Can You Eat Dabs? Here's What Happens If You Do

Short answer: Yes, you can eat dabs — but unless they’ve been properly decarboxylated, they won’t get you high.

If you've ever looked at a glob of wax, shatter, or live resin and thought, "Could I just eat this stuff?" — you're not alone. The question pops up all the time, and no one really seems to know. Dabs are ultra-potent cannabis concentrates, so it makes sense to wonder if eating them would have the same effect as smoking or vaping.

But here’s the deal: raw dabs don’t work the same way in your body as they do in a dab rig or vape. Let’s break down the science, the risks, and how you can use dabs in edibles safely — plus why you shouldn’t just swallow a glob and hope for the best.

What Are Dabs, Exactly?

Dabs are highly concentrated cannabis extracts, like:

• Wax

• Shatter

• Budder

• Live resin

• Rosin

They’re packed with THCA, which is the non-psychoactive precursor to THC. This means that in their raw form, dabs won’t get you high unless they’re heated — a process called decarboxylation.

What Happens If You Eat Dabs Raw?

If you eat raw dabs without decarbing them, you won’t feel much of anything psychoactive. That’s because:

• THCA needs heat to become THC, the compound that gets you high.

• Your body doesn’t naturally convert THCA to THC efficiently on its own.

• You might get some effects like mild relaxation, but it won’t be the intense high you expect from a dab rig.

That said, you’re not putting yourself in danger by eating a small amount — but it’s a waste of good concentrate if your goal is to get baked.

So… Can You Eat Wax Concentrate and Get High?

Yes — but only if you decarboxylate it first.

If you heat the wax gently in the oven or infuse it into butter or oil at the right temperature, you convert THCA into THC. Once that happens, you can mix it into food or snacks to make potent homemade edibles.

People often ask: Is it worth using concentrates to make edibles instead of flower?

It can be! Dabs have:

• Higher potency, so you need less product.

• Minimal plant material, so the flavor is less “weedy.”

• A cleaner infusion, especially with solventless options like rosin.

Just remember: the process matters. Slapping a glob of wax on a cookie and calling it a day won’t work — the heat needs to happen before consumption.

How to Make Edibles with Dabs (The Right Way)

Here’s a quick guide to using wax or other dabs in edibles:

1. Decarboxylate the Dab

• Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C)

• Place parchment paper on a baking tray

• Put your dab (wax, shatter, etc.) on the paper

• Bake for 20-25 minutes

• Let it cool — now it’s active THC

Read more: Everything you need to know about decarboxylation

2. Infuse into Fat

• Melt butter or oil in a saucepan on low heat

• Stir in the decarbed dab until fully dissolved

• Use the infused fat in your favorite edible recipe

Pro tip: Concentrates are super strong, so start with small doses. A little goes a long way. Check out our recommended scales for weed here.

Is Eating Dabs Better Than Smoking?

It depends on what you’re going for:

Edibles made from dabs offer a smoke-free way to consume cannabis, and you can dose discreetly. But keep in mind that edibles can hit way harder and last much longer than smoking.

Risks of Eating Raw Dabs

• Wasted product: You’re not activating the THC, so it’s inefficient.

• GI discomfort: Some users report nausea or stomach upset, especially in large doses.

• No high: Probably the most disappointing outcome.

Unless you’re just trying to consume cannabinoids for non-psychoactive reasons (like for THCA’s potential anti-inflammatory effects), eating raw dabs isn’t the way to go.

Can THCA Get You High?

This is a common point of confusion. THCA is not intoxicating. While it has potential health benefits and is being studied for anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, it won’t give you that familiar “stoned” feeling.

Only once THCA is decarboxylated into THC will it interact with your endocannabinoid system to produce a high.

FAQ: Can You Eat Dabs? (And Other Common Questions)

1. Can you eat dabs to get high?

Only if they’ve been decarboxylated. Raw dabs won’t get you high because they contain THCA, not active THC.

2. What happens if you eat raw wax concentrate?

Not much — maybe a stomachache. You won’t feel high unless the wax is heated first.

3. Can you put dabs in food without cooking them?

No. Without decarbing, the dabs won’t activate. Cooking them into butter or oil is essential.

4. Are dab edibles stronger than regular edibles?

They can be! Dabs are more concentrated than flower, so you can create powerful edibles with less product.

5. Can eating dabs be dangerous?

They’re not toxic, but eating large amounts of raw concentrate can upset your stomach and waste good product.

6. What’s the best dab for making edibles?

Rosin and distillate are popular choices. Rosin is solventless and clean, while distillate is already activated and super easy to mix into foods.