What Are CBD Tinctures?: A Beginner’s Guide
In this new age of increasing legalization (or at least decriminalization) of cannabis, we’re finding more and more uses and benefits. Not only that, but we’re also finding more ways of administering different parts of the plant.
CBD tinctures are a great and popular way to take advantage of the many health and wellness benefits of cannabidiol (CBD).
If you don’t know the best way to take CBD and are interested in this option, then we’ve got a beginner’s guide for you right here. Let’s take a look at how this method works and what you can gain from it.
What Is CBD?
Let’s start at the very beginning. Sometimes, there are too many acronyms, and it can all get a little confusing and convoluted.
“CBD” stands for cannabidiol and it’s one of the main active ingredients of cannabis (or hemp and marijuana plants). If you didn’t know, cannabis is comprised of many, many compounds, but two of the most well known are CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
If you’re familiar with the high sensation people get when smoking marijuana, that largely comes from THC, which is a psychoactive chemical. CBD, on the other hand, does not create this feeling of being high.
There are a lot of people out there who are interested in the health benefits of cannabis but don’t want the high, which is why CBD is so perfect. Even a World Health Organization (WHO) report claims there are no public health problems associated with “pure” CBD on its own.
For this reason, pure CBD oil is readily attainable in many areas of the United States and not restricted in the same way as other parts of the cannabis plant. Although, this can depend on your specific region.
How Are CBD Tinctures Made?
If you’re wondering how you can take a complex plant made of tons of ingredients and boil it down into one, here’s how.
The CBD oil in tinctures is made from steeping CBD-rich flowers (usually hemp) over low heat combined with an oil, such as MCT Oil. MCT is usually tasteless, so sometimes a CBD tincture will be combined with another type of oil to provide flavoring.
Regardless, the end result is a CBD-rich oil free from the psychoactive THC ingredient that has a number of health benefits according to some studies.
Why Would Someone Use CBD Oil Tinctures?
Cannabidiol (CBD) works directly with human beings’ natural endocannabinoid system.
While there is still plenty of ongoing research into the benefits of CBD, pain relief is certainly at the top of the list. Due to certain studies, like the one in the European Journal of Pain, some believe it is quite effective.
A lot of professionals have researched the benefits of the best CBD oil on other non-pain related issues.
All in all, we need more research, but the current crop of studies show a lot of positive signs for the health benefits of CBD tinctures.
Why Use a Tincture vs. Other Methods?
If you didn’t know, just like there are many ingredients in cannabis there are also many methods of administering CBD. So, why a tincture?
Vaping, for example, is popular in this day and age – not just for nicotine – and some CBD oil can be used in that way. Well, there are actually a number of different benefits to using tinctures, specifically.
Portability
CBD tinctures are usually in small dropper bottles. They’re sometimes darker, such as brown or amber glass, and they’re not cumbersome.
Therefore, a CBD tincture is easy to carry around in a bag, purse, or pocket. If you were to vape CBD oil, you would need your oil as well as your vape device, which makes it all a little less convenient and portable.
Versatility
There are more than one ways to actually take a tincture. Using the dropper it comes with you can take it directly or add it to something.
For example, an easy and common way to take the stuff is just to place a drop directly below your tongue. Some research suggests that this method actually allows your body to absorb the CBD quicker.
But if that sounds boring or you don’t like the taste, CBD oil tinctures are perfect for adding to just about anything that’s edible.
Liquid-based meals, such as soups or something saucy like pasta, are great ways to use your tincture. Simply drop a bit into your meal.
Do you like to grab a quick cup of tea or coffee before work? A tincture allows you to simply put a few drops in and get your day going with no hassle.
Some people actually enjoy this method for reasons other than the CBD health benefits.
CBD oil usually already has a flavor, and it’s usually a nutty or earthy tone. On its own, it may or may not be to your liking, but mixed with a food or drink it could even enhance it. An earthy and nutty element goes well with an iced coffee for example.
Accuracy
You may need to be accurate with your CBD intake, as well. This stuff usually comes in milligram (mg) measurements, such as 3mg CBD, 6mg CBD, etc.
If you’re concerned with how much cannabidiol is entering your body, then a tincture allows you to be more accurate. Each drop from a dropper is about the same, although it depends on how hard and how long you squeeze it.
But with some careful administration, you can rest assured that you’re taking the exact amount of CBD you intended to!
Learn More About CBD Tinctures
If you’re interested in the wide world of cannabidiol (CBD), then you may be frustrated with all the information floating around. CBD tinctures are an easy and popular way to administer CBD.
They’re portable, accurate, and versatile. If you’d like to browse some selections, check out our CBD tinctures here!