Smoking and vaping are two of the most popular methods of cannabis consumption that provide quick relief from a variety of symptoms. Not everyone wants to inhale their cannabinoids, however. And ingesting an edible can take upwards of 90 minutes or more to start feeling the benefits. There is another solution: a sublingual tincture.
What Is a Tincture?
A tincture is an herbal solution that involves extracting compounds from a plant with solvent, typically alcohol. In the cannabis realm, it’s a liquid cannabis extract.
There are numerous tinctures on the market, some containing the full cannabinoid and terpene profile, while others only contain one or two cannabinoids. They come in opaque glass bottles, often amber or blue, and a dropper in the lid. The label provides you with information regarding the strain and the cannabinoid content.
Why Sublingual?
You have a few options when it comes to using a tincture. One of the most common methods of consumption is to apply your dose under your tongue. Why do it this way, though?
Taking a tincture sublingually provides the fastest-acting results of any other method of use. The skin under your tongue is thin. The cannabinoids absorb into it and go straight into your bloodstream. In most cases, you’ll feel the effects in as little as 15 minutes.
Additional Ways to Use a Tincture
While a sublingual application provides quick relief, it’s not your only option for this product. Another common way to use a tincture is to add a few drops into your food or drink, an act that helps to mask the flavor. Keep in mind, however, that this method involves processing the cannabinoids through your liver. Like any other edible, it can take almost two hours before you feel anything.
Another way to use a tincture is to apply it to your skin. Often used for targeted pain-relief, a topical application allows the cannabinoids to absorb directly into your skin. You won’t get high with this method, no matter what the THC content of the tincture.
Other Benefits of Tinctures
Fast-acting relief is just one benefit of tinctures. Other benefits include:
- Precise dosing
- Easy microdosing
- Discreet
- Portable
- When stored properly, a long shelf-life
How to Use a Sublingual Tincture
Taking a sublingual tincture is quick and easy. First, use the dropper to get your desired dose. Next, place the liquid directly under your tongue. For the best results, allow the tincture to sit there for one to two minutes. This gives the cannabinoids time to absorb into your bloodstream. If you swallow it too quickly, the cannabinoids will be processed through your digestive system, meaning you won’t feel anything until an hour or so later. When you need quick relief, this is the last thing you want.
Once in your bloodstream, the cannabinoids travel to your endocannabinoid system, where they begin to bind with cannabinoid receptors. You feel results in approximately 15 to 30 minutes, and those effects can last two hours or more.
You don’t have to smoke or vape to get fast-acting relief from your symptoms. A sublingual tincture takes effect quickly without the need to inhale anything.