THC Tincture 101: Is It Stronger Than Edibles?

We always want the best for ourselves, even if we end up doing the opposite at times (cough, cough that drive thru window is convenient and quick, isn’t it?). But as humans, we like getting the best out of every situation. From what we consume to what we wear, where we live, and how we take everyday life decisions.

Edibles are one of the traditional ways of consuming cannabis and it has been around until the new guy, ‘tincture,’ came on board. A lot of questions have been raised about the usage of tinctures and edibles, the truth remains that they’re both efficient and effective ways of consuming cannabis. 

In this article, we will take a look at THC tincture and edibles, their benefits, and their side effects. We’ll also take a look at the difference between THC tinctures and edibles. And finally, you will get to know how to choose the best. 

THC tinctures are alcohol-based cannabis extracts or alcohol-infused cannabis products.  In its most basic form, it is not intended for smoking or vaping but rather for sublingual ingestion. After soaking for several days in a base liquid like food-grade alcohol, glycerin, or even oil, the cannabis plant is extracted from its plant materials. Cannabinoids, terpenes, and other substances have combined with the basic liquid and are now ready for dosing and consumption.

Cannabis tincture is an excellent option for folks who don't like to smoke, inhale, or vape marijuana. One of the more than 100 cannabinoids that are found naturally in marijuana is THC. It is also the only cannabinoid having a large psychoactive effect. A pure THC tincture, in contrast to CBD tinctures, is anticipated to make the user "high."

Tincture oils are taken orally; there is no smoking or vaping involved. That's fantastic news if you're scared of smoking cannabis due to its potential negative effects on your health. Cannabis tinctures are effective in treating a wide range of symptoms and ailments. They can induce vigor or on the flip side foster calmness, concentration, or sleep. 

CBD-rich cannabis tinctures treat a variety of conditions, including arthritis and osteoporosis-related inflammation as well as anxiety, depression, and epileptic seizures.1 Those who are high on THC can reduce tension and chronic discomfort, as well as aid in drug addiction rehabilitation.

Tinctures offer the ideal replacement for consumers watching their caloric intake. Tinctures have few calories. So, if you're trying to lose weight, this could be great approach to get there. Tinctures often have much fewer calories than the majority of baked cannabis products.

However, especially for weight loss and in managing any other medical conditions, you should always consult your doctor first. 

Even in tincture form, THC, a psychoactive drug, has the possibility of adverse consequences. The most common side effects, anxiety, and paranoia, usually appear after consuming too much. Some users may have withdrawal symptoms if they stop using regularly. 

During the encounter, there may be decreased coordination and cognitive impairment, but these effects will pass fast. If you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, avoid using THC tinctures and as always discuss new usage of cannabis products with your physician first.

Cannabis edibles are consumable, edible products that contain cannabinoids. Among the many different types of edibles are savory dishes and drinks, chocolates, gummies, and hard candies. You can make edibles by mixing a cannabis tincture with meals or beverages. 

They can be manufactured at home (usually using hemp or marijuana-infused butter or oil that is then baked, cooked, or smeared straight over food) or commercially by companies or dispensaries. Eating edibles like CBD gummies are swiftly gaining popularity as a method to enjoy marijuana, even though smoking is still the most common way to experience all the advantages of the plant.

Any form of smoking is damaging to your lungs. Due to this, edibles are a well-liked substitute. Users who don't want to smoke are drawn to edibles. They come in a variety of tastes and, in contrast to other ways, leave no cannabis-related odor or taste. The good long-term consequences are important if you're using edibles to relieve pain or anxiety. Without having to take a stop for a smoking break, you may medicate yourself as needed throughout the day. To sleep better, some people use edibles before bed. To guarantee a night of restful sleep, the effects will endure all through the night.

Cannabis edibles are getting more and more well-liked due to their numerous health advantages and also because they taste good! These days, you can buy them in almost any neighborhood store and in a wide variety of formats, such as sweets, infusions, or baked foods. 

Cannabis edibles and other cannabis products may interact with alcohol and other prescription drugs, including blood thinners. These combinations might amplify the effects of THC or impair how the drugs work. The effects of an edible overdose can frequently be more severe than those of a cannabis overdose through smoking. An edible overdose can cause paranoia, nausea, hallucinations, panic disorders, and reduced mobility.

While none of this is mentioned to scare you off from trying THC based products, first consider what prescriptions you take, any chronic conditions, or even if you have had a bad experience in the past. It’s best to start off slow and discuss use with a physician and/or a psychiatrist/therapist as well. Your personal team of experts can additionally aid in helping you make healthy and informed decisions for your circumstances. 

While tinctures and edibles both need to be consumed to be effective, the manner that they are metabolized by our bodies is the biggest difference between tinctures and edibles. 

When you consume a cannabis edible, such as pills, baked goods, or beverages, you are ingesting it orally. The active substances that are taken orally must first pass through the digestive tract of the body before being digested and then released into the bloodstream. On the other hand, sublingual intake bypasses the liver and digestive system, allowing the medicinal chemicals to enter the bloodstream immediately. 

A few drops of the tincture can be placed under your tongue for at least 20 seconds. You can then wait until a significant amount of the cannabinoids have been absorbed by your body. The tincture is then ingested, allowing the digestive system to assimilate any leftover cannabinoids.

The amount and pace at which the body absorbs the active chemicals are referred to as bioavailability. Tinctures may have a bioavailability of between 40% and 50% when taken sublingually. Due to the digestive system's metabolizing process, edibles can have a bioavailability when consumed that ranges from 4% to 20%.

Depending on how much you want to ingest, tinctures and edibles have a hard time beating each other in terms of potency. In contrast to tinctures, which can include up to 1,000 milligrams of THC, edibles often have fewer total cannabinoids. Tinctures are the best option if you want to avoid being full and are seeking those high concentrations.

Children, animals, and even adults may mistake edibles for regular food. Serious negative effects and hospitalization might result from unintentional cannabis use. In the same manner that alcoholic beverages should be kept out of reach, we advise keeping edibles in a secure location if you use them. 

When you eat an edible, the food and cannabinoids are broken down in the digestive system and must be digested by the stomach and liver before being disseminated to the rest of the body, which is occasionally a long process. While tinctures can start working their magic in as little as 15 minutes, edibles can take up to an hour or two to start producing therapeutic effects.

Generally speaking, the effects of an edible might linger a little more than those of a tincture. This is due to the fact that ingested cannabinoids are digested and transported through the body's systems more slowly. 

When taking a tincture sublingually, the cannabinoids reach your system more quickly and, in some situations, more efficiently, but the benefits might not last as long. When dosed properly, the effects of tinctures typically last between three and eight hours whereas those of edibles might last between four and twelve hours.

Users may only want 3 mg, and dividing a 10 mg edible oneself might make it challenging to obtain the exact quantity required. However, since the majority of states only allow 100 mg of milligrams per package, higher tolerance users may require 100 mg or more to feel anything. With tinctures, a measured dropper is frequently provided, enabling consumers to take exact amounts and experience the benefits nearly immediately.

Edibles can cost as little as $5 or as much as $100 for more expensive ones. A 100 mg package typically costs around $15. In contrast, tinctures often cost $30 to $200. However, it's important to remember that many tinctures include 2–5 times as much cannabis as edibles, which helps many users justify the cost.

Remember here, price may vary, but you should never sacrifice on quality! Always look for third-party testing and transparent practices when searching for a product that suits your needs. 

A cannabis tincture may be the best choice if you take medicinal marijuana and want quicker symptom relief. An edible could be your best option if you don't mind waiting a little longer for the benefits to start working and desire the effects to linger.

In the end, experimenting with both tinctures and edibles to determine which you prefer is the best approach to learning what works for you. If you require immediate symptom relief, cannabis tinctures are a good choice, while edibles have more lasting benefits. Try both tinctures and edibles until you find your favorite formulation.

We have a variety of CBD options available including a range of tinctures based on your specific needs! So if you’re counting sheep with no sleep in sight, consider our Dream CBD Oil. Or, let’s say you need to stay dialed in for a long day at the office (or behind the computer from bed – no judgement here!) then check out the Clarity CBD Oil. 

But if you’re less of a fan of tinctures, we also have a new formulation for our Recreation THC Gummies! These gummies are intended to re-create recreation, one microdose at a time. A carefully crafted dose of 5 mg THC and 25 mg CBD, each gummy will add a fun boost of satisfaction to any activity. 

Both tinctures and edibles are capable of giving you the desired results but, as we said up there, “it depends on how you want it.” With each having its own benefits and side effects, it is ideal to take them to heart so you can enjoy the best both can offer. 

Keep in mind what we mentioned above, but for additional information and knowledge about cannabis, head over to the BATCH Blog. We’re always cooking up some new topic for discussion so that all users and enthusiasts alike can be well informed before purchasing. 

1. Elms L, Shannon S, Hughes S, Lewis N. Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series. J Altern Complement Med. 2019 Apr;25(4):392-397. doi: 10.1089/acm.2018.0437. Epub 2018 Dec 13. PMID: 30543451; PMCID: PMC6482919.