Usage Guide: Is There a Difference Between CBD Oil and CBD Tincture?

There is no denying that the CBD industry is booming, with CBD oils taking international markets by storm.

The terms CBD oils and CBD tinctures are often used interchangeably. They have similar health benefits and can both be taken sublingually, as well as added to foods and beverages.

CBD tinctures differ from CBD oils quite a bit, though. Unlike CBD oil, tinctures are alcohol-based. On the other hand, CBD oil is a mixture of cannabidiol and carrier oil, such as hemp seed oil and extra virgin olive oil or MCT (coconut) oil.

CBD oil can be extracted from the hemp plant in several ways. One traditional method is to use an alcohol-based solvent to pull out the CBD of the plant. In this scenario no alcohol should remain in the oil, although it often does. That is why independent testing and Certificates of Analysis are imperative. A cleaner way, more high tech way is to use a CO2 extraction method..

Would you like to learn more?? If so, keep reading! Here, you will find a guide to CBD oil. It will touch upon a few things, ranging from the difference between CBD oil and CBD tinctures to the ways in which you can benefit from using them. Check it out!

What Is a CBD Tincture? 

Technically, CBD tinctures are alcohol-based extracts that are made by soaking plant material, such as hemp flowers, in a solvent. Traditional herbal remedies tend to use high-proof alcohol as a solvent, but tinctures can be made using food-grade plant-based oils, too.

Over a few weeks, the solvent becomes infused with cannabidiol and other cannabinoids from the plant material. When the plant material is strained out, it results in the creation of a potent, ingestible tincture.

It is important to note, that many items that are marketed as CBD Tinctures are technically CBD Oils as these terms are frequently used interchangeably. It is easy to tell the difference by reading the labels. For purity, true CBD oils are preferable to tinctures as there is no alcohol reamining in the product. 

Both CBD oils and CBD tinctures should be stored in airtight containers, such as opaque glass bottles. This It is important, as it will help prevent the cannabinoids in the tincture from degradation, allowing it to retain its properties for longer.

What Is CBD?

CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is one of 113 cannabinoids that can be found in cannabis plants. Unlike THC, which is a well-known component of the cannabis plant, CBD does not have the ability to induce a state of euphoria or get you “high” that is commonly associated with marijuana.

Nevertheless, CBD does have an impact on the endocannabinoid system, which has been implicated in a number of physiological functions, including energy balance and metabolism, as well as thermoregulation, inflammation and sleep.

There is an increasing amount of research on how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, and studies show that it may play a significant role in the alleviation of symptoms for a wide range of health problems, such as anxiety, pain, depression, insomnia, and epilepsy.

Is CBD Legal?

The legal status of cannabidiol in the United States is complex. In general, hemp and hemp-derived products are federally legal as long as their THC content does not exceed 0.3%, but the law varies from state to state.

When it comes to the legality of cannabidiol around the world, it depends. There are countries where CBD is illegal. There are countries that made the legislation surrounding CBD confusing, which makes it difficult for people to grow, produce, and purchase CBD products.

How Do You Use CBD Oils?

You can use CBD oils in a number of ways. The best way to take CBD oil is by placing it under your tongue. If you do not like the taste, do not worry! Nowadays, tinctures are available in a number of different flavors, such as mint, orange vanilla and lemon.

Although far less active ingredient will be absorbed, you can incorporate CBD tinctures into meals and drinks, including fruit juice, ice cream, and sherbet, as well as soups, mashed potatoes, and salad dressings. Generally, you will need to use a lot more CBD to achieve any health benefits if you add it to food.

Additionally, it will take a longer amount of time to feel the effects if you take it in food. If you decide to use it in food or drink, you should feel the effects of the tincture within an hour or two. Whereas if you take the CBD oil sublingually, its effects should be felt within thirty minutes.

What About the Dosage?

In order to be able to enjoy the benefits of CBD oil, you will need to take enough to feel the therapeutic effects. For starters, buy a pure, high-quality oil and follow the instructions on the packaging. A good starting serving size is 1 mg of CBD for 10 pounds of body weight.

If don not feel anything, you should keep experimenting. It is important that you start with a smaller dosage and increase it little by little until you find a dosage that you are satisfied with.

What Are the Benefits of Using CBD Oils orTinctures?

CBD oils have a number of benefits. For starters, they are discrete, easy to use and, most importantly, you can adjust the dosage.

Unlike edible CBD or soft gels, oils and tinctures are equipped with droppers, so you can measure your serving size with precision and decrease or increase it as needed. This is why newer CBD users will often opt for an oil to start as the amount is totally adjustable.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of CBD?

Most people do not experience any side effects. If you take a very high dose, you may experience drowsiness, headaches, stomach upset or changes in appetite. Extremely high doses have been linked in liver damage in rats, but that is with thousands of times the recommended serving size.

Luckily, the World Health Organization says that people tend to tolerate CBD just fine. If someone does end up dealing with side effects, the side effects are generally mild and easy to manage. You cannot overdose on CBD, your body naturally makes cannabinoids and so it can easily metabolize the excess plant cannabanoids.

CBD and Other Medications

CBD does have the potential to interact with other medications. For instance, taking CBD with medications that cause sleepiness, such as benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antihistamines, and opioids, may  lead to increased drowsiness.

If you are unsure, talk with your health care provider.

How Can You Find High-Quality CBD Oils?

The CBD industry is in full swing, which means that hundreds of different products with added cannabidiol are flooding the market. Unfortunately, such a large number of products to choose from might cause you to become frustrated and confused. 

The most important thing is to ensure you are buying a high-quality product with verifiable, independent laboratory testing and certificates of analysis (COA).

The certificate of analysis contains plenty of useful information that you should familiarize yourself with. It shows the content of CBD, THC, other minor cannabinoids, and terpenes, as well as results of safety tests for pesticides, heavy metals, molds, and microbes. It is equally as important to see what is not in the oil as the levels of cannabinoids it contains. Industrial Hemp is often used in bioremediation as it has the ability to clean the soil by drawing out unwanted chemicals and substances

Certificates of analysis should be easy to find. Reputable CBD sellers will make the COA’s available on their website. Likewise, search for a product where you can scan a QR code on the packaging and it pulls up lab results.

Here is a list of other things that you should pay close attention to when purchasing CBD oils

• The source of CBD. Is it truly organic? Where did the cannabidiol used to make the tinctures or oils come from? Was it extracted from organically grown hemp? Does it contain the USDA certified organic seal on the label? Was that hemp grown in the United States?
  
  
• The flavor.  Some people enjoy the natural flavor but many people prefer a suble flavor to mask the earthy taste. You have quite a few flavors available on the market, including lemon, mint, chocolate, and orange. It is up to you to decide which one suits your preferences best!
  
  
• The packaging. You should avoid tinctures or oils sold in plastic containers, as plastic can break down over time and contaminate the tincture. Go for opaque glass containers instead!
  
  
• The reviews. If your chosen tincture is not highly recommended by previous customers, you might want to look for a different one.

• The extraction method. Was it extracted using high-tech CO2 method or using harsh solvents like butane?

Other Ways to Use CBD

If you are not a fan of CBD oil or tinctures, do not worry! You have a wide range of CBD products to choose from, including soft gels, edibles, vaporizers, and topicals.

• CBD edibles come in different forms, ranging from teas to gummies and chocolate. Eating such edibles is a safe and tasty way to reap the benefits of cannabidiol!
  
  
• CBD vaporizers can be used to inhale CBD extracts. Unfortunately, it does come with added risks, including lung damage.
  
  
• CBD soft gels are a quick and easy way to use CBD. Regular users often opt for soft gels. Especially if they are made with nano-emulsified CBD. This means the CBD is water soluble so more can be absorbed by the body. Studies have shown nana-emulsified CBD to be up to 4 times more bioavailable than traditional tinctures and oils making it a great alternative.
  
  
• CBD topicals are meant to be massaged into the skin. Your body does have many CBD receptors in the skin. Topicals are particularly useful for people who are dealing with muscle pain and joint pain. But not enough CBD will be absorbed to pass the blood brain barrier, so it is not a good choice for anxiety, sleep or other neurological effects
  
  
• CBD patches are transdermal patches that were infused with cannabidiol. More will be absorbed than with a one-time topical use and it is distributed over a longer period of time but likely not as effective as a product taken internally.

How to Use CBD Oil and Tincture?

To sum up, CBD oils and tinctures are easy to use and offer plenty of health benefits, such as better sleep and reduced anxiety. However, you have plenty of other CBD products to choose from. It is up to you to decide which one you like best.

If you do not know what kind of CBD product is best for you, do not be afraid to experiment or speak with a reputable seller! For instance, you can buy from different brands, look for unique flavors, and check out products of varying strengths.