Although there are countless arguments over a myriad of difficult topics throughout the world, the one point of view that commands the most respect is science. Over the centuries some of the most difficult questions that humans have asked have been answered by way of scientific study and experimentation. When it comes to the potency and effectiveness of a high-quality CBD tincture, it is important to know that you can trust the science that is behind the scenes to not let you down. CBD in all of its majestic glory has the attention of most of the world in this time of wellness consciousness. It is a great comfort to have confidence in a naturally occurring phenomenon that has the ability to bring calmness and serenity to people that need it the most.
CBD the Powerful Cannabinoid
There is a lot more to the highly coveted cannabinoid CBD than most people realize. In fact, CBD is one of over 100 other cannabinoids that are found within the vast array of plants that have evolved from the cannabis plant. Each cannabinoid that is found in any cannabis plant has its own set of compounds and cellular structures that differentiate one from the next. Although cannabinoids are similar, they are all different in their own ways.
One of the most known cannabinoids is the famous compound that is found in marijuana plants, THC. Most of the people that use THC are interested in the psychoactive effects that it has to offer its users that give them a feeling of euphoria and an overall sense of ease. Although CBD is just as potent as THC it has an altogether different effect on the people that use it. There are scientists that have different opinions about whether or not CBD actually causes a “high,” but at this point, the arguments are based on opinions and perspectives. There are no proven circumstances that CBD actually causes psychoactive effects or inebriation.
Cannabinoids and Their Purpose
Although there has been an enormous amount of research and experimentation into the possible purposes that cannabinoids have within the plants that they dwell within, there is no definitive explanation. Evidence suggests that cannabinoids are present within the plants in order to maintain a high level of health and wellness. The healthier the plant, the more likely it is to be able to reproduce and carry on its existence on the planet.
This conclusion was reached by way of deductive reasoning and close inspection of the life of the cannabis plant. Scientists believe that all cannabinoids play a part in the survival and sustainability of the plant. For example, some of the cannabinoids are present in order to ward off deadly pests that would otherwise eat every tender leaf right off of the tender branches. Other cannabinoids are there in order to produce a fragrance or attractant so that pollinating insects will be more attracted to the plant.
Terpenes and Cannabinoids
Terpenes are found in practically all plants that live on the planet Earth. As we mentioned the possible purpose of cannabinoids earlier in this article, we do know that terpenes are in place for the same reasons that we presume cannabinoids are. Cannabis and hemp both contain a plethora of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that all work together to keep the plant as healthy and as attractive as possible.
Although there are similarities within the basic elements of terpenes and cannabinoids, they are both very different from each other. Where terpenes have the ability to change the mood and bring pleasant feelings to a person through the sense of smell or taste, cannabinoids can directly influence the brain and central nervous system.
The Full-Spectrum CBD Tincture
Now that we have laid out a general outline of cannabinoids and terpenes we can take a look at the makings of a CBD tincture and what makes it such a great vessel for carrying CBD into the human body.
A tincture, in the world of medicine, is a medication, or another type of compound that is pulled from a source with a solvent, then stored within the solvent, and administered to the person that uses it. It comes in the form of a liquid. In many cases, tinctures are developed with distilled alcohol or ethanol. Today, most of the CBD tinctures that are on the market are hemp extracts that have been separated from the hemp plant by way of supercritical CO2 extraction.
The entire essence of the hemp plant is extracted from its solid form, then transformed into a usable tincture that can be administered by placing drops under the tongue. Tinctures are created specifically so that people can feel the effects of the CBD as quickly as possible by getting the solution into the bloodstream without having to go through the digestive system.
The “full-spectrum” CBD tincture is actually a solution that carries all of the terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids that the hemp plant has to offer into one powerful solution. The end result even has a small amount of THC inside of it.
Under Tounge vs. Through the Stomach
The reason why the tincture is such an effective vehicle for CBD is that it can be placed directly under the tongue in order to transfer through the thin layer of skin that is beneath the tongue and directly into the collection of major veins that are available in that area. The difference between direct access to the bloodstream and indirect access makes a world of difference in the potency and the bioavailability of the contents of the tincture. Some examples of direct access to the bloodstream are by way of injection or inhalation. When people smoke cannabis they can instantly feel the effects because the smoke that they inhale is directly transferred into the bloodstream through the lungs. Although not as promptly as smoking, sublingual administration allows the tincture to hit the bloodstream quickly and easily.
When a person uses CBD products in the form of gummies, or softgels, or even by sprinkling it into food the CBD must first go through the digestive tract in order to find its way into the bloodstream. It can take several hours to completely absorb the product by way of the stomach.
If you were to ingest a couple of drops of tincture through the stomach the odds of the CBD ever reaching your bloodstream are pretty slim. The acids inside of the stomach that is there to break down food will burn the tincture up before it has a chance to make it to where it is supposed to go.
It is for this reason that there are protective coatings and barriers around CBD products that are made for consumption through the stomach. CBD gummies, pills, and softgels are all equipped with layers of protection so that the CBD can be as effective as possible without losing its steam through the digestive system. Although the edibles and other forms of CBD that are developed specifically for eating are high-quality and made to have the highest impact, they are all inferior methods for administration than by way of direct access to the bloodstream. In other words, using a tincture for administering CBD is much more effective than putting it through the digestive system.
Full-Spectrum vs Broad-Spectrum CBD Tinctures
The difference between a full spectrum and a broad spectrum tincture is basically one tiny component. The presence of THC. In a full spectrum extract, as we discussed above there will be a tiny amout of THC present in the product. Of course, this will not be enough to get a person high or cause any kind of psychoactive effects, but it will be there. One of the main reasons why people prefer to have a tiny amount of THC in their hemp products is because they are in hopes to experience the entourage effect that is supposed to be engaged when all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work together in order to bring forth the most potent effects as can possibly be.
A broad-spectrum extract will have all of the other components of the hemp plant except for THC. Although a full spectrum extract only has 0.3% THC content, it is enough to raise eyebrows and can potentially show up as positive marijuana use in a drug test. Some people have a very high sensitivity to THC and can not have even a tiny amount of it. For the people that do not want to have anything to do with THC, there is the broad-spectrum extract that will not have even a small trace of THC.
Cannabinoids and the Brain
One thing that scientists have been able to discover is that cannabinoids directly affect the brain and can influence the central nervous system to act in ways that are unexplainable. Through the endocannabinoid system that all humans have CBD, THC, CBG, and other cannabinoids are able to communicate with the brain and the rest of the body in a way that no other known compounds can. It is through mysteries such as this that scholars and doctors around the world are still scratching their heads. One thing that is for certain is that millions of people around the world use CBD and CBD products on a daily basis and absolutely love what they do for them. As research continues to bring about more truths, there is a brighter hope for the future of CBD and the rest of the cannabinoids.