Tinctures

There are many ways to consume cannabis, and each way interacts with our endocannabinoid systems differently. Most are familiar with smoking, vaping, and eating edibles, but another great way to find relief with cannabis is with tinctures! Tinctures are dropped under the tongue and administered sublingually, allowing the effects to be felt between 20 minutes and 2 hours after ingestion. Tinctures are wonderful for those that don’t smoke, and don’t want a snack infused with THC. Herbal tinctures with therapeutic benefits have been made for thousands of years, and many can be found in dispensaries with high THC and CBD content.

Cannabis tinctures are made by soaking marijuana in alcohol, glycerin, or oil. In order for the extraction process to work properly the flower must be decarboxylated. Decarboxylation is the process of heating cannabis in order to activate the cannabinoids within it. THC and CBD are extracted from the plant, and the resulting liquid is the tincture. From there different flavors or ingredients can be added before the final product is sold in stores.

Tinctures, like the marijuana strains they’re made from, can be specifically indica, sativa, or hybrid. There are also tinctures with higher ratios of THC to CBD and vice versa. Nano-infused tinctures come with the added benefits of the smaller THC particles, meaning the tincture will be felt more immediately as the body absorbs it quicker. Zen Cannabis has a selection of four different nano-infused tinctures, each with different properties and THC to CBD ratios, and a refreshing mint flavor.

As tinctures absorb into the bloodstream sublingually, they bypass the digestive system. Edibles have to hit the digestive system before their THC is absorbed, and take longer to take effect. Smoking cannabis results in THC being absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs. Tinctures bring on a feeling more similar to smoking as both methods result in THC absorbed directly into the bloodstream. The lids of tincture bottles often have built in droppers which allow for easy measuring and dosage. Individual doses are easy to establish, stay consistent, and mess free.