CBD Tinctures: 5 Things Every Consumer Should Know

With more research conducted on CBD and its rising popularity, it is natural to be curious about CBD tinctures as this form is one of the most popular ways to consume CBD. Before consuming or even buying CBD tinctures, however, there are a few things you should know about them. 

1. What CBD Is

It should go without saying that if you plan to consume CBD tinctures, you should know what CBD is in the first place. CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, one of the most common cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant. As a cannabinoid, CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system to deliver various effects. 

It Is Not Psychoactive

It is also important to understand that CBD is not psychoactive. The psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana is the other major one, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. As long as you choose a CBD tincture that is THC-free, you will not experience any psychoactive effects from consuming it.

It Is Legal

Understand that CBD tinctures are legal since CBD is legal. Even in many states where THC or marijuana is not legal, CBD is allowed due to its lack of psychoactive effects. The United States is the perfect example as CBD is legal at the federal level, but cannabis is not. The important caveat here is that to be legal in all areas, CBD tincture must be made from hemp and contain less than 0.3 percent THC. 

It Will Not Show up on Drug Tests 

Because CBD is legal and not psychoactive, it is not the element that most drug tests look for when checking for marijuana. Those tests look for THC and related compounds. As such, even if you take CBD, you should still pass a drug test. As with legality, the caveat is THC content. Most CBD tinctures will have less than 0.3 percent THC, but there is still a small chance that this small quantity will show up on a drug test. If you need to pass a drug test, always opt for THC-free tinctures.

2. What They Are and How They Are Different From CBD Oil

To start, you should have a clear understanding of what a CBD tincture is and how it is different from CBD oil, which is another popular form of CBD. Tinctures are created by using water and alcohol to extract compounds in the cannabis plant. Other solvents may also be used instead of alcohol. 

CBD Tincture Vs. Oil

It is also important to know that CBD tinctures and oils are not the same thing. Tinctures do not involve any carrier oil. In contrast, CBD oil involves infusing extracts from the marijuana plant in a carrier oil. Common carrier oils include coconut, hemp seed, and olive. 

3. They Are Highly Concentrated

It is crucial that you understand how concentrated tinctures are. These are among the more concentrated forms of CBD that you may consume, which means that you need to take small doses only. Going back to the comparison of CBD tinctures versus oil, remember that there is no carrier oil involved, just the extract. The carrier oil in CBD oil makes that version of cannabidiol less concentrated than tinctures. 

So You Need a Small Dose

Since you know that CBD tinctures will be highly concentrated, you should understand that you do not need to take much of a tincture to get the desired effects. Pay close attention to the concentration and dosing information on your chosen tincture as the concentration can vary. Overall, expect it to be much more potent than CBD oil, so you will not need to consume as much liquid. 

To make getting those small doses easy, most tinctures come in bottles with droppers built into the caps or included. This lets you get the tiny dose you need with ease. 

4. How to Use a CBD Tincture

When it comes to taking CBD tinctures, the key is to remember that you only need a very small dose due to the high concentration. The simplest way to consume a tincture is to use the included dropper to place a few drops under your tongue and wait for your body to absorb them. Experts believe that this method makes it easiest for your body to make use of the cannabinoids. 

If you prefer, you can add tinctures to liquids or food. Just mix the drops in thoroughly and drink or consume your beverage or food normally. This tends to be easier with drinks than food, but either way is possible. 

5. How to Buy Reputable Products

Not all of the CBD tinctures on the market are created equally, and there is not much regulation in the industry. As such, consumers need to do their own research on products to ensure they buy a product that is safe and contains the ingredients it claims to have. 

Look for Certificates of Analysis

Because of the lack of regulation, the best companies selling CBD tinctures will offer Certificates of Analysis, which show third-party lab testing. These certificates show that the tincture contains the amount of CBD that it claims instead of more or less, which is a common issue. The certificates can also confirm that there is no THC or how much THC is present and that the tincture does not have any contaminants or other harmful ingredients. Depending on how the hemp was grown, the product could potentially contain heavy metals or contaminants from the soil, which you want to avoid. 

Research the Company

If you are only willing to do one thing while shopping for tinctures, look for that Certificate of Analysis or some form of independent lab testing. Ideally, you should also take a few minutes to look into the company and what other consumers say about it. Make sure the hemp used to create the CBD tinctures comes from a reputable source. Read reviews from past customers to confirm that the products arrive in a timely manner and are as claimed. 

With your new knowledge regarding CBD tinctures, you are ready to go out and find a tincture to try.