Many people turn to cannabis for pain management. Studies show that THC and CBD can help block pain signals, which alleviates pain symptoms and makes them more manageable.
When it comes to cannabis use, you have several options — including smoking, vaping, and eating edibles. One of the easiest and most exact methods of medicating with cannabis is through using tinctures. Here’s what you need to know about tincture dosing for managing physical discomfort.
What Is a Tincture?
Tinctures are liquid cannabis extracts. Many are alcohol-based, but you can also find options that use glycerin or a plant-based oil such as coconut or olive. They come with caps that have dropper lids, which make dosing a breeze.
One of the most common ways to use a tincture is to apply your dose under your tongue. The skin is thin in this area, which provides an easy route for cannabinoids to enter your bloodstream. With sublingual tincture dosing, you often begin to feel relief within 15 minutes or so.
Another way to use a tincture is to swallow it. If you don’t like the taste, you can add it to a food or beverage. While this method of tincture dosing is simple and helps to mask the flavor a bit more, it does take longer for the effects of cannabis to kick in. Swallowing your tincture means it could take up to 90 minutes or so to feel relief.
What Are the Benefits of Tincture Dosing?
Apart from the pain relief itself, here are some other benefits of tincture dosing:
- Sublingual dosing provides fast relief
- Tincture droppers allow for accurate dosing every time
- Odorless tinctures are discreet because they don’t produce smoke or vapor
- Taking doses has no adverse effects on your lungs
- You don’t have to eat anything to benefit from cannabis use
Using cannabis tinctures can also provide relief from many different types of pain — including chronic pain, arthritis, neuropathy, and pain related to cancer treatments.
How Do You Find Your Ideal Dose?
With a tincture, you always know exactly how much THC or CBD you’re getting. Dosing is accurate because the dropper has markers that tell you how much you’re taking. But how do you know how much to take?
Everyone is different. A dose that works for your closest friend may be too much for you. Ideal dosing takes time to figure out. The best way to do this is to start with a small dose and gradually work your way up until you begin to feel the desired effects.
Another thing to pay attention to is the CBD to THC ratio. Both of these cannabinoids work together to help provide you with the relief you need. Common CBD to THC ratios for managing pain include:
- 1:1
- 2:1
- 5:1
- 10:1
- 20:1
A balanced ratio provides relief, but may also cause a high. If you’re worried about mind-altering effects, a tincture with more CBD and less THC may be more ideal.
Tincture Dosing Made Easy
Cannabis might not eliminate your pain, but it can certainly help to make your symptoms more manageable. With the right tincture dose, you can find enough relief to go about your day or relax at the end of the night.