A CBD tincture is a liquid extract that’s made by soaking a cannabis strain high in CBD in a liquid. There are many common CBD tincture uses and producing it is fairly simple. In many cases, cannabis is soaked in alcohol, but other liquids commonly used to make a tincture include glycerin or oil. The resulting extract can then be used for a variety of purposes.
How to Use a Tincture
Tinctures can be used in a variety of ways. One of the most common ways to use a CBD tincture is to take it sublingually. This method provides the fastest absorption into the bloodstream. You can drop your tincture into your food or drink and consume it that way. A third option is to apply it topically. Place a few drops on your skin and rub the tincture in.
Dosing Your Tincture
As with any cannabis product you take, you need to find the appropriate dose for you. Start small and work your way up until you find the dose that provides you with the desired results.
Common CBD Tincture Uses
Alleviating Anxiety
CBD tinctures provide an alternative to pharmaceutical treatments for anxiety and depression, which can cause unwanted side effects such as drowsiness, headaches, and agitation. Several studies have shown that CBD can be effective for alleviating feelings of anxiety by binding to receptors in the brain and restoring balance to your endocannabinoid system.
Pain Management
Pain is one of the most common reasons why people look to use cannabis. CBD tinctures can be a very effective option for managing pain. You can take it sublingually for fast-acting relief or you can drop it on your skin for relief from joint pain, muscle spasms, tendonitis, or arthritis.
Cancer Treatment
Cannabis is used by some cancer patients as a way to manage pain and alleviate symptoms caused by chemotherapy. A CBD tincture provides a way for these patients to get relief without having to smoke, take a pill, or consume and edible.
Getting Sleep
CBD tinctures can be an effective solution for people suffering from insomnia. In addition to helping to alleviate anxiety, CBD can help to regulate cortisol, which affects non-REM sleep. It helps the muscles to relax and may even be able to help to eliminate nightmares that plague individuals with REM sleep behavior disorder. Tinctures take effect quickly and eliminate the need to smoke or eat anything right before going to bed.
An Alternative to Smoking or Ingesting Cannabis
Some people can’t (or don’t want to) smoke or vape cannabis. Others may have stomach issues that can make edibles and pills lead to nausea and other negative side effects. A tincture provides a much easier alternative to these options. You don’t need to smoke anything nor do you need to consume anything unless you decide to put the tincture in your beverage or food.
Benefits of CBD Tinctures
CBD tinctures provide several benefits, including:
- No special equipment or preparation required
- Accurate dosing
- Discreet applications, whether you take it sublingually or rub it into your skin
- Low-calorie
- Long shelf-life
- Healing benefits without the high caused by THC
Side Effects of CBD Tinctures
CBD tinctures don’t produce any serious side effects. Even so, some users may experience some side effects. Tinctures may cause dry mouth. If you take other medications, you may experience what is called hepatic metabolism.
It’s also important to keep in mind that CBD may be biphasic. This means that CBD produces certain effects at one level but produces different effects at a higher level.
CBD tinctures have many uses. If you’re looking for a simple, fast-acting solution, or perhaps you don’t want to smoke or eat something, a tincture may be just the solution you need.