How Much Stronger Are Concentrates Than Flower?

Concentrates are significantly more potent than flower. Understanding this difference is crucial for safe consumption.

Potency Comparison

Product	Typical THC %	Comparison to 20% Flower
Flower	15-30%	Baseline
Hash	40-60%	2-3x stronger
Wax/Shatter	60-80%	3-4x stronger
Live Resin	60-90%	3-4.5x stronger
Distillate	80-95%	4-5x stronger
Diamonds	95-99%	5x stronger

What This Means Practically

If a single hit of flower gives you mild effects, that same-sized hit of concentrate could give you 3-5x the intensity.

Example:

• One hit of 20% flower ≈ 20mg THC inhaled
• One hit of 80% wax ≈ 80mg THC inhaled

Why Dosing Is Critical

With concentrates:

• A small dab goes a long way
• Overconsumption happens easily
• Effects come on faster and stronger
• Recovery from overdoing it takes longer

The "Dab Sweats" Phenomenon

Taking too large a dab can cause:

• Intense sweating
• Coughing fits
• Racing heart
• Overwhelming effects
• Nausea

This is why experienced users start with rice-grain-sized dabs.

Tolerance Considerations

Regular concentrate use builds tolerance quickly:

• You may find flower less effective
• Returning to flower after concentrates can be disappointing
• Many users recommend flower-only periods

Who Should Be Careful

• Complete beginners (not recommended as first experience)
• Low tolerance users
• Anyone prone to anxiety
• Those without proper equipment

Key Takeaways

• Concentrates are typically 3-5x stronger than flower
• Use rice-grain sized amounts when starting
• Effects are more intense and faster
• Not recommended for complete beginners
• Be aware of rapid tolerance building