As more governments legalize cannabis and the products made from it, the more we are learning about its benefits. In the past, research on cannabis and its health benefits was limited because of the stigma surrounding it. But that stigma is slowing disappearing and as a result, our knowledge is growing. This is especially true with CBD, a derivative of the cannabis plant. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive chemical that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. It's available in many forms including tinctures, oil, gummies, vapor cartridges, and more. Here are a few of the known pros and cons of CBD in tincture form.
PROS
Non-Psychoactive
Many people want the health benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive side effects so that they can use it regularly in daily life without worrying about their ability to perform daily tasks like driving. CBD is non-psychoactive so you don't get the high associated with products that contain THC.
Health Benefits
Like all CBD products, a tincture provides many proven health benefits. CBD has consistently proven to help people suffering from various forms of epilepsy. In particular, studies have demonstrated that CBD consistently reduces the frequency of seizures for those suffering from Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It has also proven beneficial to those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In one study, 91% of the test patients experienced a decrease in PTSD symptom severity while taking CBD.
Longer Lasting
One benefit of a CBD tincture over other CBD forms, like oil or gummies, is that it has a longer shelf life. A tincture is any plant or animal material that is dissolved in a solvent, usually a distilled alcohol like ethanol or sometimes vinegar. Most CDB tinctures are dissolved in an alcohol solution of about 60% to 70% alcohol. The alcohol in the tincture acts as a preservative so that the potency of the CBD in the tincture remains strong for longer than other methods.
Few Side Effects
Compared to medications designed to treat the same problems that people often use CBD for, such as anxiety and seizures, CBD tinctures have very few side effects, none of them very severe. Possible side effects include dry mouth, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue.
CONS
Less Concentrated
Because of the way tinctures are created, there is typically a smaller concentration of CBD as compared to other products like oils. This is usually because of the addition of flavoring compounds in the tincture that are intended to make the solution more appealing to consumers.