A Comprehensive Guide on Cannabis Tincture
Written By
Nishant Garund
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Varuni AgarwalDr. Varuni Agarwal is an esteemed Ayurvedic physician specializing in diagnosing diseases through Ayurvedic dosha imbalances and providing personalized treatments. She focuses on ahara (diet) and vihara (lifestyle) to manage and heal various ailments.
A cannabis tincture is a concentrated liquid extract made from cannabis plants. Tinctures are a versatile way to consume CBD to get its medical benefits. With CBD gaining prominence all over for its benefits, tinctures are an easy way to start with your CBD journey.
Table of Contents
How are cannabis tinctures made?
Cannabis tinctures are typically produced by soaking the cannabis plant in a solvent like alcohol, oil, or glycerin. This process extracts the cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, along with other beneficial compounds. After a period of steeping, the liquid is strained to create the final tincture.
How to Use Cannabis Tinctures
There are several ways to consume cannabis tinctures:
Oral Consumption:
- Ingestion: You can directly ingest the tincture or mix it into food or drinks.
- Sublingual Administration: Placing a few drops under your tongue allows for quicker absorption into your bloodstream, leading to a faster onset of effects.
Topical Application:
Cannabis tinctures can be applied directly to the skin to target specific areas. This method is primarily used for localized relief and does not produce any psychoactive effects.
Important Considerations
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Onset of Effects: The onset time for tinctures can vary depending on the method of consumption. Sublingual administration generally leads to faster effects compared to oral ingestion.
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Dosage: It's crucial to start with a low dose and gradually increase it as needed. Tinctures are potent, and it's easy to consume too much.
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Consult a Healthcare Professional: Before using cannabis tinctures, especially for medical purposes, consult with a healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with medications and any underlying health conditions.
Dosage of Tinctures
With cannabis tinctures, you can customise your dose as per your need. After consulting your doctor, you can start with microdoses and gradually level up to stronger doses to see what works best for you. It’s advisable to start with a low dose of 2.5 milligrams and gradually increase it. The potency of tincture varies with 2.5 mg being the microdose and 60 mg or above being a very potent dose. Also, it’s important to note that individual responses to the effects of cannabis tinctures may vary and it’s essential to consult your healthcare professional before starting with them.
Different Types of Tinctures
Cannabis tinctures can be customized to suit individual preferences and needs. They can be flavoured or unflavored and can contain various types of cannabis extracts:
Full-Spectrum Tinctures
Full-spectrum tinctures offer a full range of cannabinoids including CBD and THC, terpenes, and flavonoids found in the cannabis plant. This broad spectrum of compounds works synergistically, enhancing the overall effects of the tincture.
Broad-Spectrum Tinctures
Broad-spectrum tinctures contain a wide range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, but they generally don’t have THC. This makes them a popular choice for those seeking the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effects.
Isolate Tinctures
Isolate tinctures contain only a specific cannabinoid, such as THC or CBD. These tinctures offer a targeted approach, allowing users to experience the effects of a single compound.
THC vs. CBD Tinctures
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THC Tinctures: These tinctures contain THC which is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. They can produce psychoactive effects such as euphoria, relaxation, and altered perception.
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CBD Tinctures: These tinctures primarily contain CBD, a non-psychoactive compound known for its potential therapeutic benefits, such as pain relief, anxiety reduction, and improved sleep.
It's important to note that the effects of cannabis tinctures can vary depending on factors such as dosage, individual tolerance, and the specific cannabinoid profile of the product. Always start with a low dose and gradually increase it as needed.
Cannabis Tinctures and Other Products: A Comparison
Tinctures vs. Edibles
Tinctures can be either flavoured or unflavored which provides a versatile taste experience compared to edibles. Further due to the sublingual administration of tinctures, they are absorbed faster leading to enhanced effects than edibles, which can take longer to digest. Also, tinctures often contain minimal or no added sugar, making them a suitable choice for those seeking a sugar-free option.
Tinctures vs. Sublingual Products
Both tinctures and sublingual products like tablets are placed under the tongue for faster absorption, however, tinctures are usually in liquid solutions while other sublingual products have different formulations as well.
Tinctures vs. CBD Oil
THC tinctures contain THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, while CBD oil primarily contains CBD, a non-psychoactive compound. Both can contain other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, but in varying concentrations. Tinctures can be ingested orally or administered sublingually, while CBD oil is typically ingested orally or applied topically.
Takeaway
Cannabis tinctures are an effective and faster way to see the effects of the plant on a variety of issues and enhance your wellness routine. With different types of tinctures available, the doses are customizable and can be incorporated into your routine as per your needs. However, with proper consultation with your healthcare provider, you can rise to potent doses with a multitude of benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How to use cannabis tinctures?
Cannabis tinctures are usually administered sublingually, i.e. they are taken orally and are kept under the tongue. The sublingual administration ensures faster absorption of the product, leading to enhanced effects.
Q. What are cannabis tinctures good for?
Cannabis tinctures have various medical benefits. Full-spectrum tinctures help in relieving anxiety, depression, and even PTSD symptoms, whereas broad-spectrum tinctures help with pain, topical relief etc.
Q. How to market cannabis tinctures?
Due to the ever-evolving legal landscape of medical cannabis, it could be challenging to market cannabis tinctures, however with proper execution, strategic planning and knowing your audience well before, it can be achieved without any hassle.