A first-hand account of the gas from co-founder Jonathan Cohen.
Why I Only Vape Resin and Rosin: A NugHub Operator’s Guide to Earthy Terps and Perfect Voltage
You can keep the hype. We’ve all seen the shiny, fruity carts that promise a blastoff, but if you’re anything like me—a New Yorker who works hard, knows the difference between good and fire, and wants a real reward at the end of the day—you learn what truly matters.
For me, that reward comes in the form of 510 concentrate carts, specifically Live Resin and Live Rosin. Everything else? It’s fine, but it doesn’t hit the same way. It doesn’t give you that heavy, sinking-into-the-couch vibe that turns the volume down on the whole day. This isn’t just about getting high; it’s about dialing in pure, unadulterated relaxation and pain relief with the control of a legacy operator.
This is my official staff pick, and if you’re comfortable with cannabis terms but haven’t yet mastered your cart routine, pay attention. We’re going deep on flavor, effects, and the battery secret that will save you money and protect your quality oil.
Earthy, Dank, and Real: Why We Skip the Citrus
When I’m looking at concentrates, I’m hunting for flavor profiles that are deep, earthy, and maybe a little dank. Think about walking into an old-school New York smoke shop: that heavy, musky, sweet aroma—that’s the profile I want. I do like the occasional fruity taste, but I definitely skip the harsh citrus notes that can often signal artificial additives or low-quality distillate.
I’m talking about strains like Hash Burger or Brownie Scout. These aren’t just names; they are blueprints for a specific kind of physical and mental relief. While the bright, citrusy carts have their place, they often use isolated terpenes that give you a jolt, not a deep exhale. I’m looking for the full band, not just the high-hat.
My taste preference is entirely driven by two primary terpenes: Myrcene and Caryophyllene. If these two aren’t present in significant amounts, the experience is usually too sharp or too fleeting. They are the bedrock of the earthy, couch-locking vibe.
🔬 The Earthy Terpene Lineup: Myrcene & Caryophyllene
If you enjoy the deeper, danker profiles, you are likely chasing the entourage effects provided by these two chemical compounds. They are essential to the feeling of sinking into the couch after a long day.
| Terpene | Aroma Profile | Associated Vibe / Effect | Found In |
| Myrcene | Musky, herbal, cloves, a bit sweet (like ripe mango) | Heavy body relaxation, sedation, “couch-lock,” pain relief | Indica-dominant strains, Hash Burger, Mango, Thyme |
| Caryophyllene | Spicy, peppery, woodsy, funky | Stress relief, anti-inflammatory, unique cannabinoid interaction | Black Pepper, Cloves, GSC (formerly Girl Scout Cookies) strains |
Myrcene is the quintessential sedative terpene. When I feel that physical tension from a long day melting, that’s Myrcene doing the heavy lifting. Caryophyllene is the one I credit for the actual pain relief; it’s unique because it can interact directly with the endocannabinoid system, making it great for calming down muscle ache or general body discomfort. Together, they create a powerful one-two punch that says, “The day is officially over.”
Resin vs. Rosin: The Purest Evening Hit
I stick to Live Resin and Live Rosin because they capture the true essence of the plant. Unlike distillate, which often strips out everything but the THC and then adds terpenes back later, these two methods preserve the whole-plant experience.
- Live Resin: Made from flash-frozen cannabis flower. This freezing process preserves the full spectrum of terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids exactly as they were the moment the plant was chopped. It’s flavor-forward and potent.
- Live Rosin: Often considered the crème de la crème. Rosin is made without using any chemical solvents (like butane). Instead, it uses heat and pressure to squeeze the oil out of the cannabis material (often bubble hash). The result is usually the cleanest, most unadulterated expression of the strain’s genetics.
For my evening ritual, Rosin is my top choice because of that clean, solventless profile. It’s just the raw, real essence of the flower, perfect for dropping into the couch after dinner and getting ready to relax. The nice thing is, the harder you’ve worked during the day—the more you’ve earned that relief—the more rewarding that first Rosin hit is.
The Secret Weapon: How a $25 Battery Saves You Hundreds
Here is the key piece of advice I want every 510 cart user to take away, because this is where the money is saved and the quality is protected.
If you are vaping from a cheap, non-adjustable battery—the kind that just has one heat setting—you are torching your precious oil, wasting money, and destroying the quality. And while disposable vapes have their place for convenience and travel (they are definitely getting better), they are not ideal or efficient for daily use if you care about flavor and longevity.
Here’s the advocacy piece: Every vaper should invest in a separate, high-quality, variable voltage battery for their 510 carts.
Why? It all comes down to temperature control, and the ROI is huge. You could have the highest-grade Live Rosin, but if you blast it on a fixed, high voltage, you are quickly burning off the volatile terpenes, leading to a burnt, harsh flavor and drastically reduced oil longevity. That $15-25 investment in a quality battery can easily save you hundreds of dollars in conserved oil over the life of the battery. It’s the ultimate high-efficiency upgrade.
My top suggestion is to find a battery that allows you to adjust the voltage in increments as small as 0.1 volts. This level of precision lets you dial in the exact temperature sweet spot for that specific cart and that specific terpene profile. This is how you respect the quality of the oil and ensure it lasts. You’ll thank me when your cart lasts two days longer than it used to.
🌡️ Voltage vs. Vibe: Vaping for Flavor and Longevity
| Voltage Range | Impact on Flavor | Vapor Thickness | Oil Longevity | Recommended For |
| 2.2V – 2.6V (Low) | Best flavor preservation, true-to-strain taste | Thin, light vapor | Maximum (Oil lasts longest) | Flavor chasers, new carts, expensive rosin |
| 2.7V – 3.0V (Medium) | Great flavor, more noticeable effect | Moderate vapor thickness | Good | Balanced use, everyday hits |
| 3.1V – 3.4V+ (High) | Flavor can taste burnt or muted | Thick, dense clouds | Shortest (Oil burns fast) | Only for emergency relief, avoid for quality |
Pro Tip: Always start your new cart on the lowest setting (around 2.3V or 2.4V) and slowly increase by $0.1$ volts until the vapor is satisfying, but the flavor is still bright and clean.
Check out these adjustable voltage batteries ideal for live resin and rosins:
- Yocan UNI 3.0 | Rosy | Adjustable Battery
- Yocan Kodo Pro | Assorted Colors | Adjustable Battery
- Smyle Labs – Mini Plug – 510 Cart Battery
- Cartisan- Atom 510 Battery – Gradient Assorted Colors
The NYC Evening Ritual
My consumption isn’t a daytime thing. I don’t consume throughout the day. It’s a ceremony. The moment I drop into the couch after dinner and finally turn on the TV, that’s my cue. I grab the strain of the night, hit that perfect low-voltage pull, and feel the relief settle in.
The pain relief is profound. It’s not just numbing; it feels like the knot of tension I’ve been carrying in my shoulders and lower back all day just melts. It’s like someone finally turned the volume down on the physical stress of being a New Yorker. That drop into the couch after a demanding day, grabbing my carefully selected strain—it’s amazing. The key is that the harder you’ve worked, the more rewarding the first hit is. It’s an earned exhale.
And once I’ve settled? That’s when the city opens up. I love those quieter, beautiful nights in the city, the kind where the air is cool and the streets aren’t crowded. I don’t know about these winter days, but taking a walk outside on a beautiful night, or even just sitting out in my backyard or stoop, is everything. The simple quiet moments become huge. That’s the kind of rewarding, grounded experience that only high-quality, controlled cannabis can provide.
Skip the corporate filler and the high-hype strains. Go for the deep, earthy comfort of Live Resin or Live Rosin, respect the quality by controlling your voltage, and enjoy the pure relief of a hard day’s work finally giving way to a real New York night.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I know what voltage to use with my 510 cart?
You should always start with the lowest voltage your battery allows, typically between 2.2V and 2.4V. Terpenes are highly volatile, and a lower voltage (or temperature) preserves the flavor and potency of the oil, especially in Live Resin and Live Rosin. Only increase the voltage in small increments (like $0.1$V at a time) if you aren’t getting a satisfying amount of vapor. Prioritize flavor and longevity over cloud size—the goal is efficiency and quality preservation.
What is the difference between Live Resin and Live Rosin?
Both are high-quality concentrates that preserve the full terpene and cannabinoid profile of the fresh plant, but they are made differently. Live Resin uses solvents (like butane) to extract the oil from flash-frozen flower. Live Rosin is solventless; it uses only heat and pressure (like a high-tech hydraulic press) to squeeze the oil from the material, often high-grade bubble hash. Rosin is generally considered the cleaner, premium product.
Does a low-temp vape still offer good pain relief?
Absolutely. Pain relief comes from the complex interaction of cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) and specific terpenes (like the anti-inflammatory Caryophyllene) working together. Vaping at a lower temperature preserves these terpenes, ensuring you receive the full spectrum of the plant’s compounds, which is crucial for achieving deep physical relief. Using a low temperature allows the medicine to be more effective and last longer, maximizing the benefits of the Myrcene and Caryophyllene profiles you enjoy.
Why do you prefer cartridges with Myrcene and Caryophyllene for relaxation?
I prefer these terpenes because they drive the heavy, full-body relaxation I look for in an evening session. Myrcene is known for its sedative properties, which helps with the “couch-lock” feeling, while Caryophyllene acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, providing tangible physical pain relief. This combination delivers a much deeper, more rewarding form of relaxation than lighter, citrus-forward strains, which often provide a more cerebral or energetic effect.