Cannabis users have several options when it comes to using the plant. Smoking, vaping, and edibles are all popular ways to consume cannabis — but what about cannabis tinctures?
Tinctures are herbal extracts taken sublingually (under the tongue) or orally. They’re made by soaking cannabis in alcohol or oil. Because of its liquid nature, the tincture is often sold in bottles that come with a dropper for easy dosage.
Unsurprisingly, tinctures offer several medical benefits over other methods of administration. You’ll typically find two kinds of tinctures in the market based on the natural compounds they contain — CBD tinctures and THC tinctures.
If you’re interested in learning more about the two, then this blog post is for you! We will discuss the benefits of each type of product, how they work to improve your health, the side effects, and which one might be best for you. Read on to learn everything there is to know about CBD & THC tinctures!
Cannabis tinctures: an overview
A cannabis tincture is a liquid extract of cannabis that can produce the effects of cannabidiol or THC by body absorption. Tinctures are typically made with alcohol or glycerin and can be administered under the tongue, taken orally, or mixed into food or drink.
How are Weed Tinctures Made?
Cannabis tinctures are created by extracting THC, CBD, or other cannabinoids from the Cannabis sativa plant. Most tinctures come from flowers (since they’re the richest in cannabinoids), but you’ll find those that come from weed trim or even leaves.
The Cannabis sativa components undergo extraction with the aid of a solvent such as ethanol, butanol, or glycerol. It’s then heated to evaporate all of the solvents until only concentrated cannabis is left.
Depending on how much plant material you use for the solvent, the extraction process might last anything from three weeks to six months. The longer cannabis steeps in alcohol, the more potent the tincture becomes.
The solution is straining out using a cheesecloth or coffee filter. The result includes cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes, all of which are beneficial to your health in their way. Finally, manufacturers mix this refined concentrate with a carrier oil for easier dosage.
Ingredients Found in Cannabis Tinctures
Most cannabis tinctures you’ll find contain two primary ingredients:
- Carrier oil: Cannabis tinctures are made with various carrier oils, including olive oil and coconut oil. It’s important to use something that is high quality so you can get the most benefits from your product!
- Alcohol (optional): While some manufacturers choose glycerin as their solvent for cannabis tincture products, others opt to use alcohol. Alcohol is an excellent choice because it helps extract more cannabinoids from the plant material, making for a more potent tincture.
- Extract: This pertains to the cannabinoid found in your tincture of choice. You can typically choose between THC or CBD. However, some tinctures offer the best of both cannabinoids.
Cannabis tinctures combine cannabis extract with a carrier oil or alcohol to make dosing easier, improve flavour, and add health benefits. They may also contain many beneficial ingredients, such as flavonoids and terpenes, which are responsible for the smell of cannabis.
Importance of Carrier Oils
While we’re at it, it’s essential to consider the type of carrier oil used to make the extract. The carrier oil not only helps with your dosage, but it may also have some added benefits that you might want to enjoy yourself.
Some of the commonly used carrier oils in cannabis tinctures include:
- Olive oil is a popular choice because it has excellent health benefits. It helps with inflammation, cardiovascular disease prevention, and cancer risk reduction.
- Coconut oil: This carrier oil contains medium-chain triglycerides that can help boost your immune system’s response to infections! Furthermore, coconut oil also reduces anxiety levels in humans.
- Glycerin: This is plant-based sugar alcohol often used as a solvent in cannabis tinctures. It’s non-toxic and does not have any psychoactive effects.
- MCT oil: MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, another type of fatty acid found in coconut oil. This carrier oil is great because it promotes ketosis and can also help with boosting your energy levels!
- Hemp seed oil: Hemp seed oil is an excellent choice for those who want to benefit from the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of cannabis without any psychoactive effects.
How to Use CBD and THC Tinctures
Unlike other cannabinoid delivery systems, tinctures can be used in various ways. How you use your tincture will affect the onset and duration of the effects. Luckily, these differences aren’t too drastic.
There are three popular ways to make THC and CBD tinctures:
- By ingestion (orally): This involves swallowing the extract. Expect the onset to be quicker but the overall effects to be weak and short-lived.
- By absorption (sublingually): The most popular way to consume tinctures. This involves placing a drop or two underneath the take. Since the active compounds do not get digested, the effects are more powerful and long-lasting.
- By eating (edibles): You can opt to mix your tincture with an edible of your choice. It will take longer than usual for the effects to kick in. Once they do, they’re usually stronger depending on the edible eaten.
As always, you should follow the instructions on your tincture bottle carefully. Starting small, then increasing gradually works for just about every dose — be it from nonprescription CBD products or THC ones.
THC & CBD Tincture: Sublingual Use Instructions
Sublingual application is the most common technique to administer marijuana tincture. The active ingredient derived from weed does not get digested through this method. Overall, you get to enjoy the effects for a longer time.
Follow the steps below if you do opt to take your tincture sublingually:
- Bend your neck upwards and curl your tongue just so that the dropper sits right above your tongue’s underside.
- Squeeze out a single drop (or half a drop) depending on the dosage recommendation.
- Don’t swallow just yet! Keep the tincture for 15-30 seconds to maximize absorption.
- Once 30 seconds have passed, swish the tincture around your mouth.
- Swallow.
- Monitor the effects. Ideally, you should wait about 1 hour before you take another dose.
What is CBD oil?
CBD is short for cannabidiol. Both marijuana and hemp produce CBD in abundance. CBD oil is extracted from the flower’s resin glands and contains over 400 bioactive compounds.
Unlike THC, CBD has no psychotropic effects on the brain. Hemp-derived CBD products can treat various ailments, plus they don’t make you feel “high” like THC does.
This property is a double-edged sword — and whether it’s a pro or con highly depends on why you’re taking them in the first place. We’ll get to that later.
One common question people still ask is – is CBD legal? The answer is an easy yes. Since CBD oils do not get you stoned, it’s legal to use (in many places) even at higher dosages.
What’s great about CBD oils and tinctures is that they provide fantastic relief for people who suffer from chronic pain and anxiety. It’s not unheard of to hear both research and anecdotal evidence suggesting to add CBD oils in pain and mood disorder treatment.
The potential health benefits of CBD continue to grow as more and more experts begin to study this cannabinoid. Peer-reviewed studies also attest to the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol.
What is THC Oil?
THC oil is short for tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s one of the most prominent cannabinoids in the marijuana plant — and for good reasons. In case you haven’t heard, THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis that’s responsible for making you feel “high.”
Just like any CBD product, THC oil comes from the flower’s resin glands. The only difference is that it comes with less active compounds — we estimate it to be around 60 compounds. But don’t let this number fool you because the effects are more potent.
THC oil can treat various medical conditions quickly and effectively. Medical marijuana patients tend to go for THC products because they often provide better relief faster than CBD oils and tinctures.
It’s important to remember that this strength does have its drawbacks. For example, it can increase anxiety levels and sometimes cause paranoia.
CBD versus THC tinctures: How are they different?
A tincture can be produced using either cannabidiol (CBD) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — two natural compounds in weed with excellent medical and therapeutic potential. Each extract has its benefits, side effects, and best uses.
CBD oils vs THC oils: Similarities
- They come from a resin derived from the cannabis plant.
- Both extracts can be used in pain and inflammation treatment.
- Both extracts help alleviate the symptoms associated with mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
CBD oils vs THC oils: Key Differences
- CBD oil is non-psychoactive, while THC oil is psychoactive. This means that CBD oil will not make you feel “high,” while THC oil will.
- CBD oil is known to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, while THC oil is known to have psychoactive and anxiety-inducing effects.
- THC oil can treat medical conditions such as chronic pain, cancer, and multiple sclerosis, while CBD oil is mainly used to treat neurological disorders like epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.
- CBD oil is extracted from industrial hemp, while THC oil can be extracted either from industrial hemp or marijuana (which has higher concentrations of the psychoactive compound).
- THC oils usually contain about 60 other compounds called cannabinoids, whereas CBD may have more than 200 active compounds.
- CBD oil is legal in most states, while THC oil can be illegal depending on state laws.
If you’re still on the edge on which one suits you better, you should seek a professional who can provide medical advice. Additionally, you can look up medically-reviewed articles online to see the efficacy of each.
CBD versus THC tinctures: How do they work?
When absorbed into the bloodstream, both CBD and THC interact with the cannabinoid receptors located throughout the body. This interaction produces various effects depending on the concentration of each compound in the tincture.
THC Binds to Brain Receptors
THC is responsible for getting one “stoned” during weed intakes. The compound’s psychoactive properties come from its activation of CB1 receptors. These receptors are found throughout the central nervous system, where they impact brain function.
Aside from receptors, THC also binds to cannabinoid-like molecules in the body called endocannabinoids. This boosts feelings of pleasure and satisfaction, which is why people use THC oil to treat conditions that produce feelings of chronic pain or discomfort.
THC binds to cannabinoid-like molecules in your body called endocannabinoids. This boosts feelings of pleasure and satisfaction, so people use the oil to treat conditions that produce feelings of chronic pain or discomfort.
CBD Activates Different Responses
Unlike THC, CBD does not bind directly to CB1 and CB2. Instead, it activates other receptors in the body that affect the overall machinery of the ECS. The cannabinoid also interacts with other chemicals related to the ECS to activate even more pathways.
Overall, this creates a feeling of wellness we commonly associate with only CBD. Taking CBD oils can significantly impact mood regulation — something THC oils may fail to do because of the psychoactive effects (which isn’t necessarily bad).
CBD versus THC tinctures: Benefits
Knowing the kinds of benefits you get from either cannabinoid is crucial to making your decision. Though both THC and CBD help overall health, they do so in different ways. Which is better depends on your needs and medical conditions.
Benefits of CBD Tinctures
CBD tinctures have been shown to provide relief from various health conditions, including anxiety, chronic pain, and epilepsy. Because CBD is non-psychoactive and non-toxic, it’s a safe choice for those looking for relief from chronic conditions.
CBD tinctures offer a host of health benefits, including:
- Relief from anxiety and depression
- Reduction in inflammation and pain relief
- Treatment for seizures and other neurological disorders
- Improvement in sleep quality
- Cancer prevention and treatment
- Boosting overall skin health when used topically
CBD tinctures are known for their ability to improve mood, which is why it’s the choice for those struggling with depression or anxiety. They’re also great for general use when you need something to boost mental focus and clarity.
Benefits of THC Tinctures
THC tinctures have been shown to provide relief from various conditions, including anxiety, chronic pain, and epilepsy. THC is also psychoactive, meaning it can produce the “high” associated with cannabis use. This makes THC an ideal choice for those seeking relief from chronic conditions and recreational users.
THC is known for its recreational uses. THC tinctures offer lots of benefits that can be helpful for those struggling with medical conditions. Some of the benefits of THC tinctures include:
- They can help to reduce pain and inflammation
- They can help to reduce anxiety and stress
- They can help to improve sleep quality
- They can help counteract nausea, particularly for patients undergoing cancer or HIV/AIDS treatment
- They can help improve appetite to prevent severe weight loss
THC tinctures are often recommended for cancer patients undergoing therapy as they reduce nausea and vomiting associated with treatment. THC can dramatically improve treatment outcomes when used in conjunction with other medications. THC can help improve treatment outcomes dramatically.
CBD versus THC tinctures: side effects
Both THC and CBD can cause some side effects, especially if you aren’t careful with your doses. If you want to know more about how these cannabinoids may affect you personally, never hesitate to seek professional medical advice.
Side Effects of THC Tinctures
The most common side effects of THC tincture use are drowsiness and slower reaction time, which can cause problems when driving or operating machinery. More minor potential severe side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, paranoia, and high doses of anxiety.
Do note that THC can cause you to fail drug tests. That’s because most standard drug tests will check for controlled substances similar to this psychoactive compound. If you plan to take a drug test, best avoid this product for the time being.
Side Effects of CBD Tinctures
CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning that CBD does not produce the feeling of being “high” or intoxicated. The side effects are minimal when taken by mouth.
Dry mouth and lightheadedness are the most common. Serious side effects are not common, but they have been reported. They include anxiety, changes in appetite and mood, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, and fatigue.
CBD versus THC tinctures: drug administration & dosing
When it comes to dosing tinctures, it’s important to remember that they’re potent concentrates. That being said, how much is safe for you to differentiate between the two extracts.
As mentioned earlier, marijuana-derived CBD products are not psychoactive. This means that you’re less likely to feel adverse effects should you go beyond your recommended doses. It also means that you’ll need to take more of it to feel the effects.
Unlike CBD oil, THC tincture is psychoactive and inherently potent. Go overboard, and you’ll begin to feel anxious and dizzy in no time. But if you want instant relief without taking too much, then THC tinctures are the way to go.
How Much CBD Tincture To Take
Many people want to know how many milligrams of CBD they should take. Luckily, dosing CBD in any form – be it via CBD capsules or CBD gummies – isn’t complicated at all.
And even if you take “too much” CBD, you won’t feel strong adverse effects. We still don’t recommend that you consume CBD in excessive amounts. These oils don’t come cheap!
Here are some general guidelines when it comes to dosing CBD tinctures:
- If you think a smaller dose works, smaller servings such as 0.1mL of hemp extract (CBD oil) could do the trick.
- If you’re taking CBD oil for general relief, we recommend using the lowest dose of 10mgs of CBD per day.
- If you’re taking CBD oil for anxiety or pain relief, we recommend an increased dose of 20-50mgs of CBD per day.
- We recommend starting with a serving size of one full dropper (0.5mL) and adjusting up or down as needed. See how your current dose affects you before slowly building up from there.
How Much THC Tincture To Take
As for THC tinctures, it’s a little more complicated. We recommend starting with a single dose (0.50mL).
Before you take another dose, wait for a while. It usually takes less than an hour for the effects to kick in. Once they arrive, see how long they last — and of course, how strong they are.
The general recommendation is to wait for 3 hours before increasing your dose. If you need more THC, take a drop or half more after this timeframe. Otherwise, you don’t necessarily have to increase the dose.
As always, start with a small dose and increase gradually until you find the dosage that works for you. You’re probably tired of hearing this advice — but we think it’s important to remind readers every time they’re trying our medical cannabis products.
CBD versus THC tinctures: which is better?
The answer to this question depends on your individual needs and preferences. There are some clear winners and losers in specific uses, so let’s see where one is better than the other!
Morning Use? CBD Tincture All Day
Taking CBD tincture will typically cause fewer side effects — if any at all. It also comes with the added benefit of not getting you stones. Those planning to start their day with weed will find great relief from this hemp plant-derived product.
Evening Use? THC Tincture Before Bedtime
On the other hand, THC tinctures get you stoned in no time. If you’re looking for pain or anxiety relief past sunset, then THC is the way to go.
For Immediate Relief, Use THC Tinctures
THC is more likely to provide immediate relief due to its psychoactivity, whereas CBD usually requires several weeks of use to achieve the desired effects. If you are looking for relief from a chronic condition, THC might be the better choice for you.
For Long-Term Use, Take CBD Tinctures
CBD is the better choice for use over a long period. You can easily integrate CBD tinctures into your lifestyle without worrying about side effects. It’s also easier to dose and usually comes with other beneficial cannabinoids.
Use Whichever Suits You Better
It’s all about your choice. Both CBD and THC tinctures have benefits and drawbacks, so it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before choosing the best option.
CBD versus THC tinctures: which one is for you?
The answer to this question also depends on your individual needs and preferences.
CBD oil is non-psychoactive and does not have the “high” associated with THC oil. This makes it a good choice for those looking for relief from chronic conditions without the side effects associated with THC oil.
On the other hand, THC oil is more likely to provide immediate relief due to its psychoactivity, whereas CBD usually requires several weeks of use to achieve the desired effects. If you are looking for relief from a chronic condition or other serious medical issues, THC oil might be the better choice for you.
While there are benefits associated with both types of products, it is essential to understand how they differ so that you can make an informed choice about which product will work best for your needs.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, cannabis tinctures offer excellent benefits that should not be overlooked. But the most important thing is knowing your product and which kind to choose.
When you’re ready to purchase a CBD or THC tincture for yourself, find out what type of medical condition you need it for and which cannabinoid will have the most significant therapeutic effect on that ailment!
Suppose you’re interested in using marijuana as an alternative treatment for chronic pain management. In that case, we have a variety of options on our website with different ratios of CBD and THC available so that you find one that suits your needs perfectly! We also carry products designed specifically for all kinds of medical marijuana users.
Our Diamond CBD Tincture – 1000mg is the perfect CBD solution for those who suffer from anxiety and depression. Those looking for something potent and pain-relieving will find our Diamond THC Tincture – 1000mg to be the best fix for their woes.
We can help you make sure you get exactly what’s right for your needs. Order your CBD & THC Tincture today!