Why Do Cannabis Administration Methods Matter?
While it's commonly assumed that smoking is the only route to using cannabis, there are many other ways to reap the multiple benefits of cannabis. Below I will explore different categories of administration, the pros and cons, and the recommended administration methods for certain outcomes.
Smoking
Pros: The onset of the psychoactive effects are quick, usually within 90 seconds. Some of the toxins as in carbon monoxide, acetaldehyde, ammonia, and nitrosamines can be removed from the smoke when it is passed through a water pipe.
Cons: Smoke contains harmful irritants, including carcinogens such as tars which are not removed when passed through a waterpipe.
Vaping
Pros: Similar to smoking, the onset of psychoactive effects usually occur within 90 seconds. When using the proper temperature you are not receiving the byproducts that come from combustion.
Cons: When the temperature increases the amount of byproducts of combustion also increase. This is why I prefer to use vape pens that have a temperature control on them, so I can monitor the amount of heat that is being used to vaporize the cannabis. If heated too hot, you can run the risk of a combustion reaction (creating smoke containing carcinogens) rather than vaporization.
Edibles
Pros: Unlike smoking or even vaping, the edibles do not create any combustion or irritation to the lungs. Edibles also produce a very long lasting effect, which is a benefit if that is the outcome you are looking for.
Cons: One thing makes dosing edibles very difficult, which is that everyone's biochemistry is different. This means, edibles can vary in effect depending on the individual. Edibles have a higher possibility of over consumption than other administration, due to the fact that around 50% of the THC is metabolized into 11-hydroxy-THC by liver cells. 11-hydroxy-THC is around 4 times more psychoactive than THC. This is worrisome as some individuals try to consume the same amount of THC as they smoke or vape.
Sublingual/Oromucosal
Pros: This methods is a good alternative to smoking or vaping as it does not cause any irritation to the lungs. It is also more desirable than oral cannabis in treating nausea as there is no worry of vomiting the product before it can take place.
Cons: The strength and time of onset can vary depending on how much of the material was absorbed vs. swallowed.
Topical/Transdermal
Topical cannabis is found commonly as a cream, balm, or salve, where transdermal cannabis is found typically in the form of patches. This type of administration is typically non-psychoactive as the cannabinoids do not enter the bloodstream in as high concentrations as the other administration methods. When traveling through the skin, the cannabinoids commonly activate the CB2 receptors which are found closer to the skin and are not the primary psychoactive receptors. Occasionally, transdermal patches will contain a carrier that brings the cannabinoids into the bloodstream at higher concentrations than without the carrier. When in the bloodstream, the cannabinoids can travel and bind to CB1 receptors which are primarily psychoactive.
Pros: This application works well for localized treatment of pain and inflammation
Cons: If you are looking for a high effect, this is not the ideal administration methods for that outcome.