Whether you are someone who relies on cannabis to help relieve their symptoms or someone who’s looking for alternatives to modern medicine, you may have heard about “tinctures.” If you visit a medical marijuana dispensary, you’ll see a wide array of tinctures. What are they, how do they work, and are they better than smoking/vaping cannabis, are some common questions amongst new users.
Thus, in this article, we will talk about all you need to know about consuming cannabis tinctures. So without any further ado, let’s dive in.
What are Tinctures?
Let’s start by clearing the most common doubt people have, “ Are tinctures and oils the same?” The short answer is no, although they both contain CBD derived from hemp or Cannabis Sativa plants. What sets the two apart is the method of extraction.
Cannabis oils are extracted using carbon dioxide, and contain CBD suspended in a carrier oil, while tinctures are extracted using alcohol.
So, why are tinctures so popular? When the tinctures are extracted with the help of alcohol, it gets infused with the product, and as a result, tinctures often contain alcohol content. This also helps the product retain a longer shelf life of around 3-5 years.
Alcohol is also a fantastic solvent for herbs, as it can extract the cannabis plant’s active ingredients, which aren’t soluble in water. For instance, it can effectively extract alkaloids, resins, and oils.
A tincture is basically a herbal remedy that imparts its effects within a short span of time. Thus, consumers get relief from their symptoms rather quickly.
How to Consume Tinctures?
Consuming tinctures is fairly easy, as they usually come in a glass dropper bottle. You simply have to place the amount you use under your tongue and wait a few minutes to feel its effects. Perhaps their convenience makes them one of the most consumed cannabis products.
If you are a complete beginner, it is advisable to start with a small dose, as your body hasn’t built cannabis tolerance yet. You should begin by using 2.5 mg, and continue doing so for a week. If the results are satisfactory, you need not even increase the dosage.
Also, keep in mind that tinctures do not taste great and leave a bitter aftertaste as well. However, this issue is easy to combat as they are available with sweeteners, so you can find flavored tinctures, which would solve the problem.
Benefits of Using Tinctures
There are various benefits of using cannabis tinctures, such as :
- The effects are quick.
- It is easy to control the dosage.
- They regulate appetite.
- Help control nausea, insomnia, blood sugar, inflammation, chronic pain, psychosis, anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and more.
It also depends on the kind of tincture you’re consuming, as those with high THC may cause euphoric effects and those with high CBD will have more medicinal benefits. If you are confused it is best to get in touch with a physician. However, to give you an idea, let’s take a look at the different types of tinctures:
- Full-spectrum CBD tinctures – they contain the whole spectrum of terpenes and cannabinoids in hemp plants with small amounts of THC.
- Broad-spectrum CBD tinctures – they contain the terpenes and cannabinoids found in hemp plants, with no amount of THC.
- CBD isolate tinctures – they only contain the CBD cannabinoid along with a carrier oil.
Photo by Kimzy Nanney on Unsplash
Cannabis Tinctures Vs. Popular Methods of Ingestion
Let’s see how cannabis tinctures differ from:
Smoking
- You can feel the effects of smoking cannabis within 2-3 minutes, while tinctures will react within 15 minutes.
- Smoking may cause damage to your lungs but tinctures won’t.
- Unless you buy a pre-roll, you have to prepare your own joint to smoke, whereas tinctures don’t require any preparation prior to consumption.
- Smoking/ vaping may have better aftertaste than tinctures, especially if the tincture product isn’t flavored.
Edibles
- As compared to tinctures, edibles take much longer to kick in, about an hour or two.
- Edibles have stronger effects that take longer to show up, so it is very easy to overdose, while tinctures have droppers so it is easy to control their quantity.
- Edibles’ effects can last for up to 12 hours, while tinctures’ effects may wear off in 3-4 hours.
- Edibles are easier to consume than tinctures; however, not suitable for those who need instant relief.
You should also know that an MMJ card can help you save lots of money on medical marijuana. Moreover, you get to clear all your doubts with a professional in a proper one-on-one session. Medical Marijuana Card Riverside is the perfect place to get your MMJ card in Riverside quickly.
Hanna Jane is a passionate blogger whose inclination towards health and fitness shines through her blogs. She has been writing for multiple niches including CBD, medical cannabis, healthcare and mental health for more than 3 years. When she is not typing on her keyboard, you can find her cooking a nutritious meal or on a walk with her dog.
