Displays of dabbing marijuana extracts on YouTube.
BACKGROUND
Dabbing involves heating marijuana extracts to a high temperature and inhaling the vapor. Little is known about this new method of using marijuana. YouTube, the most popular platform for sharing online videos, may be a go-to resource for individuals interested in learning about dabbing. Our objective was to explore the content of dabbing-related videos on YouTube.


METHODS
We searched for dabbing-related videos on YouTube using the search terms "dabbing" and "dabs" on January 22, 2015. For each term, videos were sorted by relevance and view count. A sample of 116 dabbing videos were viewed and coded for content.


RESULTS
The 116 videos (published by 75 unique channels) had a total of 9,545,482 views. Most (76%) of the channels had a specific focus on marijuana and 23% were located in California. Eighty-nine percent of the videos showed at least one person dabbing, and 61% of these showed someone dabbing repeatedly. Most dabbers were male (67%) and many appeared to be >25 years old (42%). Approximately 34% of the videos contained a product review, 28% provided instructions on dabbing or other educational information, and 21% contained at least a brief cautionary message. Over half (54%) of the videos referenced medical marijuana, and only 20% of the videos had an age-restriction.


CONCLUSIONS
Dabbing-related videos are easily found and can be readily viewed on YouTube. As marijuana use becomes more accepted by the general population, the popularity of dabbing-related videos could increase, potentially normalizing this potent form of marijuana use.
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address: kraussm@psychiatry.wustl.edu.
Melissa J
MJ
Krauss
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address: sowless@psychiatry.wustl.edu.
Shaina J
SJ
Sowles
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address: smylvaganam@wustl.edu.
Shalinee
S
Mylvaganam
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address: kzewdie@wustl.edu.
Kidist
K
Zewdie
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address: laura@wustl.edu.
Laura J
LJ
Bierut
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address: rehgp@psychiatry.wustl.edu.
Patricia A
PA
Cavazos-Rehg
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking; D014743:Videotape Recording
Cannabis; Cannabis extract; Dab; Dabbing; Marijuana smoking; Social media