A recent study determined that more than 66% of US-based respondents have used marijuana concentrates, including THC extracts. [1] Additionally, it was uncovered that marijuana concentrate use was more common among younger men who were experienced users living in US states with more liberal cannabis policies.
As cannabis use continues among the old and young, it’s important to keep up with the times if you are interested in using THC extracts. For example, THC extracts can come in many forms, from oils and tinctures to shatter, honeycomb, wax, and budder. [2] Moreover, THC extract can be smoked, vaporized, consumed, drunk, and used as a cream or cosmetic, to name a few uses we’ll look at in our article.
Curiously, in addition to THC extract use being on the rise and the many forms it comes in, cannabis extracts also vary widely in their CBD and THC concentrations. This variance can be confusing, especially considering some extracts have up to 99% THC and others have very little. Fortunately, we’re here to discuss what you need to know about THC extract, including the eight ways to use it.
What Exactly Is THC Extract?
Before we dive into the various uses of THC extract, we want to discuss what it is exactly and to do that, we will have to first explain what is a cannabis extract. A cannabis extract is like a cannabis concentrate but not exactly because it uses a solvent process.
Cannabis extract is a chemical reduction process that isolates the plant material from the cannabinoid elements. During this process, a solvent is used to dissolve cannabis flowers that have been broken down until flavonoids, terpenes, CBD, and THC remain.
Often the most common solvents used for the separation process include propane, butane, supercritical carbon dioxide, and ethanol. Interestingly, to get a THC extract, commonly, the solvent ethanol or hydrocarbon is used.
To achieve a THC distillate, a form of crude oil, fractional distillation is often used. During this process, the cannabinoids are isolated from the other compounds present in the oil. Once this has been achieved, an odorless and flavorless THC concentrate (extract) is obtained. This extract can be further processed or refined into various consumer products that we’ll discuss later.
What Are The 8 Ways To Use THC Extract?
THC extract can be used in DIY projects and commercially sold products. If you have the means, you can complete the solvent process that will give you the THC extract you need to create your own products for personal use.
However, keeping federal laws and regulations surrounding these extracts in mind is important. [3] You should also always remember to create safe THC extract products or use THC safely when adding it to something else. There are health risks associated with THC extract, so keep this at the forefront and use it responsibly. [4]
Now that you’re aware of that let’s look at the eight ways to use THC extract.
Vape THC Extract With A Vape Pen
If the dabbing process isn’t something you want to start your THC extract experience with, you should consider vaping it with a vape pen. You can make your THC concentrate to use as an e-liquid in a vape pen. When a liquid is used in a vape pen, it is electronically heated through heat coils that vaporize the liquid as a puff is drawn.
Know the risks: marijuana concentrates such as the ones commonly used in vaping have been found to have incredibly high THC levels. Some have up to four times as much THC as what is found in Marijuana flowers.
This means that vaping THC extract can be too strong for some, with an increased health risk of feelings of anxiety, depression, and psychosis. [5]
Research has also found that vaping THC oil can be incredibly harmful to a person’s lungs if it contains vitamin E acetate. This is likely why the CDC and FDA recommend that people avoid vaping products – especially those containing THC oil. [6]
Put it Right in Joints
It can be tricky, but many people find the best way to use their THC extract is to add it to their joint or blunt. Doing this is believed to enhance the user experience by upping the flavor profile and increasing the effects of the extract.
To easily add liquid THC extract to a joint, all you need to do is deposit a line of the THC extract oil across the length of the paper before you fill it and roll it to smoke it. Be careful not to over-saturate your paper as this will affect the taste and cause the joint not to light.
Additionally, you must remember that your joints will likely have a different burn with the extract added to the paper. Some notice a runner forming along the oil line because the paper consistency has been altered with the oil.
Use A Dab Rig To Dab THC Extract
For many people, the most popular way to use THC extract is to dab – and no, we don’t mean like the dance move. The dabbing method often involves beautiful glass rigs that resemble bongs that are created to heat cannabis concentrates. When the extract is heated, the user can channel the vapor to their lungs.
To dab, you will need:
When your nail is glowing hot, you will drop a tiny amount of THC extract onto the nail and inhale it through the mouthpiece. You shouldn’t use too much extract, as you need very little for a good hit with a great high.
Cook Edibles With THC Extract
Did you know that when THC is swallowed, it can take two hours to begin feeling the effects because it has to pass the digestive system and your liver before reaching your bloodstream? Yet, don’t let this timeframe dissuade you from using your own THC extract for cooking delicious edibles, as the effects can last up to 12 hours.
Usually, the best way to add THC extract into your edible cookies, brownies, and cakes is to make ‘weed butter.’ [7] When you make weed butter, you can easily add it to your batters without fuss. There are also numerous recipes available that you can use to make it – just be careful not to overdo the THC extract amount.
Additionally, you should note that you can even purchase or make THC extract-infused sweets, savory snacks, and beverages (cool drinks and alcohol).
Another pro tip is to avoid adding your cannabis after you have cooked your edibles and that you shouldn’t use high heats as it will diminish the high you feel.
Fill Supplement Capsules Or Make A Tincture
Not many people know this, but they can make their cannabis supplement pills and capsules by filling them with THC extract. Empty gel capsules are readily available and can be bought in bulk, so you won’t have any issue finding some to make your own.
You need to be careful not to overdo it. It might be best to buy trustworthy, if possible, premade ones. Yet, you should note that the FDA has approved no THC extract supplements.
You can also make a tincture that can be consumed via a dropper in the mouth. Most people prefer making THC extract capsules and tinctures over other methods because they are the easiest to dose while having the benefit of lasting up to eight hours. Moreover, cannabis capsules are also easier to take in public if you need to manage pain but want to be discreet.
THC Extract Topicals And Cosmetics
In recent years, more people are starting to use THC topicals and cosmetics, with many beauty brands infusing their latest skincare and makeup ranges with cannabis-derived formulas. [8] Cannabis extracts like THC and CBD are used in skin care products because, surprisingly, they have many compounds that are good for the skin.
If you’re an avid botanist, apothecarist, or herbalist, you might consider making your own skincare products for personal use using recommended THC dosage amounts.
Some people also choose to make their own topicals with THC extract because it provides varying levels of pain relief and muscle relaxation alongside skin-soothing properties.
In addition, you can also purchase or make, based on THC:
- Extract lotions;
- Creams;
- Soaps;
- Cosmetic products;
- Lipsticks;
- Lip balms;
- And face masks.
When making these products, you can add other natural skin-healthy ingredients and scents that you love to make them more wearable.
THC Extract Beverages
Above, we briefly touched on infused beverages, but we want to elaborate more because these drinks deserve their own section. Most cannabis-infused drinks contain THC, which you likely already know, is a psychoactive drug.
These drinks are different from CBD-infused beverages that don’t contain THC.
Interestingly, THC beverages have been available in the US since 2010 and, in recent years, have surged in popularity, with there now being THC seltzers, beers, cold drinks, ice teas, kombuchas, and many more.
Depending on the beverage, they may contain many other substances like caffeine, delta-8 THC, CBD, and alcohol.
Curiously, there is also no standard dose for THC in cannabis-infused beverages, as the content ratings vary by manufacturer. There is also no standardized maximum THC amount, with some beverages having as little as 2 to 4 mg per 8-ounce drink and others have as much as 100 to 200 mg per 8.5-ounce bottle. [9] You can also make your own THC extract-infused beverages at home if you know what you’re doing.
Additionally, you should note that THC cannabis-infused beverages can cause mental side effects:
- Euphoria;
- Relaxation;
- Drowsiness.
Some of them are, most likely, the reason you even consider drinking something with THC instead of a regular beer, but please — avoid drinking too much and be responsible with your consumption.
THC Extract Sexual Wellness Products
It might be difficult to believe, but numerous THC extract sexual wellness products are available on the market. When visiting a licensed dispensary, you will likely find infused lubricants, suppositories, and similar products for sexual activity.
However, note that if you plan on using a THC sexual wellness product, it could produce some mind or body impairment because of its psychoactive nature. These products have also not been thoroughly tested, so their effects can vary.
Yet, why are people using THC extract sexual wellness products? There are many different reasons, but we have listed two below:
- According to a 2017 study, it was determined that those who used cannabis daily or monthly have a higher sex frequency than those who don’t use cannabis at all. [10] Additionally, another study professed that cannabis and, thus, THC extract might be beneficial to those who have a low sex drive. [11]
- Many women are known to experience pain during sexual intercourse, and this is a condition known as dyspareunia. [12] Unfortunately, pain during or after sex can affect desire, quality of life, and sexual enjoyment and negatively impact relationships. THC use has been shown to help those suffering from pain during sex because it has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce pain.
Others simply enjoy using THC extract products during sex for the high and the feelings of euphoria.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, you now know that there are many uses for THC extract, and how you choose to use this cannabis-derived compound will depend on your needs and preferences. You can make many THC products yourself, but if you are not interested in doing this, you can purchase them from a legal distributor. Just remember to do your research and stay safe.
Sources:
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Characterizing marijuana concentrate users: A web-based survey;
-
FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD);
-
American Psychiatric Association annual meeting, APAAM21 Poster Proceedings;
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21 CBD Products That Will Elevate Your Beauty Routine But Won’t Get You High;
