Owing to its unique set of effects, which are both enjoyable and beneficial, Delta-8 THC, aka Delta-8, is witnessing a recent spike in market share.
Yes, this compound does seem to share a lot of characteristics, including most of its name, with its infamous cousin, Delta-9 THC. But it is quite different from the latter, especially concerning its psychotropic potency.
Although Delta-8 THC is available in a wide array of products like tinctures, gummies, vape juices, and cartridges, etc., its concentrates are the purest and the highest in concentration (more than 90%, actually). That is why these products are often considered the best and most effective by Delta-8 users.
Varieties of Delta-8 concentrates: Wax/Shatters/Budder Etc
Concentrates are the purest forms of Delta-8 THC extracts that are available in diverse forms to help you make the most of this compound.
Waxes
These concentrates are sticky, hard, with a waxy texture, and golden yellow color. The texture may vary depending on the temperature and humidity levels used during extraction. These concentrates comprise all cannabinoids, terpenes, alcohols, waxes, and other plant compounds.
Shatters
Although these are much like waxes, shatters don’t contain plant waxes, making them more rigid and glassy. These are clear or amber-colored and contain mostly cannabinoids, terpenes, and sterols.
Budder
Often referred to as whipped wax, the budder’s texture resembles peanut butter and has a yellowish or golden-brown color.
Crumble
Also known as sugar wax, crumble resembles sugar crystals. Its cannabinoid levels are, generally, around 60 to 90%. It is the driest form of hemp concentrates and is best stored in jars at high temperatures.
Hemp Resins & Pastes
These are the rawest form of hemp extracts, containing all plant nutrients and other chemical compounds, besides proteins, fibers, and sugars.
Live Resin Extracts
Live resin is a fresh extract from hemp plants, complete with all the compounds in their highest levels. It resembles wet wax and has an intense earthy, hempy flavor – way more overwhelming than other types of concentrates. This isn’t usually used. Most companies, who sell concentrates or other products, but these extracts through different and varying layers of processing to make them fit for human consumption.
Best Delta-8 Concentrates: Waxes, Dabs, Shatters, and Distillates
#1. Delta Effex Delta-8 Concentrate
Delta Effex is one of the leading brands in the Cannabis industry. And, where it comes to Delta-8 products – a compound that has hit the market like a hurricane since late 2019 – Delta Effex has made it its forte.
And, rightfully so!
This brand not only focuses on Delta-8 THC, but it also makes every batch consistently potent, of high-quality, pure, and perfect.
If you visit the brand’s website, the first thing that will catch your attention is the myriad of options in Delta-8 and Delta-10 products!
Today, Delta Effex is a leading brand in the Delta-8 segment. As a brand ‘high’ on quality, purity, reliability, and creativity, Delta Effex has frequently caught our attention for its unique and highly potent Delta-8 products.
Featured by the likes of High Times, Ministry of Hemp, Merry Jane, Leafly, Herb, and, of course, Vapor Vanity, Delta Effex never ceases to amaze us. So, naturally, when the brand comes up with a new product, the market is abuzz with excitement.
This time, Delta Effex has come out with its latest selection of Delta-8 products –Delta-8 Dabs, Delta-8 Pearls, and Delta-8 Shots. In this article, we will discuss the first two products, i.e., concentrates.
It’s pretty easy to see why people love this brand.
- The exquisite quality of products
- Natural and lab-tested hemp extracts
- Well-researched formulations
- An absolute understanding of what’s hip, happening, and required by the consumers
- Engaging and relevant content on its website
- Weekly newsletters filled with the latest information about the market and the brand’s recent goings-on, including discounts
- Smooth customer service
- Knowledgeable and cooperative customer support team
- Clever marketing strategy
- High social media visibility
- Smooth and dedicated logistics channels
The list goes on and on…
The brand’s products come with high potency, quality, and variety, making every penny you spend on these products worthwhile. In short, the brand has its ears to the ground.
As for its latest releases, the brand has even posted an article on its blog to explain a bit about its new concentrates – Pineapple Express Delta-8 THC Pearls and Tropical Zkittlez Delta-8 THC Dabs.
Types of Concentrates
- Full Gram Delta-8 THC Pearls
- Full Gram Delta-8 THC Dabs
Types of Extracts
- Pearls: Selected Broad-Spectrum
- Dabs: Delta-8 Isolates
Types of Strains
- Pearls: Sativa-Dominant Hybrid
- Dabs: Indica-Dominant Hybrid
Flavors Profile
- Pearls: Predominantly pineapple, with vibrant notes of citrus and pine
- Dabs: Sweet like tropical fruits
Effects
- Pineapple Express Pearls: Uplifted, Happy, Euphoric, and Energized
- Tropic Zkittlez Dabs: Relaxed, Calm, Euphoric, Happy, and Mildly Sleepy
Lab tests: Marin Analytics, LLC
PROS
- Natural farming practices and safe extraction and distillation processes
- Lab-tested products only; product-specific results available on the brand website
- Vibrant flavors
- New and exciting releases
- Quality products – effective and flavorful
- Focus on research and innovation
- Engaging and informative website
- Legally compliant brand
- A powerful and potent products
- Powerful and established brand reputation
- Excellent customer service
CONS
- The website doesn’t mention the source of hemp
- No options for vegans
- The brand’s website does not mention organic farming
- No information about the firm’s background either
#2. Delta 8 Shatter, Wax, and Dabs
#2.1. Bloomble delta-8 THC Shatter
Bloomble is among the most reliable and responsible brands, committed to offering the best quality and carefully vetted Delta-8 products. It offers a diverse line of products, including delta-8 THC tinctures, vape carts, pre-rolls, and distillates.
If you are looking for something more potent, this brand also offers Delta-8 THC-infused concentrates in different-sized packages. Their Delta-8 shatter doesn’t contain more than 0.3% delta-9 THC and is made from US-grown hemp.
Their Delta-8 shatter also comes in various colors from light pink to amber-colored versions, although “water clear” is their most popular variant. Some users believe that this product could be more convenient to use if they came in silicon containers instead of glass ones, which isn’t very unfeasible for the company.
Its hemp-derived D8-THC shatter comprises a perfect blend of cannabinoids and is known to offer a premium experience. Their shatters are claimed to offer a smooth and controlled relaxation and are mostly meant for avid Delta-8 users.
Most users appreciated these products for their strength, potency, and effectiveness. Some also mentioned that this shatter offers a pleasant high without the cloudiness of the mind normally noticed in many Delta-9 THC concentrates.
Apart from being exceptional in its quality, this shatter is pocket-friendly too. Users are quite satisfied with the quality and efficacy of Bloomble’s products, in general.
#2.2. Binoidcbd’s Delta-8 Dabs
Since its establishment in 2018, Binoid strives to provide superior quality hemp-based delta-8 THC products. Their products are both innovative and effective. This brand offers a unique collection of some of the best quality delta-8 THC dabs.
Although Binoid carries 3 variants in delta-8 dabs, we’ve tested the Urb Delta-8 THC dabs and found them to be highly effective.
The Urb Delta-8 THC Dabs are available in some of the most delicious strains, such as Watermelon Zkittlez, Maui Wowie, and Banana Runts.
These dabs comprise almost 80% Delta-8, apart from other beneficial cannabinoids like CBD and CBN, all of which go to offer consumers the enhanced and synergistic effects of natural plant-based cannabinoids that have come to be popularly known as the “entourage effect”.
BinoidCBD’s provides you the dabs in 1 gram packs each.
Users love the quality, potency, and variety of strains this brand provides. They are quite happy with the brand’s customer service as well.
#3. Delta-8 THC Sauce
#3.1. 3Chi Delta-8 THC Sauce
3Chi, an American brand established by a biochemist, commits to creating superior-quality cannabis-based products to promote human health and wellness. It uses pure, concentrated, and lab-tested extracts sourced from the hemp grown in California and Oregon.
Its Delta-8 THC Sauce, which comprises 95% pure Delta 8 THC oil and 5% beneficial cannabis-derived terpenes, is just perfect for dabbing. This pure concentrate is devoid of any VG, PG, PEG, MCT, Vitamin E – and practically everything considered fluff.
This dab is available in several Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid strains, like Electra, Gary Payton, Ice Cream Cake, Gelato 41, King Louie XIII, Lemon Gelato, Lifter, London Pound Cake, Orange Cookies, SFV OG, Snowman, Special Sauce, and Sunset Sherbet – to name a few.
Comprising less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, these concentrates are extremely potent and effective. They are known for offering an uplifting feel with a calming effect – or at least that’s what the consumers say.
Customers are in awe of the 3Chi experience. They love its variety of strains and have especially appreciated this brand’s remarkable choice of strains with targeted effects for specific conditions.
They have also mentioned that the effects of these sauces are instant and very potent. These products have helped them relax, relieve their anxiety and pain, and improve their moods.
The tons of positive reviews we’ve come across clearly indicate that this is a trustworthy brand committed to keeping its customers happy and satisfied.
How to Use Delta-8 Wax: Vaping v/s Dabbing
Dabbing
This method is simply perfect for smoking a concentrate. To dab, you require a dab pen or a dab rig. It has a heated nail that can attain very high temperatures pretty quickly. Once you drop little wax on the hot surface, it instantly vaporizes and can be inhaled. It needs a little bit of experience, but it is super easy.
What makes dabbing so popular is that it is a more conservative way to smoke delta-8 concentrates. Dabs are enriched with high concentrations of delta-8, allowing you to save on your daily Delta-8 needs.
People also love dabbing as it is quicker, cheaper, and more versatile. More importantly, dabbing allows you to use all kinds of concentrates – from oils and waxes to shatters, crumbles, and many more.
Vaping
This is quite an easy alternative to dabbing. But make sure your vaporizer is suitable for concentrates. Different kinds of vaporizing devices are available in the market these days. Once you know the product is compatible, you should be able to get the best results from your concentrates.
If you opt for vaping, you must heat the delta-8 concentrate in a vaporizer that will convert the concentrate into a light vapor for you to inhale.
Vaping is more of a social, classy, and trendy way of experiencing the benefits of Delta-8. That is why it is so much more preferred by most users. The advantage of vaping are numerous – it is extremely convenient, odorless, and discreet. Vape pens can easily fit into your pocket or purse and can be used whenever and wherever you feel like, without emitting a lot of smoke. Vape pens are relatively affordable too.
Which is better?
If you are to compare the two, dabbing offers much more potent effects and you end up with a more intense high than when you vape these concentrates.
These strong effects may not be suitable for all, especially if you are not an avid user.
On the other hand, vaping can be a bit harsh on your throat. So, for people with sensitive lungs, dabbing could be more preferable.
Although vaping has become more trendy in recent times, dabbing is making similar ripples in the market.
So, it all depends on your personal preference. Choose whichever option suits you the most – both are equally popular and available in the market.
Buying Guide for Delta-8 THC Waxes and Dabs
Delta-8 THC is a budding star in the cannabis market. Although it does share some of the same effects as its notorious cousin, Delta-9 THC, it poses no threat like overdosing or other side effects generally associated with the latter. Besides, the high it offers is much more subtle than its close relative.
But you should still avoid getting behind the steering wheel or operating heavy machinery while on Delta-8. Since it has intoxicating effects on consumers, it could slow down your motor movements and thought process.
Thanks to its typical effects, it is often used by consumers to alleviate symptoms like pain, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and stress. However, we must mention here that not many scientific studies have been able to conclusively back its side-effect-free benefits so far.
Delta-8 dabs contain concentrated forms of pure Delta-8 extracts that have been subjected to high temperatures and pressures to change their viscosity and texture.
An advantage of dabbing is that the effects are more efficient and instantly felt when inhaled rather than consumed orally. As you only need a tiny quantity of these concentrates, it turns out to be much more cost-effective. A little goes a long way with these types of products.
So, if you’re an avid user, this is definitely your best option.
If you are thinking of buying delta-8 wax, you would want to make sure you choose the best options and not fall for cheap or fake products.
For this, you may want to learn the tricks to judge a product before you buy!
Here are some of the criteria that you should look for in a brand and its product before placing an order.
Quality
The quality of delta-8 products depends on the quality of their hemp extracts. Find out if the hemp is sourced from the US or EU farms. Usually, they follow all regulations that forbid the use of anything that could harm the human body. Besides, the plants are devoid of high Delta-9 levels, making them absolutely safe for consumption. Furthermore, the extraction process should be the best – one that maintains the purity of the extract without affecting the quality of the blend.
The best way to find out is by evaluating their lab reports. These reports will give you an unbiased insight into the companies’ manufacturing practices. They will clearly indicate the quantity and quality of the ingredients, the cannabinoid and terpene profiles, as well as the presence of any unwanted contaminants if any. In other words, you will get a better idea about the safety, potency, and efficacy of the products you intend to buy.
Purity
You must ensure that the product you opt for contains pure Delta-8. After all, that’s what you need. Occasionally, you will find a few brands offering CBD or other cannabinoids for certain effects – which could be a good thing if you’re looking for those benefits or enhanced effects. However, avoid brands that add synthetic additives, sweeteners, carrier bases, or leave out undercarboxylated cannabinoids in their products.
Appearance
Always remember that pure concentrates are completely translucent and not cloudy. So make sure you opt for concentrates through which you can clearly see. That indicates that the product has minimum impurities. Besides, the color is usually clear to golden yellow and mildly pinkish in color. Watch out for the dark-colored extracts. They probably contain impurities and are bad for health.
Lab testing
Third-party labs test the products for their quality, purity, and potency in an unbiased manner. They also scan the products for harmful chemicals or pesticides that may have been left behind during extraction and processing. Reputable brands always ensure the purity of their products and get them verified by third-party labs. Most of them post their CoAs on their official website for their customers to check out. Others produce the CoAs on demand. If any brand refuses to share their lab reports with you, you should probably stay away from them. Such brands are unreliable and non-committal.
Ingredients
Check the ingredients in your concentrates. They shouldn’t contain more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC, any synthetic chemicals, additives, out-of-place cannabinoids like acidic precursors of cannabinoids, varin or varinolic cannabinoids, or p-cymene terpene (which is a byproduct of isomerization), or harmful chemicals – all of which could potentially harm your health.
Brand Reputation
A brand with a good reputation usually gets positive reviews. Look out for them. A well-known brand offers safe products and never compromises on quality as that would risk its image. As the black market still manages to dominate the hemp industry, there are very few brands that provide good quality delta-8 concentrates. Look for only the reputed ones.
Options/Variants
Delta-8 concentrates are available in different sizes and flavors. Depending on your preference and requirement, select wisely. Most brands provide plenty of choices, but not quality. Others offer fewer choices but are good in quality. But that does not mean that good brands don’t offer plenty of choices. A good brand knows better than to leave its customers with fewer options.
Legality
This may seem like a no-brainer, but do check that the Delta-8 products you procure conform with the laws of your state of residence. Besides, check to see if Delta-8 is allowed in your state. The authorities of at least 11 states are still reluctant to allow this compound into their jurisdictions.
Pricing
Check the PPMG or price per milligram of different delta-8 wax brands. You must understand that extracting delta-8 is an expensive and difficult affair. It is available in very low quantities in natural cannabis. So, it is bound to be pricey. Having said that, beware of brands trying to rip you off with low-grade or fake products. Do your research diligently and choose brands that provide you value for money.
What is the Ideal Dosage for Delta-8 THC Concentrates?
As such, there is no fixed dosage for delta-8 concentrates. It is totally up to you. The dosage depends on how it reacts with your unique physiology (depending on your age, sex, weight), method of administration, and how long have you been consuming delta-8.
Besides, the specific formulations used by the different brands also tend to play a role.
It is particularly more difficult to determine a fixed dosage with wax and dabs, as these are concentrates. But, we recommend you start with the lowest possible dose and titrate your way up until you find your Delta-8 sweet spot!
You should feel its effects kick in within 30 minutes and peak at about 45 minutes to one hour. You should feel a pleasant high but not sick.
Precautionary Warnings For Delta-8 Concentrates
Dabbing a Delta-8 concentrate can be harsher on your throat and lungs, even if you are a regular Delta-8 user. That’s why it is better to take it slow with every puff. Give your body the time to adjust to its effects. Be consistent and steady with each dose.
Although D-8 concentrates are safer than Delta-9 THC, it’s always better to consult a doctor, preferably one experienced in treating cannabis-related side effects, before trying it for the first time, especially if you suffer from any medical condition.
Another fair warning: Don’t drive or operate any heavy machinery after consuming Delta-8 in any way. You are impaired coordination and judgment while driving could alert the law enforcement officers and get you detained for driving under its influence.
Delta-8 Wax: FAQs
Q: Is delta-8 THC concentrate legal?
A: With the 2018 Farm Bill, Delta-8 has become federally legal as long as it’s derived naturally from hemp. Delta-8 products procured synthetically from other cannabinoids are considered illicit.
Again, the fact that delta-8 THC is federally legal didn’t stop 11 states from legally forbidding its use. These states are Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Utah, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island, and Arkansas. So, know the laws of your state of residence before placing your order for delta-8 products.
Q: Can dabbing Delta-8 concentrates get me high?
A: Yes, delta-8 can certainly get you high. However, you will experience a subtle high – and not one strong enough to get you stoned. Having said that, you must not consume it excessively, as that, too, could be bad for your health – and pocket!
Remember, too much of anything is bad for you!
Q: Could I fail a drug test after dabbing Delta-8 THC concentrates?
A: Yes, you could. The metabolites of delta-8 and delta-9 THC are quite similar. So, a regular drug test looking for delta-9 THC metabolites will detect the ones left behind by delta-8 and indicate them as positive for Delta-9. So, you may want to abstain from consuming delta-8 if you are scheduled for a drug test in the near future.
Final Thoughts
As more and more is revealed by the scientific fraternity about the benefits of Delta-8 THC, its demand and popularity keep rising. The potency and efficiency of delta-8-THC in addressing different kinds of general health issues make it a very valuable and viable addition to the mainstream hemp market.
Anecdotal evidence also suggests that Delta-8 THC can help ease joint pain, act as a stressbuster, help ease anxiety, and even curb nausea in some cases. Plus, it offers you all of that along with giving an enjoyable high and without any significant side effects.
Sounds like a fantastic compound, doesn’t it?
Dabbing delta-8 concentrates also offer near-instant effects. Although they are slightly more expensive than other delta-8 products, it is still cost-effective in the long run. Dabbing is also one of the easiest ways to use Delta-8, more so, if you are already familiar with dabbing or vaping.
But then again, it is vital to opt for the right brand. The brands we have mentioned in this guide can provide you with safe, potent, and top-quality delta-8 concentrates that are both pure and 100% organic. These brands use the finest hemp, sourced from US farms, in their products.
