The experience of using marijuana is different for each user. While flowers remain the most common way of consuming cannabis, a range of more convenient, efficient, and discrete solutions exist today. One of the most popular ones is cannabis tinctures.
Estimates show over 2.5% of the world’s population uses cannabis on a regular basis. In the US alone, there are nearly 5.5 million medical marijuana users. As researchers continue to discover the benefits of cannabis, these figures are expected to increase.
Learn how to use cannabis tinctures for the best results and benefits below.
What Are Cannabis Tinctures?
A Brief History
People have used herbal tinctures in traditional and modern medicine for centuries because of their precise dosage and effectiveness.
Cannabis-infused extracts were the most popular way for patients to consume cannabis in the early 20th century before Prohibition. They even appeared in the US Pharmacopeia as a recommended treatment for a range of ailments.
Where Do Cannabis-infused Tinctures Come from?
Soaking the cannabis flower in a high-proof, alcohol-based solvent creates tinctures. The extraction process separates the natural compounds (such as terpenes and cannabinoids).
Other ingredients might be added to improve the taste of bitter tinctures, including vegetable glycerine and sweeteners. You can find many unique tincture flavors, such as Remedy’s Honey Cinnamon Tincture.
The Benefits of Using Tinctures
For today’s cannabis users, cannabis-infused tinctures are the go-to alternative for cannabis consumption for several reasons:
- Tinctures offer precise dosages. When using flowers or edibles, it can be challenging to gauge the amount of cannabis you’re consuming. This can make the benefits and the overall cannabis experience unpredictable and inconsistent. Tinctures come with a precise dropper, allowing users to measure the exact dosage and THC to CBD ratio.
- It’s convenient and discreet. Tinctures eliminate the need to carry around flowers and smoking equipment. Since they come in sealed bottles, tinctures are also odorless and subtle.
- Tinctures are fast-acting and suitable for everyone. Tinctures take effect much faster than flowers or other cannabis products. They are also a lower-calorie alternative to edibles, so they help those looking after their weight.
How to Use Cannabis Tinctures
Cannabis tinctures are often associated with their popular counterpart: cannabis oils. However, the two are slightly different, and it is important to understand how to make the most of tinctures.
Choosing the Right Tincture
The first step is to choose the right tincture for your needs. Depending on the tincture you choose, you will be balancing different amounts of CBD and THC and, thus, experiencing different effects.
For example, Remedy’s Antidote CBD Tincture 20:1 offers 205m of CBD and 10mg of THC. This ratio makes it perfect for users looking to relieve chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, migraines, and inflammation without dealing with the “high” commonly associated with high levels of THC.
Doing your research and working with a professional can help you understand the different effects to expect from each THC-CBD combination.
Start with Low Dosages
Once you have found a tincture that fits your expectations, look at dosages. Since tinctures are highly concentrated, the dosage you opt for will make all the difference in the effects you experience.
Look at dosages once you have found a tincture that fits your expectations. Since tinctures are highly concentrated, the dosage you opt for will make all the difference in the effects you experience.
Unfortunately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” formula to find the proper dosage for your needs. That is why it is recommended users start with a low dose of 2.5 mg (as shown by a marker on the dropper).
Keep in mind that the optimal starting dose can be as low as 0.125 mg, depending on factors. Those factors include:
- Your conditions
- The tincture’s THC to CBD ratio
- Your tolerance level and experience
- Your weight
You can then start increasing your dosage from your base level until you obtain the desired effects.
Place the Drops Under Your Tongue
There are multiple ways to use cannabis tinctures, but the most common ones are orally or sublingually (under the tongue).
- Oral consumption. When used orally, you will swallow the entire dose immediately.
- Sublingual consumption. Load the dropper with the desired amount of tincture, then drop the liquid on the area under the tongue. Keeping the tincture in this area is important for 1-3 minutes. After that time, you might have some liquid left, which you can swallow.
How Long wll the Effects Last?
It is important to note when used under the tongue, the membranes inside your mouth absorb the tinctures and enter the bloodstream immediately. The tincture will take effect within 30 minutes and can last up to 3 hours.
When taken orally, it will take longer for the tincture to work (up to 1-2 hours), but the effect can last 5-6 hours.
Another Way to Use Tinctures
Alternatively, if you are not comfortable with tincture taste, you might consider adding them to your food or non-alcoholic drinks. You can even combine them with your edibles!
Consult an Expert
If you are new to cannabis products and CBD tinctures, it is essential to partner with an expert. You can work with your local dispensaries to find the right dosage, products, and consumption options for your desired benefits and effects.