What are THC crystals and diamonds?

THC crystals, also known as THC diamonds, are the purified form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main cannabinoid in cannabis. Their name comes from the fact that purified THC takes on a crystal-like form when it’s isolated from the cannabis plant.

Because they contain pure THC, these crystals can be incredibly intoxicating. Before using THC crystals, it’s important to weigh the benefits and risks.

What are THC crystals?

THC crystals are the pure, concentrated form of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), the precursor to THC that’s found in raw cannabis flower. When THCA is heated through smoking or vaporizing, it converts into THC.

THC crystals are flavorless, odorless, and colorless. That’s because they lack the cannabis plant’s terpenes and flavonoids, the compounds that give cannabis its flavor, aroma, and color.

It’s important to know that THC crystals are very intoxicating. Cannabis flower strains can contain up to 35% THC, while THC crystals contain almost 100% THC.

What are THC diamonds?

Another common name for THC crystals is THC diamonds. There is no difference between the two.

What are liquid diamonds?

THC liquid diamonds are a combination of THC crystals and a cannabis concentrate known as sauce. Sauce is formed during the process of turning THC into THC crystals. It’s a thick liquid that’s high in the cannabis plant’s terpenes and flavonoids, which adds flavor and aroma to liquid diamonds.

How are THC crystals made?

THC crystals are made by extracting cannabis compounds using a chemical solvent, such as butane. The solvent is applied to raw cannabis flower buds. It dissolves the cannabinoids like THC into a liquid extract, separating them from the other plant material.

The extract is then exposed to precise levels of heat and pressure that allow THCA to crystallize and separate from the other plant compounds.

This process results in pure THCA crystals and sauce. The THCA crystals can be used alone or mixed back with the sauce to create liquid diamonds.

This process should not be done at home. It is very dangerous and even illegal in many states.

Benefits of THC crystals and diamonds

THC crystals provide a highly concentrated form of THC. This may offer stronger:

• Health benefits: THC crystals are extremely potent. If you’re seeking health benefits from THC, such as pain relief, THC crystals may provide more powerful results.
• Intoxicating effects: Because they’re in a concentrated form, THC crystals can be very intoxicating. This may be helpful if you have a high tolerance to THC.

Keep in mind that THC crystals do not contain any of the other helpful compounds in cannabis, like terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids. If you find that these other compounds are beneficial to your needs, consider combining THC crystals with other cannabis products, such as cannabis flower.

Risks and side effects

THC crystals come with some risks and side effects, including:

• Dry mouth
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, a rare condition that can cause excessive vomiting

Due to their potency, THC crystals may interact with certain medications more strongly than other cannabis products. THC can inhibit enzymes in your liver that help your body break down and metabolize certain medications. This may make the effects of those medications stronger and longer-lasting.

It’s best to only use THC crystals if you’re an experienced with cannabis and have a high tolerance to the effects of THC.

How to consume THC crystals and diamonds

There are a few ways to use THC crystals:

• Add them to cannabis flower: You can crush THC crystals into powder and sprinkle it onto cannabis flower before smoking. This gives you some control over the dose.
• Dab them: Some people dab, or flash-vaporize, pure THC crystals. Dabbing involves placing a concentrate like THC crystals into a dabbing device, which is specially made to reach high temperatures to create a strong, fast-acting vapor. This method is very potent, and is best suited for experienced cannabis users.
• Use products infused with diamonds: Some dispensaries sell cannabis products made with THC diamonds, including gummies, pre-rolls, and vaporizers. Check the product label for THC content to get an idea of how strong the effects might be.

The bottom line: THC crystals offer a pure but incredibly potent form of THC

THC crystals are a powerful, purified form of THC that can produce very strong effects. That said, it’s best to use them with caution, especially if your THC tolerance is low.

A Leafwell telepharmacist can offer personalized guidance on using THC crystals according to your needs. Book an appointment to learn more.

Resources

• Cannabinoid interactions with cytochrome P450 drug metabolism: A full-spectrum characterization. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34181150/
• Understanding THC concentration and potency. https://lcb.wa.gov/education/understanding_thc_concentration_and_potency