Buying guide for best cbd tinctures
If you heard there was a completely natural substance that could relieve pain, lessen anxiety, and even stop seizures, you probably wouldn't believe it, but CBD tinctures are said to do all that and more. Cannabidiol (CBD) is just one of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) it has no psychoactive effects so it won't give you the feeling of being "high" that you'd get from smoking, vaping, or ingesting cannabis.
You'll find a huge range of CBD tinctures and oils on the market, and not all are of equal quality, so it's important to choose the right one. Selecting an appropriate strength is a good place to start, and you'll also want to know the difference between broad spectrum and full spectrum CBD tinctures. Other factors to consider include where the hemp was sourced, other ingredients, whether you want a flavored or unflavored tincture, and whether you want an organic and/or pesticide-free CBD product.
If you're ready to buy a CBD tincture, check out our five favorites and why we love them. Otherwise, read on for more information on CBD tinctures and what you should consider before purchasing.
Key considerations
Full spectrum vs. broad spectrum
Despite the name, many CBD tinctures contain more cannabinoids than just CBD. These other cannabinoids have their own medicinal properties, and it's likely that they all work together for optimum effect.
Full-spectrum CBD tinctures contain all of the naturally occurring cannabinoids found in cannabis, including THC. However, in order to be sold legally across the United States, the levels of THC are less than 0.3%, which isn't anywhere near enough to produce a psychoactive effect. You can find some CBD tinctures with more than 0.3% THC, but only in states where medical or recreational cannabis use is legal.
Broad-spectrum CBD tinctures contain all naturally occurring cannabinoids with the exception of THC. Some people prefer to use a CBD oil that's 100% free of THC, but it's likely that the inclusion of even a small amount of THC has some medicinal benefits.
Other cannabinoids of note that you'll find in full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oil include cannabichromene (CBC), which is believed to stimulate brain cell growth, and cannabigerol (CBG), which is thought to excel at pain management.
Strength
It's important to find out the strength of your chosen CBD tincture before buying. Strengths range from 50 to 5,000 milligrams (mg), but most people opt for something in between these two extremes. Somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 milligrams is good for most people, though if you only want to see minor effects, then 500 milligrams will suffice. It's worth noting that the listed strength is for the whole bottle, so you'll need to divide the strength by the number of milliliters (ml) in the bottle to find the strength per milliliter. CBD tinctures are usually sold in 30-milliliter bottles, so a 1,000-milligram CBD tincture contains roughly 33 milligrams per milliliter. Higher strength CBD tinctures cost more but last longer than weaker tinctures if you take the same dose in milligrams.
Hemp source
We'd recommend finding out the source of the hemp that's used to make your chosen CBD tincture. Most high-quality products use cannabis plants grown in the United States, in places such as Colorado or Oregon, where growing cannabis is legal. Although there's high-quality hemp grown elsewhere in the world, American-grown plants are heavily regulated, which gives buyers some peace of mind. What's more, buying a product made from hemp grown in the United States cuts down on transportation costs, making it a more eco-friendly choice. You'll also find some quality CBD tinctures that are made using hemp grown in parts of Europe, such as Switzerland.
Other ingredients
CBD tinctures aren't made from pure CBD. They're mixed with other ingredients to cut the CBD and reduce the dosage to the relevant level. Technically, a tincture contains CBD mixed with alcohol, which some people would prefer to avoid for a variety of reasons. Many CBD products listed as “tinctures” are actually CBD oil, which contain active CBD oil mixed with a carrier oil. Coconut oil is a popular carrier, but there are other options out there, including hemp oil and grapeseed oil. Although some carrier oils have more impressive health benefits than others, in reality, you'll be consuming such a small amount of these oils that it doesn't make a significant difference.
Did you know?
A true CBD tincture contains alcohol, which is used to extract the active ingredients from the plant, but the terms "CBD tincture" and "CBD oil" are often used interchangeably.
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Flavor
Some CBD tinctures are flavored, either with a natural essential oil like peppermint oil or with other natural or synthetic flavors. If you don't like the taste of unflavored CBD tinctures, a flavored option might make it go down more easily. On the other hand, some people prefer to keep it simple with unflavored tinctures since they have fewer ingredients.
Pesticide-free
Health conscious consumers may choose to buy a CBD tincture made using hemp grown without pesticides. You'll find very few USDA certified organic CBD tinctures, but many are made with pesticide-free hemp.
Dropper
The dropper that comes with your CBD tincture generally holds 1 milliliter when full. However, if you want to take a smaller dose, it's useful to have a dropper that has lines indicating graduated measurements on the side, making it easier to accurately measure a half or a quarter of a milliliter.
"We'd recommend choosing a CBD tincture that's been third-party tested for quality and strength. "
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CBD tincture prices
CBD tinctures range widely in price, mostly depending on strength and overall quality of the product.
Inexpensive: These CBD tinctures start at around $10 to $40 for low-dose offerings, usually between 50 and 250 milligrams.
Mid-range: These CBD tinctures cost approximately $40 to $80 for medium-strength options, generally between 250 and 500 milligrams, though some budget-friendly brands have CBD tinctures of up to 1,500 milligrams in this price range.
Expensive: These CBD tinctures are priced from $80 to $450 for strengths that range up to 5,000 milligrams.
Tips
- Consider the extraction method. CBD tinctures that use a carbon dioxide extraction method tend to be of higher quality than those that use an alcohol extraction method.
- Take your CBD sublingually. For the best results, you should put your CBD tincture under your tongue because the active ingredients absorb more quickly into the bloodstream via the mucous membranes in your mouth.
- Know that CBD tinctures won't make you feel high. If you're reluctant to take CBD because you're afraid of any psychoactive effects, you needn't be. CBD oil contains neither THC nor trace amounts of it and therefore won't make you high.
- Check with your doctor if you're taking other medications. CBD tinctures can interact with certain medications, including those medications that interact with grapefruit. As such, anyone who takes regular medication should check with their general physician before taking a CBD tincture.
FAQ
Q. Are CBD oil and hemp oil the same thing?
A. No. Hemp oil and CBD oil are both made from the cannabis plant, though both are generally made from strains with less than 0.3% THC, which are commonly known as hemp plants. Although CBD oil is technically a type of hemp oil, this term is usually reserved for oil derived from hemp seeds. CBD oil, on the other hand, is derived from the leaves and flowers of the plant. Hemp oil doesn't contain any cannabinoids and therefore has no notable medicinal properties, but it's rich in omega fatty acids and can be used as a cooking oil or for drizzling on finished dishes, much like quality olive oil.
Q. Are CBD tinctures safe for pets?
A. Some studies show that CBD can help certain pets, particularly dogs, with issues ranging from anxiety to seizures. It's best, however, to choose a CBD oil or other product specifically designed for pets since human CBD tinctures can contain ingredients that aren't suitable for animals, such as alcohol. Plus high-strength human CBD tinctures and oils are likely to be far too strong to dose correctly for your pet.
Q. What conditions can CBD tinctures help with?
A. CBD tinctures are said to help with a wide range of complaints. CBD is an impressive anti-inflammatory and pain reliever that's up to 30 times more effective than aspirin. You can use it for all types of pain, but it seems particularly effective at relieving arthritic joint pain and pain related to multiple sclerosis. It can also help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, though we'd recommend using it alongside rather than instead of any antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication you've been prescribed. Other potential uses for CBD include reducing chemotherapy side effects, treating medication-resistant seizures, and improving cardiovascular health. As with using any such product or supplement, consult your doctor first.
