You may already have heard about CBD and its many therapeutic benefits. After all, this potent compound from cannabis plants became legal back in 2018 when the Farm Bill came into effect. Following its legalization, it has become so popular all over the country. You may also have heard about full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products. However, what is live resin? This new development in the industry has many cannabis consumers puzzled.
First of all, many cannabis consumers turn to CBD out of all the other cannabis compounds because it produces many beneficial effects in the body. Because it is so popular, many types of CBD products and consumption methods have emerged as extraction methods, and technology continues to advance.
Today, you can find different forms of CBD on the market. Many of these products contain CBD isolate, the purest form of the compound. However, you also find products containing full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD, both of which produce more enhanced properties called the entourage effect. Therefore, many people turn to these products to enjoy a better cannabinoid experience.
Recently, live resin came into the market, and many people talked about it. What is live resin, and how does it compare with full-spectrum CBD? Let us dive deeper into this newcomer and decide whether it is worth trying.
What is Full-spectrum CBD?
Before we discuss live resin, we need to determine what full-spectrum means. Full-spectrum or whole-plant extracts preserve all of the active compounds in the plant. Today, many CBD consumers prefer to use full-spectrum cannabis extracts because of the entourage effect.
After undergoing the extraction process, a full-spectrum extract retains all the cannabinoids, such as CBD THC, CBN, CBC, and more. It also retains terpenes, flavonoids, and other desirable compounds. Hence, the product offers a more holistic effect on the body.
In a more straightforward sense, full-spectrum CBD products preserve the plant’s full cannabinoid and terpene contents while getting rid of the excess plant material. When all these components are consumed together, they work synergistically to enhance the potential benefits of the prominent cannabinoid, which is CBD.
Full-Spectrum Products and their Structure
Marijuana and hemp may sound like two different kinds of plants, but both refer to cannabis. Marijuana is illegal in many states, but hemp is considered legal on a federal level. The law distinguishes marijuana as cannabis that contains more than 0.3% THC, while hemp is cannabis that contains less than 0.3% THC.
The cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis are concentrated on the trichomes, the hair-like outgrowth on the plants. Most of these trichomes are found on the flower, while others are on the plant’s sugar leaves and other parts. They act as a defense mechanism against pests and harmful organisms.
When we say full-spectrum, we refer to all the compounds produced in the trichomes of the cannabis plant, including THC. These compounds are fat-soluble and dissolve easily in oils. While we talk about cannabinoids and terpenes, other compounds are also found in the trichomes. These include flavonoids, esters, phenols, and terpenes.
Each full-spectrum extract contains a distinct mix of compounds. The resulting blend of compounds depends on the specific strain of cannabis and the environment where it was cultivated. However, full-spectrum extracts are not decarboxylated. Hence, the acidic nature of the cannabinoids is preserved (e.g., CBDA, THCA, CBGA), which causes some debate among cannabis enthusiasts. This is where live resin comes in.
Full-spectrum Extraction Methods
There are a variety of ways to extract compounds from the cannabis plant. Below are the primary methods used today.
Supercritical CO2 Extraction
Supercritical extraction uses temperature and pressure to create changes in CO2. The method causes the gas to transform into a material with both gas and liquid properties. Therefore, the transformed CO2 can easily infiltrate solids because of its gas-like viscosity and low surface tension. As the gas penetrates the plant, it separates the compounds from the plant material.
The CO2 extraction method can produce desirable compounds depending on the given environment. By fine-tuning the temperature and pressure of the CO2, lab technicians can precisely extract all the full-spectrum compounds from the source material. Hence, the chemical compounds taken from the plant are of high quality.
Hydrocarbon Solvent Extraction
Hydrocarbons like butane and propane can also extract the full-spectrum compounds from the plant. As the liquid hydrocarbon passes through the plant matter, it dissolves the compounds and separates them from the plant material. The type of solvent, temperature, timing and other factors can change the potency and consistency of the extract.
Other Extraction Methods
There are other extraction methods, such as pressure, to extract full-spectrum compounds from hemp. However, most technicians use either CO2 extraction or hydrocarbon extraction. These extraction methods can also produce cannabis concentrates, some of which are considered full-spectrum extracts.
Learn more about the 5 Types Of Cannabis Extraction Methods.
Benefits of Using Full-Spectrum Products
While many CBD products in the market use CBD isolate for easier dosing, many people taking CBD for medical purposes prefer to take full-spectrum products. Below are some of the reasons you should consider them as well.
The Entourage Effect
Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system to produce beneficial effects on the body. Many studies indicate that CBD becomes more potent and has potentially more enhanced benefits when taken together with other terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids.
Widely Available
Full-spectrum products are now easy to purchase from many dispensaries and cannabis stores. The full-spectrum extract is also available in different product forms, including edibles, topicals, capsules, tinctures, and oils.
Fortunately, they are considered one of the least processed CBD products available today. However, they contain a small amount of THC, making some people worried about drug tests. Therefore, it is best to avoid using full-spectrum products when anticipating a drug test.
Want to learn more? Here are 3 Things You Should Know About Full-Spectrum Cannabis Extracts.
What Is Live Resin?
Now we come to live resin, a type of full-spectrum product. It is a cannabis concentrate similar to a wax or shatter but with a higher terpene content. Terpenes provide hemp with a unique flavor and aroma. These aromatic terpenes give cannabis flowers their attractive smell. They are also manufactured in trichomes, along with CBD and other cannabinoids.
Live resin is taken from freshly cut hemp buds. The buds survive for a few hours after getting cut off from the main plant. Before they dry out, the harvesters have to freeze them at supercritical temperature to preserve the freshness.
The frozen plant material is then extracted without undergoing drying and curing. Remember that high temperatures can destroy the terpenes. Hence, they do not undergo decarboxylation. Skipping this step preserves the complete terpene profile of hemp and allows you to enjoy full-spectrum products with a high terpene concentration, unlike cured cannabis.
Live Resin Production
Live resin is produced by flash freezing the hemp buds at around -40 degrees Fahrenheit right after harvesting them. The harvesters use liquid nitrogen or dry ice for this step. The freezing process happens just a few minutes after the buds have been cut. Hence, they retain their natural freshness as much as possible.
The buds are unfrozen to extract the live resin and undergo CO2 or hydrocarbon extraction. Although it is more expensive, many prefer the CO2 method to produce high-quality live resin. The sugar leaves are usually part of the extraction process as well. These tiny leaves contain high concentrations of trichomes compared to the fan leaves. Fan leaves are often not used during extraction because they contain chlorophyll, which will make the extract bitter.
The resulting extract looks gold in color. It has a texture somewhere in between sauce and wax. Live resin can be consumed using a dab rig or a vaporizer. It also comes pre-packaged in the form of vape pens or vape cartridges.
Benefits of Live Resin
Studies show that live resin may help manage chronic pain symptoms and alleviate nausea. The higher terpene concentration may also help provide other added health benefits. Remember that terpenes give flavor and aroma and provide medicinal value.
Live resin contains higher cannabinoid and terpene concentrations. These compounds work together to address depression, anxiety, and lack of appetite. These benefits are mainly based on preliminary studies and anecdotal reports. Therefore, consult a doctor if you consider live resin but have underlying health conditions. You should also talk to your healthcare professional if you take prescription medications.
Live Resin Hemp Products
In the past, most live resin extracts were used for recreational purposes because most strains back then contained high concentrations of THC. However, agricultural technology has provided us with high strains of CBD. Therefore, we can now enjoy live resin products from hemp.
Live resin hemp products can be used primarily for medicinal purposes. If you have chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and stress, you can rely on live resin products to feel immediate relief. Fortunately, live resin extract is available in vape form. Vaping allows you to enjoy the benefits of full-spectrum CBD in a matter of minutes.
Conclusion: Full-spectrum Extracts Vs Live Resin
Full-spectrum extracts are pretty popular among medical cannabis users. While CBD isolate can provide medicinal benefits, taking it with other cannabinoids and terpenes improves its effects. However, full-spectrum extract comes from dried plant material, with a considerably lessened terpene due to the drying and curing process.
Live resin provides a better alternative. It contains a higher concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes because it is processed. The freezing process captures hemp’s complete phytochemical profile. Therefore, the product has a superior taste, aroma, and a more potent blend of hemp compounds.
The high terpene and cannabinoid content of the product has attracted the attention of many cannabis enthusiasts. Although live resin has a higher production cost and shorter shelf life, it now has a high demand. Hence, many manufacturers can make a good profit despite the higher costs.
As technology advances, manufacturers find ways to enhance the shelf life of live resin and reduce production costs. Thankfully, you can now purchase top-quality and affordable live resin products in dispensaries and online stores.
Where to Buy CBD Products
If you are looking for premium quality full-spectrum or live resin CBD products, visit our shop now and choose from our various product offers. Whether you prefer live resin or the regular full-spectrum CBD product, we have them all in stock.
Before we end, we want to give a friendly reminder to all those starting their cannabis journey. Be sure to start with a small dose that you can tolerate. You can increase the dose gradually until you reach the desired effects. Be sure to consume cannabis products responsibly and enjoy!
