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Cannabis Tinctures 101: A Complete Guide to Tinctures

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Tinctures are a century-old technique that has survived the test of time. Cannabis tinctures capture the distilled essence of the plant in a concentrated solution and can be an ideal alternative to inhalation. So let us get down to basics and discuss everything you need to know about tinctures.

What is a cannabis tincture?

A tincture refers to a concentrated herbal extract that has been dissolved in ethanol or glycerine-based solution. It is one of the most basic extraction forms designed for sublingual use, entering the system through mucous membranes.

A cannabis tincture is a concentrated extract which binds the compounds of the cannabis plant into a diluted solution. The plant compounds dissolve into a rich solution by soaking the flower in a base solution. The results will leave you with a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum tincture, but what is the difference? 

Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum– what is the difference?

Full-spectrum refers to products made with all the compounds found within the cannabis plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. It is a complete plant extract, whereas broad-spectrum removes the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol. Perfect for those looking for a tincture that will not incapacitate you or impact your day-to-day life.

What is the difference between cannabis tinctures and oils?

There is often confusion between cannabis tinctures and oils, so let us discuss their differences. Tinctures are made primarily with ethanol, whereas cannabis oils often use a base like olive or coconut oil, which binds exceptionally well with cannabinoids. When using fat as the binding molecule, we have what is known as an infusion, as is the case with cannabis oils. It is often more potent but has a much harsher taste than its ethanol-based counterpart.

The benefits of cannabis tinctures

Cannabis tinctures are one of the most efficient ways to consume cannabis. They may not be as trendy as other products, but this centuries-old technique offers many benefits. So let us discuss them in detail!

1. The entourage effect with full-spectrum cannabis

Full-spectrum tinctures enable cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids to bind in a concentrated solution. This resulting synergy gives rise to the entourage effect, which provides a much more balanced effect with multiple benefits.

2. No allergens

Tinctures usually only contain essential cannabis compounds and the base. Subsequently, they can be more attractive than edibles if you have food allergies or intolerances. However, checking with your licensed medical practitioner before indulging is always recommended.  

3. A discrete administration method

It is not appropriate to smoke or vape cannabis everywhere. However, tinctures are the ultimate stealth solution. They come in a glass bottle with a dropper for discrete application. This means no odour or equipment that may draw unwanted attention from onlookers.

4. Easy dosing 

When it comes to cannabis, everyone has their own tolerance levels. Some require more, some less. With a cannabis tincture, you can gradually work your way up to your required dose and experience the desired effect each time. 

5. A fast-acting solution

When consumed sublingually, tinctures absorb through the mucosal lining inside the mouth. This means it often enters the bloodstream within minutes which is ideal for those looking for fast-acting relief.

How to use cannabis tinctures: drop, hold, and swallow

Using a cannabis tincture is exceptionally straightforward. Place the required amount of drops under your tongue, hold for 60 seconds, and swallow. 

Some people do not enjoy the taste of tinctures, and in such cases the mixture can be added to a beverage or food. Remember that the onset time will increase, given that it must pass through the digestive tract. Sublingual administration guarantees a faster onset time of 15-30 minutes.

The effects of tinctures often last for several hours. If you dose during the day, you can stagger the dosing to ensure a consistent and extended outcome.

How to make cannabis tinctures

Cannabis tinctures are one of the most straightforward products to make in the kitchen. With a mason jar, cheesecloth and patience, anyone can easily infuse their own tinctures. So let us guide you through our guide on how to make tinctures. 

Choosing a base for cannabis tinctures

The best option for the tincture base is food-grade ethyl ethanol (95%). It binds effortlessly with cannabinoids and has a neutral taste. Another option is to use food-grade glycerine, which is odourless, colourless and widely used in the food industry. The downside of glycerine is that the potency of glycerine tinctures is never as high as ethanol tinctures.

Cannabis tincture recipe instructions

Once you have chosen your base, it is time to start infusing your own tinctures, and you will need the following ingredients:

  • Dried cannabis flower 
  • Roughly 90 ml of ethanol or glycerine per gram of cannabis
  • Cannabis grinder
  • Baking tray
  • Parchment paper
  • Mason jar
  • Cheesecloth

1. Decarboxylate

Decarboxylation is a process that involves using heat to convert all raw cannabinoid acids, like THCa and CBDa, into their psychoactive compounds.

Firstly, grind the cannabis flower. Then spread the ground flower evenly across a baking tray with parchment paper, and let it bake for 30-50 minutes at 105°C-115°C. It is a delicate process, so be careful not to destroy the cannabinoids with excessive heat.

2. Mix the base solution and decarboxylated flower

Mix the decarboxylated cannabis flower and the base solution into a mason jar. The ratio can vary, but as a rule of thumb, for every 1 gram of raw flower, use 90 ml of solvent. You can adjust the proportions accordingly if you require a stronger or weaker tincture by increasing the flower or the medium by 30%.

3. Steep the solution 

Once mixed, the solution will require around 30 days for the plant compounds to be infused into the medium. If time is not an issue and you want a more potent tincture, let it steep for longer.

To help aid the process, shake the jar daily. 

4. Removing the remaining plant material

Next, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth and remove the remaining plant matter. You will then be left with a cannabinoid-rich solution, ready to bottle up and store!

Cooking with tinctures

One of the many benefits of a cannabis tincture is that it can be added to food or a beverage. You can add a tincture to anything from ice cream to salad dressing or mashed potatoes!

Remember that if you subject the solution to high temperatures, you risk destroying some of the cannabinoids. This will render the solution less potent. To avoid this, try adding the tincture to food which has already been pre-heated. In cases where you must mix it beforehand, use the lowest heat possible to avoid degradation.

How to store a cannabis tincture

Cannabis products will inevitably degrade over time, but storing your tincture correctly can significantly decrease the degradation process. When stored under the right conditions, a cannabis tincture can last for years without degradation.

The gradual degradation of cannabis comes from exposure to light, heat and oxygen. To help minimise exposure to sunlight, always bottle your tinctures in opaque glass and keep them in the dark. For maximum shelf life, refrigerators are ideal for storing cannabis tincture, or a cool, dark cupboard would be perfect.

Cannabis tinctures: Potency perfected

For many cannabis enthusiasts, tinctures are the ultimate elixir. Simple to dose, discrete, potent and flavourful, they provide optimal stealth and convenience. So whether you are a newbie or a seasoned pro, tinctures will elevate your cannabis experience to new highs!

  • Disclaimer:

    Laws and regulations regarding cannabis use differ from country to country. Sensi Seeds therefore strongly advises you to check your local laws and regulations. Do not act in conflict with the law.



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Fun And Easy Easter Cocktails

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It is a wonderful holiday market

Easter is a time to gather together with friends and/or family.  While some start the day in church, many others will enjoy a libation while celebrating. The holiday is behind Mardi Gras, Christmas, Black Friday and St. Patrick’s day as a drinking holiday. But why not add a little something boozy and colorful to the day’s agenda.  All of these pairs well with eggs and candy. Here are some fun and easy Easter cocktails!

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The Lent Buster

Lent is a 40 day season commonly practiced by giving up something beloved (drinking, chocolate, social media) as a sign of faith and sacrifice. This cocktail was created by at the 5 Point Cafe in Seattle, Washington.  Mixologist Sean Dunlap wanted something festive, fun and smooth. Regular patron Dan Luczkiewicz said the only thing wrong with this drink it is delicious and you want another!  Cafe owner David Meinert agrees and it will be featured at the famed dive bar during the holiday.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz tequila perhaps a blanco
  • 4 oz pineapple juice
  • Splash of cranberry

Create

  • Add add to a highball glass
  • Pour in tequila and pineapple juice
  • And a splash of cranberry juice for color
  • Stir and enjoy!

The Peep-a-lious

Peeps are iconic to Easter since the Just Born company premiered the colorful confection in the 1950s.  Why not combine a classic with vodka and make it even more enjoyable.  Consider reviving a childhood tradition but instead of dying eggs, you color champagne.

Ingredients

Create

  • Put ice in a highball glass
  • Combine first three ingredients in a glass and stir
  • Garnish the side of the glass with a blue peep

Colorful Mimosas

The favorite drinks of brunches, mornings and early day drinking.  Festive, fun and flavorful – mimosas. Consider reviving a childhood tradition but instead of dying eggs, you color champagne.

Ingredients

  • Chilled champagne or prosecco
  • Juices – consider Ruby Red Grapefruit, Mango, or Guava

Create

  • Pour the chilled bubbles into a champagne flute
  • Add enough juice to add color and a whisper of flavor
  • Drink and enjoy

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

Hot Boozy Bunny

Easter celebrates spring, but the weather doesn’t always contribute to the fun atmosphere. Here is a simple cocktail at anytime of day.  It is fun and can bring back a sense of childlike wonder with the big marshmallow!

Ingredients

  • Granulated sugar
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Milk
  • Vanilla extract
  • 1-1.5 oz. of Baileys, Frangelico, Grand Marnier, KahluaWhiskey
  • 1 big marshmallow

Create

  • Whisk the sugar and cocoa powder together in a small saucepan
  • Add the milk and whisk the mixture over medium-low to medium heat until the sugar and cocoa are dissolved and the hot chocolate is heated through
  • pour into a mug
  • Add shot of alcohol
  • Top with the big marshmallow!

May these spring cocktails put you in a blooming good mood.



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America’s Sports Betting Bonanza Explained

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Until quite recently, Americans could only legally bet on sports by traveling to a brick-and-mortar sportsbook in Nevada and exchanging physical currency for a slip detailing their wagers.  That was then.

In a landmark 2018 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which previously restricted wagering on sports other than horse and dog racing (which employ parimutuel systems akin to peer-to-peer pools) to Las Vegas, Reno, and other Nevada locales. The court’s decision cleared the way for every state to legalize sports betting. New Jersey was the first to do so in 2018 and, since then, about 30 more have followed suit.

sports betting
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But as with marijuana laws, sports betting takes on different shapes, depending on the state. Some, like Washington, restrict such betting to tribal gaming properties. Others, like Tennessee, only offer mobile sports wagering, with bettors forced to use their phones or computers to get bets down instead of visiting a retail sportsbook. Most fall somewhere in between, and some really big ones, like California and Texas, have yet to legalize sports betting. (Naturally, Florida continues to be a nanny state.)

If you live in a state where sports betting’s not legal, it’s perfectly permissible to hit the interstate until you cross into a state where such wagering is legal, pull off at the first exit, download an authorized sportsbook app like DraftKings or FanDuel, place bets on your phone, and drive back home. That really, truly happens — a lot. And until New York launched mobile sports wagering shortly last month, Big Apple residents often biked to the middle of the George Washington Bridge, where they were technically in New Jersey, to get their bets down in a de facto al fresco sportsbook before pedaling back to their abodes.

As for the betting itself, it’s best to crawl before you (hopefully) sprint to the bank. In fact, if you have the mobility and means, it’s probably best to place your first bet in person at a sportsbook — namely Circa or the Westgate SuperBook — in Las Vegas, where patient, professional oddsmakers and tellers will be happy to walk you through the process and what all those numbers mean. Short of that, if you have access to a brick-and-mortar sportsbook within driving distance of your home, head there and have someone show you the ropes.

But if you’re determined to shun the IRL experience and bust out your phone to bet on the Super Bowl, remember that “risk-free bets” are typically anything but. By all means, take advantage of the plethora of mobile sportsbook promotions; they’re in the midst of a massive customer-acquisition cockfight, and unafraid to dole out free money to bludgeon rival birds. But if you don’t know what you’re doing — like, if you make a parlay bet without knowing what a parlay is, or wager with an offshore sportsbook without realizing you’ve just entered a very gray (bordering on black) market — it’ll soon be your money, not theirs, that you’re sacrificing.

Some helpful pointers heading in: Plus money — i.e., taking the Bengals on the moneyline at +170 — will pay far more handsomely than negative juice (i.e., taking either side of the Bengals-Rams spread at -110). And if you’re picking the moneyline, you’re picking the Bengals to win the game, period, regardless of what the point spread (Rams by 4 to 4.5, depending on what sportsbook you visit) is. That’s why you’re getting the plus money, because betting on the underdog to win is riskier than betting on them to lose by less than four points.

RELATED: 5 States That Could Allow Sports Betting In 2022

sports betting
Photo by LeoPatrizi/Getty Images

Parlays — where two or more betting events have to happen in order for your ticket to cash — might be where the big bucks are made, but smart money always wins. Start slow, be responsible, and don’t chase your losses. Predetermine how much money you’re willing to lose in one sitting and stop wagering when you reach that amount. Study what you’re betting on before you bet on it. 

RELATED: Legal Marijuana Probably Not As Profitable As Sports Betting

Do all this and, eventually, sports betting could become a lucrative hobby or, at worst, a fun, low-cost diversion on par with a Friday-night bar tab.  Today, roughly 43% of Canadian and Americans do it.

Mike Seely is an associate editor with Better Collective, which owns several sports betting websites, including Sports Handle and US Bets.



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The Best Tips For A Flexible Body

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Work at home, work at office, driving, all things which puts our body in awkward positions for long period of times.  Flying coach, doing tech work, or the couch is doubling as the office, all ways your back and body pays the price.  So how do you get your body back to where you can move it without hurting? Well, here are the best tips for a flexible body.  Your body and brain will appreciate it.

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Being flexible and open to new experiences allows people to learn new things. It also helps people adapt to changing circumstances, which can help people function more effectively in their environments. People can better let go of negative or unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns by staying psychologically flexible.

How to start

It is not hard to start stretching and moving.  Making it a point to take a mini walk every couple of hours or going online and taking some simple starter stretch or yoga class, anything is better than nothing.

One of the best ways  is static stretching. This is where you come into a stretch and hold it without movement for a certain period of time. Even adding static stretching into your routine on its own can make a powerful difference in how your body feels.  It opens your body and restores some muscle movement.

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Stretching is boring for most people because you have to hold these positions for long periods of time for them to have an effect. Try to hold your stretches for a minimum of 30 seconds, really feeling the strain in your muscles. To make this process more manageable, focus on completing that amount of time and on not pushing your muscles too hard. If you can’t hold a pose because it hurts too much, try applying less pressure.

RELATED: What You Should Know About CBD Massages

Consume your proteins

Foods and shakes that are rich in proteins can help your body post work out, preventing pain and muscle loss during the recovery process. These elements are also necessary for building muscles and repairing the tissue that was damaged. Proteins are filling and help you stay mobile as you age and lose body mass.

Don’t skip on the cool down process

It’s very common for people to walk out of a spinning or boxing class before completing their post-workout stretches. This is bad for your joints and muscles, and will likely leave you in pain during the day after. Stretches help in speeding up your recovery process while also increasing your mobility and flexibility. Once you’ve completed your cardio, your body is warm and more likely to stretch than during other times of the day.

Take a warm bath

'Bathleisure' Is Now A Fashion Trend And We Don't Know Why
Photo by Sarah Pflug via Burst

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While warm baths alone won’t help you become more flexible, they will trick your body into feeling relaxed, which is key for developing flexibility. When trying out a new stretch or  putting strain on a muscle you rarely use, your body’s natural response will be to clamp up. A warm bath can help you stay relaxed and put your muscles in a more willing mood that will allow you to push yourself when you stretch at the end or beginning of your day.

Try new workouts

The easiest way to work on your flexibility is to practice a workout that targets these muscles and skills, such as yoga, Tai Chi or pilates. These exercises can add some variety to your workout schedule and can even add more to your performance on other activities, improving your jogging, boxing or spinning skills.



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