Live Resin: A Potent Hemp Product With Tons Of Benefits And Uses

The Inception 

Although hemp products like gummies and vape carts have shot up in popularity, there’s a new kid on the block that is fast becoming a game-changer for the hemp industry, aka, ‘live resin’. 

The origins of ‘live resin’ date back to sometime around 2011 — 2013, when it was developed by a group of Colorado-based hemp growers and extractors. And its origin story is actually quite interesting. 

Two cannabis entrepreneurs, William “Kind Bill” Fenger, and EmoTek Labs founder, Jason “Giddy Up” Emo, designed a specialized butane hash oil (BHO) extractor that can obtain hemp extracts with the help of the butane as a solvent under extremely low temperatures. After numerous ups and downs, the duo was finally able to nail the procedure. And the concentrate they obtained by using this method came to be known as “live resin.”

Live resin is partly waxy and partly saucy in texture. Its color may vary from dark yellowish to light yellow or even white at times. It is always very sticky and needs to be handled with only a dab tool.

The best part is that it’s as potent, if not more than some of the other fan-favorite hemp products out there. That’s because low-temperature extraction retains all the natural cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in hemp intact. 

So, How Is Live Resin Made? 

Produced from freshly frozen hemp (and not dried) plants, this hemp concentrate is quite different from other forms of hemp extracts owing to its specific manufacturing method. 

Usually, hemp plants are dried, cured, and trimmed after being cut (harvested). However, all of these steps are entirely skipped when it comes to producing live resin. In fact, to produce live resin, the buds are simply frozen immediately after being picked. And then, they are put through a BHO extractor to produce the extracts. 

What’s more — they are kept frozen throughout the extraction process so that the essential terpenes, flavors, and aromas in the live resin concentrates aren’t destroyed, either. This is made possible by the BHO extractor that can carry out the process under very low temperatures. 

Here’s how this works: 

The natural terpenes in the hemp plant are usually present in the trichomes that cover the buds and foliage surrounding it. Chlorophyll, which protects the trichomes from heat, light, and oxygen, is lost during the drying and curing processes.

This means the trichomes get exposed to numerous atmospheric elements, which, in turn, can result in the degradation of terpenes. The harvesting process also involves a lot of handling and moving of hemp plants, which can ultimately cause the trichomes to break off from the plants.

The hemp used to extract the live resin, however, doesn’t go through any of these processes since it is frozen immediately after being cut. So, the trichomes remain well preserved, allowing the final concentrate to be highly potent, aromatic, and flavorful. The BHO extractor usually uses solvents like butane or propane to obtain live resin. However, some brands can choose to use other solvents, instead.

Benefits Of Live Resin

Now the obvious question is: Does Live resin have any benefits over other hemp concentrates? Why do we choose to dab or vape live resin when there are other options? Well, let’s find out!

According to our research, we found that this substance could be more beneficial than other more easily available choices out there.

• The cannabinoid profile in live resin remains intact, making it one of the most potent options.
• Live resin is a favorite among dabbers owing to its high terpene profile and rich flavors.
• Growing hemp plants for live resin manufacturing is also convenient for farmers because it saves them cost, time, and labor, as the plants don’t need to go through the usual post-harvest phases.
• Live resin has a more complex flavor and stronger aroma, offering a more fulfilling and intense smoking experience compared to other vape or smokable products.
• You only need a small amount of the product to produce the desired effects.
• Since live resin undergoes distillation, you end up with a cleaner product. Hence, the odds of experiencing unwanted side effects drop drastically. 
• Live resin is not a niche product and can be enjoyed in many different ways.

And that brings the discussion to its USES. How do we use live resin?

Interesting Methods Of Using Live Resin

Live resin is quickly becoming every hemp enthusiast’s go-to because of how potent and concentrated it is. But if you’re new to it, then it can be difficult to comprehend the uses of this sticky, waxy, gooey substance in a safe manner. 

For the best effects, consider using live resin in the following ways.

#1. Dab

Out of the numerous methods of consuming live resin, dabbing happens to be the most popular choice. Take a dab tool to extract the concentrate from its container and place it on a nail. Live resin is sticky, so make sure the nail you use has a scoop on it for your convenience. You can also use a rig instead. Other options are an e-nail or e-rig.

#2. Vape

You can also use a dab pen or cartridge for vaping live resin. Simply place the live resin in a dab pen — the type that allows you to control temperatures. Use a dab tool to place the live resin into the dab pen’s oven. Then adjust the temperature as per your requirement, switch on the dab pen, and inhale.

#3. Top Off

For an added kick, consider topping off other hemp products with a pinch of live resin. Place it on a joint, blunt, or bowl and use it.

Relevant FAQs On Live Resin

How is live resin different from other hemp extracts?

The texture of live resin is somewhere between waxy and saucy. Sometimes, it can even be sappy, sugary, or jelly-like, depending on how it was manufactured. 

This variation in its texture occurs as certain extraction methods are unable to capture all the terpenes of the original hemp plant. And this greatly affects their viscosity. Moreover, live resin yields can also be mechanically altered after being extracted. Such concentrates will have a different consistency as compared to the original one.

How safe is live resin?

In order to ensure safety while using live resin, you must buy from licensed, authentic online sellers. A brand’s live resin products must meet every health parameter, mandated by the local and state authorities.

Remember, you can use live resin in certain specific ways only. Do NOT ingest it. Live resin is a concentrate that is far more potent than even dried hemp flowers. 

How is live resin different from cured resin?

The difference lies in their sources. Cured resin is extracted from dried hemp, whereas live resin is extracted from fresh, frozen hemp.

How does live resin differ from distillate?

When a resin obtained from hemp is refined of its impurities, the hemp oil you get is known as a distillate. Distillates are entirely different from live resin as they are not manufactured from frozen hemp. Also, distillates lose terpenes when processed, unlike the terpene-rich and flavorful live resin.

Is live resin pricey?

Live resin was certainly way costlier when it was newly introduced to the market. That is because it was rare during the early years and was priced at premium rates — exceeding $100 per gram! Although its price has reduced significantly, it’s still relatively pricier than others. 

Nowadays, a wide range of live resin products is available, ranging from $20 to $30 per gram. Costlier, premium options can be upwards of $50 per gram.

What is the best method to store live resin?

Bear in mind that air, heat, and light can destroy the quality and potency of terpenes in all cannabis concentrates and can cause them to lose their flavor. This is true for live resin as well. In the case of live resin, exposure to the elements can also lead to the drying and hardening of the concentrate. To preserve live resin in its original form, you must store it in an air-tight container in a cool and dark place, such as your refrigerator.

Do Not Confuse Live Resin With Live Rosin

Live resin and live rosin may sound like the same thing, but they are really quite different. And what makes the two so distinctly different is the way they are manufactured. 

While live resin is extracted from frozen hemp using solvents, live rosin is extracted without any solvents. Note: Both are derived from frozen hemp, making them “live.” 

Live resin is a better option for seasoned cannabis users with a high tolerance for cannabis products. So, when looking for this product online, make sure to opt for live resin and not rosin. Otherwise, you may just order the wrong product by mistake.