Just like there are many different types of cannabis plants, there are also numerous ways of ingesting cannabis medicine. Each method comes with unique therapeutic benefits which should be understood in order to pick the most optimal method for your specific condition or symptoms.
Smoking
Smoking cannabis is the most traditional way of consuming this plant. While there are medical benefits to consumption via inhalation, research encourages the use of vaporization rather than smoking as there are other health implications to smoking that may offset the positive benefits of the plant.
Onset: Within seconds of inhalation
Duration: Effects will peak within 30 minutes and diminish within 1-3 hours
Pros
- When inhaled, cannabis acts fast
- Harder to overconsume (though still possible)
- Provides a very tactile experience
Cons
- Smoking has been proven to be bad for your lungs regardless of the substance that is being consumed. For this reason, patients are encouraged to vaporize if they need fast-acting medication.
- Limits the ‘Entourage effect’ as many terpenes are lost in the burning process. This can take away from the desired effect as a lot of the terpenes and cannabinoids will be wasted.
Vaping
Vaping has become synonymous with cannabis treatment as patients recognized early on that they can experience the benefits of oral inhalation without having to smoke their medication.
Reference to vaporizing can be either dried-flower or cannabis oil filled vapes.
Onset: Within seconds of inhalation
Duration: Effects will peak within 30 minutes and diminish within 1-3 hours
Pros
- A safer inhalation method and easier on the lungs
- Most vaporizers allow you to pick the temperature at which you decarboxylate your medication. This allows you to retain the terpenes and more of the cannabinoids in order to experience the Entourage Effect
- Vaping offers a more discreet, less smelly way of consuming cannabis
- Vaping can be therapeutic for acute symptoms or those that come on very quickly or unexpectedly (ex: panic disorder)
Cons
- Long term effects are unknown. With vaping still being so novel, there has not been enough research to provide us with the long-term consequences of this method on respiratory health.
Sublingual
The sublingual consumption method works by administering cannabis oil under the tongue or along the gums where mucous membranes are present to rapidly absorb the cannabinoids.
Onset: Effects are usually present between 30 mins and 1.5 hours depending on the persons metabolism and what they have eaten throughout the day.
Duration: Effects are generally reported to last between 3-6 hours.
Pros
- Cannabinoids are absorbed by the mucous membranes much faster than they will be when ingested
- Sublinguals provide an easy and discreet way to consume cannabis. In addition, the smell of the oil does not linger in the air
- Easy on the lungs. Unlike smoking or vaping, consuming cannabis sublingually does not have a negative effect on the lungs
- Lower caloric content than edibles
- Long lasting sublingual consumption can be extremely therapeutic in managing sleep and chronic pain
Cons
- May require some trial and error when it comes to dosing and product selection
- Not as fast acting as vaporizing or smoking. Although faster acting than ingesting edibles, sublingual’s will not provide the same rapid onset seen with oral inhalation
- Some don’t like the taste of the cannabis oil
Edibles
Edibles have been part of cannabis medicine for many years, gaining popularity by offering patients delicious ways to consume cannabis.
The edibles category includes cannabis infused food, as well as cannabis oil-filled capsules.
Onset: Depending on users’ metabolism, effects will be felt within 30 minutes to 2 hours
Duration: Effects can last roughly 4-6 hours
Pros
- Discreet and easy to use
- Long lasting, full body effects. Many claim that consuming cannabis in this way results in a longer lasting and stronger benefit than any other method. This could be due to the amount of time if takes the body to absorb the cannabinoids, leaving it present for longer.
- Edibles and capsules can be purchased directly from many Licensed Producers or can be rendered at home using dried flower
Cons
- It takes longer for effects to take place. Depending on how fast the user’s metabolism is and whether the user ingests them on an empty stomach, it can take upward of 30 minutes – 2 hours until effects are felt. An empty stomach will accelerate absorption
- Overconsumption. Unfortunately, the tastier the cannabis infused treat, the easier it can be to get carried away and perhaps consume too much
Topicals and transdermal
Research on topical and transdermal use is still evolving but is showing promise in offering a discreet and long-lasting method of consumption. This could be a great option for patients suffering from a chronic condition such as pain, migraines or even certain skin conditions.
Onset: Five minutes- 2 hours
Duration: Lasting upwards of 12 hours
Pros
- Discreet and non-invasive. Topicals and cannabis infused oils are a non-invasive and discreet way of spot treating aches and pains when applied to skin. Topicals applied to skin will not show up on a drug test, however transdermal patches will. This method requires no oral administration.
- Can be applied directly to specific areas for a more* localized treatment (*not entirely localized as skin is still an organ).
- Can be extremely long lasting which is a great option for people suffering from a chronic symptom or condition
- Shows promise is being quite effective with high CBD cannabis varieties
Cons
- Transdermal absorption is still new and seems to be quite erratic in many cases. Further research is still needed
- Lotions and oils will need to be rubbed in properly with each application in order to work into the skin
