What Is a CBD Tincture: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Long gone are the days where a joint or a brownie were your only option for enjoying the many beneficial effects of cannabinoids. Today’s world of modern cannabis features many different products and methods of consumption that make consuming cannabis much simpler and more convenient. 

One of these products is tinctures. CBD tinctures are simple to use, easy to carry, discreet, and effective.

What Is CBD Tincture?

The terms CBD tincture and CBD oil are often used interchangeably. But technically, CBD tincture and CBD oil are different when it comes to their contents and the way they are made. 

CBD oils mix CBD with a carrier oil like MCT oil, grapeseed oil, or olive oil to create an oily CBD solution. On the other hand, CBD tinctures can be alcohol-based extracts made using high-proof alcohol. As a result, tinctures typically contain 60%-70% alcohol content, which makes their contents easier to absorb by membranes in the mouth. Alternatively, some tinctures are made with oil.

But because the two terms have become interchangeable, it's important to look closely at your product’s label in order to figure out what exactly your CBD tincture is made from. Here at Papa & Barkley, our tinctures are actually made with oil, since we believe leaving alcohol or any other harsh solvents and chemicals out of the equation is a good thing. 

CBD Tincture Uses: How To Use A CBD Tincture

When it comes to CBD tincture use, there are several ways to make the most of tinctures. The most popular ways to use them is by applying them sublingually, swallowing them, or adding them to other liquids or foods. 

When applied sublingually, tinctures are absorbed through membranes under the tongue and on the insides of the cheeks, from where they are carried into the bloodstream. When applying a tincture sublingually, its effects can typically be felt within 30–60 minutes and can last for several hours. However, some people may feel the effects of sublingual tincture much more quickly.

When swallowed, the tincture works kind of like an edible. It’s absorbed through the stomach and is slowly processed, leading to longer-lasting effects, but also coming with a longer onset time. When used in this way, the effects of a CBD tincture can take anywhere from 1–2 hours to kick in, but can also last for as long as 6–8 hours. If you’re looking for long-lasting therapeutic benefits, then swallowing your tincture may be a better option than dosing it sublingually.

CBD tinctures can also be added to other liquids or even liquid-based foods. Just load up the dropper and squirt some tincture into coffee, juice, soda, pudding, or yogurt, to give it some extra flavor and infuse it with CBD. 

CBD Tincture Benefits

There are several benefits to using tinctures instead of other kinds of CBD products. 

One of the biggest CBD tincture benefits is ease of use. Loading up a dropper and depositing it into your mouth or into something else is quick and easy. This ease of use also makes tinctures very discreet and can protect your privacy if you are trying to hide the fact that you are medicating with cannabis in the first place. 

Additionally, the flexibility of use is also appealing to many people. Being able to choose between applying it under your tongue for quicker onset, or swallowing it for longer-lasting effects, means that CBD tinctures are more versatile and flexible than other products. 

CBD Tincture Dosage

But finding the perfect CBD tincture dosage for your needs can be tricky. It's generally agreed that your ideal CBD tincture dosage will depend on the potency of the tincture you are using, the effects you wish to experience, your weight, and your body chemistry.

The potency of your tincture is the most important factor when figuring out your CBD tincture dosage because it determines just how much CBD you are actually ingesting. Using a tincture that has a higher CBD/mL ratio will mean that you need to take less of it in order to get the same effects as you would from one with a lower ratio. 

Additionally, it's important to remember that some of CBD’s effects are more pronounced at higher dosages. For example, the more CBD you ingest, the more likely you are to experience its relaxing properties. If those are the effects that you’re looking for, then a higher dosage may be required. 

Moreover, your weight will also affect how much CBD you might need to ingest. Heavier people will likely need more CBD in order to feel their desired effects than lighter people. 

Lastly, it's important to acknowledge that everybody is different and your body may process CBD somewhat differently than someone else's. That’s why prior experience with dosing CBD is also important when figuring out your ideal CBD tincture dosage. Experimenting with different doses is crucial to finding the perfect one for you and your situation. Just don’t forget to go slow when moving up to a higher dosage. Remember that the goal is to find the lowest possible dosage that can give you the effects you want, so as not to waste any CBD.