Cannabidiol (CBD) oils and tinctures are some of the most popular CBD products on the market. You can find them online, in health food and cannabis stores, at gas stations—you name it. CBD oils and tinctures offer one of the most efficient and flexible ways to take CBD because you can take it under your tongue, put it in your coffee, or mix it in with a smoothie.
Despite their popularity in the world of health and wellness, there seems to be confusion about the difference between CBD oils vs. tinctures. In fact, many use the two terms interchangeably or even combine them to say “CBD oil tincture”.
Since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized CBD containing less than 0.3% THC, many businesses began labelling CBD oils as tinctures due to the dropper-style bottle the oils often come in. To date, these terms are often used interchangeably, yet the difference between the two is a bit fuzzy depending on who you ask.
To clear up any confusion and help you choose the right product for your needs, we’ve provided a guide on the key differences between CBD oils vs. tinctures, how to choose between the two, and how to take oils and tinctures.
CBD Oil vs. Tincture
CBD oils and tinctures are similar products that both contain CBD derived from hemp plants or cannabis plants (hemp plants are cannabis plants grown specifically to have less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)). Both CBD oils and tinctures come in three different forms: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate.
CBD Oils
CBD oils most commonly use methods like CO2- or lipid-based extraction and are combined with an inert carrier oil, like medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, hemp seed oil, or vegetable glycerin base. CO2- and lipid-based extraction methods are considered to be the cleanest and purest methods in use today.
Carrier oils are used to stabilize and increase the bioavailability of CBD. Bioavailability is the ability of a substance, like CBD, to be absorbed and used by your body. What this means is that the degree and rate of absorption are increased when carrier oils are used.
In addition to increasing CBD’s bioavailability, carrier oils may provide additional benefits. For example, MCT oil is a fat-burning, metabolism-revving superfood made from coconut oil.
CBD Tinctures
By definition, tincture refers to a substance that is dissolved in an alcohol solution. CBD tinctures are alcohol-based extracts—high-proof alcohol is used as a solvent to extract CBD and other cannabinoids from the hemp plant. CBD tinctures will often contain 60-70% alcohol so they’ll have a long shelf life compared to CBD oils but often have a bitter taste.
CBD Oils vs. Tinctures: Which One Should You Choose?
Both CBD oils and tinctures can provide potential benefits like easing common anxiety, alleviating everyday aches and pains, and promoting a restful night's sleep. When choosing between the two, it really comes down to personal choice. If you’re sensitive to the taste of alcohol or are looking to take advantage of the increased bioavailability that comes with oils, you may consider going with an oil.
If you don’t plan on taking CBD regularly and want your bottle to last a few years, you may look at going with a tincture because of its long shelf life.
How To Take CBD Oils and Tinctures
While you can certainly add CBD oil to your coffee or tea, experts believe that taking CBD oil under your tongue is the most efficient and effective way to take CBD. CBD can be quickly absorbed underneath the tongue through small capillaries in the oral mucosa, or mucous membrane, allowing it to directly enter the bloodstream and increasing CBD’s bioavailability. Here’s a quick guide to using this method:
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Fill the dropper with your desired amount of CBD oil or tincture.
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Use the dropper to squeeze the liquid out directly under your tongue.
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Hold the CBD oil or tincture under your tongue for 30 seconds before swallowing.
Premium CBD Oil Delivered to Your Doorstep
While we feel the word tincture paints a good picture of a bottle with a dropper, our product is actually a CBD oil. We use a combination of CO2- and lipid-based extraction to provide you with the purest and most potent CBD oil possible. Our CBD oils contain only full-spectrum hemp and MCT oil and are triple-tested to ensure we’re delivering the highest quality and most effective oils to help you feel your best.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
