our distillate selection on this page.
Recent Comments