Tinctures vs. Edibles: Is One Superior Over the Other?

Delta Munchies' Mango delta 8 tincture and Watermelon Runtz delta 8 gummies with a lighting between them.

Tinctures and edibles are popular trends in the cannabis industry, which is always at the forefront of finding new ways to consume the flower. They are the first-pick option for people who don’t like to vape or can’t for whatever reason but would like to enjoy the benefits of the plant.

As such, the cannabis tinctures vs. edibles debate is nothing new to the weed community. Below, we’ll go over the characteristics and benefits of tinctures and edibles separately, so you can compare and decide on the right moment to use each! 

Regardless of which one you prefer, make sure to buy quality products like those from Delta Munchies!

 

Key Takeaways

  • Tinctures are the best method of extracting and preserving cannabinoids.
  • Edibles are the best option for first-time users looking to ease their way into the cannabis world.
  • Edibles vs. tinctures vary in terms of onset time, potency, availability, and convenience of use.

 

What Are Tinctures?

Herbal tinctures date back as far as 2000 BC when the process of alcohol distillation was discovered and spread across Asia. It introduced a new method for preparing and preserving herbal medicine that beat all other techniques by a mile.

Today, cannabis tinctures can be made using the folk method of soaking the flower in food-grade alcohol, vegetable glycerin, or oil. You can make it at home, but dispensary tinctures are a more reliable option as they have precisely measured THC content by professional cannabis manufacturers.

Tinctures have an extended shelf life if stored properly in a cold, dark cabinet. You can count your intake in drops and adjust the dose to amplify the experience.   

You can consume tinctures by placing a drop under your tongue so that it goes directly into the bloodstream. Or, you can spice up your drinks and food with it, in which case you’ll mimic the experience of taking an edible!

Tinctures are made with concentrates of different cannabinoids, such as CBD or delta 8 THC, and carry their medicinal and psychoactive benefits. 

 

Benefits of Tinctures

Delta Munchies' Cherry Lime tincture next to lemon slices and cherries.

Tinctures are an incredible option if you want discreetness but also a smokeless experience. They are a more precise and controlled method to consume cannabinoids, thanks to how these products are made with a carrier oil like coconut or vegetable and a cannabinoid concentrate.

Easy to use and versatile, tinctures can be a great product for those who have trouble swallowing pills or have a hard time with stronger doses of edibles. You can simply use the dropper and have them on the go or right at home without having to look around if you get caught with skunky smoke.

Now, tinctures have an incredible benefit for foodies: they can be added to drinks or recipes. You can even add tinctures to the fatty portion of a pastry or cookie to have some “infused” edibles, which can be great if you don’t love the taste of hemp. Or, add them to your favorite tea or water to have a potent choice when going outside or having a sip at work.

Besides the usual high, THC and CBD tinctures can aid in treating various health issues such as pain, anxiety, depression, nausea, sleep disorders, and many others.

They usually have a strong scent of weed that may bother first-time users. However, you can always get tinctures with delicious fruity aromas, such as Mango or Cherry Lime, over at Delta Munchies!

Other practical benefits include the following:

Exact Dosages

You can measure the exact intake of THC using the dropper–one of the merits of this consumption method! You can check out our delta 8 dosage chart for all our products ranging from beginner to advanced dosage.

Simple List of Ingredients

Cannabis tinctures usually contain very few ingredients–(organic) MCT oil, hemp-derived delta 8 oil, and artificial flavors, if any. THC tinctures must contain more than 0.3% THC to induce psychoactive effects, whereas CBD tinctures have less than 0.3% content of THC.

Variety of Cannabinoids

Tinctures come in several varieties depending on the infusion material:  

  • Pure isolate tinctures that contains only one cannabinoid.
  • Broad-spectrum tinctures, which can have cannabinoids and terpenes. 
  • Full-spectrum tinctures also has some amount of THC, plus cannabinoids and terpenes.
  • THC tinctures infused with the latest THC variants, such as delta 8!

Variety of Strengths and Ratios

The CBD to THC ratio can be anywhere from 1:1 to 30:1. If you’re an experienced user, try 1:1. However, if cannabis is new on your menu, try pure CBD or a significantly CBD-dominant tincture at a ratio of 30:1.

Doesn’t Expire Quickly

Tinctures can last several years if stored properly–the longest shelf-life of all cannabis products! A fridge would be the ideal dark, cool place for storage. Avoid exposing tinctures to heat, light, or air, and they will remain in top condition for many years without any degradation in quality.

Faster Onset Time

The preferred method of consuming a tincture is sublingual or under the tongue. Place a drop and wait for 20 seconds before swallowing. Effects usually kick in after 15-20 minutes. So, be patient before upping the dose and wait for it to reach its full potential!

Duration

Depending on the amount, the duration of the effects can be extended to 3-6 hours! However, this is only the case with high-THC tinctures. Otherwise, you can expect to feel euphoria for an hour or two, when it’ll be at its peak.

Higher Concentrations

Tinctures contain 1,000mg of THC, CBD, or other cannabinoids in a 30 ml bottle. You can even extend the effects of tinctures if you hold them longer under the tongue, inducing a more potent high! They’re also the best way to make use of CBD concentration.

 

Side Effects of Tinctures

Like with most cannabis and hemp-derived products, tinctures can have some side effects, especially with high dosages. The most common one is drowsiness, so it might be best to avoid this kind of product if you are about to drive or operate heavy machinery.

Additionally, like most products, it can cause a dry mouth, dizziness, and paranoia. Some people might also experience an allergic reaction to the carrier oil used for the tincture, so read the ingredients and choose neutral products over coconut or peanut-based oils.

As per usual, it is important to start with smaller doses and build up the dose as you see fit. And if you want to use tinctures with wellness benefits in mind, talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns about tinctures.

 

What Are Edibles?

Food products with cannabis compounds, such as cannabinoids or terpenes, are called edibles, or medibles. Gummies are the most popular shape, but there are also candy, cookies, chocolates, and drinks. 

It takes longer for the body to process edibles, and it’s believed that about 80% of the contents go directly into the digestive system. This makes edibles an entirely unique experience for recreational users.

You can bake your own edibles and prepare them with ingredients such as weed-infused butter or oil. A simpler way is to just add a few drops of tincture to your cookie dough. But, the best option is to buy ready-made food from brand manufacturers and dispensaries.

Store-bought edibles come with an exact dosage of delta 9, so you know how much you consume and can adjust the dose at any time. With homemade edibles, you can’t always be sure of the THC amount you’re consuming and can easily overdo it.

 

Benefits of Edibles

2 guys eating Delta Munchies' gummies.

Edibles can have interesting characteristics that can make them a fun way to consume cannabinoids. Not only do they offer a fun and creative way to enjoy different types of compounds, but they can provide a longer-lasting and more consistent effect than vaping.

This could be key for people who look for wellness benefits, such as getting potential longer pain relief or aid with inflammation. And best of all, you can indulge yourself with some tasty treats after a long week or day. Edibles are also one of the most discreet ways to try hemp products. Whether you want to enhance your next dinner party or just want a little relief before bed, edibles are perfect. You can also easily microdose them too, making them great for people who just want a small taste.

Other practical benefits include the following:

Precisely Dosed

Gummies, cookies, or chocolates come in dosed pieces, so you’ll always be in control of the amount of THC you’re consuming. Check the label to see the dosage information per piece.

Variety of Types and Flavors

There are so many flavors to choose from, and you’ll never go wrong with any of them! Edibles’ delicious flavors add to the experience as they engage your senses, and you can truly taste the euphoria that follows.

Less Complicated

Taking edibles is literally grabbing a muffin and enjoying its finger-licking taste while increasing your THC levels. You don’t have to worry about equipment or what to do with all the smoke and smell. 

Edibles are discreet, tasty, and the most clear-cut way to enjoy cannabis.

Intense Effects

Tinctures, smoking and vaping send the THC directly into the bloodstream but edibles are digested first and have to pass through the liver. There the THC is metabolized into 11-hydroxy-THC which has longer effects and delivers a more powerful high.

Easily Accessible

After the latest elections and voting, the majority of the US has legalized cannabis for recreational and/or medicinal purposes. So, while not legal on a federal level, edibles remain available in dispensaries across the states where you can take them recreationally. Still, you should check if they are legal in your state before ordering online.

Duration

THC effects can be felt for six to eight hours, unlike smoking or vaping, where the euphoria wears off in two to three hours. In addition, traces of it can be found even 12–24 hours after consumption.

Reasonably priced

Edibles usually have a reasonable price because they are easily manufactured and packed. The price depends on how many pieces are in a bag, but high-quality edibles cost between $40-100 per package.

 

Side Effects of Edibles

Now, like most cannabinoid products, some higher doses or sensitivity to certain cannabinoids can lead to unwanted side effects. This is important to remember, as the biggest issue with this method is that it could take a while to kick in, which could lead some people to consume more than they originally intended.

So, the most common side effect due to high doses is basically getting an overwhelming high. Some people also get dry mouth or eyes, dizziness, or even really strong digestive and bowel movements.

This is why it is important to start with low doses and wait at least an hour before consuming another dose, and even more if you’ve never tried cannabis through edibles. And remember to never have an edible on an empty stomach, as it could further increase the possibility of getting these nasty side effects.

 

Differences Between Edibles vs. Tinctures

Tinctures and edibles are easy to carry and convenient to take. With smoking and vaping, you need the right equipment and place because of all the smoke and the smell.

With edibles and tinctures, all you have to do is put a drop under your tongue or enjoy a flavorsome snack. 

Nonetheless, while they do have their similarities, they also pose some striking differences:

Different Effects

Edibles will give you a more potent high because the body metabolizes THC through the bloodstream in this case. But they can also be less predictable. 

Some individuals don’t feel the psychoactive effects of THC when taking gummies, and there is sometimes no information about what type of strain they are made from.

Plus, impatient and inexperienced users might overdo it as the THC takes much longer to produce effects.  

Cannabis tincture vs. edibles can be superior in the purity of the product as it only has about three ingredients and offers a higher concentration of cannabinoids. This is better for achieving the entourage effect and making the most out of the experience.

Edibles can be full of sugar and certain allergens. If users have some dietary or nutritional issues, the edibles menu can be out of the question. 

Today, clever manufacturers are finding ways to offer vegan and gluten-free options. Still, the high content of sugar remains in all the baked goodies.

Timing

Edibles’ effects are felt after at least 30 minutes to 2 hours. Some users may hurry to take another dose, risking triggering the side effects instead. Also, in certain situations, users need a fast onset of effects, which edibles can’t provide.

Nonetheless, while THC takes longer to metabolize, the high is more powerful and long-lasting. Conversely, tinctures are used sublingually, and the effects can be felt after only 15 minutes.

Duration

The effects of edibles last for about 6 to 8 hours. But they can have residual effects for 24 hours, which can be too much for some users depending on their needs and situation.

With tinctures, the high can last between 2-3 hours from consumption.

 

Are Tinctures Better than Edibles?

This is hard to answer, as it all comes down to what kind of experience you’d like to have. For a quicker onset, fewer side effects, and more controllable doses, go for tinctures, as they will be a better choice.

Edibles, on the other hand, can feel stronger and have a longer high or potential effect, which could be better if you want some pain relief aid or want to enhance your relaxing time during the weekend.

Effect-wise, both products are great for supporting anxiety, depression, and even pain relief. For instance, some people who experience PTSD symptoms could feel comfortable with both products, tinctures to aid them to get better sleep and relaxation, and edibles when they feel like having an extra hard night.

Each one provides a unique experience that might be better in some areas, like taste, versatility, or easier to use. Further down the article, we’ve reviewed which product is better in different areas but feel free to choose whichever experience knowing their benefits and side effects.

 

Do Tinctures Work Faster than Edibles?

Yes! Tinctures are usually absorbed sublingually, meaning they can work in a shorter span than edibles. Since tinctures are basically cannabinoids concentrated in a carrier oil, these are absorbed easily through the membranes under your tongue but also through your digestive system once you swallow.

Edibles usually work anywhere between the 30-minute and the hour mark. Of course, this also means that an edible has a stronger onset than tinctures, but we’ll delve into this in the next section.

For now, know that tinctures, due to how they are absorbed, can work as early as 5 minutes and up to 15 minutes after having a few drops of oil. This can be especially important if you need quick relief, like when you are feeling nauseous.

Cannabinoids have been proven to help with nausea symptoms, and a few drops on your tongue might be quicker and act better than having to bite on a food item and chew when you only feel like the world’s spinning. Or, if you want to support your appetite loss, the last thing you might feel like doing is having a food product.

 

Are Tinctures Stronger than Edibles?

In general, edibles are stronger than tinctures. While this depends on the dosage, too, most edibles are absorbed through the digestive system. This ends up in a stronger onset and effects due to how the cannabinoids are processed.

Without getting too specific in the process, this method allows more cannabinoids to be available in our bodies. Scientists refer to this as bioavailability and are one of the main reasons why edibles are not the best way for complete newbies to start their hemp or cannabis journey.

 

Tincture vs. Edibles: For Taste

Now that we’ve explored edibles and tinctures let’s go side by side on which product is better in several categories. First, let’s go with taste. This is slightly complicated, as both products can have a strong aftertaste depending on the cannabinoid and flavorings used.

That said, tinctures can have different flavors that are added to tea, coffee, or even food. So thanks to this, we give tinctures the win in this category. Of course, you can always try fun flavors with gummies, but due to tinctures being able to mix in with other things to improve their flavor, they get the point in this round.

 

Tincture vs. Edibles: Side Effects

Edibles have a stronger onset than tinctures, which sadly also makes the side effects slightly more common. That said, smaller-sized and microdosing edibles is a great option to skip these side effects while keeping the wellness effects.

In the end, these unwanted symptoms, like dryness in your mouth or eyes, are temporary and are usually linked to a sensitivity to certain cannabinoids or heavy doses. Tinctures are a little easier to microdose than gummies since you can count the drops.

So for this round, we’ll give it to tinctures only because edibles are slightly more difficult to account for. 

 

Tincture vs. Edibles: Ease of Use

Lastly, we’ll go with the ease of use. Don’t get us wrong; both products are generally pretty simple to get around. It depends mostly on the style you prefer and how easy they can be.

If we fully dive into how difficult they can get to be, tinctures can be slightly more complicated in a pinch. While rare, the bottle can open up in your purse or drawer when you are not looking, and if you need a quick solution, counting every single drop can get quite tricky at times.

Some edibles are as easy as taking a gummy or halving it. While it might not be the best idea whenever you have nausea, it’s easier for people who might want to get a slight push into dreamland due to sleep issues or want some aid with general anxiety symptoms.

Because of this, we give ease of use to edibles. They are simple, mostly odorless, and won’t ruin your bag if they get spilled around. Also, most edible containers are childproof, making things safe for people with little hands.

 

Tincture or Edibles: Which Is Right for Me?

The cannabis industry offers a versatile range of products to satisfy the needs of all users regardless of their preferences. If you do some research and learn their characteristics, you’ll be able to make an educated choice for your next desired experience.

Reviews are also very helpful as users give personal accounts of their experiences and the effects they have felt. Of course, you should try them all yourself to see how tincture vs. edibles affect your body and mind and experiment with dosages.

Just remember to start small and go slow!

Delta Munchies has a range of high-quality products, such as our Delta 8 Sour Bites, guaranteed to satisfy even the most discerning cannabis lover with their flavor and potency. You can check the reviews on our products for reference or try and see for yourself!

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Where to Find the Best Tinctures and Edibles Online

It is very important that you get your weed from a trusted and reliable source when taking THC tincture vs. edible products into account.

At Delta Munchies, you can find an array of products with delta 8 THC that are made in a certified laboratory using only the finest ingredients. Experience euphoria at first bite with our premium gummies and flavorsome tinctures!

We take great pride in our edibles, never compromise on quality or potency, and rigorously test all of our delta 8 extracts in a certified lab.