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What is Live Resin? What are Terpenes? Why are these important?
Live resin is a cannabis concentrate that comes from freezing the cannabis plant immediately following the harvesting process. The cannabis is frozen to subcritical temperatures throughout the extraction process. Live resin is more flavorful and aromatic than terpenes that are extracted traditionally. During traditional extraction, the plant is harvested and then allowed to dry and cure for a period of time which makes for a less flavorful extraction of terpenes.
What are terpenes exactly?
Terpenes are hydrocarbon chemical compounds found in all plants. In cannabis, they are found in trichomes, which cover buds and surrounding foliage. They are what give the cannabis plant its unique taste and smell. During the curing and drying process, the plant’s natural terpene profile is damaged and loses around 55% of its terpenes. By freezing and extracting immediately, live resin keeps more of its terpene profile resulting in a more fragrant profile.
What are the benefits of Terpenes?
Previously, cannabis farmers mainly focused on the THC content in the plants and not so much on the cannabinoid content. Now, farmers are looking at the entirety of the plant. By having a large array of cannabinoids and terpenes, we get something called the entourage effect. The entourage effect is the result of different cannabinoids attaching to the cannabinoid receptors and elevating the experience you get with the flower.
Terpenes work with CBD and THC to enhance the effects of the main cannabinoids. Terpenes can also offer anti-inflammatory anti-tumor, analgesic, and antimicrobial benefits along with many others!
Both Live Resin Terpenes, and Terpenes extracted from dried and cured plants have their benefits, but is one better than the other? No! They both have an important place in the world of cannabis. Live Resin is great to add to vapes, dabs, and extracts. Terpenes are great to add to vapes for a less potent smell and to tinctures for added benefits without an overpowering flavor. A lot of personal preference comes into play with these too. You may try a vape with Live Resin and love the effects and flavor, or you may not care for it at all. Overall, both live resin and regular terpenes can have many benefits, so try them both and see what you prefer!
Sources
Franciosi, Anthony. “Live Resin: What Is It And Why Is It So Awesome?” Honest Marijuana, https://honestmarijuana.com/live-resin/. Accessed 25 July 2022.
Leaf411. “Is Live Resin Cannabis Worth the Cost?” Leaf411, 29 April 2021, https://leaf411.org/is-live-resin-cannabis-worth-the-cost/. Accessed 25 July 2022.
Peak Supply Co. “What Are Terpenes?” Peak Supply, https://www.peaksupplyco.com/what-are-terpenes. Accessed 25 July 2022.
Rise Cannabis. “What Is Live Resin | Benefits & Uses | RISE Dispensaries.” RISE Dispensary, 18 January 2022, https://risecannabis.com/cannabis-101/live-resin-benefits-uses/. Accessed 25 July 2022.321 CBD. “What are the terpenes in cannabidiol?” 321CBD, https://www.321cbd.com/en/blog/93-what-are-the-terpenes-used-for-in-cbd. Accessed 25 July 2022.