CBD oil tinctures are an “O.G.”, traditional method for ingesting CBD. With the popularity of CBD gaining so much steam over the past years, it’s no surprise that the industry now offers numerous CBD delivery methods to consumers. But many cannabidiol enthusiasts still choose to use tinctures to get their daily dosage.
We’re going to go over what you may need to know in order to decide if tinctures, instead of softgels, gummies or topicals, for instance, are your most successful path to CBD wellness.
What is a tincture?
A tincture is a liquid — usually an oil or an alcohol base — which has been infused with CBD oil. Tinctures are taken orally through the mouth. If you decide to use CBD with this method, the CBD in the tincture can be absorbed pretty easily.
I see there are different strengths of tinctures. What does that mean?
If you’ve personally shopped for CBD tinctures you’ve undoubtedly been overwhelmed by the number of options available. Not only are there hundreds of companies to purchase from but there are also various bottle sizes and strengths to choose from.
NOTE: by “strength” we mean potency.
How exactly do you determine the strength of a CBD product you might be interested in? The process is typically pretty straightforward. Read the label of the product to see how much CBD it contains. Most product labels make it easy. They clearly state how many milligrams of CBD are in the bottle, as well as how many milligrams are contained in each 1ml serving size.
Here’s an example:
Take two different 30ml (one ounce!) bottles of CBD oil tinctures, for example. One bottle contains 900mg CBD, while the other contains 450mg CBD. The stronger tincture would be the bottle that contains 900mg CBD. The 1000mg bottle contains twice the CBD per 30ml as the 450mg bottle, meaning you’d have to take twice the serving size of the 450
mg bottle to achieve the same effects.
Take two different 30ml (one ounce!) bottles of CBD oil tinctures, for example. One bottle contains 900mg CBD, while the other contains 450mg CBD. The stronger tincture would be the bottle that contains 900mg CBD. The 1000mg bottle contains twice the CBD per 30ml as the 450mg bottle, meaning you’d have to take twice the serving size of the 450CBD oil is available in an variety of different strengths and can range from 100mg all the way up to 6000mg or more. The lower the milliGRAM count per milliLETER (emphasis intended!), the lower the strength of the oil.
Why Does CBD Oil Strength Matter?
CBD oil strength influences the effectiveness of a product—the ability the product has to produce an intended or desired result. Higher CBD strengths can lead to increased effects.
Bioavailability of CBD Tinctures
Not all methods for using CBD are equal. Their effectiveness depends not only on the method of consumption and the ingredients in the product but also on the bioavailability of the CBD afforded by each method.
The bioavailability of any active compound is the percentage of a given serving that ends up being available for your body to use. A bioavailability of 100% would signify that 100% of the CBD in the product is available to your body. The only way to achieve 100% bioavailability is through intravenous administration — meaning injection directly into the bloodstream. NOT recommended, obviously!
It is generally assumed that the bioavailability of CBD in tinctures is twice that of edibles (like gummies, for instance) and is anywhere from 10 to 40%.
How Long Does CBD Oil Take to Take Effect?
There are several important factors that come into play when determining the time to take effect when it comes to various methods of using CBD oil. Some of these variables are related to CBD itself, and others are related to how the human body reacts to CBD.
Because of unique genetics, no two people react to CBD oil in the same way. Furthermore, factors such as age, health, weight, circulation, and metabolism can all affect the timing of the effects of CBD oil.
But how do I choose the best tincture for me?
We’re making it sound as if it’s different for all different people, right? Well, that’s actually the truth. That’s why it’s important to take your time when determining the perfect amount, strength and delivery method for you. Here are some tips for getting to that “sweet spot”:
Stick With One Product
It’s a good idea to put some thought into which CBD product you’re going to use and stick with that product for a while. This allows you to gauge the effects of that particular product. If you switch back and forth between different CBD products, determining a serving amount will be much harder.
Start With a Low Serving Size
When you first begin using CBD oil, it’s a good idea to start with a low serving size. This gives you a chance to determine your body’s reaction to CBD. One option is to start with 1mg of CBD for every 20 pounds of weight. Using this rule, someone weighing 100 pounds should start with 5 milligrams of CBD, while someone weighing over 200 pounds can start with 10 milligrams of CBD, and so on.
Start Before Bedtime
When first using CBD oil, it’s best to start at night — about an hour before bedtime. That way, if CBD has a tendency to make you drowsy, you’re not dragging during the daytime. It’s uncommon for a low serving size of CBD to cause drowsiness, but it’s good to be sure. If you have no issues, then take another serving in the morning. If CBD oil does make you sleepy, then take it at night. At the same time, CBD oil may be used to support both nighttime sleep and daytime focus, in which case CBD can be taken as needed throughout the day.
Increase Your Serving Size Slowly
If all goes well, but you have not achieved your desired benefits, you can try doubling your servings of CBD. Each time you increase your serving size, take a few days to make note of how your body feels.
If a rise in serving size of CBD produces unwanted effects such as making you drowsy, back off to a lower serving.
Taste
Not all CBD tinctures taste good! It’s a sad fact that many oils result in a harsh, unpleasant aftertaste. At Purelix Wellness, we have worked hard to make sure that our tinctures taste better than the rest and offer three truly tasty flavors:lemon, orange and mint.
Can You Take Too Much CBD Oil?
CBD is non-toxic and, if you’re using a brand like Purelix Wellness, the tinctures are THC-free.
Taking a large dosage of CBD than needed might, however, cause some unwanted effects such as making you too relaxed for particular activities like work or sports. Also, once you have arrived at a particular serving of CBD based on the product you are using, it’s a good idea to stick with that product.
Alternatives to Tinctures
Let’s now take a look at some of the ways to take CBD oil and the pros and cons of each, in order to help you to determine which CBD products are right for you.
Some of the factors that should be considered when determining which product is ideal for you are your lifestyle, the reasons you’re using CBD oil, the time to take effect and the bioavailability of the method.
Lifestyle Considerations
In regards to lifestyle, some CBD products are more convenient than others, some products travel better than others, and some products are simply more enjoyable to use than others. Capsules are preferred for traveling, for instance. There’s nothing to drop and break or spill and, as oils are messier, tinctures aren’t the “neatest” method available.
Tinctures are generally used at home in the morning and the evening, and can also be used at work if your situation allows it.
Use Considerations
Certain methods are better for certain uses and tinctures may not be the best option for everyone. For example, if you’re using CBD to support skin health, you can get it directly by using a topical product. If you’re using a CBD product to support a good night’s rest, a special formulation such as A CBD/Melatonin Blend Softgel could be more beneficial than a tincture.
Bioavailability Considerations
Bioavailability, as we pointed out earlier, is the amount of CBD that actually makes its way into your bloodstream. If time is not a consideration, your main consideration should be value. CBD tinctures are not inexpensive, like products such as vitamins and minerals. You definitely want to try to maximize the value you get for your money. If a CBD product has only 10% bioavailability, you’re essentially paying five times more for your CBD than if you used a product which has a 50% bioavailability.
Still have questions about the best CBD tinctures for you? Feel free to comment below or contact us at any time. We’re always here to help!
