Can You Dab Reclaim? Examining the Health Implications

When you take a dab, you’ll notice a dark, sticky residue left over in your dab rig. This substance is called reclaim, and yes, you can dab reclaim. But what is cannabis reclaim? And is it safe to dab?

1. What is Reclaim?
2. Can You Dab Reclaim?
3. How to Collect Reclaim from a Dab Rig
4. Health Implications of Dabbing Reclaim
5. Is Dab Reclaim Safe to Use?

What Is Reclaim?

Reclaim refers to the residual substance in your dab rig after smoking cannabis concentrates. Essentially, reclaim is the leftover wax and other byproducts that recondense on the sides of your dab rig. 

When cannabis concentrates are vaporized, reclaim coats the sides of your banger and drop-down. Reclaim can appear as either yellow, gold, brown, or black and condense in your dab rig’s water.

Seasoned smokers source for their reclaim by scraping the sides of their pipes or dab rigs. Some cannabis users say that reclaim from a dab rig is more desirable than pipe resin because reclaim from dab rigs is usually smoother and better tasting than the harsh and smelly resin that collects in a pipe after smoking cannabis flower.

Can you Dab Reclaim?

Yes, you can collect and dab cannabis reclaim. Reclaim still has the major active cannabinoids that cause physiological and psychoactive changes. In other words, you can smoke reclaim and still get high.

Cannabis reclaim is primarily made up of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in the original concentrate. And it can retain up to 65% of the total original cannabinoid content including delta-9 THC, CBD, and CBN. 95% of the 65% cannabinoids are usually decarboxylated.

However, most of the cannabis plant’s terpenes have been burned off the first time you dab your concentrate. Therefore, when you dab reclaim, it may not be the smoothest or tastiest experience, and it may have a different, burnt aroma.

Ultimately, the potency of cannabis reclaim depends on the quality of the original cannabis concentrate or BHO that you got from the dispensary. Your dabbing temperature and how long the reclaim has been stored also affect its potency.

How to Collect Reclaim from a Dab Rig

The simplest way to collect reclaim is to buy a drop-down attachment for your dab rig. The reclaim will build up inside the banger attachment when you use your rig. You can easily remove your banger and gently heat it with your torch to melt the reclaim from the drop-down over a piece of wax paper. Don’t use too much heat, or you’ll risk burning the cannabinoids that are left in the reclaim.

If you do not have a drop-down attachment, you can also collect the reclaim with alcohol. Here, you can use a small quantity of good quality solvent like isopropyl alcohol or grain alcohol to dissolve the reclaim from your dab rig or bong. Store the mixture in an opened container until the alcohol evaporates. You can now use the residual reclaim.

How Dab Reclaim Is Used

The simplest and most popular use of reclaim is to dab or smoke it. However, because it’s not the tastiest experience, many cannabis users prefer to use reclaim in other ways.

Since the reclaim has already been decarboxylated, you can use it to make other cannabis products. Reclaim can be used to make the following:

1. Edibles
2. Cannabis Tinctures
3. Topical creams and salves

Health Implications of Dabbing Reclaim

When you dab reclaim, the taste is generally much harsher than pure cannabis concentrates. It can contain other byproducts of smoking, like ash and tar, which has some side effects and light health risks. However, it rarely poses dangerous health concerns. Common health implications of dabbing reclaim include: 

• Sore throat: High temperature is needed to vape reclaim, which can irritate the throat.
• Headache: The harsh flavor and smell from reclaim could cause a headache.
• Difficulty with breathing: The ash and tar byproducts found in reclaim can irritate the lining of the lungs.

So, Is Dab Reclaim Safe to Use?

Although its taste is poor and its smoke is harsh, reclaim is generally safe to consume. Nonetheless, practicing the following precautions is best to avoid potential harm after you dab reclaim. 

• Buy your dabs from a reputable and trusted source. Prioritize purchasing from a vendor that provides detailed lab results for purity and potency.
• Clean your dab rig after each use to reduce contamination. It is advisable to use isopropyl alcohol to clean it and then water for the final rinse.

When to See a Doctor

Dabbing reclaim can potentially have harmful side effects. If you smoke it and you experience any of the following symptoms, you should consider seeing a doctor.

• Severe headaches
• Increased feelings of depression or anxiety 

Final Takeaway

Whether or not you dab reclaim is your choice. If you want to go the extra mile to minimize wasting your expensive cannabis concentrate, reclaim might be a good option. On the other hand, if clean and high-quality smoke is your priority, you might not enjoy dabbing residue. 

Disclaimer: Veriheal does not intend to give this as professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose, or prescribe treatment based on the information provided on this page. Always consult a physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.