CBDa + CBD Pills vs Tinctures: Advantages and Disadvantages

Cannabis is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. Today, CBD products are everywhere. But here at Tanasi, we distinguish our brand from other products by infusing all our hemp-extracts with a patent-pending 1:1 formulation of CBD and CBDa, two naturally occurring cannabis compounds. Why is this mix the staple of our products? Our research shows that including both compounds together yields a product that’s 2X more effective than CBD alone, as you can discover here.

So now you know why we prefer taking CBDa and CBD together vs either one alone. But the question still remains: what delivery method should you choose for our optimized ingredient formulation? Well, in this article, we’ll explore different delivery methods such as CBDa + CBD pills vs tinctures. But first, a brief refresher on the terms involved.

What is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the many chemical compounds or cannabinoids present in cannabis sativa plants. Another compound is THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the plant’s psychoactive component. CBD is not psychoactive and therefore does not cause a ‘high’.

CBD products come in a variety of different delivery methods.  You can take them orally or apply them topically. So far there have been very few negative side effects. So the World Health Organization regards CBD products as generally safe to take. (Each individual should consult with a licensed healthcare professional regarding use, as CBD can interact with certain medications.)

What is CBDa?

CBDa stands for Cannabidiolic acid, a chemical precursor to CBD. And this molecule evolves from cannabigerolic acid, or CBGA. Through exposure to heat or light, CBDA drops its acidic carboxyl group, automatically converting to CBD. The process of decarboxylation can be instantaneous, especially when you light, vaporize, or smoke cannabis. As such, unless you consume raw cannabis, you’re unlikely to enjoy large quantities of CBDA.

How Does it Work?

Cannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid are natural bioactive compounds; that means they can produce certain effects in your body. But, because these two compounds have different compositions than THC, they won’t get you high or cause intoxication.

CBD Spectrum

CBD comes in several different forms. You can choose between Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, Narrow Spectrum, and CBD Isolate. (Here at Tanasim, our products contain either a full or broad spectrum mix.)

– Full Spectrum CBD is packed with beneficial plant extracts from the cannabis plant. These include terpenes, essential oils, and cannabinoids. Although it usually contains small amounts of THC, the levels are so low that it will not cause a psychoactive high or addictive effect.
– Broad Spectrum CBD contains the exact same beneficial plant extracts as Full Spectrum CBD. The one exception? Manufacturers remove all traces of THC to suit those who are still concerned about drug testing or psychoactive effects.
– Narrow Spectrum CBD is an even more refined product. Manufacturers use advanced chromatography and distillation techniques during the extraction process. The result? An ultra-distilled, lighter-flavored oil, with fewer cannabis compounds in the final extract.
– CBD Isolate is the purest form of CBD. Extraction removes the bulk of active compounds and phytocannabinoids, leaving a 99% pure CBD extract.

Delivery Methods and Format – CBDa + CBD Pills vs Tinctures

Now that you understand the potential benefits of the different types of CBD, it’s time to decide what delivery method best suits your specific needs. To that end, you can choose between 4 main types of ingestible CBD delivery methods. And these are sublingual, drops, pills, and sprays.

Here, we take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of two of them: CBD pills vs tinctures.

What are CBDa + CBD Pills?

Taking CBD in pill form is very popular. After all, the process mimics taking your daily dose of vitamins. It’s easy to take the right dosage, as the package indicates the exact CBD strength in each pill. (Or CBDa + CBD softgels each contain a dose of 50mg per pill.) The active ingredient is usually encapsulated in pill form. And the digestible casings dissolve when they come into contact with your stomach acid.

Advantages of CBDa + CBD in Pill or Capsule Form

• Easy to take and manage the dosage
• Extracts undergo minimal processing, preserving active cannabinoids and terpenes
• Ideal for beginners, as you can control the dosage, starting low and gradually increasing from there
•  When filling capsules with CBD oil, they contain higher CBD concentrations per capsule.

Disadvantages of CBDa + CBD Soft Gels or Capsules

Capsules have a more extended onset of effects because the active ingredients have to travel to your stomach for absorption. Then, you need to wait for the capsule casing to dissolve before your body can break down and release the active ingredients. This means you may wait anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes before experiencing any effects. However, once those effects kick in, they may last longer than with other delivery method options.

What Are CBD Tinctures?

CBD tinctures are alcohol-based extracts. Manufacturers extract the cannabis plant’s natural components, using high-proof alcohol as a solvent. Then, that alcohol remains the finished product to preserve it.

While you take CBDa and CBD oils orally, you take CBD tinctures sublingually, i.e. under the tongue. This is the fastest, most efficient way to absorb your active ingredients. Plus, you can take these tinctures orally or add them to foods and drinks. (Although, for mixing purposes, you may prefer to use our water-soluble CBD + CBDa drink concentrate.)

Advantages of CBD Tinctures

• If you have stomach sensitivities that keep you from ingesting oil, you may better tolerate an alcohol-based tincture.
• A tincture often contains more concentrated ingredients than other forms of CBDA + CBD.
• CBDa + CBD tinctures have a longer shelf-life, lasting up to 5 years.

Disadvantages of Tinctures

Because CBDa + CBD tinctures are alcohol-based, they have a taste that may be off-putting. As such, some people don’t enjoy the taste. However, if the earthy taste of hemp bothers you, you may prefer to try our blueberry-flavored Tanasi GOLD tincture. While other manufacturers use artificial sweeteners to mask unwanted tastes, we prefer to harness the natural power of terpenes to deliver this flavor option!

Now that you understand the differences between CBDa + CBD pills vs tinctures, you can make a more informed purchasing decision. We hope you use this guide when determining which of our CBDa + CBD products best suit your personal requirements.