Is THC Distillate Safe?

Highly purified THC distillate has gained a lot of popularity. It is best known for its high potency and purity. Yet, a large portion of the cannabis community is not well-informed about its other aspects, such as: is THC distillate safe?

So, we've dedicated this article to revealing whether or not THC distillates are safe to use. The sections below explore potential safety concerns and health effects, as well as offer advice on consuming this concentrate responsibly.

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Is THC Distillate Safe?

You might know that this concentrate is one of the purest forms of THC on the market. However, if you are unfamiliar with its characteristics and uses, it's only natural to wonder if it's safe for consumption. So, the answer is simple: yes. THC distillates might be generally safe for consumption.

But is THC distillate bad for you? This is another common question that occupies the mind of inexperienced cannabis users. It depends on your health, usage, and local regulations. 

Generally, excessive use or improper consumption might lead to side effects. Hence, here are some safety aspects that can help cannabis users reach a conclusion:

Purity and potency 

THC distillates are made by removing all other impurities and cannabinoids, leaving just pure THC. Their THC content is usually above 90%, meaning this is a well-refined concentrate. 

When consuming cannabis through THC distillate, the effects might be stronger and more noticeable right away than with other methods. They are almost entirely free of chemicals and contaminants, making them a unique cannabis experience. 

Extraction

You should know that THC distillation is a solvent-based process. Ethanol, BHO, and CO2 are some of the most typical chemical solvents involved in cannabis extraction. 

However, more contemporary methods like ice water extractions and dry sifting eliminate the need for these chemical solvents. Also, cannabis distillation is popularly carried out either through the short-path process or by using the wiped film approach. 

In short-path distillation, cannabis is distilled under controlled temperatures to remove any lipids, solvents, or impurities like fertilizers and pesticides. The final product of this distillation is a THC substance that is tasteless and odorless as it is free of terpenes.

On the other hand, wiped film distillation can be considered an even more rigid approach to eliminating impurities. This is a vacuumized approach that happens in a controlled setting. In some cases, manufacturers prefer running the substance through the system at least two times to ensure proper distillation.

It’s also worth noting that the equipment used for THC distillation is multipurpose. The same technique is used in water distillation and is also applicable for other cannabis distillates such as CBD, CBT, and CNC.

Testing and regulations

The growing popularity of the cannabis industry has resulted in a variety of unethical practices among growers and laboratories. Some laboratories have produced false data surrounding the THC potency and purity of cannabis products. 

This is why all laboratories must earn a Certificate of Analysis (COA), which confirms the regulatory compliance of the data. Yet, obtaining a certificate is not the only concern for cannabis laboratories. 

Cannabis laboratory regulation is complex, and operational rules vary by state. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are the largest regulatory bodies in the US. The DEA has a list of registered cannabis testing laboratories on its official site. The FDA offers state information, accreditation testing laboratory programs, safety guidance, official standards, etc.

Potential Safety Concerns

While THC distillate is attractive to more experienced cannabis enjoyers, if you are unfamiliar with marijuana consumption, you should be cautious. Individuals who are new to cannabis might feel anxious or overwhelmed by taking a certain amount of THC distillate. 

It's important to consider that, throughout the distillation process, certain components, like terpenes, are removed from the structure. They not only contribute to the aroma but may also carry anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects. Therefore, you should not anticipate the same therapeutic effects associated with terpenes in THC distillates. 

Furthermore, many argue that limiting consumption to only THC distillates could lead to missing out on the benefits that the plant offers. So, as THC distillates are mostly utilized for their high potency, people seeking therapeutic benefits should avoid them. 

Another potential risk of THC distillates is contamination from residue solvents that should have been removed during production. If you get your distillates from unauthorized providers, you should be aware of this, even if it shouldn't be an issue when buying from a reliable vendor.

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Overconsumption and dosage 

Although THC distillates may be used in a variety of ways, oral consumption is one of the most common methods. Inexperienced users who are not familiar with proper dosage will likely find orally consuming THC distillates to be easier. Proper dosing is crucial even if cannabis and distillates are safe to consume.

Also, THC distillates are not a typical choice for medical purposes. However, other cannabis distillates, such as CBD distillates, might be used for symptom relief. If you're consuming THC distillate for medical reasons, we recommend consulting your doctor for proper dosage.

Moreover, we have to highlight that inexperienced users are not recommended to use high-THC products. This might lead to an increase in anxiety levels as these users are unfamiliar with cannabis use and are seen as more vulnerable to higher doses.

Health Effects and Risks

Unlike in the case of traditional marijuana consumption, locally known as smoking dried marijuana buds, vaping or inhaling THC distillates might have more adverse effects. That is because the THC distillate, one of the purest types of concentrate, may have a THC content of up to 99%. 

Some forms of consuming cannabis distillates are considered to have a more immediate effect than others. For instance, when dabbing, you inhale a good amount of THC content at once, which might cause the effect to appear more intense. Some researchers believe this might make you more susceptible to triggers of anxiety and paranoia. 

They also think that using high-potency cannabis may increase the risk of dependence or even addiction. Although there is no scientific proof behind such claims, which are beliefs and observations rather than facts, potential risk should always be considered. 

Another study that investigated prolonged heavy cannabis use suggested that cognitive impairments might be part of the potential outcomes. Still, further studies and investigation are needed to reach a conclusion. 

Mitigating Risks and Best Practices

Since oral consumption is one of the most popular ways to use THC distillates, it's important to know the proper dosage. By inspecting the instructions on a distillate package, you will usually find that they recommend using a "rice-sized dose". 

However, this is very subjective. We find that a rice-sized piece may range between 20 to 25 mg of THC. This is higher than the standard recommended dose of 5 to 10 mg THC, meaning those who are new to cannabis concentrates should be extra careful.

It is best to combine distillate with a snack, such as a peanut butter cracker when taken orally. Also, if you want to explore cannabis cooking, you can look up a recipe and use the distillate to create a batch of edibles.

Responsible consumption 

Whether THC distillate is safe to consume or not largely depends on how you obtain it. One of the core principles of safe consumption is choosing a reputable vendor who can provide instructions on how to use it and explain the proper dosage. 

Buying THC distillates from the black market is never a good idea. There is no guarantee of quality, and you're left in the dark about the content and potency of the distillate. So, one of the safest options is to purchase from an established online dispensary or visit a local one near your hometown.

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Conclusion

Is THC distillate safe? As with any other cannabis product, THC distillates might be generally safe when dosed properly. 

Those taking THC distillate for medical purposes should follow a doctor's recommendation. At the same time, if you use it for recreation, keep in mind that a single rice-sized piece is thought to contain between 15 to 20 mg of THC. 

So, while THC distillates are adored for their high potency and purity, they should not be taken lightly. Inexperienced cannabis users might experience some negative side effects with larger doses, such as increased anxiety and panic.