CBD Vape vs Tinctures: Which Is Better For Me?

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CBD Vape vs Tinctures: Which Is Better For Me?

There are a number of ways to take CBD, and tinctures and vaping have become two of the most popular options. As a result, some people wonder whether CBD vapes or tinctures are the ideal for them – and some choose to do both! That decision depends a lot on you and what your needs are.

Some people don’t like to inhale anything and some people really don’t enjoy having oil under their tongue (although, those people should check out our delicious Lemon CBD Tincture). That much is a personal preference, but what about the efficacy? How well does either method work? Read on to learn more.

CBD Vape Vs Tinctures: Bioavailability

One thing you should know about deciding between a CBD vape vs tinctures is that both have high bioavailability. That means that either method will result in a higher amount of CBD being absorbed into your system than if you took CBD by other methods, say through a pill or a gummy. Bioavailability is the amount of a compound that you take that actually gets absorbed into your bloodstream. For example, an intravenous injection may have bioavailability of nearly 100% (take 100mg, 100mg makes it into your bloodstream / circulatory system).

If using a vape, the CBD is absorbed through the lungs which have a thin blood barrier, putting the CBD in your bloodstream quickly and very effectively. Studies show that using vaporization, up to 60% is absorbed, with better results from deeper and longer breaths.

Tinctures and CBD oils, when held under the tongue, likewise allows you to absorb a lot of CBD quickly because the blood barrier in the lining of your mouth is very thin. Bioavailability from the sublingual method (absorbed via mouth tissues) is about 35%, with better results the longer you hold it under your tongue or in your cheek. This is lower than vaping, but higher than absorption from a CBD pill which can be as little as 6%! Once you swallow the rest of the tincture, you will get some additional absorption through digestion as well, it will just take a bit longer.

Both work, but is there any other reason you might want to use a CBD vape vs tinctures?

CBD Vapes: Easy Dosing, Fast Acting

One reason to favor a CBD vape vs a tincture is that a CBD vape gives you more control over your dosage.

If you are taking CBD on an as needed basis and want really fast relief, the vapes are a great choice. When vaping, the CBD gets into your system extremely quickly and many people feel the effects within a few minutes. Since the feedback is so quick you can continue to vape until you feel the pain relief or reduced anxiety that you might be seeking. 10 puffs is often a great daily dose.

CBD Vape May Be Better For Recovering Smokers

CBD Vape Disposable

Some people have also used CBD as an aid to quit smoking, and a quality CBD vape may be much better for recovering smokers. Instead of tobacco smoke, you get a clean smoking experience, with no scary byproducts.

However, take care to select a quality CBD vape for this purpose, and avoid vape oils that have a chemical thinning agent. The closer you are to totally natural materials, the better.

Most vapes on the market have thinning agents or carrier oils such as PG, VG, PEG, or MCT oil - so be sure to always read the ingredients and check for lab results. Many companies use MCT oil as a vape carrier oil - people assume this is a healthy oil because it is healthy to ingest. However, the lipids (fats) from the MCT oil can affect your lungs, and it's best to only smoke CBD vapes that have no carrier oils or fillers whatsoever. Read more in our article “What’s in your vape?”

When Are Tinctures the Preferred Choice?

TribeTokes CBD Tincture 1500 mg (Flavorless)

Tinctures are great for morning or evening use to address pain, anxiety, inflammation, and overall health. They are also a great option to help with sleep. See our article on how our CEO discusses using CBD for her insomnia.

To state the obvious, tinctures are the best choice for anyone who chooses not to smoke - many people decide not to put anything in their lungs but oxygen. We respect that decision, and is part of the reason why we've developed high quality tinctures as an alternative for that segment of our loyal customer base.

We also have some customers who want to take a larger dose of CBD who decide to use both. For example at night, you can take 1 dropper of tincture that will start to hit your system in 30-45 minutes, and vape CBD (which you'll feel in ~3 minutes) while you're waiting / watching TV etc, and then you will get CBD into your bloodstream from both! (author's note: this is what I do personally).

Overall, vapes are great for immediate relief and precise dosing, whereas tinctures are amazing in many of the same ways as part of your overall health and wellness routine. Ultimately, it comes down to your preferences and choice of consumption since both methods are great.