CBD tincture is a concentrated extract from cannabis that has been processed at low temperature, using precise amounts of the high-quality CBD tincture oil and other cannabinoids it contains. This produces a product that retains all the usable terpenes and other compounds found in raw cannabis.
Low Temperature Extraction
The process used to create CBD tinctures, vaporizing or subcritical extraction, is actually a particular process of ethanol extraction. This method uses temperatures between 160°C and 180°C and low pressures relative to traditional distillation techniques. The primary benefit of using subcritical temperatures is an increase in the yield of the desired compound while maintaining the purity of cannabidiol (CBD).
The Best CBDa Tincture Compounds
The one major problem with all CBD extracts is that they lack the defining features that make certain compounds more desirable than others. CBD alone is a non-intoxicating compound that does not produce any euphoric effects in users. This means it can be used for medicinal benefits without causing psychoactive side effects. But, its lack of psychoactivity also makes it rather undesirable, as the compound acts as an antithesis to THC. Research has shown that CBD has variations, or modifications, on the same molecular level as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These modifications result in a group of compounds called cannabinoids such as CBC (cannabichromene), CBG (cannabigerol) and CBN (cannabinol). These compounds are what give cannabis its characteristic abilities and effects on human physiology.
Through the processes of decarboxylation and oxidization, CBD becomes CBDA, which is then transformed into CBD. The psychoactive properties which give CBD its edge, however, come from the CBC and CBG found in cannabis. Cannabis with a high THC content will have lower levels of CBC and CBG than strains low in THC, which results in lower levels of cannabinoids like the CBC and CBG that produce euphoria. When using full spectrum extracts or tinctures, users can ensure they get a consistent level of desired cannabinoids – this is because all compounds are extracted at once instead of having to process them separately.
Full Spectrum Means Whole Spectrum
The terms full spectrum and whole spectrum both refer to CBD extract, but may be used incorrectly by different producers. A full spectrum extract is one that uses the whole plant – including stems, stalks, flowers and leaves – when creating their extract. In order to do this, however, the extraction process must be done at subcritical temperatures in order to preserve as many terpenes as possible while still extracting maximum levels of CBD.
A whole-plant extraction can also come in two forms: using only the leaves and buds or using a combination of the leaves and flowers with the stalks and buds. The former would give a more pure CBD extract with less THC.
