By Rafi at iBakeDenver

In the cannabis industry world, nothing is getting more attention for healing and overall treatment for ailments than CBD. Commonly referred to as Cannabidiol, one of the main chemical compounds found in marijuana and hemp products. CBD has been approved as a drug in the United States for all types of conditions, primarily seizures, inflammation, chronic pain, muscular disorders, Parkinson's disease, and several other types of wellness sufferings.

The main question when choosing CBD is which type will work best for your specific condition or illness. There are several to choose from, and we'll be exploring the differences between CBD Oils versus CBD tinctures. Both carry a dosage amount for specific causes, and both are non-psychoactive like straight-up marijuana, and both need their own defining reasons as to which one to choose that will work best for you.

For Pain: Is CBD Oil Better Than a Tincture?

CBD first hit the market as a new discovery in 1940. That seems like lifetimes ago. However, the entire CBD industry has morphed into one of the new age and completely alternative healing for many populations. I've preferred and used CBD tincture Denver has to offer for a plethora of muscle pains and bodily inflammations.

My dog even gets to benefit from CBD oil, especially when he's been stung by a bee, as the proponents in CBD act as an antihistamine to combat the inflammation or swelling a sting might incite. I apply a few drops directly to the sting site, then place a few drops in the palm of my hand for him to lick and take into his system. Works like a charm.

In essence, CBD oil has miraculous benefits, such as:

• Alleviates anxiety and depression by having the ability to calm the nervous system
• Treats epileptic seizures
• Minimizes symptoms of PTSD
• It helps people who are dependent on opioids
• Reduces symptoms of ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
• Offers relief for pain that is unmanageable
• Soothes symptoms of diabetes
• Provides pain-relieving effects for arthritis symptoms

In regards to CBD oil versus a CBD tincture, let's examine the differences and how a tincture would benefit in certain cases.

A Spotlight on CBD Tinctures

First off, we know that CBD oil is extracted from industrial hemp. The potency of the full-spectrum cannabinoids is in its rawest and most extreme phase, thereby needing to dilute the resulting derivation using an MCT carrier oil. Whether it's olive oil, hemp seed oil, or coconut oil, this allows the maximum cannabinoid potential to remain effective yet be more calming for digestive purposes.

Since there are no psychoactive effects from CBD oil, many advocates tend to place a drop or two under their tongues--commonly referred to as the sublingual method. In other cases of CBD oil use, you can apply directly to your hair, skin, or nails to ensure direct contact with the source needing to reap the pristine benefits. Also, adding a few drops to your cooking, such as baked goods, can enhance the overall quality of the final product while also helping you to alleviate any bodily pain you might be suffering from on any given day.

CBD tinctures are created by soaking natural cannabinoid matter into an alcohol and water solution. The tinctures themselves are derived directly from cannabis plants or industrial hemp using the alcohol diluted in the water. Because the taste of tinctures can be oft-putting, certain herbs and flavoring agents can be added to make the solution more palatable.

For faster absorption into the body, tinctures are also recommended to be taken sublingually. One way to make certain you're getting your daily dose of CBD to manage your symptoms is to place a few tinctures drops into your favorite beverage or food. However, if you feel the need to cook with a CBD tincture addition, use the water-soluble variety, so it will be easier to incorporate into the ingredients.

Which is Better: CBD Oil or CBD Tincture?

The main difference between an oil and a tincture is in their composition. Tinctures may contain other ingredients to keep the flavor more to your liking, while the oils are diluted with other oils--as mentioned above--in lieu of other flavorings or water and alcohol. What is known is that CBD tinctures have a lower concentration of cannabinoids than CBD oils, mainly due to the flavoring additives in the tinctures themselves.

With all of the additives into the tinctures, not only are they more appealing in taste, they have some extra health benefits as well. If you're adding chamomile herb for relaxation and agave sweeteners and vitamins to enhance the overall absorption benefit, it stands to reason that a CBD tincture seems to be better for you in the long run. The best tinctures contain only herbal extracts, water, and possibly polysorbate 80 so as to ensure the product isn't straight oil.

CBD oil is not based on alcohol, and therefore if you're seeking more wellness benefits and have an aversion to alcohol, then the oil is your best choice. If you prefer the natural taste of hemp and appreciate the added flavorings of tinctures, then this is the route to take. Either type of product, you need to ask yourself whether you plan to ingest the CBD directly (oils) or are you planning to use CBD to mix in with your favorite drink (tinctures)?

Conclusion

Choosing a CBD product doesn't have to be difficult if you know what type of pain you have and how you plan to use the oil or tincture. Both are effective, and both carry enormous wellness benefits. One isn't necessarily better than the other; it's simply a matter of navigating your purposes for using CBD and whether a tincture or an oil application is beneficial to your overall well-being and taste buds.

The CBD industry is growing at an alarming rate, and if you need relief from bodily pain and suffering, perhaps choosing either an oil or a tincture would be the most extraordinary addition to your lifestyle and wellness regimen.

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by Lucy at iBakeDenver

You're probably asking yourself, what is a Delta 8 THC Tincture? As most cannabis products in this booming industry always have a rhyme and reason, the Delta 8 THC tincture is made from a single cannabinoid of the 100 or more found in the cannabis plant. Similar to other cannabinoids, Delta 8 interacts with your body's nervous system and may produce a hallucinatory effect.

If you're seeking a mood-altering experience or an exhilarating high, Delta 8 THC is your go-to tincture. While it gives you that euphoric feeling, it also offers a calming and relaxing sense to your body, which can greatly benefit symptoms such as nausea, anxiety, lack of appetite, pain, and inflammation and promote brain enhancement. Delta 8 THC tincture can be found at marijuana dispensaries--or even retail shops that sell hemp or CBD in non-cannabis states. Although not required, it can be prescribed by a medical physician who has diagnosed your condition and believes this product to be a positive path towards alleviating suffering and pain.

The Benefits of the Delta 8 THC

As the cannabis industry is progressing more and more these days, it's no wonder that the medical profession is jumping on board with prescribing THC products to their patients, especially those individuals who desire more of a natural method of treatment. Delta 8 THC is one of those lesser-known products in the cannabis world. However, after all the legalities of medical marijuana have been satisfied and complied with, it turns out that Delta 8 isn't so new after all.

Thanks to the hemp seed, Delta 8 is the fourth most researched cannabinoid in the world, specifically for its benefits. Let's take a look:

• A healthier brain - Delta 8 helps individuals produce Acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for cognitive functions.
• An appetite stimulant - Specifically for those with HIV/AIDS of certain cancers, Delta 8 helps a person want to eat.
• No nausea side effects - Delta 8 eliminates nausea, especially those undergoing chemotherapy.
• Less overall pain - The analgesic effects of Delta 8 means it lessens most pain to a certain degree.
• Reduces symptoms of anxiety - The CB1 pain receptors in the body are signaled to be lessened as the cannabinoid binds to--and regulates--them.

The high you experience on Delta 8 THC allows you to feel more in control versus other strains of cannabinoids that make you feel out of control. We understand that using marijuana to alleviate symptoms of illness or pain maybe cause confusion or even avoidance. However, the Delta 8 cannabinoid strain doesn't make your heart race or give your system a sense of being way too sleepy. Instead, whether you're smoking or vaping or using a tincture, the Delta 8 THC's benefits far outweigh the negatives.

How Effective is the Tincture versus Smoking or Vaping?

When you think of weed or pot, the first thing that comes to mind is smoking a joint or vaping. Both are viable forms of intake, and however, for the Delta 8 THC, a tincture is your prime choice to reap the benefits of marijuana's medicinal effects. Vaping makes you sleepy, and smoking makes you cough and affects your lungs adversely.

Enter the Delta 8 hemp tincture. Not only does this form play a role in food consumption, but any Delta 8 THC products offer top-notch goods utilizing blends of minor cannabinoids. The popularity of Delta 8 is on the rise, primarily due to the psychoactive benefits of this strain.

The tincture is an infused liquid that's placed under the tongue--aka The sublingual method. It's a hybrid product that not only relaxes you but makes you more sensory aware. We've determined that this is the best of all worlds for the Delta 8 tincture.

The effectiveness of Delta 8 is much like smoking a joint. You feel the euphoria, you feel the ease in your pain points, and you don't receive as much of the psychotropic effects as inhaling directly from a bong or a pipe. Instead, the tincture has many health benefits without all of the negative side effects.

What Are the Health Risks of the Delta 8?

Delta 8 is a federally legal product that can be shipped anywhere without cause for concern. Yet, the FDA has done their research and publicized their results as to some risks associated with the cannabinoid. For instance:

• The FDA has not approved the product for safe use
• Ingestion of food products of Delta 8 THC includes vomiting, loss of consciousness, and difficulty standing up
• Delta 8 has intoxicating and psychoactive effects
• To obtain marketplace status, Delta 8 products create concentrations that may include harmful ingredients or chemicals.
• Keep Delta 8 THC out of reach of pets and children, as they may experience dangerous side effects.

As you can see, there are risks involved in taking a Delta 8 product. However, for the relief of certain illnesses and conditions, the tinctures are known to be safer. Because of the added natural flavors, herbal extracts, vitamins, and whatever healthy substance you want to include in your mixed product, the Delta 8 tincture gets to work and minimizes pain and suffering.

In Summary

The Delta 8 THC tincture is one of the most sought-after products on the CBD market today. It's not easily accessible due to its psychoactive properties, yet with a medical directive from your doctor, you'll be able to reap the many benefits and relieve anxiety, depression, lack of appetite, and easing of muscular or joint pain. There are risks associated with Delta 8. However, the wellness positives far outweigh the hallucinatory negatives.

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Marijuana is a wonder plant. Yes, it’s great for smoking. But it can be used in a variety of other ways – from concentrates to edibles.

Somewhere along the line, some genius created cannabis tinctures.

What is A Cannabis Tincture?

A tincture is a medication made by dissolving cannabis in alcohol. Alcohol is used as a solvent to extract the cannabinoids – like THC and CBD – to create an alcohol-based cannabis product.

Tinctures are similar to marijuana oils in that the cannabinoids and terpenes are extracted to make the end product stronger. Where it differs, though, is in the final product.

Marijuana and hash oils don’t contain any alcohol – in tinctures, it’s one of the main ingredients.

Tinctures are often found in small, dropper-capped bottles for easy dosing. Typically the tincture will be taken sublingually, or under the tongue. Tinctures contain all of the terpenes, cannabinoids, and trichomes that give weed its trademark psychoactive effects.

Tinctures have a long shelf life given their alcohol content and storage process. Combined with the ease of consumption, tinctures used to be a primary way to use marijuana.

 Because of the ease of making and ingesting, tinctures are now being considered as a good entry point for new marijuana users.

The History of Cannabis Tinctures

The use of tinctures is not a new development. The science behind it isn’t new technology either. A tincture itself doesn’t need to contain cannabis, just alcohol. The use of tinctures can date all the way back to the ancient Egyptians.

Up until the marijuana prohibition of the 1930s, cannabis tinctures were available even in American pharmacies. They were the main form of cannabis medicine up to that point. It earned the nickname ‘the moonshine of marijuana’ for its use of alcohol. Cannabis tinctures were even found in the United States Pharmacopeia.

 Tinctures were easy to make and safe to digest, so they were popular until outlawed. Now, with marijuana legalization happening across the US, tinctures have made a comeback.

How Tinctures Are Made

The process of making a cannabis tincture is quite simple when compared to other products such as rosin or moon rocks. 

Alcohol is a solvent – a substance which other materials dissolve in to make a solution. In this case:

·         Alcohol = solvent

·         Marijuana = other materials

·         Cannabis tincture = solution

Almost any part of the plant that contains cannabinoids are terpenes can be used to make a cannabis tincture. Some products use kief, others use trim. Naturally, the strength of the marijuana that goes in affects the strength of the tincture that comes out.

Alcohol content also has an effect on the end product. High-proof alcohol will extract more cannabinoids and terpenes than a low-proof one.

Types of Cannabis Tinctures

For the most part, cannabis tinctures are consumed sublingually, or under the tongue. Since the tinctures typically come with a dropper similar to eye drops, the process is quick and easy. While underneath the tongue, the tincture is dissolved and ingested through osmosis. The cannabinoids are then absorbed through osmosis directly into the bloodstream.

This process generally doesn’t take that long for one to feel the effects – somewhere between fifteen and forty-five minutes. If swallowed instead, the process can take up to about two hours.

Tinctures can also be orally ingested, but the results vary greatly from sublingual consumption. Think of oral ingestion like taking an edible – the effects take a long time, the dosage is hard to perfect, and you may take too much before you realize it.

You can also take tinctures topically, like a lotion. The cannabinoids are absorbed through the skin through osmosis. Topically taking a tincture is good for general pain relief, such as a bruise. The cannabis tincture can also be mixed with cannabis lotion for a stronger effect.

Though there are other ways to consume tinctures, sublingually remains the most popular. 

The Benefits of Cannabis Tinctures

Tinctures are certainly among the most uncommon ways to consume marijuana. In fact, they’re probably behind everything else.

But that doesn’t mean tinctures are worthless. Many cannabis enthusiasts think that tinctures are the most underrated way to use marijuana.

If you’re on the fence about trying tinctures, consider these benefits:

·         Ease of Consumption: No smoking, no eating, just a drop or two under the tongue. Boom, you’re done. Smoking is fun, but it can harm the lungs. Edibles are great, but they take longer to set in. Tinctures are as easy as they come.

·         Potency: Tinctures can also be pretty strong. Because of the way they’re created, cannabis tinctures are packed to the brim with cannabinoids and terpenes.

·         Dosage Control: A huge and often overlooked benefit of tinctures. There’s no better way to control exactly how much marijuana you’re ingesting. With tinctures, you can measure that down to the milliliter.

·         Discretion: There’s no worrying about getting caught taking a tincture – the process is over and done with in seconds.

·         Shelf-Life: Tinctures will last significantly longer than flower or other marijuana products.

·         Health Considerations: Tinctures have fewer calories than edibles. You also don’t need to inhale smoke and harm the lungs to take a tincture.

THC vs CBD Tinctures

Obviously, what you put into the tincture is what you get out of it. A tincture made from marijuana with a high THC content will act differently than one made with a high CBD content.

THC tinctures will get you high. THC is the cannabinoid that gives weed its trademark psychoactive effects. They offer the same benefits as CBD tinctures, but they also produce a high.

CBD tinctures are usually derived from hemp, not marijuana. These products have all the positive effects of THC tinctures – minus the high. A CBD tincture is used specifically for medicinal purposes. 

How To Make a Cannabis Tincture

Yes, you can make cannabis tinctures at home – and it’s easier than you think.

You’ll need high-proof alcohol, cannabis flower, a mason jar, and some coffee filters. Keep in mind this process takes time – so if you’re in a hurry, grab some from your dispensary.

First, you’ll need to decarboxylate the marijuana. This simply means heating it up so the THCA turns into THC. If you skip this step, the tincture won’t produce a very strong high.

 After decarboxylation, combine the flower and alcohol in the mason jar. Once closed, give it a good shake.

After that, store for about three weeks, making sure to shake it once a day. Once the time is up, strain the liquid through a coffee filter to catch the loose cannabis.

And that’s that. You’ve just made a cannabis tincture at home.

Congrats! 

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I don't even know where to begin with this review. I am that in LOVE with this unit.

This is beyond "so easy a Squirrel can do it". Heck, even a Sloth could handle it just as easily too. The set up, processing and even the clean up is simple, fast and easy to do. No worries about finding the clean-up chore to be such an ordeal that your brain switches to procrastination mode.

Pros:

• Easy to use - Temp and time presets is what I used for all of my tincture batches.
• Clean up takes under 5 minutes.
• Doesn't take up a lot of counter space.
• Lots of color choices.
• A ton of accessories you can buy to make edibles (which I did not purchase, yet)

Cons:

• Leaks a little while infusing and when you release the reservoir to clean.
• Marijuana smell is present, not as bad as it would be with other methods, but you can still smell it.
• Nothing to compress all the oil out of the flower.

Why You NEED This Machine:

I think we can all agree, while smoking herb has a lot of benefits, it also has some health risks too. Especially if you are like me and have COPD. With smoking the relief is instant and strain-specific. This isn't the case with most edibles, tablets or tinctures you buy pre-made.

Frankly when I started thinking about what products I wanted to review, I really had my doubts about tinctures. I had tried tinctures from several of my dispensaries and the results were too unpredictable. So I gave up and switched to dry-herb vaping instead.

Honestly I almost lost hope at doing any edibles at all.

I knew one of the biggest problems with dispensary-purchased tinctures is that they weren't typically strain-specific. For whatever reason most of them tasted absolutely horrible as well. There also seemed to be differences in the amount of time it would take for the effects to kick in per batch, probably due to the non-specific strains used.

With the Levo you are in control of what strains you put in. For me, the only time I might make tinctures that are not strain specific would be when using the stock of kief that I've been carefully saving. Honestly, I'm torn on whether to use my kief this way, totally conflicted. I love combining my flower, concentrate and kief in my DaVinci stainless steel .3g pods when I need extra pain relief. It's my lazy Squirrel "moonrocks" (technically I guess I should call them "moonpods").

After trying strain-specific tinctures I am completely and totally sold on the idea of using tinctures over smoke.

In the last 3 days I have used my vaporizer only once. It was only because I needed immediate relief verses 10-20 minutes of waiting for a tincture to kick in.

In A Nutshell:

The Levo, IMHO is a must have for any cannabis user.  Having strain-specific tinctures is extremely beneficial since different strains treat different problems. Different strains also have different onset times. If a strain is a creeper when smoked, it will most likely be a creeper in a tincture as well.

You can use different oils depending on your taste preference. You can even use butter if you want to bake edibles instead of making just tinctures. Just make sure if you are making tinctures, you don't buy the wrong oil.

I sent my son, Thing 1 out to the store to get coconut oil and he came back with organic raw coconut oil, which was solid. It will turn liquid if stored above 76°. What you need to buy if making tinctures is fractionated coconut oil. I prefer this oil because it doesn't have much taste. Other oils people recommend (but I haven't tried yet) are sunflower and hemp oil.

Personally, I think hemp oil would make it taste more suitable for a goat--but that's just me--while Sunflower would probably add pleasant taste to the tinctures. A nice roasted flavor that might help mask the weed taste.

I would also suggest getting some flavor extracts and play with your tincture taste. Just remember this will change the strength of your tinctures just a tad depending on how much flavoring you add to your mix. Which I add after the infusion process.

Tested Strains:

For this review I made two different tinctures. First I used Chocolatina because that is what our dispensary had in shake. Shake is cheaper than flower and I was afraid that I would honestly screw up my first batch. I also made sure to get a strain I wouldn't weep over screwing up. I am not a sativa lover so the fact the dispensary only had this strain available as shake was fine with me.

This strain is a bit of a creeper for me when I have smoked it in the past. It effected me the same way as a tincture too. Silly Squirrel here decided to take another dose instead of patiently waiting. Needless to say, it was an entertaining evening for all, well for me anyways.

Once I realized this made tinctures Squirrel-proof, I grabbed my beloved Pop Rocks strain and went to work. 3 hours later, liquid gold was ready for consuming.

Tincture Details:

I went ahead and procured some fractionated coconut oil. I also wanted my tinctures to be strong so I adjusted my recipe accordingly. The more oil you use the less THC in your dose.

I like doing batches of 5g. I believe the flower container can hold up to 10g. For 5g of flower I used 1/4 cup of Coconut oil.

First process is to decarb. You do not put your oil in the reservoir yet. This is a 30 minute process with an added 10 minute "preheat."

After you hear the beep, it's time to add the oil and switch to infuse. This is a 2-hour process. Keep a small bowl under the spout in case of oil leakage--which my unit had a little issue with. One 1/2 cup of oil (8 Tbsp) produces just over 6 Tbsp of tincture:

• My Chocolatina at 25% THC produced a Tincture with 630mg of THC (1Tbsp ≈ 104mg)
• 5g of Pop Rocks at 26% THC produced a Tincture with 655mg of THC. (1Tbsp ≈ 108mg)

To figure out your dosage you don't have to be good with math. All you need to do is download a wonderful app from Sugar Leaf Media called THC Calculator. This is available on Android and iPhone. I was honestly debating whether to share this app information or not. I really just wanted ya'll to assume that I am incredibly smart and good with math. But my conscience got the better of me.

Would I Change Anything:

Two things. I would add a weed press to squeeze all the oil out of the flower.

I had a hard time finding the hole to get the flexible reservoir "straw" inserted so the reservoir could snap into place. This though could honestly just be me getting old, IDK?

Let me end in saying this, the last 3 days my stomach has been the happiest, warmest tummy ever. I don't know if it's the combination of the coconut oil and THC that is helping to coat and soothe? But I have not had this level of stomach pain relief ever. 

The Levo Oil Cannabutter Machine, hands down, earns the very rare, very exceptional Wacky Racky seal of approval. 

*Photos used with permission by LEVO. Find more reviews at wackyracky.com

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