CBD and CBG Tinctures

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the Swiss-Army knife of cannabinoids. It has many applications for a variety of symptoms because of multiple areas of activity affecting a wide variety of symptoms. CBD is a part of many suggested treatment plans. CBG is a potent antiinflammatory cannabinoid and has anti-anxiety effects, and should be considered in patients with severe inflammation and/or autoimmune disorders. THC will be more effective when used with CBD for most conditions.

CBD tinctures (liquid extracts of the hemp/cannabis plant) are a cost effective preparation which permits the use of adequate doses of CBD to treat many symptoms.

Types of CBD Tinctures

Isolate or Single Molecule CBD Tinctures - These tinctures contain ONLY the CBD molecule. They are generally less effective than whole plant extracts which contain additional “minor” cannabinoids and terpenes. Much higher CBD doses are required using isolate preparations which can result in increased side effects. These are suggested only for patients who must pass drug screening for THC.

Whole Plant Extract Tinctures - In addition to CBD, whole plant extracts contain all other compounds within the plant. Minor cannabinoids (CBG, CBC, CBGV, etc.) may be present as well as a variety of terpenes. They will also contain a small, legal amount of THC (less than 0.3%) which over time will accumulate in the body to show as positive in urine drug screens. It is the combination of the compounds contained in the whole plant extracts which provides the better response at lower doses seen with whole plant extracts, the entourage effect. WHOLE PLANT EXTRACTS ARE PREFERRED.

Quality Issues with CBD Tinctures

The CBD market is mostly unregulated. There is no entity which monitors or controls labeling of CBD products. Unfortunately, this opens up the market to unscrupulous vendors selling bunk and counterfeit CBD or products of low potency or quality. It becomes imperative that the consumer vet products under consideration as legitimate. A poor response to a particular product compared to that obtained using another brand of CBD suggests it is the CBD tincture of dubious quality.

Visit “CannabisExpertMD” on FaceBook, InstaGram, YouTube, Twitter, Relevant, Gab and at CannabisExpertMD.com for more information on the optimal use of medical cannabis

CannabisExpertMD.com
Brian Nichol, MD