CBD Tinctures

CBD Tinctures: Getting to the Essence

Table of contents

• Summary
• What is CBD (Cannabidiol)?
• What is a CBD Tincture?
• CBD Oil vs CBD Tinctures: How to Tell Them Apart
• What is CBD Good For?
• How to Use Your CBD Tincture (and Store it the Right Way)
• The Bottom Line
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Summary

What is CBD (Cannabidiol)?

Cannabidiol (or CBD, for short) is a unique cannabis compound - or ‘cannabinoid’ if you want to get technical. It’s a hidden gem found inside the leaves, stems, and flowers of most cannabis plants. Over the past few years, CBD has made other supplements green with envy due to its trendy reputation and potential wellbeing benefits. Some people even call it the “calm compound”. In this text, we’ll review some of the possibilities that might inspire you to incorporate CBD as part of your healthy lifestyle. First things first, let’s learn more about what CBD is and how it might work.

CBD vs “Marijuana”

While World Health Organisation (WHO) experts indicate that pure CBD is a relatively safe and non-intoxicating substance, it’s common knowledge that “marijuana” is a controlled substance in many countries. Most scientists suggest that consuming excessive amounts of a psychoactive compound called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can result in mood-altering and habit-forming effects.

It’s essential to recognise that CBD is not “marijuana”. Instead, it is a non-euphoric substance extracted from cannabis plants (most commonly the hemp subspecies). While studies and debates surrounding medical marijuana are fascinating, this article will focus on CBD and its potential to impact your sense of wellbeing.

Without further ado, let’s get to the essence of CBD tinctures.

What is a CBD Tincture?

As you may know, a tincture is an infused fluid that suspends a plant extract in a preserving agent such as alcohol or vegetable glycerin. Historians trace the origins of herbal tinctures all the way back to ancient Egypt (when the practice of distilling alcohol became popular). Here, people discovered that they could extend the shelf life of coveted plants by soaking them in alcohol for prolonged periods. Still to this day, tinctures are a staple part of the herbal supplement world.

All in all, CBD tinctures are a new take on a traditional preservation method.

How Are CBD Tinctures Made?

Manufacturers create CBD tinctures by submerging crushed (hemp material in a solution. Over time, this fluid begins to chemically extract the plant molecules trapped within hemp - including CBD, other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. This extraction process generally takes place in a dark storage space to prevent sun damage and optimise chemical activity.

After the plant molecules have been transferred from the hemp matter to the solution, manufacturers strain the mixture to remove any plant pulp. Depending on their preferences, developers may distil the tincture to adjust its chemical profile (by removing THC, for example). Substances such as essential oils and natural flavouring agents may also be added to make the CBD tincture smoother and more palatable.

In the end, the CBD tincture is bottled up and ready to use. So, how does this type of CBD product compare with substances such as CBD oil?

CBD Oil vs CBD Tinctures: How to Tell Them Apart

CBD oils and tinctures are often presented in near-identical packaging: a tinted-glass bottle with a dropper for precise dosage. The ‘sublingual’ consumption method is another factor that CBD oils and tinctures have in common - as both products are designed to make contact with the membranes under your tongue. Given these similarities, it can be challenging to tell them apart.

Here are some of the key differences between CBD oils and tinctures:

CBD oil involves a different method of CBD extraction. While tinctures extract cannabidiol molecules via a natural soaking process, CBD oil is made by assembling base oils (such as hemp seed oil) and CBD extract. Generally, the hemp compounds in CBD oil are obtained via supercritical CO2 extraction - an intricate separation technique.

CBD oils and tinctures have distinct textures and tastes. If you have used CBD oil before, you’ll know that it has a silky, fairly dense consistency that can leave an ‘earthy’ aftertaste in your mouth. The type of base oil that manufacturers use may also impact the flavour. On the other hand, CBD tinctures tend to have a lighter and more discreet texture (especially if they contain alcohol). If your tincture contains vegetable glycerin, it might have a note of sweetness. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that developers often add natural flavouring agents to oils and tinctures alike.

CBD tinctures may potentially be less potent than CBD oil. While CBD oil contains pre-measured concentrations of CBD extract, tinctures typically feature an array of other substances. As a result, CBD tinctures tend to have less cannabidiol per product.

An important note: Sometimes, the boundary lines between CBD oils and tinctures are a bit blurry as far as marketing is concerned. On some occasions, brands might use these terms interchangeably. As a result, it’s always best to review the ingredients list on your chosen CBD product. If alcohol or vegetable glycerin are featured heavily, you can rest assured that it is a tincture in the technical sense.

Now that we’ve covered some CBD tincture basics, let’s expand the discussion by exploring some of the possibilities that might motivate you to use CBD.

What is CBD Good For?

If you ask CBD users to share their favourite anecdotes, you’ll probably hear some self-perceived success stories - such as Emma’s experience using CBD to help her sleep. As inspiring as these personal testimonials may sound, it’s also vital that we take some time to review the objective evidence. Can CBD impact some of the common discomforts and annoying symptoms that prevent us from feeling our best?

Let’s take a whistle-stop tour of some iconic CBD studies:

CBD for Anxiety and Stress Symptoms

In a study by M M Bergamaschi and others, 24 adults suffering from social anxiety were given either a dose of CBD or a placebo while preparing for a public speaking exercise. The researchers measured the participants’ anxiety levels by observing their behavioural symptoms, physiological stress markers and personal feedback.

Interestingly, the individuals who consumed CBD in the 90 minutes before speaking claimed to feel more comfortable and relaxed during their presentations. They spoke with fewer unplanned pauses or moments of confusion and appeared less agitated than the participants who had received placebos. This trial suggests that CBD may potentially help to reduce some symptoms of anxiety and stress.

Emerging evidence from other sources suggests that cannabidiol might possibly:

• Impact some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Influence your self-perceived sense of calm and relaxation
• Affect some behavioural signs of anxiety (such as shaking and muscle tension)
• Influencing your average heart rate

CBD for Pain and Inflammation Symptoms

Inflammation is a natural part of your immune response that kicks in when your body is under threat - most commonly through injuries or invading cells. Sometimes, inflammation presents no apparent symptoms. Other times, it manifests in signs such as redness, swelling, and a sensation that many of us dread: pain. Why does inflammation cause pain? The most straightforward explanation relates to your nerves and how they respond to pressure.

When parts of your body become swollen after an injury, areas that would be compact under normal circumstances are suddenly filled with additional fluids - including blood. As these fluids expand, your nerves can become temporarily ‘squashed’ in the process and respond by sending alert signals to your brain (i.e. pain).

So, can CBD impact broader symptoms of pain and inflammation?

According to preliminary research - such as this study by S Berstein - CBD may potentially:

• Influence the natural inflammation and pain responses that your ECS regulates
• Reduce some symptoms of pain and your self-assessed pain tolerance
• Impact some signs of post-exercise muscle soreness
• Affect some symptoms of chronic pain, headaches, and migraines

CBD for Sleep

While insomnia can occur in isolation, a lack of sleep can sometimes be a side effect of anxiety and other mood disorders. As part of a 2019 study investigating CBD and rest, 103 participants with disturbed sleep and anxiety symptoms consumed cannabidiol and shared their feedback monthly. Within this trial, almost 70% of the final sample group said their sleep had noticeably improved during their first month of taking CBD.

Other studies on the theme of CBD and sleep explore further possibilities, such as:

• Whether cannabidiol may help you to fall asleep quicker
• Using CBD to influence some symptoms of nightmares and other disturbances
• Experimenting with CBD for daytime drowsiness

As research continues to expand, CBD is not a topic to fall asleep on!

But Wait...There’s More

Depending on the type of CBD extract you choose, your hemp-based product might also contain other potentially beneficial plant compounds. In the case of full-spectrum CBD, these substances may include additional cannabinoids (such as CBC and trace amounts of THC), terpenes (aromatic compounds), and flavonoids (possible antioxidants). Some researchers suggest that these natural hemp molecules might synergistically work together, which is known as the “entourage effect”.

It’s also helpful to keep in mind that other hemp-derived products - such as omega-rich hemp seed oil and high-protein hemp seeds - may also help you feel your best (as part of a balanced diet).

How to Use Your CBD Tincture (And Store It The Right Way)

If you’ve ever used CBD oil before, you should find it very straightforward to consume CBD via tincture. To use your CBD tincture, it’s simply a case of depositing one or two drops under your tongue and holding them in place for up to 60 seconds before swallowing. This technique is known as the ‘sublingual’ method and may potentially be a quick and convenient way to explore the possibilities of CBD absorption. Ideally, you might even begin to notice some potential CBD effects within 15 minutes!

As far as storage is concerned, it’s wise to store your CBD tincture in a cool space that’s shielded from direct sunlight. The botanical compounds in CBD extract may become damaged with excess exposure to heat or light. For this reason, many people store CBD tinctures in their refrigerators. If you choose to follow suit, it’s essential to make sure that your CBD product stays out of the reach of children.

The Bottom Line

While herbal tinctures have been popular for centuries, CBD tinctures represent a fresh take on a tried-and-tested preservation method. Typically, they are made through a soaking process that aims to transfer hemp molecules into an alcohol-based solution. CBD tinctures do not have the same dense oil content as products such as CBD oil, which may impact their potential potency. However, tinctures are a straightforward way to consume cannabidiol - a hemp-derived compound with some impressive potential wellbeing benefits.