Here’s What Could Happen If You’re Dabbing Daily

Cannabis concentrates will never get old. The potent experience of ripping through dab rigs with high THC levels in concentrated form is unlike anything else in the weed world.

While dabbing can provide intense effects and powerful relief for various conditions, the practice of dabbing daily raises important health concerns that every user should understand.

Let’s talk about traditional marijuana consumption for a second. While flower typically contains 20-25% THC, dabbing involves inhaling vaporized butane hash oil, live resin, wax, and other marijuana concentrates that can contain 70-90% THC.

The difference in potency? Dramatic. It also means that daily dabbing comes with its own set of risks and considerations that don’t apply to other forms of cannabis use and substance use.

The old saying goes, Everything in moderation. Consuming high-potency cannabis concentrates daily can lead to many changes in both mental and physical health that develop gradually over time.

One of the most obvious consequences of dabbing daily is the fast development of your tolerance to THC. Because cannabis concentrates contain such high THC levels, your endocannabinoid system (ECS) adapts quickly to these potent doses. That means you’ll need larger doses over time to achieve the same effects.

This heightened risk of increased tolerance happens much faster with concentrates than with traditional marijuana. Users often find themselves needing multiple dabs throughout the day to maintain their desired effects, leading to a cycle where consumption is steadily increasing over time.

Daily cannabis consumption with high-potency concentrates can be tough on your cognitive functioning. Since dabs provide such intense effects, they might make it challenging to focus on tasks, work, and the present moment.

Many daily dabbers feel “perma-fried” or mentally foggy, even when they’re not stoned. At this point, it can create a cycle where users feel they need to dab more frequently to function normally.

Some people use cannabis concentrates to manage anxiety, but research suggests the relationship between cannabis and anxiety is far from straightforward. While dabbing might offer short-term relief, daily use of high-THC products may actually make anxiety symptoms worse over time.

The high THC levels in concentrates may overwhelm the ECS, leading to increased nervousness, paranoia, or lingering anxiety, especially for those already prone to anxious thoughts.

A systematic review focusing on the relationship between cannabis and anxiety found that while many people use cannabis to cope with anxiety, using it regularly—especially in large amounts—can increase the risk of developing anxiety disorders. If you’re using dabs to manage anxiety, pay close attention to how you feel between sessions, and notice if your anxiety seems to worsen or become more frequent over time.

Daily dabbing, especially with high-THC concentrates, may impact memory, though the relationship isn’t crystal clear.

Recent research on the effects of cannabis use on memory suggests that THC can cause short-term impairments in verbal memory (your ability to recall words and language-based information) and working memory (your brain’s short-term storage for information you need to actively use, like remembering a phone number long enough to dial it). These effects are most noticeable while under the influence, but can linger even after quitting.

For daily dabbers, the risk of lasting memory problems may be higher, especially when using high-THC concentrates over a long period.

Dabbing is expensive! For one thing, cannabis concentrates are significantly more expensive per gram than traditional flower, and the quick tolerance development of marijuana dabbing means users need larger amounts to get their desired effects.

Daily dabbers can spend hundreds of dollars monthly on concentrates, live resin, wax, and other cannabis products. When combined with the need for specialized equipment like dab rigs, torches, and accessories, the financial burden multiplies.

Looking to cut costs? Check out our guide, How to Save Money on Weed, for tips that won’t sacrifice your stash.

Aside from mental health concerns, daily dabbing can produce several physical health effects that you should monitor carefully.

Respiratory Issues: While dabbing doesn’t involve combustion like smoking marijuana, it still involves inhaling heated substances that can irritate the respiratory system. Daily users might experience chronic cough, throat irritation, and potential lung health concerns from regular use.

Increased Blood Pressure: The high THC content in concentrates can cause temporary increases in heart rate and blood pressure. For daily users, especially those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, this can be incredibly risky and dangerous over time.

Lethargy and Energy Depletion: Remember that feeling of “perma-fried”? Many daily dabbers feel chronically tired or lethargic. The intense effects of concentrates can disrupt natural energy cycles and motivation. Productivity and overall vitality can dramatically decrease.

Physical Dependence: Regularly using high-potency cannabis concentrates can make you physically dependent. At this rate, withdrawal symptoms when attempting to reduce or stop consumption can feel pretty unbearable. These symptoms can include irritability, sleep disturbances, decreased appetite, and mood changes.

Still wondering if it’s bad to dab daily? Well, it really depends on other factors in your life.

Consuming other substances with concentrates can make the negative effects more apparent and increase health risks. Alcohol, prescription medications, and other drugs can interact dangerously with high-THC concentrates.

However, the risk-benefit calculation changes for medical cannabis patients. Some people need concentrates for chronic illnesses or severe symptoms, and daily dabbing can be one of the only ways to feel relief from pain, nausea, seizures, or other debilitating conditions.

If this is your case, chat with your healthcare provider and see if daily dabbing is recommended for your situation.

The short answer is yes. Dabbing daily can indeed be problematic for recreational use due to several reasons:

• Financial burden
• Increased anxiety
• Respiratory issues
• Cognitive impairment
• Cannabis tolerance build-up
• Risk of cannabis use disorder
• Potential mental health impacts
• Possibility of substance abuse and developing substance use disorder
• Physical side effects associated with regularly consuming cannabis with high THC

The key is honest self-assessment: If daily dabbing is negatively impacting your work, relationships, finances, or overall health, it might be time to lay back. Cannabis use disorder is a real condition that can develop with any form of cannabis, but the high potency of concentrates makes it even riskier.

While dabs get you extremely high, it’s best to leave your dab rig clean in the closet for special occasions. There’s no problem enjoying a good old dab, but knowing the potential risks of doing it daily is essential.