Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular hemp-derived products.
Though both are technically concentrates, distillates contain a less robust terpene profile, allowing for more specific dosing. Concentrates, on the other hand, encompass a wide variety of products. In this article, we break down the differences between two popular products: distillates and concentrates.
What are distillates and concentrates?
Distillate is an extract from Hemp/Cannabis refined to remove undesired compounds and plant material from the final product, leaving only the pure form of one specific cannabinoid behind. These extracts do not retain the natural terpenes found within the cannabis plant and have no flavor or aroma.
Since distillate has little to no taste, manufacturers control their final products’ smell and taste profiles. This has given manufacturers the ability to create products without an overpowering or strong taste of cannabis, which can be especially useful in manufacturing vapes and edibles.
Since it is the pure form of one specific cannabinoid, distillate is incredibly strong. This potent and simplified compound is also very versatile and can be vaporized quite cleanly.
A hemp extract is a sort of concentrate, with specific extraction processes varying slightly depending on the solvent utilized. In general, the procedure entails mixing hemp plant elements with another chemical or substance. The plant matter separates from the cannabinoid-infused solvent, which is either evaporated or eliminated by another method. This is what leaves us with the highly-concentrated hemp compounds.
Concentrate contains more organic plant matter and is not one specific cannabinoid in its purest form. While concentrates are potent and take immediate effect, they aren’t as strong as distillates. They’re also combustible, so you can smoke concentrates at high temperatures.
Read more about concentrates in our article here.
Benefits of both options
Distillates have the highest THC or CBD content percentage of all the cannabis extracts available. Ranging from 75–85%, they are truly ahead of the competition in terms of strength and potency. For example, dried flower rests around 15-25%, while BHO and CO2 extracts cap around 60-80%.
One drawback of distillate, though, is the lack of terpenes. Terpenes are naturally occurring plant compounds that give cannabis its characteristic smells, flavors, and colors; terpenes also offer numerous medical benefits! Since distillates remove all plant matter, terpenes get swept away in the process.
Concentrates come complete with a total terpene profile, so you can experience all the benefits of cannabis in a convenient vehicle. For medical patients especially, distillates and concentrates are helpful because they can allow for precise dosing. Concentrate is a broad-spectrum product and allows consumers to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of certain terpenes while dabbling in a balanced cannabinoid experience.
Both distillates and concentrates can provide cannabis enthusiasts with a stronger, more specific effect than just flower. Distillates give smokers the benefit of enjoying a pure, potent product with no carcinogens, toxins, or plant matter. Concentrates offer the medicinal benefits of terpenes and the natural flavors of cannabis. At Abundant Labs, we offer high-quality CBD distillates and concentrates, so you can have the best of both worlds.
Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular hemp-derived products.