As the 21st century reefer revolution continues to transform the planet, weed wizards around the world keep coming up with new, innovative ways to get high. What a time to be alive and smoking!

“Terp sauce” is trending pretty damn hard these days — and for a good reason. It’s a sticky, texturized cannabis concentrate that not only catapults you into space, but it also offers a spectrum of taste on par with the complexity of wine. 

With this addition, the mixture has a potent THC content and boasts 800 milligrams of pure THC at its base from the crystals and 150 milligrams of the terpenes for a boost that can create a powerful experience. The result is something that isn’t quite crystallized but is instead a “sauce,” hence the name.

This goopy concentrate looks like crystalized honey to the eye. It’s composition is similar to a blend of brown sugar and warm butter. Except, this THC concentrate is translucent and generally boasts hues of amber. It also doesn’t taste like brown-sugar butter, either. Rather, it’s loaded with terpenes, so it packs a saucy punch that often leaves stoners drooling — and wanting more.

But, before you smoke down a whole jar of terp sauce, understand it’s strong stuff! It’s best to know what you’re getting into. So, read on before buckling-in for blast off.

What’s in a Name?: Cannabis Concentrates vs. Extracts

Though concentrates and extracts may seem the same, they are a bit different. In fact, it all boils down (pardon the pun!) to how concentrates and extracts are created. In each case, trichomes are collected in slightly different ways.

Extracts are created using a solvent such as alcohol or carbon dioxide. This eliminates the trichomes from the plant and what is left can be used as an extract. Concentrates are made much in the same way, except solvents are not used.

Examples of solvent extractions include butane hash oil, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) and CO2. Each solvent can be further broken down according to texture. These textures include shatter, badder, budder and crumble. Examples of concentrates include rosin, dry sift and kief.

What Exactly Is Terp Sauce?

Terp sauce is a high-impact, delectably aromatic cannabis concentrate that’s also known as a high terpene full-spectrum extract (HTFSE). The key component of sauce is its abundance in terpenes, or essential oils that give the plant its distinct pungent aromas ranging from gasoline to lavender to cheese to lemon zest. But more on that later.

Often, when cannabis is converted into a concentrate, varying levels of terpenes are diminished — even eliminated — in the process. The purpose of making terp sauce, then, is to isolate terpenes for inclusion and to amplify their presence in the final mix. The result is a full-spectrum concentrate without fats, lipids, waxes, and other possible determinants to your intoxication experience.

Ultimately, the goal of smoking terp sauce is to give your taste buds a clean, sensuous experience rich with flavor. Obviously, yes — we smoke concentrates to get high, too. Duh! But, there’s so much more to terp sauce — and all concentrates, for that matter — than getting blitzed out the skull.

Get a Dab Rig – and Enjoy “The Sauce!”

Those who are used to conventional methods of smoking may not be familiar with the kinds of dab rigs on the market. Dab rigs are another way that users can get a hit. Rather than using traditional herbs and nuggets that are the distinction of most cannabis strains like Blue Haze or Hawaiian Punch, many users feel they get more from cannabis by utilizing extracts.

A dab rig is a specialized piece that includes several different parts. Don’t mistake a bong for dab rig, even though they do look very similar. However, dab rigs are often a bit smaller than bongs. Dab rigs are connected to a nail for heating and a “bowl” that holds the extract or concentrate. The biggest difference between bongs and dab rigs is that dab rigs are the best tool to use for concentrates and extracts.

Dab rigs are typically made smaller as the small size makes for less drag and the steam given off can travel to the lungs more efficiently. Dab rigs are also typified by “joints.” These joints are usually labeled “male” or “female”. Other parts include:

Mouthpiece: The mouthpiece is exactly how it sounds – it’s the place you put your lips and get a good inhale. If you want a strong hit, be sure there is little space between your lips and the mouthpiece area.

Stem: This is the part that moves the vapor from the extract that has been heated from the nail through the water chamber and into the mouthpiece for a hit. Some dab rigs include an “ice pinch” so that users can add ice and cool the vapor.

Water Chamber: The water chamber is where users add water. The stem is usually smaller than the chamber and many water chambers contain a percolator as well. The percolator contains holes that produce a series of bubbles when vapor moves across the chamber. This exposes the vapor to more surface area.

Torch: The torch is a small torch that is typically fueled by propane. It is used to heat the nail on a dab rig.

Nail: The nail is the area that is heated that will turn the extract or concentrate into vapor for consumption. It typically features a flat surface and walls that have a hole. Many nails on the market contain any number of materials, including quartz or ceramic.

There are many kinds of rigs on the market, and there is no one size fits all. Finding the rig that works for you requires users to think about their unique needs, goals, and budget. Users must also think about how they will use their rigs.

Will you be home when you dab; could you use an extensive set-up? Or do you travel frequently and need something more portable? Whatever a user’s situation, these things must be thought out before purchasing.

Final Thoughts on THC Sauce

THC sauce is more than just a quick hit of THC. It contains a host of other powerful chemicals and compounds, including flavonoids and terpenes. Terpenes are responsible for how our foods and cannabis smell.

Terpenes are found in the essential oils of plants and are produced in the resinous trichomes of cannabis. They may have an impact on bodily systems and may help relieve pain, as well as having antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

Terpenes work in conjunction with many of the elements of cannabis, including THC. Although there are several hundred chemicals and cannabinoids in cannabis, it is suggested that there are several kinds that have incredible benefits and properties. These compounds include the terpenes myrcene, humulene, caryophyllene, linalool, limonene, alpha-pinene, and beta-pinene.

The way that terpenes work is through a process that supports the actions of many of the components of cannabis. This process has been termed the “entourage effect.” The terpenes in THC sauce work hand-in-hand with THC to help alleviate depression, aches, and pains and other symptoms.

However, be aware that this sauce may not work for everyone. Each individual will be working from their own experiences, physical and psychological status. There may be side effects, including dizziness, paranoia and dry mouth. Each hit of THC sauce may be slightly different and the positive effects may vary according to how much has been dabbed and individual preferences.

Overall, if you’re looking for a new way to get an effective and powerful hit of THC, “the sauce” may be the answer. It is filled to the brim with more natural terpenes along with THC and essential cannabinoids.

Though you may be used to a more crystallized form of extract, this particular substance has a distinctive sauciness that many are beginning to recognize. It is a good option to look into if you’d like to try something different.