Who’s using CBD tinctures? It’s a lot more people than you might think!
Did you know that 1 out of every 7 adults in America enjoys taking CBD? That means 14% of the adult population in the United States are benefiting from CBD products. If you’re thinking about giving CBD a try for the first time, then you’re in the right place.
To help you have the best experience possible, we’ve created this short but complete CBD guide. We’ll review what tinctures are all about, how to get the right dose, and of course, the top health benefits CBD has to offer. By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll finally know if CBD is right for you.
Ways to Take CBD
First, let’s look at the different ways you can take CBD tinctures. Since you’ll be using a tincture, you can choose to ingest the CBD oils or you can apply them sublingually.
Pros and Cons of Ingesting CBD
Orally ingesting CBD is very common for tinctures. You can simply swallow the tincture, or add it to your favorite drink.
One of the best parts about ingesting CBD orally is that it’s convenient. However, the CBD molecules will lose some of their potency because of the first-pass metabolism.
First-pass metabolism is where the CBD molecules travel through your digestive system until they make it to your liver. Once the CBD molecules arrive, your liver begins metabolizing them.
Any leftover compounds pass on through the bloodstream. When CBD becomes less potent, it’s known as having a low bioavailability.
However, even though taking CBD orally gives it a low bioavailability, the effects last longer than any other ingestion method.
Pros and Cons of Taking CBD Sublingually
Do you want to enjoy fast-acting effects? If yes, then you should try taking CBD sublingually. Sublingual applications involve placing the desired dosage beneath your tongue.
Next, wait about 3 minutes while your sublingual glands absorb the tincture. The longer you wait, the better your chances will be for getting the best effects. Finally, swallow whatever oil’s leftover, and take a sip of water.
Taking CBD sublingually means it’ll enter your bloodstream faster. The only downside is that some tinctures have an earthy aftertaste. We suggest buying a CBD tincture that has a delicious flavor like peppermint.
How CBD Interacts With Your Body
How does CBD interact with your body? It all starts with your endocannabinoid system or ECS. Your ECS is responsible for a variety of bodily functions; for instance, your immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems all rely on your ECS.
CBD or cannabidiol is one of the cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis plants. CBD works by interacting with your body’s ECS receptors.
While CBD doesn’t bind with the receptors, it does have the ability to stimulate them. As a result, CBD tinctures can help your body with all sorts of pathological and physiological conditions.
In other words, CBD can work with your ECS to help treat issues in both your body and brain. If your body’s having trouble regulating a function, such as sleep, CBD can be the perfect solution to balance things out.
CBD Oils vs. Tinctures
Now, let’s look at the difference between CBD oils and tinctures. While they may look the same, both products are slightly different. The biggest difference between oils and tinctures is the extraction method used.
What Are CBD Oils?
CBD oils use a CO2 extraction method. After extracting the CBD molecules, manufacturers will choose a carrier oil to add to them. Coconut and hemp seed oil are two common types of carrier oils.
What Are Tinctures?
The tincture extraction method involves using alcohol and water. To create the tinctures, manufacturers have to soak the hemp in high proof alcohol, while also slowly heating it. The soaking method makes it possible for the CBD molecules to bind with the alcohol.
Next, manufacturers boil away the alcohol, leaving behind the CBD-infused liquid. Often, tinctures will use CBD isolates that come from the leaves, stalks, and flowers of cannabis plants.
Alternative CBD Products
Other than tinctures and oils, what other CBD products are available? You’ll be happy to know that there’s a ton of different options. For instance, you can try taking edibles like CBD gummies or CBD-infused beverages.
There are also CBD capsules and soft gels that come with premeasured doses. If you want to try something different, look into getting a CBD bath bomb. Finally, if you’re treating a specific area of your body that’s in pain, try using a CBD topical.
Make Your Own Edibles
Did you know you can make your own CBD-infused edibles with your tincture? For instance, you can enjoy eating a CBD salad by adding the tincture to your favorite salad dressing.
Other fun options include adding your tincture to smoothies, soups, or dips. Finally, if you want to get a little more complex, try making your own CBD infused gummies!
Benefits of CBD Tinctures
What is CBD tincture used for? Here are a few of our favorite benefits:
- Skincare
- Stress relief
- Pain relief
- Sleep aide
- Cancer symptom relief
- Antiinflammatory
- Anti-seizure
- Neuroprotective
First, CBD can help treat different skin conditions, like psoriasis or acne. For acne, CBD helps reduce the production of oils that cause acne to form. When coupled with CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, acne sufferers can enjoy clean, healthy skin.
Amazingly, CBD also interacts with the serotonin receptors in your brain. As a result, regularly taking CBD can help alleviate stress, while also aiding in the treatment of conditions like OCD and PTSD.
Finally, CBD is neuroprotective. That means it can help with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
Tips for Safely Buying CBD
Not every company sells safe CBD products. That’s why you have to take your time to buy CBD tinctures from safe and reliable sources.
For starters, focus on choosing quality products rather than cheap ones. When you prioritize quality over affordability, you’ll be able to weed out all of the unworthy brands.
Next, look to see if the tincture you’re buying has a lab report from a 3rd party. When you check the lab report, double-check that the lab completing the report has an accreditation.
Moving on, you also have to check where the company’s sourcing their hemp from.
Always avoid hemp that’s sourced from China and Asia. Why? If the hemp isn’t grown in a regulated area like Western Europe or North America, it’s likely to contain things like arsenic and lead.
Finally, if you want a tincture that’s completely THC-free, avoid any full-spectrum or broad-spectrum tinctures.
How to Take the Right Dose
If your CBD dose is too large, it can cause problems like extreme fatigue, moodiness, and diarrhea. To avoid overdosing, start slow, while also keeping a CBD journal. In your journal, write down the time of day you’re taking CBD, as well as the dosage amount.
Typically it takes CBD about 30 minutes to an hour before you start feeling any effects. An hour after taking your dose, jot down a few notes in your CBD journal about how you’re feeling.
To get the right dose, read the label instruction of the CBD product you’re about to use. Some CBD products are more potent than others, and without reading the directions, you won’t know the recommended dosage.
CBD Doses Are Personal
Next, take into consideration what you’re taking CBD for.
Are you trying to get help with severe chronic pain? Or are you simply taking CBD to help take the edge off of a stressful day? The more serious your condition, the larger your dose will need to be.
Next, you have to understand that several factors will affect how CBD interacts with your body. Your age, weight, body chemistry, and gender will all influence the intensity or lack of intensity you feel after using a CBD product. Keep this in mind if you’re ever tempted to take the same dose that your friend’s taking.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for dosing, and instead, you should rely on your CBD journal to find your perfect dosage amount. Finally, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor when you’re about to begin using CBD.
Introduce CBD Into Your Daily Life
Congratulations! Now you know what CBD tinctures are all about and how to use them.
What reasons have you turning to CBD for help? Are you going to use CBD as a part of your nighttime routine? Or are you hoping CBD will be the perfect solution to help you deal with chronic pain?
Whatever benefit you’re looking for, we hope our article will inspire you to go ahead and give CBD a try.
Don’t stop exploring and learning. For more articles similar to this one, check out the rest of this site.
