No two CBD products are ever the same. Knowing exactly how any CBD product is made—and what makes it unique—can help you make educated decisions before adding a new supplement to your personal wellness routine. Today we’ll explore two distinctly different CBD products, from their unique advantages to their forms of delivery, to help you decide what will be best for you.

Before we begin, it’s important to note that a recent study found over three-fourths of over-the-counter CBD products are mislabeled. That means, regardless of what the label says, or which medical condition a product claims to treat, these statements have not been evaluated by a certifying authority (such as the FDA, which regulates prescription medications). When considering a nature-based supplement derived from the hemp plant, it’s important for you to knows exactly what a product is or is not, as well as how you can tell the authenticity of a product by its packaging.

Key Differences Between Oil Based & Water Soluble CBD Tinctures

The key difference between oil-based and water-soluble CBD tinctures comes down to the material used to transfer CBD into your body. Ingesting CBD extract in liquid form can help make regular CBD use simpler and more efficient. The use of different base liquids offers different advantages, depending on what’s important to you. It really comes down to your personal needs and preferences.

Water Soluble CBD – How Does it Work?

What is “water soluble? Water soluble simply means dissolved in water! In nature, the benefits of the cannabis flower (such as CBD) are fat soluble, which means that the body absorbs and processes endocannabinoids the same way it does fat molecules. But through a special process, CBD can be mixed into a water-soluble solution that helps concentrate the CBD, making it easier for you to digest.

For example, Nano CBD is made with extremely tiny CBD particles that are emulsified into a solution. Emulsification means that the CBD is suspended at a molecular level inside a water-soluble CBD tincture. This makes it much easier for the body to absorb the CBD particles into the bloodstream. Faster acting CBD translates to faster relief and more benefit from the ingested CBD.

What You Need to Know About Oil Based CBD  

Oil-based CBD tincture means the CBD molecules are suspended in a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil. Since cannabis compounds are naturally fat soluble, oil-based tincture offers a basic and straightforward means of delivering the CBD with its many health benefits. Using MCT oil (short for medium-chain triglyceride) offers yet another type of CBD oil, in which medium-length fat molecules (or triglycerides) may ease digestion and concentrate delivery of the CBD. 

Therefore, when choosing the best CBD oil (or oil-based tincture), it’s so important for you to first consider what kind of oil is being used, as well as how the product was made. Remember that technically speaking, “cannabis oil” is simply an oil base that contains cannabis compounds. Without more specific labeling, it’s hard to know exactly what is inside a given product, let alone what that product is or is not intended to treat. While most traditional CBD oils are still made this way, the latest science and technology is moving towards creating products with higher purity and more potency.

CBD Quality Control

Quality matters. Because there is such a high number of unregulated cannabis products on the market, it’s exceedingly important to always choose an oil or tincture that contains third-party tested CBD. That means the label should reflect the certification of an independent, science-based institution in regulating the purity of the CBD that is being used in the CBD oil.

Water Soluble CBD Tincture vs CBD Oil: How to Choose What’s Right For You

Choosing the right CBD product comes down to personal preference. First, you’ll have to identify what you’re trying to achieve. Whether it’s promoting calm and relaxation, reducing inflammation after exercise, or strengthening your immune system, there’s a CBD product and delivery method that will be right for you. Weighing the cost versus benefit of any given supplement means it pays to find a CBD product that maximizes delivery of CBD. Water-soluble CBD tinctures are made with this purpose in mind.

When we talk about a product’s “bioavailability”, we are specifically referring to the degree of benefit derived from a specific amount of CBD. The most recent studies published suggest that water-soluble CBD offers up to 4.5 TIMES the bioavailability of traditional oil-based tincture. This means that by concentrating the CBD particles into a denser solution, water-soluble CBD offers the opportunity for more potency.

Water Soluble CBD Tincture: More Bang for Your Buck?

Now that you know the difference between traditional oil-based tinctures and water-soluble CBD oils, you can make an informed decision on which product will be best for you. Offering higher concentrations of CBD, easier digestion, faster-acting benefits and overall higher bioavailability, water-soluble CBD tincture is an attractive option for those seeking greater relief or more immediate effects. By increasing the bioavailability of high-quality CBD in every drop, water-soluble CBD tincture offers a higher, more potent concentration of CBD to meet your needs, whatever they may be.