Can we all agree that smoking marijuana flower is the OG way to get stoned? But smoking isn’t for everyone. Thankfully, just like potatoes and eggs, there are several ways to produce different outcomes for the end product. This is how we get our extracts, concentrates, oils, butter, etc. These all vary in flavor, potency, and effects, especially when compared to smoking it. When it comes to cannabis tincture vs edible - what to expect is a very different experience.
Believe it or not, tinctures are technically edibles. Both are consumed orally and absorbed into your bloodstream. The fact that they are produced using different methods, your body processes them differently as well. Since tinctures are consumed sublingual, putting a couple of drops under your tongue is quick to flow through your body.
A major benefit of tinctures over edibles is the onset time. You can feel the effects of tinctures within a few minutes, whereas edibles can take over 30 minutes to kick in.
What are the different categories of THC tinctures?
Full-Spectrum: These tinctures contain the full range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds naturally found in the cannabis plant. They provide a more comprehensive entourage effect, where the compounds work synergistically to enhance the overall therapeutic benefits.
Broad-Spectrum: Similar to full-spectrum tinctures, broad-spectrum tinctures contain a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes. However, they are specifically processed to remove THC, making them suitable for individuals who want to avoid the psychoactive effects of THC.
THC-Isolate: These tinctures contain only pure THC, isolated from the other cannabinoids and compounds found in the cannabis plant. They provide a highly concentrated and potent dose of THC, allowing for precise dosing and targeting specific symptoms.
Hybrid: Hybrid tinctures combine different cannabinoids, including THC, CBD, and other minor cannabinoids, in specific ratios. These tinctures are designed to offer a balanced effect, catering to various therapeutic needs and preferences.
Flavored: Many THC tinctures come in various flavors, such as mint, citrus, berry, and chocolate. These flavors enhance the taste experience and make the tinctures more enjoyable to consume.
What are the benefits of using tinctures over edibles?
Aside from the effects kicking in a lot quicker with tinctures, there are a few more things that place them on a higher pedestal than edibles.
3. Everlasting Shelf Life: Compared to a cannabis edible, your tincture will last you many months. Edibles can quickly go stale and even lose their potency over time.
4. Super Versatile: Remember how tinctures are technically edibles? Well, a very common way of consuming tinctures is by adding a few drops to a drink or sauce up your meal.
5. Sneaky and Safe: The last thing any of us want is a pet or child getting ahold of our stash. It’s more than likely that an edible will attract those who are curious and innocent. Since tinctures come in a container that resembles medicine, they are also harder to get into!
Possible Side Effects
When a product has impressive benefits, it usually comes with a few drawbacks. The first thing you’ll notice is the taste, which is not in any way compared to munching on an edible. Going full-send with a tincture that’s full-spectrum can have a bitter or sour taste. It’s common to get your dreaded cotton mouth with tinctures.
Dose yourself a little too much? You can expect nausea and dizziness, like a pretty wild head high.
How to dose your tinctures
Tinctures will come with a dropper that is labeled with mL. Without having to get a white lab coat on and break out some glass beakers, you can easily drop a consistent dose under your tongue. Most tinctures will have around 200mg THC per bottle, making 1mL a 6.66mg THC dose.
Are THC tinctures and edibles more effective than smoking cannabis?
In short, yes, THC tinctures and edibles are more effective than smoking cannabis. To personally determine which is more effective, ask yourself what kind of effects you want. If you are looking to get a quick buzz, smoking cannabis and tinctures are way more effective than edibles. If you want a more prolonged body high, tinctures and edibles are the way to go.
Tincture vs. Edibles: Enjoyment Factor
Both tinctures and edibles give you a calming, pain-relieving, body-high. The pro with tinctures is that you can reap the benefits in a shorter time. The con is that they are not too enjoyable to taste. When it comes to edibles, their pro is how tasty they are! The con for edibles is that they take a lot longer to kick in. This commonly leads to taking a higher dose before the effects start showing and resulting in getting too high.
Tinctures vs. Edibles: Cost Comparison
An initial thought is to think that edibles are the obvious budget-friendly option.
You can grab a pack of Chewii Edibles Blue Raz 200mg Gummies with ten 20mg THC gummies and have yourself ten doses of fun. With tinctures you can put it in your medicine cabinet and slurp a dose whenever needed for weeks, even months. So, while your initial price might be a difference between $10 for a few edible gummies and $50 for a tincture, you can expect the tincture to provide you with around 30 (considering a 30mL bottle) doses.
