Cannabinoids and terpenes are two compounds that are becoming increasingly popular in the world of health and wellness. But what do we really know about them?

Well, we do know that both compounds have powerful properties that can benefit our bodies, but many people don’t really understand how these components interact with each other to bring about positive results.

In this article, we’ll dive into what terpenes are and how they work together with CBD. Read on to learn everything you need to know about terpenes and CBD.

What are Terpenes?

Terpenes are organic compounds found in many plants, fruits, and herbs that give each plant its unique scent and flavor. They are responsible for a plant’s essential oil production, as well as for the way it smells and tastes.

Terpenes also contain medicinal properties and have been known to provide anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and stress relief benefits. As a result of their diverse nature, terpenes can be used to create products such as perfumes, lotions, and even food additives.

By leveraging their various beneficial qualities, terpenes offer consumers a safe and natural way to enhance their health and well-being.

Terpenes and CBD

Terpenes have been found to be critical components in the production and efficacy of CBD products. Terpenes interact with cannabidiol (CBD), the active ingredient in CBD products, to produce a wider range of therapeutic effects.

Not only do terpenes help enhance the medicinal effects of CBD, but they also alter its taste and smell so users can enjoy a more pleasant experience. The combination of terpenes and CBD allows users to customize their desired effect, varying from calming and soothing peace to alertness and focus.

Together, terpenes and CBD create an effective synergistic relationship that can be utilized for various health benefits.

Steam distillation of terpenes

Terpenes are traditionally distilled using steam. During the process, the plant material is placed in a chamber and heated by steaming hot air. The steam carries the terpenes from the plant material into the distillation chamber, where it is separated from other compounds like waxes and oils.

After distillation, terpenes can be used to create a variety of products, including natural fragrances, lotions, and even food additives.

However, when you derive live resin terpenes with steam, it uses a lot of energy, and this is because of the inherent large energy cost to maintain a column of steam. Then there are the issues around the fact that steam distillation destroys the light end of the live resin’s terpene profile.

The cryogenic distillation process

An alternative to the steam distillation process is cryogenic distillation. With this method, plant material is immersed in a liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide bath, which freezes and separates the terpenes from other molecules. Cryogenic distillation allows for greater control over the extraction process and can yield higher purity levels than steam distillation, while capturing the entire terpene profile.

The innovative company, Alpine Vapor Hemp, utilizes a proprietary cryogenic distillation process that uses liquid nitrogen and pressure to distill terpenes from live resin. By only using the harvested flower, and never trim material, from craft cannabis farms in California to create live resin, they create full profile true-to-strain terpenes.  These terpenes are only available on a  seasonal basis and are dependent on the specific microclimate at the cannabis farm that year.

By utilizing Cryogenic Distillation, the entire terpene profile of the the live resin strain is preserved and captured, versus steam which destroys and damages the light end of the terpene profile (the profile that captures the floral and fruit scent qualities of the terpenes).

In the same way that a vineyard’s vintage quality is dependent on matching grapes to the microclimate and soil, cannabis farms can take the same approach so that they produce the finest cannabis that specifically matched by strain to the local conditions.

Advantages of using liquid nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen is the less valuable component and often a byproduct from the manufacture of liquid oxygen, used in hospitals and other industrial processes, but even the actual condensing of air to a liquid is also very energy efficient compared to steam. This is due to the fact that liquid nitrogen makes up the bulk of the atmosphere and requires less work to separate, and the waste heat created from its compression can be used for other purposes thereby reducing the use of energy.  Liquid nitrogen is also efficient to store when not needed, versus steam which requires constant energy input to maintain its effective temperature.

Additionally, its critical temperature storage point makes it much more efficient than steam distillation, which requires time and energy to get to critical temperature. as it requires less energy and time to achieve a result. This makes cryogenic distillation an ideal method for capturing and preserving full terpene profiles from live resin extracts and ensuring higher levels of quality and purity.

Finally, because liquid nitrogen is non-flammable and non-toxic, it is considered one of the safest methods for extracting terpenes from cannabis plants. This also means that there are no worries about contamination or emissions involved in this process.

How are the live resin terpenes combined with CBD?

After the terpenes have been extracted from the live resin, they can then be combined with CBD isolate or full-spectrum CBD oil. This allows users to customize their desired effects and create a more balanced therapeutic experience.

The combination of terpenes and CBD also allows users to enjoy a wider range of health benefits, such as improved sleep, stress relief, enhanced focus, and even pain relief.

How do you know if you’re buying high-quality CBD products?

When it comes to buying high-quality CBD products, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting your terpenes from a reliable source. Make sure to check the lab test results and look for proof that the product is made with live resin extracts and is free from heavy metals, pesticides, solvents, and other impurities.

You should also be aware of any added flavors or additives, as these can mask the true effects of the terpene profile and even introduce unwanted side effects. A good way to ensure quality is to buy from a reputable manufacturer that uses cryogenic distillation to extract their terpenes.

Final thoughts

With a greater understanding of the properties and effects that terpenes and CBD can have on our bodies, we can make informed decisions about how to best incorporate them into our lives for optimal health and well-being.