Tinctures

Tinctures are oils that you place under your tongue. There are a variety of strengths on the market (250mg, 500mg, 750mg, 1000mg, 1500mg, 3,000mg, etc.). The strength is the total number of mg in the entire bottle – not per serving.

All tinctures are not alike, even if they have the same strength.

Tinctures come in Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, Isolates, and other specialty combinations.  These terms are for what cannabinoids are being carried into your system.

Full Spectrum (also called Whole Spectrum):  Include everything that is in the plant – cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids.  This includes THC.  When all of the elements are included, the product produces the “Entourage Effect” which means that together, they produce effects that none of the elements can do individually.  This is the most “bang” for your buck as there are over 2,000 components in the plant!

Broad Spectrum:  Include everything in the plant except THC.  You can still test positive with broad spectrum products.  These products do not give you the full Entourage Effect, but are more complex and give more than an isolate.

Isolates:  These are products where only one cannabinoid is included.  Most of the time, this is CBD, but other isolates are becoming popular.  CBD isolate is the only product that cannot be detected by a drug test.  (Contact us if you want more information.)  Even though it is only one cannabinoid (of over 200), there is still wonderful benefits for your body.

Specialty Combinations:  These vary by manufacturer.  We have created a few specialty blends that start with a Full Spectrum and boost the level of certain cannabinoids and then adds certain terpenes.  Together these blends target specific concerns.  We have four blends:  sleep, alert/focus, pain/inflammation, and stress/anxiety.

The most important thing to consider is what cannabinoids are being carried into your system.  After you determine that, the type of carrying oil (standard, nano, or hydro-phyllic) is very important because that determines how well the product can penetrate your mucus barrier and the possible absorption into your system.

Some carrying oils are standard, some nano emulsions (making them water-soluble), and some are hydro-phyllic (water-friendly).  Some tinctures are clear and have little taste, some have natural and/or artificial flavorings, others are thick and gooey with a strong hemp smell and taste.  The thickness and flavor are a personal preference.  The carrying oil is, too.  Please make an informed choice as it will determine dosage and frequency.

Standard Oils – They are the usual starting point for most people, are the most common, and can be high quality oils. If the bottle doesn’t specifically mention it being nano, water-soluble, or hydro-phyllic, then it is a standard oil (usually an MCT like coconut oil). Because oil and water don’t mix, it is more difficult for that oil to penetrate the natural mucus barrier.  You can expect a penetration and absorption rate between 10% and 30%. This means, if you take a 10mg dose, you are only getting between 1mg-3mg actually into your system.  But because these are oil-based, they can remain in your system for 8 to 12-hours (shorter or longer based on the rate your specific system can metabolize them – not the same metabolism rate as food ).  

Nano Emulsions – This technology is evolving – some companies have figured out how to split the molecule and maintain its integrity and consistency.  Some have not.  The nano-size molecules assist with the penetration and absorption because of their microscopic size. You can expect a penetration and absorption rate between 70% and 99%.  The important thing is to find a high quality nano product so each dose is consistent and complete.  Nano products are, by size, water-soluble.  They do not last in your system as long as oil-based products.  This means you will take much less, but could need to take it more often.

Hydro-Phyllic Oils – This is the latest technology with tinctures.  Scientists have discovered a way to remove the outer “shell” of the oil molecule (the part that makes it difficult to penetrate the mucus barrier), yet maintain the integrity and components within the molecule.  Without this shell, the molecule takes in additional oxygen which links the elements to each other and makes them attractive to water.  Thus, when this tincture is placed under the tongue against the mucus barrier, it is welcomed and ushered in.  Since the oxygen has linked all the elements, they charge in together.  You can expect a penetration and absorption rate between 80% to 99%.  These oils are much more expensive to make, thus cost the consumer more.

Balance By Hemp has researched and personally tried all types of tinctures from many different companies.  We have taken the elements we liked and created blends, potencies, and flavors that we believe provide the best there is to offer while striving to keep them cost-effective.  All of the tinctures we create are high quality, have been 3rd party tested, and are products we use ourselves.  If we wouldn’t use it personally, we would not sell it!