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  • Despite state by state legalization and changing attitudes regarding marijuana, the drug can be harmful. This is especially true at high dosages or when used by those who are pregnant, underage, or who haven’t built up a tolerance to the drug. 

    Marijuana wax, a highly concentrated form of marijuana, greatly increases these potential risks.

    What Is Marijuana Wax?

    Marijuana wax or cannabis wax is a highly concentrated product that is smoked, though it can be used in food or taken in other ways. This concentrate is made and sold commercially, though it can also be made at home using either butane or isopropyl alcohol.

    This wax may be crumbly, soft, and runny (honey oil), or relatively firm with a texture like butter or ear wax (budder).

    Alternatively, the concentrate can be made as a hard, amber-colored solid known as shatter.

    How Concentrated Is Marijuana Wax?

    Depending on how it is made and the marijuana plant material it is derived from, marijuana wax can contain between 50% and 90% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and/or other cannabinoids:

    • CBD may help with pain, anxiety, depression, and seizures
    • THC binds with cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain, causing a high

    Marijuana usually has between 15% and 25% THC content, with potency increasing in recent years.

    How Is Marijuana Wax Made?

    Marijuana wax is created by removing oils from the cannabis plant using a solvent and filters, then allowing the solvent to dissolve, leaving behind the waxy or buttery cannabinoid resin.

    These solvents can include butane, which is explosive and toxic, increasing the risk of an accident during production, and pure isopropyl alcohol.

    Marijuana Wax & Dabs

    Marijuana wax is usually smoked in tiny doses called dabs.

    Dabs are smoked using specific paraphernalia including an oil rig or dab rig and a dab nail, which are basically a modified bong and heating element that can include a blow torch.

    Dabbing or smoking wax can also be done with e-cigarettes, vape pens, or vaporizers.

    The Risks Of Smoking Marijuana Wax

    Dabs lack the plant matter of regular marijuana and are far more potent, dramatically increasing the risk of overconsumption and dangerous, harmful effects.

    Increased Toxicity

    Marijuana wax may be contaminated with pesticides left on the plant or residual solvent, especially if a batch is made by amateurs at home.

    Greening Out

    While marijuana and THC cannot cause a fatal overdose, overconsumption of THC, especially by those who don’t have a tolerance to the drug, can cause severe reactions known as greening out.

    Side effects and symptoms vary widely from person to person, but may include:

    • weird physical sensations often described as feeling “like a heart attack”
    • extreme confusion
    • paranoia and anxiety
    • limb heaviness and difficulty moving
    • increased heart rate, blood pressure, and/or body temperature
    • dizziness
    • nausea
    • chills or sweats
    • hallucinations and psychosis

    Those experiencing a green out often call for emergency medical care. They can be treated with supportive care and medications including antipsychotics and antidepressants, but ultimately the drug has to work its way out of the body before symptoms subside.

    Tolerance, Dependence, & Addiction

    Using marijuana with a high concentration of THC accelerates the rate at which tolerance and physical dependence to marijuana may develop.

    While marijuana is not euphoric or habit-forming in the same way as heroin or other hard drugs, it can be addictive, resulting in a condition known as marijuana use disorder

    Over time this disorder lowers your regular dopamine levels, incentivizing you to take increasing doses of marijuana even if it interferes with other aspects of your life. It also causes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when you abstain.  

    Treating Marijuana Use Disorder

    Marijuana can be addictive, and it can be hard to quit. 

    If you or a loved one is having trouble with problematic marijuana use, a personalized treatment program hosted by a professional rehab center may be the right option.

    To learn about our treatment programs, please contact us today.

    Written by Ark Behavioral Health Editorial Team
    ©2024 Ark National Holdings, LLC. | All Rights Reserved.
    This page does not provide medical advice.
    Sources

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Is it possible to “overdose” or have a “bad reaction” to marijuana?
    National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - Marijuana Concentrates DrugFacts
    National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - Marijuana DrugFacts
    The Cureus Journal of Medical Science - To Dab or Not to Dab: Rising Concerns Regarding the Toxicity of Cannabis Concentrates

    Medically Reviewed by
    Davis Sugar, M.D.
    on July 9, 2022
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