Curious about cannabis tinctures? That’s definitely understandable. These infused potions certainly pack a powerful punch. In this post, we’ll cover everything you ever wanted to know about marijuana tinctures.
Getting Started with Cannabis Tinctures
If you’re unfamiliar with cannabis tinctures, you probably have plenty of questions about them. Below, we’ll answer some of the most common tincture-related queries.
Cannabis Tinctures: What Are They?
Humans have used tinctures for thousands of years. In fact, the ancient Egyptians invented the first tinctures. To make them, they soaked various herbs in alcohol and used them to treat a variety of conditions.
Today’s tinctures build upon these ancient principles. Tincture crafters soak hemp or cannabis in a solution of either alcohol or oil (often MCT oil). Crafters generally purge alcohol from their tinctures after soaking, meaning they don’t have boozy effects.
Once a tincture is complete, you can consume them to harness their potential effects. Some common uses for cannabis tinctures include:
- Pain Relief – medical marijuana products (including tinctures) may be able to help patients relieve severe or chronic pain.
- Psychoactive effects – for recreational users, the psychoactive “high” cannabis provides is its main attraction. These effects arise primarily from THC.
- Reduced inflammation – another common application of medical marijuana is to reduce swelling. This may be able to assist patients suffering from inflammatory conditions like arthritis or Crohn’s disease.
- Improved sleep – clear links exist between cannabis and sleep. Marijuana may help patients (or even self-medicating recreational users) to fall asleep faster and stay asleep through the night.
This is just a cursory overview of some common uses for marijuana. But cannabis tinctures offer a variety of applications for the intrepid medical patient or recreational enthusiast.
How to Use Cannabis Tinctures
There are two main ways to consume cannabis tinctures, both of which have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Orally – The simplest way to use a cannabis tincture is by simply swallowing it. While oral consumption is easy, it’s not without its drawbacks. Namely, it can take up to an hour to feel the effects of oral cannabis.
Sublingually – This method requires a little more precision than just swallowing some tincture. Instead of swallowing, apply a few drops of cannabis tincture directly beneath the tongue. The end result is near-instant effects, but less powerful properties overall.
How do Marijuana Tinctures Work?
Cannabis tinctures work differently depending on how you consume them. In fact, tinctures have two completely different modes of action when used sublingually instead of orally.
When you take a tincture orally, it must pass through your entire digestive system before it reaches your liver. Once there, your liver converts THC within it into a new compound called 11-hydroxy-THC. This new compound has significantly higher bioavailability than standard THC, meaning that it exhibits more powerful effects.
In contrast, when applying a tincture sublingually, the THC within doesn’t pass through your liver. Instead, it moves directly into your bloodstream. That’s why sublingual THC hits so much faster than oral THC does.
Buying Cannabis Tinctures in Michigan
Want to try tinctures for yourself? Whether you’re a medical or recreational patient, you can shop one of our Cloud Cannabis provisioning centers for high-quality tinctures, topicals, flower, edibles, and more! Find your nearest location below: