How to take CBD tinctures and CBD oils
CBD tinctures are easily absorbed, plus they can be used in many different ways. In the following text, you will learn how to get the most out of tinctures, how not to use them and the benefits of using them. Tinctures are a very popular way for people to use CBD. The specific form of use affects their effects.They can be taken directly, mixed into drinks, used in cooking, applied to the skin or held under the tongue to speed up their absorption. We'll tell you how to use CBD tinctures correctly, how to determine the right dose and what to avoid.
CBD tinctures vs. CBD oil: what's the difference?
A tincture is technically an extract made by soaking plant material in an alcohol solvent. The action of alcohol causes the active ingredients to come out of the plant and into solution. With CBD oil, the same principle works, but instead of alcohol, vegetable oil is used as the solvent. The words tincture and oil are often used synonymously, but they do not necessarily mean the same thing.
5 ways to use CBD tinctures
There are several different ways that CBD tinctures can be used. Deciding which option is best for you depends on the reason you want to take it and what type of tincture or oil you have purchased.
1. Holding the tincture under the tongue (sublingual administration)
Sublingual administration involves putting the CBD tincture under your tongue and letting it sit for a few minutes. This is the fastest way to take it. CBD is absorbed into the capillaries and travels directly into the bloodstream. This skips the digestion process that the tincture must otherwise go through when swallowed. The amount of CBD absorbed depends on how long you hold the tincture under your tongue. The rest is absorbed later through the digestive tract. Some users hold the CBD under the tongue for only a few seconds, so most of it only takes effect after it has passed through the digestive tract. This is not the most effective way to take CBD tinctures.
2. Swallowing (oral administration)
Some people swallow CBD tinctures straight away. While this method works well, it takes a longer time for the CBD to take effect. In addition, the effect may not be as strong as when taken sublingually. Overall, the effects are weaker when taken this way because some of the CBD is lost during digestion.
3. Mixing the tincture with food or drink
You can also mix CBD tincture into food and drinks, such as smoothies.
Some people cook with CBD oils or tinctures or add them to drinks such as coffee (bulletproof coffee works great - with butter or ghee and CBD oil) or tea.
4. Application to the skin
CBD is of great benefit to the skin. You can, of course, buy special skin care products that contain cannabidiol, or apply CBD in tincture form to the skin directly.
However, if you plan to use the tincture in this way, it should be oil-based, not alcohol-based. If you plan to use the oil on your skin, it is better to choose an unflavored product.
How to get the most out of using CBD tinctures
If you want to maximize the benefits of taking a CBD tincture, it's a good idea to keep the following few things in mind.
1. Keep the dropper clean
When dispensing CBD tincture, make sure the glass dropper is always clean. This will reduce the risk of contamination.
Any dirt on the dropper can be a breeding ground for mold or rot and could pose a health risk.
2. Dilute alcohol-based tinctures
If you find that the alcohol in the tincture burns your tongue, consider diluting the mixture with a small amount of water before use.
3. Combine with other dietary supplements and herbs
Many other natural supplements can have fantastic health benefits. To increase your benefit from CBD, think about combining CBD tinctures with herbs.
For example, if you struggle with anxiety, you can mix a tincture with valerian root or passionflower. These herbs can also help if you're using CBD for sleep - just like melatonin. You can also find these other herbs and supplements on the market in tincture form, so you can easily mix them together if needed.
4. Switch to full-spectrum products
Full-spectrum CBD products contain all the active ingredients from the cannabis plant, not just CBD. These tinctures provide more benefits than CBD alone.
Full-spectrum extracts are generally slightly more expensive compared to broad-spectrum or CBD isolates. However, proponents argue that the difference in price is worth it.
What are the benefits of using CBD tinctures?
There are many ways to take CBD tinctures. Thus, on different occasions, you may prefer one form of application and at other times another.
Benefits of using tinctures:
You can always have them with youyou can easily determine the exact dose they have good bioavailability (absorption)long shelf lifecost-effectiveSometimes a gummy candy can come in handy if you need to feel immediate relief, vaporization is offered. Simply choose the form that best suits your needs and current situation.
Health benefits of CBD use
There are many health benefits associated with CBD use. Research in this area is relatively young and many studies are still ongoing. Current scientific evidence suggests that CBD can: alleviate anxiety and depression,pain relief,relieve epileptic seizures,reduce inflammation,improve skin health,relieve arthritis pain,overcome sleep disorders,relieve nausea and vomiting,alleviate the problems caused by Parkinson's disease,it also has neuroprotective effects. The way you take CBD can affect its effect. For example, when taken externally, CBD only has a topical effect on the area being treated.
CBD tinctures and the endocannabinoid system
Once CBD enters the bloodstream, it begins to interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system consists of intracellular receptors that regulate a number of bodily processes to maintain homeostasis (balance in the body). The ECS regulates our mental and physical health in many ways, balancing our mood or anxiety levels, for example. The ECS is also involved in the perception of pain or hunger, energy levels and relaxation.
CBD acts on this system indirectly. One theory is that CBD prevents the body from breaking down naturally produced cannabinoids (endocannabinoids). In contrast, THC binds tightly to receptors in the ECS. The effects of THC are therefore more pronounced, whereas CBD has a more subtle and smooth action. This is one of the reasons why CBD tinctures have gained popularity so quickly - they provide many therapeutic benefits, but their effects are not overly intense.
How are tinctures made?
Making tinctures is an ancient skill. They have been used almost as long as people have been distilling alcohol. "Hard" alcohol is also often referred to as "spirits" because alchemists believed it drew the spirit of the plant (spiritus) into the solution. Modern chemistry leans towards this as well, although it replaces the word "spirit" with "constituents".
Microscopes and UV spectrography allow us to observe the various phytochemicals, terpenes, minerals and alkaloids that alcohol can extract from plants.
Whether you use alchemical or scientific terminology, the process and results are the same. To make a tincture, finely chop the plant matter (in this case, cannabis).
The standard rule of thumb for making tinctures is a 1:2 ratio if using dried herbs, or 1:5 if using fresh herbs.
Whether CBD companies follow these rules depends on the individual brands. For example, high-potency CBD extracts may contain less alcohol and more herbs. Or manufacturers simply add pure CBD isolate to them after the initial extraction in alcohol.
How to dose CBD tincture
It's always wise to start with a low dose, even lower than the lowest recommended dose. It's a good idea to try a subliminal microdose the first time, especially to make sure the CBD doesn't cause an adverse reaction in your body. This is a simple allergy test.
If a small dose does nothing after an hour or two, you can gradually increase the amount. Repeat this process until you feel relief from your discomfort.
The average dose of CBD is usually around 20 to 50 mg. Some people prefer lower doses, while others prefer stronger doses.
Short summary in conclusion
Tinctures and oils are not really the same thing. A tincture is a liquid extract of an herb that uses alcohol as a base, while oils use a vegetable oil base. Today, however, the two terms are sometimes used incorrectly as synonyms. A CBD tincture can use both alcohol and oil. Therefore, check the label before you buy so you know what you are actually getting.
The best way to get the "most" out of a tincture is to take it sublingually. This will ensure that the CBD gets into your bloodstream quickly without being damaged or destroyed by your digestive system. CBD is a safe dietary supplement, but it is still wise to use the lowest effective amount. That's why we recommend starting with small doses and gradually working your way up to a dose that will give you the desired effect.
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