Cannabis for pain, anxiety, etc. are proven effective. The majority of the states have legalized medical use of cannabis. And, at medical dispensaries, high-potency cannabis products are available. So, using your medical cannabis card, you can access tinctures, flowers, edibles, topicals, etc. In this post, we are going to discuss tinctures, how they work, how to use them for managing your condition, and more.
What Are Cannabis Tinctures?
Tinctures are concentrated forms of cannabis. THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids are extracted using alcohol or other solvents. At dispensaries, you can find tinctures with different levels of cannabinoids and terpenes.
One of the major benefits of using tinctures is that they allow you to make complete control over the dosage. They come in dropper bottles, so you can measure the dose using a dropper before consuming. Thus, tinctures are a great way to learn your minimum effective dose for managing a condition. Consuming the right amount of cannabis helps you manage your condition effectively, save money and avoid overdose issues.
How Tinctures Work?
Tinctures are absorbed sublingually, and deliver immediate medicinal effects. When you place a few drops of a cannabis oil on your tongue, the cannabinoids are absorbed through blood vessels in the tongue and reach the bloodstream. Then THC, CBD and other receptors bind to the cannabinoid receptors located in the brain and other parts of the body.
After consuming the cannabis tinctures, you can feel the medicinal effects in just 15 minutes. However, cannabinoids that aren’t absorbed under the tongue pass through the digestive tract, where they work like edibles. So, different tinctures may have different onsets, depending on the concentrations of cannabinoids.
How to Use Tinctures?
You can use tinctures sublingually or mix with foods or beverages. It’s a straightforward cannabis consumption method, which allows consumers to experience quick effects since the cannabinoids are absorbed directly in the bloodstream.
When using cannabis tinctures, it’s important to learn how to dose. It depends on various factors, such as body chemistry and the kind of effects you want. You need to determine your own optimal dosage. We recommend you start with a low dose and analyze the effects on the body and mind. Now, add gradually until the desired effects are reached. For instance, on the first day, take 1 ml of tincture. If you are happy with the medicinal effects, that’s the optimal dose. Otherwise, take 2 ml the next day and so on until you find the optimal dose.
Each strain has different medicinal properties due to the presence of different levels of cannabinoids and terpenes. So, you should carefully select the right strains, which can help you deal with your condition.
If it’s difficult for you to consume tinctures alone, you can use them with other meals and beverages, such as juices, soups, ice creams, salad dressing and mashed potatoes.
According to The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook, when stored in a cool, dry place, marijuana tinctures last for many years.
Make Tinctures at Home
Making tinctures at home is very easy. Here’s the basic tincture recipe-
When making cannabis tinctures at home, you require flowers and a solvent. Higher the concentration of cannabinoids, the better the medicinal effects you receive. If you don’t want to receive euphoric effects, choose CBD-rich flowers.
Related- A Simple Guide to Buying Cannabis For The First Time
Before mixing with a solvent, cannabis flowers must be decarboxylated by heating them. Decarboxylation is the process of activating the cannabis ingredients (such as THCA is converted into THC).
Mix cannabis and the solvent in the container, seal it and put it in a freezer. You can use it for several months. But, make sure you shake the bottle for 1 minute so that cannabinoids get evenly distributed.
It’s important to note that homemade tinctures may deliver you an unexpected high. So, make sure you dose it properly.
Final Thoughts
Tinctures are cannabis concentrates, which can be absorbed sublingually. Since cannabinoids are delivered directly into the bloodstream, thus have a quick onset. When using tinctures for pain, anxiety or other medical conditions, make sure you select the right strains with optimal cannabinoid levels. If you are using homemade tinctures, dose them properly to avoid negative effects such as cannabis overdose.
Talk to a medical cannabis doctor online to get an MMJ card.
