In recent years, the use of CBD products has grown increasingly popular for treating a wide range of health problems.
Oftentimes it is difficult to determine what product is best for certain health issues.
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CBD tincture
CBD is cannabidiol, which means it derives from marijuana plants. However, it is not psychoactive.
CBD is not tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It allows for a similar sensation of calmness and relaxation but without the high associated with the use of marijuana.
The term tincture describes any type of medicine contained in an alcohol solution.
What is so great about CBD Tincture?
CBD tincture is a superior option to CBD oils when taken orally for a few reasons.
It lacks the oily texture feeling in a person's mouth when dropped straight under the tongue.
It lacks the distinctive taste that many people do not find pleasant.
CBD tincture works fantastically when mixed with meals as the alcohol blends and is therefore far more tasteful.
CBD oil
Cannabidiol or CBD oil is more commonly known as a potent compound found in the hair-like resinous glands of the cannabis plant.
It has been clinically proven to stop seizures in certain treatment-resistant cases of epilepsy.
In further animal and cell studies, it shows it to have the following potential properties…
- Anti-anxiety
- Anti-nausea
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antipsychotic
- Anti-arthritic
- Immunomodulatory
Cannabidiol can interact either directly or indirectly with receptors located throughout the body's endocannabinoid system.
These are responsible for maintaining numerous physiological and cognitive functions such as mood, memory, inflammation and a host more.
The benefits of CBD oil
CBD may assist you in managing anxious feelings.
Researchers have stated it could change the way your brain’s receptors respond to serotonin, a chemical linked to a person's mental health.
Receptors are tiny proteins that are attached to cells that receive chemical messages and help the cells respond to different stimuli.
One study found that a 600mg dose of CBD helped people that suffer from social anxiety make a public speech to a large crowd.
Other research completed using animals has discovered that CBD may help relieve anxiety by:
- Reducing a person's stress levels.
- Decreasing physiological effects of anxiety, such as an increased heart rate.
- Improving the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Helping people with insomnia sleep.
The CBD is extracted from marijuana plants as either an oil or a powder.
These oils or powders can then be mixed into creams or gels. They can also be put into capsules to be consumed orally or rubbed on your skin.
For example, the multiple sclerosis drug Nabiximols is sprayed as a liquid into a person's mouth.
How CBD should be used depends largely on what it’s being used for. Anyone considering using the product should consult with their general practitioner before using.
Side effects of CBD oil
CBD oil usually does not have any major risks for people who use the product. However, side effects are a possibility. These include:
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations
- Low blood pressure
- Withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and insomnia
What is the difference between CBD tincture and CBD oil?
The terms ‘CBD oil’ and ‘CBD tincture’ are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing. Let’s take a closer look at the differences.
CBD oil carrier oils
As the name suggests, a carrier oil carries the CBD chemical and other phytochemicals (nutritious plant chemicals). Essentially, the oil acts as a solvent to dissolve the hemp plant compounds. It’s the same concept as using water to dissolve your morning Berocca Boost – it just makes it easier to ingest. In this case, oil is used instead of water as cannabinoids are soluble in oils and fats, rather than water.
Benefits of using carrier oils for CBD
There are benefits to using carrier oils for CBD, one of them is enhancing absorption. Water-soluble compounds like amino acids, sugars, and minerals can enter the bloodstream directly, but fat-soluble compounds, like CBD, cannot.
CBD, and other fat-soluble compounds, need to be broken down in the digestive tract, into little droplets called micelles. These micelles can then enter the fatty lymph tissues, and move throughout the body. Using oil to dilute hemp extracts, like CBD, make it easier for the gut to absorb them.
It is incredibly difficult to accurately measure doses when using pure CBD crystals – 50 mg of CBD, in this form, is about the size of a match head. To get precise measurements, one would need a precision scale as it cannot be measured with the naked eye. However, this just isn’t realistic for the majority of CBD users.
That’s where carrier oils come in. Diluting CBD crystals into a carrier oil, at a known ratio of CBD to oil, makes measuring doses much easier. Each CBD oil bottle will tell you how much CBD it contains.
CBD oil ingredients
Different CBD oil manufacturers will favour different carrier oils – some may even use multiple oils to create their own blend. The most common carrier oil used in CBD oil is medium-chain triglyceride oil (MCT oil). MCT is a high-quality coconut-based essential oil.
However, some other popular oils of choice include:
- Hemp seed oil
- Grape seed oil
- Olive oil
- Vegetable glycerine
CBD tincture ingredients
The term ‘tincture’ refers to any medication that is suspended in alcohol. Regarding CBD tinctures, this simply means that the CBD compound is suspended in alcohol rather than a carrier oil. Typically, CBD is suspended in 60-70% distilled alcohol.
Often manufacturers will add flavouring to their tinctures to improve the taste. Additionally, some CBD tinctures will also contain carrier oils, to increase bioavailability rates.
Difference between CBD tinctures and CBD oils from CBD Village
CBD oil is certainly versatile and can be taken in many different forms. It can be ingested in the form of capsules like these softshell capsules from Canndid or even in gummy form like these vegan-friendly gummies.
CBD tinctures tend to have a higher bioavailability rate when taken sublingually. This means placing a couple of drops under the tongue and allowing a minute or two to pass before swallowing. Holding the substance under the tongue means that some CBD compound can be absorbed by the sublingual glands and capillaries – going straight to the bloodstream.
By using alcohol in CBD tinctures, it also increases their shelf life. The alcohol acts as a preservative, which enhances the life-span of the CBD compound.
CBD tincture and CBD oil can both be used in cooking, but in different ways. CBD oil can be used in baking or anywhere where you would be using oils or fats. As CBD oil gives an oily texture, it is perhaps preferable to add CBD tincture into your morning coffee or smoothie.
CBD oils tend to have quite a strong taste, but in comparison, many CBD tincture manufacturers have opted to flavour their products.
Conclusion
Having read the article, you should now have a thorough understanding of the two products.
What product you decide is best for your pain is completely up to you. However, be sure to read the bottle carefully and know the possible side effects.
