With so many cannabidiol (CBD) products on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your needs. As you begin researching those options, you will likely find information about both CBD oils and CBD tinctures.
Since the two products can look similar, they can be easily confused, and some sources may even use the terms interchangeably. However, it can be important to understand how the two products differ, so that you can select the best product for your situation.
Know the basics about CBD
CBD is one of many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is not psychoactive, which means that it will not get your high. Most CBD products are made from hemp, which often contains high levels of CBD but low levels of THC.
Full-spectrum CBD products may legally contain up to 0.3% THC. This amount of THC is not enough to get someone high, but it might show up on a drug test. Those who want to avoid THC altogether may consider a broad-spectrum CBD product or CBD isolate product, instead.
People take CBD products for a variety of reasons, including relief from pain, anxiety, depression, inflammation, and other ailments. The properties of a CBD product can vary depending on the strain of cannabis that it came from and the consumption method, among other factors.
Two main differences between CBD oils and tinctures
CBD oil typically is a combination of CBD extract and a carrier oil. It is made by extracting CBD and other compounds from a cannabis plant. This is usually done through a process called supercritical CO2 extraction. Then, the extracted compounds are mixed with a carrier oil.
CBD tinctures also include the extracted compounds of cannabis plants, but the way these compounds are extracted is different. A high-proof alcohol is used as a solvent to extract the compounds. The plant material is essentially steeped in the alcohol. With a tincture, alcohol is part of the finished product.
The main differences between CBD oils and CBD tinctures are the extraction methods and the base ingredients.
How to select the right product for you
Both oils and tinctures can be effective ways to receive the benefits of CBD. Still, they are two different products. The right one for you might depend on your reason for taking CBD, how you plan to use the product, and any preferences you might have.
Both products can be consumed orally, and are often placed under the tongue before ingestion. However, some CBD oils can be used topically as well as internally. CBD tinctures do not share this flexibility.
If you think you might want to try CBD both on your skin and in your body, it may be best to go with an oil, but be sure that the carrier oil is safe for both internal and external use. Alternatively, you could consider buying one product for internal use and a separate product for external use.
If you are looking for a product you can take internally, you may consider flavor. Although both oils and tinctures can be flavored, tinctures are prone to developing a bitter taste. Sweeteners, flavorings or other additives are nearly always added to tinctures to cover that bitterness.
If you think you would prefer a flavored product, you might have more flavor options with a tincture. A tincture may also offer a longer shelf life than oil and may help you avoid stomach upset that could be caused by ingesting oils.
An oil may be a better choice if flavor is less of a concern or you prefer a product that has fewer ingredients. An oil can also be a good option if you are sensitive to alcohol or are avoiding alcohol for other reasons.
There are several factors to consider when choosing a CBD product. Either an oil or a tincture can be a good choice, but when selecting a product, it can be helpful to understand how these two options differ.
Sources
[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-oil-vs-tincture#safety-and-side-effects
[2] https://www.elle.com/culture/a27149060/what-are-tinctures/
[3] https://www.prevention.com/health/a26990439/what-is-a-cbd-tincture/
