Why Add Hemp-Derived Terpenes to Distillate?
Hemp-derived terpenes are the next big trend in terpene-infused distillate. It’s not news that distillate is perfect for dabs, carts,...
First, if you’re wondering whether or not you can even vape terpenes...absolutely! If your next thought, however, is “Great, I’ll just order some terpenes, mix it all up, and go to town” you might want to pump the brakes.
Honestly, terpenes and vaping are a match made in heaven. It’s one of the easiest ways to create unique flavors that can elevate your mood and add delicious flavor. Before you get started though, there are a few caveats you’ll want to consider for safety and maximum enjoyment.
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If you’re really that anxious to get started, here’s the low-down on what we’ll be covering today:
Disclaimer: If you're using a vape pen, we assume here that you've done at least a little homework, and are fully aware of the 'other compounds' you're vaping. In these scenarios, terpenes are used for flavor, fragrance, and to drive and define the experience. As of yet, on the consumer level, no one has produced a vapable e-juice that consists of ONLY TERPENES. So, within the context of this article, they are meant to be inhaled in conjunction with other compounds.
Let us paint a picture for you.
Imagine your car is traveling at a humdrum 3 mph. Now turn the steering wheel a modest 2° in either direction. What do you notice? Little to no change in direction. However, if you pump the gas and accelerate the car to 100 mph, that same 2° turn of the wheel now results in a massive change in direction.
In this scenario, terpenes are the steering wheel, and the 'other compounds' are the gas that propels you to either 3mph or 100 mph. Without these other compounds, terpenes alone will get you almost nowhere (like steering a parked car). With these compounds (alcohol even) terpenes allow you to have significantly different experiences, as determined by your blend.
It’s important to remember, however, that terpenes are functional flavoring agents. Do NOT consume them by themselves! You wouldn't drink straight Vanilla Extract would you? So, for the rest of this article, anytime we mention vaping terpene blends or isolates, it is always with respect to terpenes in a solution of other compounds, a carrier, and/or a cutting agent.
If you have more questions concerning this, feel free to contact us or reach out to us on our social media for more clarification!
Now that we got that all cleared up, let's dive a little deeper. I vape, you vape, we all vape...Terpenes!
Here are the initial steps you’ll want to follow, but don’t worry. We’ll dive into each step to give you all the details.
Now, let’s dive in even deeper.
There’s no point in vaping if your equipment is sub-par, so you’ll want to source vape equipment that fits your specific needs. We hope that’s pretty obvious.
Also, if you’re creating your vape oil from scratch you’ll want an assortment of different equipment to make things easier. So make sure you have everything you might require. Not sure what you need? Give our How to Use Terpenes article a quick glance before making your checklist!
Third, get crafty with your terpenes! This is the part that we love, and we’ve even included a section below to help you decide which terpenes you should consider. You may already have a completed vape oil that you simply wish to add terpenes to. If, however, you’re starting from scratch, you’ll want to start low and go slow.
You’ll need your carrier liquid, which will make up the majority of your solution. Often people use propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or MCT, but they can often have pronounced effects and residual flavors, so use with caution.
If you’re simply making a delicious vape oil that’s all about the flavor, you can move on to adding your terpenes (we recommend a 1% terpene solution to start with) and a cutting agent if necessary (Hint! Check out our Tec Temper).
You may, however, be creating a vape oil infused with nicotine, THC, and/or CBD. Like we said earlier, our terpenes don’t contain any nicotine, cannabis, or cannabis products, so if that’s something you want you’ll need to add it. As always, make sure you’re acquiring your materials from trusted sources and that you understand the correct dosing for your product.
Pro Tip: Regardless of what type of vape oil you’re creating, always add your terpenes last. Terpenes are highly concentrated and you won’t need much to get the desired flavor. Often, when your oil is just 1% terpenes, the aroma is still quite powerful. |
Once you’ve added the terpenes to your vape oil, get ready for a sensational experience.
Still not sure which terpenes to choose? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
If you already vape, you’ve likely been vaping terpenes without ever really thinking about it. Terpenes, in their non-isolated form, are found in the cartridges you put into your vape pen. They’re what provide the aromatic profile points that distinguish each brand.
But now that vaping terpene isolates is on the rise, there are two particular terpenes that are the best for vaping:
Beyond those two, you can vape any terpene isolate -- take your pick from Abstrax’s wide collection of terpene extracts.
We’ve covered the facts above. This is the part where it gets fun.
Vaping terpenes is kind of like choosing a blend of tea. You begin with a general idea of the end result you’re after (perhaps relaxation, or even relief from a sore throat). For that sore throat, for example, you want Throat Coat. For relaxation after a long day, a pot of Chamomile is in order.
When you’re selecting the terpenes you want, think about the desired effect you’re looking for. You may want to do a bit of research, but here are a few items you might want to consider:
Over time you’ll develop an instinct for what terpene blends give you just the right flavor and effect. If you’re looking for something really specific, however, be sure to check out our large variety of terpene blends. It takes out a lot of the guesswork and can help you recreate some of the classics.
When you’re checking out our different blends and/or isolates for your vape, be sure to take a peek at the Flavor and Effect Charts. That way you can ensure you’re creating your preferred vape experience.
We’re pretty obsessed with terpenes, and considering that they’re pretty much just modern alchemy, who could blame us! We hope this information helped inspire you to create your own unique vape products with terpenes.
If you’re a manufacturer and are interested in partnering with us, contact us today and let’s design a custom terpene formulation! As usual, don’t forget to follow us and let us know how you ended up getting creative with our terpenes.