Did you know that despite cannabis plants existing for millions of years, the cannabinoid CBD was only discovered in the year 1940? Since then, CBD has become more and more popular, especially in recent years, due to its effects on the body. Its most popular form is the CBD oil tincture, which is easy and convenient to consume.
However, if you’ve never tried tincture CBD oil, you may be a little confused about how it works and how you consume the substance. Fortunately, you’re in the right place to have all your CBD tincture questions answered. Here, you’ll learn all about what a CBD tincture is, how to take it, and how it differs from CBD oil.
Before we jump into the details, let’s first take a closer look at what a CBD tincture is.
What is a CBD Tincture
You likely already know that CBD is a cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. It is non-psychoactive, unlike another very popular cannabinoid, THC, which produces a high when consumed. CBD comes in the form of oils and tinctures, though it may also be in the form of vape juice, gummy candies, and other foods.
When most people think of a CBD tincture, they think of a little bottle that comes with a dropper, and in reality, this is what many CBD tinctures look like. Most kinds of CBD, unless you’re buying CBD isolate, mix with something such as carrier oil or alcohol.
This is important when considering the difference between CBD tincture vs oil. The first thing you need to know about CBD tinctures is that it consists of CBD extract mixed with alcohol of high proof. The alcohol is necessary because it acts as a solvent to isolate CBD from other compounds in cannabis plants.
In fact, some CBD tinctures can be up to 70% alcohol. Because of this high alcohol concentration, CBD tinctures should have a very bitter taste, and yet, many of them don’t. How can this be?
This is because the bitter taste of the tinctures is usually covered up by added flavors, which are often natural, or vitamins that can add a few more health benefits to the extract. A big benefit of CBD tinctures is that because they have such a high alcohol content, they have a very long shelf life. Some brands can last up to 5 years without the quality of the extract being compromised.
Mixing alcohol and CBD extract to make CBD tinctures seems simple, so how does CBD oil differ?
What is CBD Oil
As the name suggests, CBD oil has oil in it, usually a natural carrier oil. While this is a big difference compared to CBD tinctures, it is not the only difference. Because CBD oil is not exposed to alcohol, the natural oils of the cannabis plant are also included in the extract.
This is very different from CBD tinctures in which the CBD is relatively isolated thanks to the alcohol extraction process. CBD oil, despite there being no alcohol involved, can still be somewhat bitter. To fix this problem, essential oils may sometimes be added for flavor.
A big downside to CBD oil is that its shelf life is not as long as CBD tinctures because of the lack of alcohol. However, as long as you use the oil after opening, you shouldn’t have much of a problem. CBD oils often came in the same bottles with droppers as tinctures do.
You might be wondering whether you should use CBD tincture or oil. In reality, the choice is up to your personal preference since there is not much difference in the quality of CBD when comparing tinctures and oils. As long as you buy your CBD products from a reputable source, your products should be high quality.
However, how do you take CBD tinctures? We will explore this important question next.
How to Take a CBD Oil Tincture
Since most CBD tincture bottles come with a dropper tool, taking CBD should be an easy task. You can take it by mouth, but this does not mean you should swallow it like other liquids. Instead, it should be taken sublingually.
This process involves dropping a few drops of your CBD tincture under your tongue. Then, leave the liquid under your tongue for a few moments without swallowing. This will allow the CBD to enter your bloodstream through the thin membrane under your tongue.
With this method, you may start to feel the effects of CBD in 1 to 2 hours. While this may seem like a long time, it is faster than if you were to swallow CBD and let it enter your stomach. This is because digesting CBD is a slow process and you would likely not feel the effects for 2 to 3 hours, if not more if you have a slower metabolism.
Also, when taking CBD sublingually, the effects of CBD may be stronger than when digesting it. This is because the CBD is not being broken down as intensely as it would be if it had passed through your stomach. Instead, the CBD is traveling directly from the membranes under your tongue and into your bloodstream.
If you want, you can, of course, add CBD oils or tinctures to your food if you want to treat it like a supplement. If you’re looking for a topical solution, a CBD oil or tincture may not be the right choice for you, but rather a cream or ointment.
If you feel your CBD tincture is not affecting you as much as you would like, try a stronger tincture. CBD potency can vary greatly from product to product, so be sure you know what you’re buying.
Taking CBD Tinctures
You now know all about CBD oil tinctures and how to take them. You can take a CBD oil tincture sublingually for faster results or, if you want to experiment with your cooking, you can add it to your food.