Cannabis tinctures have been around for quite some time. Even before introducing other cannabis product formulations like weed edibles, vape oils, and topicals, marijuana goods were mainly available as tinctures and pre-rolls.
But while cannabis tinctures have been around for years, it’s interesting to note that many marijuana users still do not understand what these products constitute, their potential health benefits, and even side effects. If you’re actively seeking information on cannabis tinctures, you’ve come to the right place.
Below is a comprehensive guide to tinctures of cannabis.
What Are Cannabis Tinctures?
Cannabis tinctures are formulated with two main ingredients – a therapeutic cannabis-derived compound (also known as a cannabinoid) and alcohol. These products usually include a high-proof alcohol solution for steeping the marijuana plant extracts.
In addition to the two main ingredients, cannabis tinctures may include terpenes. Terpenes are compounds that give cannabinoids their unique tastes and flavors. Common terpenes in marijuana include myrcene, caryophyllene, linalool, and pinene.
Weed tinctures also typically contain additives. The additives mainly constitute artificial flavorings and preservatives.
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Are Cannabis Tinctures Same as Cannabis Oil?
The terms ‘cannabis tincture’ and ‘cannabis oil’ are normally used interchangeably. However, these phrases do not denote the same thing.
The primary difference between cannabis tincture and cannabis oil lies in the main ingredients in these products.
While both contain cannabis extracts, tinctures are usually formulated with a high-proof alcohol solution, whereas cannabis oils typically contain a carrier oil.
What Cannabinoids Do Cannabis Tinctures Contain?
We’ve already alluded to the fact that marijuana tinctures usually contain therapeutically beneficial compounds known as cannabinoids. But you could be wondering what these compounds are all about.
Now, there are more than 130 cannabinoids in marijuana. The most popular ones are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Other lesser-known cannabinoids include cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN).
Cannabis tinctures get their distinctive names from the main cannabinoids in them. For instance, CBD tinctures and THC tinctures are formulated with cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol, respectively. You can read more on THC tinctures here if you’re interested in how tetrahydrocannabinol tinctures interact with the human body.
What Are the Health Benefits of Cannabis Tinctures?
Since cannabis tinctures contain specific cannabinoids as their primary ingredient, the health benefits of these products are pretty much similar to those of cannabis as a whole.
Cannabis is widely touted as a potential remedy for numerous common ailments. Extracts from the plant are mainly prescribed for pain relief. Marijuana cannabinoids treat pain by desensitizing receptors involved in pain transmission.
Cannabis tinctures may also ease inflammation. The products fight inflammation by reducing the body’s sensitivity to inflammatory markers, such as protein cytokines and chemokines.
Other medical problems that you may treat or manage using cannabis tinctures include;
- Nausea and appetite loss
- Sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea
- Metabolic disorders like diabetes
- Psychiatric problems like bipolar disorder
- Neurological issues like epileptic seizures
- Sexual performance issues like erectile dysfunction (ED)
How Do You Consume Cannabis Tinctures?
The best way to consume cannabis tinctures is to drip the liquid underneath your tongue. This consumption method is known as sublingual administration.
Consuming marijuana tinctures sublingually offers several health benefits. First, it comes with a faster onset time. That’s because the specific cannabinoids in the tinctures get to your bloodstream via the sublingual glands. For comparison, cannabis tinctures can take effect in as few as 10 minutes, while edibles may need up to three hours to kick in.
Weed tinctures are also reasonably easy to administer. All you need is a calibrated dropper to measure your dosages. Other cannabis formulations like vape oils may require more advanced paraphernalia and a bit of a learning curve.
Will Cannabis Tinctures Get You High?
A frequently asked question by many aspiring cannabis users is – will marijuana get me high? The answer to this question can be yes or no. It all depends on the active cannabinoids in a cannabis tincture. For instance, THC tinctures will get you high, while CBD tinctures won’t.
The best way to determine whether cannabis tinctures will get you high is to keep your eyes out for the following terms on the product label – ‘isolates,’ ‘broad-spectrum,’ and ‘full-spectrum.’
Cannabis isolates contain one cannabinoid as the only active ingredient. Most cannabinoids preceded with the prefix CB- are non-psychoactive, hence won’t get you high. Examples of such cannabinoids include CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBC. On the other hand, any cannabinoid preceded with the prefix TH- contains mind-altering properties. THC is a notable mention here.
The term ‘broad-spectrum’ is commonly applied for cannabis tinctures formulated with all non-psychoactive cannabinoids.
Lastly, full-spectrum cannabis tinctures usually include significant potencies of both psychoactive and non-psychoactive cannabinoids. Such compounds will surely get you high.
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Do Cannabis Tinctures Have Side Effects?
All cannabis products can trigger various adverse events if improperly administered, including dry mouth, nausea, drowsiness, and irritability.
Improper administration constitutes two things – using cannabis tinctures for the wrong purpose and consuming more of these products than your appropriate doses.
While marijuana may treat numerous ailments, it’s important to remember that the herb is not a magic pill for all diseases.
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Wrap Up
There’s a lot to know about cannabis tinctures. We hope this article provided you with all the information you need on marijuana tinctures before you go shopping for these products.
