Many of us enjoy our favorite psychoactive cannabinoids such as delta 8, delta 9, THC-P, and others. We mean, what’s not to like about them, since they do, after all, provide us with some unique effects that make our hemp experience simply awesome. Now, however, we’re witnessing an influx of companies out there taking the concept of cannabinoid power to a whole new level with the addition of live resin.
Getting to Know Live Resin
Live resin is a type of cannabis concentrate that’s known for its high quality and potent aroma + flavor. It’s produced using freshly harvested cannabis plants that are flash-frozen to preserve all the valuable terpenes and cannabinoids. Unlike other concentrates that use dried and cured buds, live resin is made from plant material that hasn’t been dried or cured.
The process of making live resin involves extracting the oils from the frozen plant using solvents like butane or propane. The result is a product that retains a richer and more robust profile of terpenes—the compounds responsible for the plant’s scent and flavor—as well as cannabinoids like THC and CBD. This makes live resin a preferred choice among connoisseurs who value the intense flavors and aromas, as well as the potential benefits of these natural compounds.
The exact process is as follows:
- Harvesting and Freezing: Unlike traditional concentrates where the cannabis plant is dried and cured, in the production of live resin, the plant is harvested and immediately frozen. This process preserves the terpenes (aromatic compounds) that are lost during the drying and curing process.
- Extraction: The frozen plant material is then subjected to an extraction process. The most common method used is butane hash oil (BHO) extraction. In this method, butane is used as a solvent to extract the essential oils (which include cannabinoids like THC and CBD, as well as terpenes) from the plant material.
- Purging: After extraction, the resulting product contains butane that must be removed to ensure safety and purity. This is done in a vacuum oven, where the product is heated at low temperatures under vacuum pressure to evaporate the butane.
- Collection: The final product is a gooey substance that retains a robust flavor and high potency due to the high concentration of terpenes and cannabinoids. The consistency can vary from more fluid oils to a more solid wax-like texture, depending on specific conditions and techniques used during the extraction and purging phases.
Again, this process differs from others mainly in the use of fresh, frozen plant material, which allows live resin to have a unique flavor profile and potency that mimics the original live plant more closely than other extracts.
What Types of Hemp Products are Combined with Live Resin?
Hemp products combined with live resin are becoming popular in the market, particularly among consumers looking for a potent and flavorful cannabis experience. Below are the common types of hemp products that’re often combined with live resin:
- Vape Cartridges (Vape Carts): These are 510-threaded cartridges that contain a vape oil consisting of the cannabinoid(s) distillate and terpene extracts, and they attach to 510-threaded vape pens. Like all vapes along with flower and concentrates, vape cartridges come in a large number of strains.
- Disposable Vapes: These are all-in-one vape pens with a cartridge and connected battery, that also contain a formula of cannabinoid(s) distillate and terpene extracts. They require virtually no maintenance and can be vaped right out of the box.
- Pre-Rolls: Consist of ground up flower rolled into paper, ready to smoke out of the package.
- Dabbing Concentrates: For those who prefer a more direct and potent method of consumption, dabbing concentrates made from live resin mixed with hemp extract can provide immediate effects.
- Edibles: Incorporating live resin into edibles is a growing trend. These edibles benefit from the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes in the live resin, enhancing both the flavor and the efficacy of the product.
- Tinctures: Tinctures combining cannabinoids and live resin offer some unique benefits along with the enhanced flavor and potency of live resin. These are typically administered sublingually (under the tongue) for fast absorption.
How Does Live Resin Interact with Psychoactive Cannabinoids?
The interaction of live resin with psychoactive cannabinoids (i.e., THC, Delta 8, THC-P, THC-H, etc.) is very important to know for several reasons, which influence both the intensity and the quality of the psychoactive effects experienced by users:
- Preservation of Cannabinoids: Live resin captures and preserves a broader spectrum of psychoactive cannabinoids than many other extraction methods. Again, this includes not only THC but also minor cannabinoids like THC-A, THC-V, CBN, and potentially trace amounts of THC-P and THC-H, depending on the plant’s profile.
- Enhanced Psychoactive Effects: The high concentration of psychoactive cannabinoids in live resin can lead to more potent effects. Since the cannabinoids are preserved in their most natural state, the overall psychoactivity can be intense and complex compared to other extracts that might lose potency during the drying and curing processes.
- Entourage Effect: The interaction between psychoactive cannabinoids and the abundant terpenes in live resin can enhance the overall effects through the entourage effect.
- Immediate and Robust Effects: Live resin often provides a more immediate and robust effect due to its high potency and the presence of a full spectrum of active compounds. This makes it especially popular among experienced cannabis users who seek a deeper and more immediate impact from their usage, especially once those cannabinoids are enhanced.
- Variability of Effects: The effects of live resin can vary significantly from one batch to another, even if they come from the same cannabis strain. This variability is due to the natural differences in the exact cannabinoid and terpene profiles in the fresh flowers used for extraction.
Does Live Resin Have Any Side Effects?
Yes, live resin can have side effects similar to other cannabis products, but nothing too severe. Keep in mind, too that the following side effects can vary depending on the individual, their tolerance level, the THC concentration, and other variables:
- Altered perception
- Cognitive impairment
- Anxiety/Paranoia
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Increased appetite
- Dizziness
- General Impairment
Does Live Resin Impact Your Drug Testing Results?
When considering drug testing, live resin can impact a drug test in a similar way to other cannabis products that contain THC:
- Presence of THC: Live resin typically contains high levels of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis that is most commonly screened for in drug tests.
- Drug Test Detection: Standard drug tests look for THC or its metabolites, such as THC-COOH, in urine, blood, or saliva. Using live resin, which can have potent levels of THC, can result in a positive drug test.
- Sensitivity and Type of Test: The likelihood of testing positive depends on the sensitivity of the test, how much live resin was consumed, the frequency of use, and individual metabolism.
Given that live resin is a high-THC product, if you’re subject to drug testing, using live resin could significantly increase the risk of a positive test result for THC.
With Live Resin, Your Hemp Experience Can Only Go Up From Here!
It’s good to know that simply put, live resin is a type of cannabis concentrate that’s particularly valued for its ability to preserve a high level of terpenes and a full spectrum of cannabinoids from the fresh cannabis plant. And, as you can see, live resin’s interaction with psychoactive cannabinoids is characterized by enhanced preservation, potent psychoactive effects, a pronounced entourage effect, and a diverse range of experiences based on the specific chemical profile of the cannabis used. This makes live resin a preferred choice for those seeking a high-quality, potent, and terpene-rich cannabis experience.
