Live resin terpenes are one of the latest trends in the cannabis industry. In a nutshell, they are terpenes extracted from fresh cannabis plant materials that are frozen immediately after harvest, preserving their full spectrum of flavors and aromas. Many cannabis producers claim these “full-spectrum live terpenes” offer a more natural, authentic, or potent experience than conventionally-derived terpenes and terpene blends from decarboxylated cannabis plants. Are live resin terps really worth the hype? Do they have any significant advantages over other extraction methods or products? In this article, we will examine three popular marketing claims around live resin terps, and whether or not they match up with the facts. We will also provide tips and recommendations for those interested in creating their own infusions with live resin terps.
How are they made?
Terpenes are very volatile and sensitive to heat, light, and oxygen. They can easily degrade or evaporate during the drying, curing, or extraction process of cannabis plants. This can result in a loss of potency, flavor, or aroma of the final product. To prevent this, some producers use live resin extraction, which involves freezing the fresh cannabis plant materials right after harvest and extracting the terpenes using solvents at low temperatures.
Live resin terps are sold as standalone products or added to other cannabis products such as oils, tinctures, edibles, or vape cartridges. They’re marketed as specially formulated products that offer a more intense and enjoyable experience than other terpene products. They’re also more expensive than other terpenes, reflecting their perceived quality and rarity.
But how true are these claims? Are live resin terps really superior to other terpene products, or are they just a marketing gimmick that exploits consumers’ desire for novelty and authenticity?
Marketing Claim #1: Live Resin Terpenes offer a more “True-to-Flower” Terpene Experience
One of the main selling points of live resin terps is that they’re more natural or authentic than other terpene products. They supposedly capture the raw essence of cannabis, and an unadulterated terpene profile of each strain. However, this isn’t necessarily true! Live resin terps are still extracted using solvents and processed in a lab, which means they may contain impurities or additives that affect their overall quality.
Is live resin extraction a wholly natural process?
Live resin extraction is not a simple or clean process. It involves freezing the fresh cannabis plant materials using liquid nitrogen or dry ice, then grinding them into a fine powder. The powder is then mixed with a solvent, such as butane, propane, or ethanol, and subjected to high pressure and low temperature.
The solvent dissolves cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material and forms a liquid solution. This solution is then filtered and purged to remove the solvent and any unwanted substances, such as fats, waxes, chlorophyll, or pesticides. The resulting product is a thick, sticky substance that contains concentrated cannabinoids and terpenes.
This process is not perfect by any means; it can still damage or alter some of the terpenes during extraction or purging. Some terpenes may also react with the solvent (or other compounds in the solution) to form new substances not present in the original plant material. Moreover, some producers add artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives to the live resin terps at this stage in order to enhance their appearance, taste, or shelf life. These additives may not be disclosed on the label or tested for safety or purity.
Live resin terps are not necessarily more natural or authentic than their conventional counterparts. They’re still subject to human intervention and manipulation, which means they’re no less likely to contain unknown substances that can affect their quality or safety.
Marketing Claim #2: Live Resin Terpenes are more potent or flavorful
Another common claim about live resin terps is that they’re more potent or flavorful than other terpene products, offering a more intense and enjoyable experience. On the contrary, live resin terps may lose some of their volatile compounds during extraction or storage, just as with any other method of terpene production. This means the end product is just as likely to have a different ratio of terpenes than the original plant material, which can affect their effect profiles and interactions with cannabinoids.
Is live resin extraction better at retaining accurate terpene profiles?
Live resin extraction may minimize some terpene degradation by using low temperatures and solvents, but it cannot prevent it completely as many producers claim. Some of the terpenes may still escape or degrade during the extraction or purging process. Some of them may also oxidize or degrade during storage — especially when exposed to air, light, heat, or moisture.
Live resin extraction may not preserve the exact profile or ratio of terpenes present in the living plant. This is because different parts of the plant have different concentrations or compositions of terpenes. For example, the flowers typically contain more terpenes than leaves or stems. The extraction process may not capture all of these variations and nuances.
As with conventional terpene extraction, live resin extraction is open to bias or error in the selection or mixing of plant materials. Some producers may use only certain parts of the plant, or certain strains of cannabis with higher yields or more desirable characteristics. This can result in a different profile or ratio of terpenes than what’s found in nature.
Live resin terps are not necessarily more potent or flavorful than other terpene products. They can lose some of their volatile compounds during extraction or storage. They may also have a different profile or ratio of terpenes than the original plant material, which can affect their role in a potential cannabis entourage effect.
Marketing Claim #3: Live Resin Terpenes offer more therapeutic potential
Live resin terps are also billed as more beneficial, with unique or superior properties that make them more effective for medicinal use. In fact, live resin terps have not been proven to have any distinctive properties that make them more effective for medical or recreational purposes. They may also have some negative side effects or interactions with medications or other substances.
Do source or extraction method determine the therapeutic potential of terpenes?
Terpenes have been shown to produce a range of beneficial effects on the human body and mind. They can modulate mood, cognition, pain, inflammation, appetite, sleep, and more. They also interact with cannabinoids to enhance the overall therapeutic potential of cannabis.
However, these effects and benefits aren’t exclusive to live resin terps. They’re shared by all terpene products that contain similar compounds and concentrations. There’s no scientific evidence that live resin terpenes are better or worse for medical or recreational purposes when compared to conventional terpenes.
Three of the best strains for producing live Resin Terpenes
While live resin terps are no more or less special than terps produced or extracted the old-fashioned way, that certainly doesn’t mean they aren’t worth trying! To close out the article, let’s go over three strains offering diverse and appealing terpene profiles that lend themselves to producing quality live resin terps.
- Sour Diesel is a highly popular cannabis strain known for its distinct aroma and uplifting effects. When used for producing live resin terpenes, Sour Diesel offers an exceptional profile characterized by a pungent blend of citrus, diesel, and earthy notes. Its terpene profile typically includes high levels of myrcene, limonene, and caryophyllene, delivering a stimulating and energizing experience.
- Blue Dream is a well-loved hybrid strain that combines the best qualities of its parent strains, Blueberry and Haze. It produces a vibrant terpene profile, with a sweet and fruity aroma accompanied by hints of herbs and pine. Blue Dream’s terpene profile is often dominated by myrcene, pinene, and terpinolene, resulting in a pleasant and uplifting experience suitable for both daytime and evening use.
- Gelato is a hybrid strain renowned for its exceptional flavor and potency, and is a fantastic choice for live resin terpene production. Its terpene profile boasts a delectable blend of sweet and fruity aromas, with undertones of lavender and mint. The dominant terpenes found in Gelato typically include caryophyllene, limonene, and linalool, providing a soothing and euphoric experience often lauded for its therapeutic quality.
It’s worth noting that individual preferences can vary, and experimenting with different strains can lead to the discovery of new and exciting profiles that cater to specific tastes and desired effects.
We hope this explainer has helped to clear up any confusion you might have around live resin terps! Check out the rest of the True Blue blog for more informative articles on everything cannabis and terpenes!
