If you’ve been to an alternative health or cannabis shop in a state where CBD or THC is legal, you’ve probably encountered a few different types of CBD. You could get an oil, tincture, edible, vape liquid, joint, and plenty of other items. But what is the difference between an oil and a tincture? Isn’t a tincture an oil? Is there a utility difference? Which CBD product is right for me? This is what we will be answering in the next few sections.
What is CBD?
It is common knowledge that CBD is a single part of a diverse extract from the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant, when processed like other veggies or herbs, produces over 100+ different cannabinoids. These cannabinoids are the main component of the cannabis plant extract, about 40% that can be used for health or medicinal or fun purposes. The main two chemical constituents are THC followed by CBD, otherwise known as cannabidiol .
However, THC is not CBD. They are variations on the same thing and have similar effects on the human body but produce different results. THC is your standard “pot” that produces the associated high that is traditionally sought after when smoking cannabis. CBD is the cannabinoid cousin to THC that produces similar homeostatic benefits but doesn’t result in the same THC “high.”
The US Farm Bill of 2018 allowed for states with enforced regulatory programs to grow hemp plants legally. Hemp is a cannabis plant variety that contains all of the standard cannabinoids but only up to 0.3% THC. Hemp is the primary stock for CBD production. Most likely the CBD only products you see in the stores is a hemp derivative. CBD oils are available at dispensaries, like these weed shops in California .
Is CBD Better Than THC?
When you go shopping, what you buy matters. Some of the higher quality products may have CBD only or a measure ratio of CBD to THC. This could be a 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, etc. What the ratio means is that for every 1 mg of TCH, there are 2 mg of CBD or whatever the stated ratio is. This allows you to gage how much of a THC high you want while still focusing on the CBD primary benefits.
In recent journals there have been no studies that indicate that CBD is an addictive supplement. Rather, studies have shown that when you focus on quality ingredients and positive experiences, CBD can be a benefit to any healthy lifestyle. The commonly associated benefits with CBD usage are the following:
- Help deal with chronic pains including muscle sores and headaches
- Help deal with emotional and mental pains including depression, anxiety, and stress
- Help deal with the symptoms of cancer and the effects of the cancer medications
What is a CBD Oil?
CBD oils are usually developed via a supercritical CO2 extraction process. This creates a highly pure and very clean product. This CBD isolate, though, is expensive because it is more potent than CBD tincture and can be used for a variety of activities. The CBD isolate is suspended in an oil and then sold. The CBD is inert in the oils and stays effective until it is digested.
CBD oils can be used in a variety of applications. Oils can be used in foods, liquids, or taken under the tongue like a tincture. They can also be used in vape pens in certain applications. However, the negatives are that there could be a plant taste from the oil that is stronger than in the tincture and they tend to be more expensive than tincture, on average.
What is a CBD Tincture?
Tinctures are created via an extraction method. Think of how vanilla is created as a comparable. The hemp or cannabis plant is soaked in an alcohol mixture for a set amount of time. The resulting product is filtered to exclude the bitter plant material from the final product. Tinctures are flavored with different products to make them more palatable and useful in cooking.
Often you will find peppermint or other nicer flavored tinctures as compared to CBD oils. CBD tinctures are generally less expensive but are not as pure as CBD oils created via the CO2 process. They are mainly used for under the tongue and additions to food and drink, both because of the special flavors and lack of “plant” taste of the oil.
Which One Should I Buy?
CBD oils and CBD tinctures are highly similar. You can buy both easily with just a click for CBD products online. Which one you should buy is a personal choice based on your needs and wants. First, you should know what your uses of the CBD extract will be. CBD oils and CBD tinctures can be used slightly different based on their components. Second, which ever type you pick, make sure the manufacturer is of the highest trustworthiness and the products are of quality design and type. Your seller should be able to help you through the process to understand your needs and recommend either a tincture for the added flavor or an oil for the potency and purity.
How Much CBD Should I Take?
When you are looking at the CBD oils and tinctures, you may think: Well, how much do I need and how much should I take? This is a highly personal question and isn’t easily answered via a math problem or a recommended dosage. Instead, what one can say is that there is a back of the hand guide to give the less experienced a starting point with CBD dosage amounts. Here is a quick list of the starting points based on body weight and issues.
- If you are under 150 lbs. 12 to 18 mg per day
- If you are between 151 lbs. and 240 lbs. 18 to 27 mg per day
- If you are over 240 lbs. 22 to 45 mg per day
The main point here is that you need to take it slow if you are just starting out. Buy an oil or tincture that is of high quality and start out small and ramp up as need. You will know that you have reached your needed limit because you will start to feel a change in your issues.
