Shatter … What Is It Exactly? See Here

Shatter

Shatter

ˈsha-tər| Noun

A brittle cannabis extract that looks like an amber glass and has a tendency to snap when handled. When made from hemp flower, it’s an exceptionally pure form of concentrated CBD. Its texture resembles candy, but its consistency depends on the temperature. When heated, it looks more like thick honey that gets glassy when cooled. This extract requires long and delicate purging cycles to get to a clean state without any solvent residuals used in the manufacturing process. 

Shatter is my favorite CBD concentrate to dab because it’s crisp, glossy, and breaks easily.” 

“If you’re looking for a pure and potent CBD concentrate that’s easy to dab, consider shatter.”

What is Shatter? 

It’s an extract, which falls under the category of cannabis concentrates produced using a combination of cannabis materials and solvents. As the name implies, this concentrate is known for its breakability and is a popular dab because it’s easy to handle. It’s typically translucent, but the color can range from bright, honey-like amber to olive oil yellow. 

Regarding consistency, they all may appear the same, but the texture of individual shatter products varies. This concentrate may come as an extremely brittle consistency or a taffy-like one, which may give insight into the product’s cannabinoid profile. 

Therefore, THC-rich shatter tends to be sappier than one with a higher level of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), which is more brittle. At room temperature, THC shatter has a viscous consistency, while a THCA one yields a fragile concentrate that’s easy to break apart. CBD shatter, on the other hand, looks like thick honey when heated, and gets glassy when cooled. 

What is CBD Shatter? 

CBD shatter is a pure form of concentrated cannabidiol (CBD). It offers exceptionally high levels of CBD, up to 80% and less than 0.3% THC. But, because it’s an exceptionally pure form of this cannabinoid only, it has a bland flavor compared to concentrates rich in terpenes like wax or budder. The downside of this concentrate is that it lacks most of the original plant compounds. It includes very few terpenes that are often manually introduced to the extract by the manufacturer. 

With this concentrate, you avoid the intoxicating effect of THC and benefit from hemp’s medicinal and therapeutic effects. This concentrate is an excellent option for medical marijuana patients and people interested in health and wellness. 

This concentrate is made with a solvent to extract cannabinoids and terpenes. Typically, the solvent used is butane, and the process is known as butane hash oil (BHO) extraction. 

What Are the Benefits of CBD Shatter? 

The purpose of CBD shatter is to deliver high concentrations of CBD to the body’s endocannabinoid system. Coming in this form, it may offer more benefits compared to other CBD products. Here are some advantages of this concentrate: 

 

  • High Bioavailability

 

Bioavailability indicates the fraction (%) of an administered drug that reaches the bloodstream. In simpler terms, it refers to the amount of CBD that enters the bloodstream and is expressed in percentages. 

For example, if a drug is administered intravenously, its bioavailability is 100% because the entire substance enters the bloodstream. The bioavailability of oral administration is lower because the substance breaks down in the liver. This concentrate is consumed in a dab rig or vaporizer, which involves inhalation and is the most bioavailable form of CBD consumption (up to 56%). Inhalation significantly boosts the effects of the dose. 

 

  • It’s Fast-Acting

 

When inhaled, the component travels to the bloodstream quickly. Vaping CBD shatter allows the active components to travel to the bloodstream through the lung tissues, avoiding “first-pass” metabolism in the liver. The first-pass effect is a phenomenon of metabolizing a drug to the point where the concentration that initially entered the body is greatly reduced before it reaches systemic circulation.  

 

  • Great for Daytime Use

 

If you need a quick boost of energy in the morning, this concentrate will do it for you. Its fast-acting properties give you a positive jolt of energy, and you’ll feel more ready to take on the day. Cannabidiol reduces stress, anxiety, and keeps you focused.  

Where Does Shatter Come From? 

This concentrate has roots in the age-old practice of making hashish. But, it wasn’t until the late 1990s when the production of cannabis concentrates was modernized and refined. The Canadian cannabis manufacturer BudderKing marketed budder and shatter concentrates around this time. These products hit the shelves in 2003. 

Later on, the techniques for the production of cannabis concentrates were published in Cannabis Culture magazine. This concentrate was a staple in cannabis dab rig culture by the 2010s, with the catchphrase “If it doesn’t shatter, it doesn’t matter,” being shared among the users. 

Is CBD Wax the Same as CBD Shatter? 

They are similar because they are both hemp concentrates that can be dabbed and have the same yellow color. These similarities make it easy to confuse the two. The best way to differentiate between them is to examine the texture and consistency. Shatter is shinier and more transparent but also thick and hard to the touch. Wax has a waxy consistency and is looser, which makes it easier to use than shatter.

Can You Eat Shatter?

Like other concentrates, the cannabinoids in this one need to be activated through heat or decarboxylation. That’s why this concentrate is perfect for vaporizing using a dab rig, e-rig, or vaporizer. After decarboxylation, the high concentration of potent cannabinoids can interact with the body immediately. So, if you eat it unheated, it’s unlikely to produce any desirable effects. 

How to Use It? 

You simply dab it as other cannabis concentrates. Dabbing flash-vaporizes the extract on a device called “dab rig.” A dab rig is a water pipe designed exclusively for consuming cannabis concentrates. If you want to dab your shatter, you’ll need this tool that has a nail on it. So, you scoop out a small amount of concentrate, or “dab,” heat the nail, and drop the dab onto the nail. Make sure to inhale immediately because it evaporates quickly. You can also use it to make potent CBD edibles or in a vape pen. 

Important: Shatter is a potent CBD concentrate. If you’re trying it for the first time, make sure to use a very small amount of it. High amounts of CBD may result in side-effects like anxiety, dry mouth, sedation, and rapid heartbeat. 

How to Store It? 

Make sure the concentrate doesn’t break down or lose its initial consistency, flavor, and potency by storing it properly. Store it in an airtight and lightproof container (ideally a silicone one) in a cool room. Protect it from high temperatures, direct sunlight, moisture, and oxygen. Put an emphasis on the temperature of the room because heat is its biggest enemy. Heat activates the cannabinoids and terpenes, which you want to prevent before consuming it, to preserve the potency. 

Why Does It Turn Into Budder or Crumble? 

All cannabis concentrates follow a similar production process. So, if the process is not closely followed or if this extract is not stored correctly, it may yield another concentrate than the desired one. If the extraction or purging processes are not performed properly, the concentrate’s glass-like consistency may be compromised, resulting in a butter-like texture.

Final Thoughts

Shatter is a potent cannabis concentrate with a glass-like consistency and amber yellow color.