Smoking is one way to reap the benefits that marijuana has to offer, but it’s not the only way.
Those who may not want others to know that they’re smoking, will likely prefer a different form of absorption so as to avoid detection with greater ease.
But what other options do you have?
One great method is to take dabs with a nectar collector rather than smoking.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at dabs and answer the most important question for secret dab enthusiasts: do dabs smell?
What's a Dab?
A dab is when you take a piece of concentrate and vaporize it either through the use of modern technologies like dab pens or using your own dab rig. It’s important to note that there are pros and cons to dabbing.
While it may be less noticeable in some ways, the concentrated THC may get you higher and the sound of using a blowtorch on your dab rig can be a dead giveaway as well.
Whenever you plan on using cannabis in any form, keep these pros and cons in mind!
Do Dabs Smell?
Have you ever vaped?
If you have, you know that there’s still a smell associated with the activity, but it doesn’t stick around as long. Vapor is much easier to clear from the air than smoke is, and the smell that we tend to associate with cannabis is the traditional burning cannabis smell rather than today’s THC vape clouds.
That being said, vaping still does come with a smell, and your dabs will leave some evidence behind.
12 reasons I prefer to dab wax vs. smoke weed
What Do They Smell Like?
Dabs smell like very mellow hits of THC. Rather than that strong scent that you get from the flower itself or when it’s burned, dabs are toned down to the point where you really have to try to pinpoint exactly what it smells like when you walk through a vapor cloud.
That being said, this will also depend on the dab itself. Some swear that their dabs are much more noticeable than others.
You’ll get a better feel for your dabs and the resulting smell as you dab more often.
How to Reduce the Smell of Wax
There are ways to make sure that you avoid detection entirely when dabbing.
Top 6 Ways To Reduce The Smell Of Wax:
1. Less Is More
The best way to reduce the smell of your dabbing is to reduce your overall consumption. The less you dab, the less vapor you produce.
Ultimately, this eliminates the opportunity for too much vapor to build up and linger for longer than you intend. Of course, you can also combine this with some of the recommendations listed below for even greater results.
2. Open a Window
The best way to avoid letting anyone know you’re dabbing is to open a window and either direct the vapors to the window using a fan or to blow the vapor directly out the window.
This way, the vapor doesn’t have the opportunity to gather in one area or soak into any of your surroundings. That being said, it’s important to make sure that you’re blowing it out of a window that’s not located near another person’s room where they can catch the smell from their own window.
This may not be a major problem for some dabbers, but you should consider this in the event that it applies to you.
3. Light Up a Candle
Scented candles are a great way to cover up other scents, especially if you light them up just a bit before dabbing so that their scent is already lingering through the air.
If you really want to double down on the smell of your dabs, you can always add some essential oils to your candle as well to enhance the scent and make your candle stronger. The more candles you have, the less likely someone is to catch the smell of your concentrates.
Just make sure you don’t get too high and forget to blow them out once you’re done.
4. Light Up Incense
Incense is another great alternative because incense itself is scented smoke. This type of scent will linger around longer and stick to the items in your surroundings, so it’s best to limit this when you’re using incense in your space.
Additionally, you’ll want to avoid lighting any incense that may smell similar to weed as there are types of herbs like this.
5. Take Ghost Hits
Ghost hits are achieved by inhaling deeper and holding your breath for longer. This helps reduce the amount of vapor that you’re exhaling at the end of your hit to reduce the overall smell of your dabs.
This is a great idea if you’re using a dab pen, but it may be a little bit harder if the hits are harsh.
6. Use a Sploof
A sploof is a homemade or store-bought product containing a carbon filter or a dryer sheet that filters the smell of your vapors as it travels through the cylindrical device.
This is generally used for smoking, but it can be helpful for dabbing as well.
Smell Difference Between Nectar Collectors vs Dab Pens vs Dab Rigs
The more vapor that is produced, the more noticeable the smell of your dabs is going to be. For example, dab rigs will likely produce more vapor when used, which can produce massive clouds that are easily detectable.
Meanwhile, some nectar collectors and dab pens will give you much smaller hits, which is perfect for those looking to avoid detection. If you don’t want someone to notice your dabs, opt for a smaller product instead.
Conclusion
Dabbing is the perfect alternative to smoking as you can do it without attracting the same amount of attention that marijuana smoke does. However, it’s not completely scent-free.
To make sure that you’re keeping your dabbing activities to yourself, use the guide above to learn more about some of the best practices for minimizing dab smells and vapors in whichever area you smoke in the most.
Read here more information about the history of marijuana.