- CBD may or may not be for you; always consult with your health care professional first...
CBD tinctures are an easy-to-use method to enjoy the benefits of cannabis. The tincture extraction process involves saturating the raw cannabis extract with high-proof alcohol and then heating it for a specific amount of time.
CBD can reduce the amount of cortisol released in your body. It also may help improve mood and promote sleep.
1. Pain Relief
CBD activates receptors in your brain that manipulate the way you process pain signals. This helps ease the pain from arthritis, bruises and scrapes, headaches, and other ailments.
Studies show that CBD reduces the incidence of neuropathic pain in rats after nerve injury and decreases cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice. CBD also inhibits the neuropathic pain-induced decrease of serotonin levels in rat spinal cord.
2. Stress Management
CBD’s calming effects are well-documented, making it a great tool for managing stress. While it may not be as fast-acting as some prescription antidepressants, research shows it significantly reduces acute stress in humans and decreases cortisol levels during a stressful event.
CBD oil capsules are another easy way to get your daily dose of calming CBD. Unlike tinctures, these capsules are filled with a blend of carrier oils that allow for better absorption.
Both CBD tincture and oil are great options for stress management, so choose the one that best suits your lifestyle. Just keep in mind that CBD can increase sedation when taken with certain medications that also make you drowsy, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors like amitriptyline or phenelzine.
3. Inflammation Management
CBD may help manage inflammatory conditions by inhibiting the production of molecules that promote inflammation and decreasing the activity of enzymes that break down proteins. This makes tinctures a great choice for managing discomfort associated with aches and pains.
A small study found that when people with heroin use disorder took CBD along with their routine psychiatric treatment, it significantly reduced their cue-induced cravings, withdrawal anxiety and resting heart rate without any serious side effects.
Unlike a CBD capsule or a CBD cream, which can take a while to get to the source of your pain, a tincture is absorbed quickly through the mucous membranes in your mouth, meaning it’s our fastest-acting form of CBD.
4. Mood Enhancement
The daily grind of life can take a toll on your mood. While exercising, sleeping, eating well, and managing stress can help, sometimes it takes more than that.
CBD may reduce anxiety and improve depression symptoms. Research suggests it may work by altering the levels of serotonin, a brain chemical involved in emotion regulation and mood. It also appears to have antidepressant effects and could be used as an alternative to some medications.
The best way to get the mood-boosting benefits of CBD is to use sublingual drops. This means you place them under the tongue, where they absorb directly into the bloodstream. You can also ingest it in capsules or food and drinks, such as gummies and smoothies.
5. Sleep Improvement
CBD works on the endocannabinoid system, which has been shown to regulate sleep-related chemicals like serotonin and the sleep-wake cycle. Short-term use of CBD may improve insomnia by decreasing the time it takes to fall asleep and increasing non-REM, slow-wave sleep. It can also decrease the anxiety that keeps some people awake.
It may reduce the symptoms of restless leg syndrome, a neurological condition that causes involuntary leg movements during sleep. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce the psychoactive “high” associated with marijuana.
However, CBD may interact with certain medications that cause drowsiness, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and tricyclic antidepressants. Consult a doctor before taking CBD if you are using one of these drugs.