What is HHC live resin

Understanding HHC Live Resin

HHC "live resin" or "live rosin" is where the CBD oil used to produce the Δ8-THC and then later, HHC, is derived from fresh plants rather thand dired or frozen. HHC (or hexahydrocannabinol) is created by converting it from a CBD isolate into a full hydrogenated derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol (or “THC”). The first step of the process is for the CBD isolate to be converted into Delta-8 (Δ8-THC). And then from Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) it is converted into HHC. HHC is essentially a hydrogenated derivative of THC (where one additional hydrogen molecule is added).

Key takeaways

  • “HHC live resin” is the process of using freshly harvested plants (rather than frozen or dried) to create the CBD extract that begins the process of going from Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) into Hexahydrocannabinol.
  • The goal of using a live plant rather than a frozen or dried plant is that the terpenes inside the hemp product are preserved, creating a more superior product.
  • The “live resin” product has a more similar taste, smell, and smoking experience to that of recreational cannabis sativa and cannabis indica.

What is HHC live resin (or "live rosin")?

First, it’s important to understand how HHC is made. If you want to know how HHC is produced, read our full guide right here. In short, The current method of mass production for HHC (or hexahydrocannabinol) relies on hemp-derived CBD extract. 

Initially, this extract undergoes cyclization to form a mixture of Δ8 /Δ9 -THC. Subsequently, the catalytic hydrogenation gets used to yield a blend of (9R)-HHC and (9S)-HHC epimers. Preclinical research suggests that (9R)-HHC exhibits pharmacological properties very similar to THC properties.

Think of HHC as a “hydrogenated derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol.” Where the double bond on the molecular chain is not on the 8th/9th/10th chain, but rather an additional hydrogen molecule is added.

Understanding live resin and HHC

Now that we understand a general concept of how HHC is made, we have to examine the CBD oil that’s used. “Live resin” refers to the use of a fresh cannabis plant getting used for production rather than a dried or frozen product.

The idea is that the lack of frozen or dried products better preserves the terpenes during the conversion process into HHC. This means that the flavor, the smell, and the effects of the product are going to more closely match that of a traditional cannabis sativa and cannabis indica smoking or consumption experience.

Is there a better smoking experience with live resin (or live rosin)?

Generally, yes. The transference of terpenes from the fresh harvested plant rather than the dried plant is known to create a better smell, taste, and overall experience.

In many ways, more frequent smokers find this to be a more superior product (the "live resin" or "live rosin" HHC products).

HHC products may come in many forms when advertising their "live resin" name, including:

  • Vaporizers (or "Vape Pens")
  • Distillates
  • Oils
  • Gummies
  • And much more

Even though some of the products are not inhaled, they're known to have the same profiles of smell, taste, and general experience that more frequent smokers might come to appreciate.

Related HHC resources:

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