Marijuana is used to treat several medical conditions. It contains chemicals called cannabinoids. The main ones are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis is smoked or eaten to help control pain, nausea, loss of appetite, and other symptoms. It can also ease stress. Different forms of marijuana include tinctures, pills, and patches.
Smoking
Many are still curious about how to smoke weed. One of the known methods is smoking. Smoking is the most traditional way to consume marijuana. It is commonly done using a joint (marijuana in a paper wrapper), a blunt, or a pipe. Inhaling the smoke from burning marijuana releases THC and other compounds into your lungs for a quick high that can last up to two or six hours.
Smoke from cannabis may irritate delicate lung tissue and may increase your chances of developing chronic lung conditions like emphysema or COPD. It can also cause acute bronchospasm, a sudden constriction, or airway narrowing, leading to coughing and wheezing.
Newer medical marijuana users are experimenting with “vaporization,” which means heating the herb to a temperature below its combustion point so that the active ingredients are inhaled as vapor instead of smoke. This method is more efficient and produces fewer harmful chemicals. It is also less likely to produce a telltale marijuana scent and can be easier to conceal.
Vaping
Medical marijuana is a powerful treatment for symptoms that are unresponsive to other medications and treatments. Using it can improve the quality of life for those with chronic pain, anxiety, nausea, and other conditions and diseases.
Vaporization allows patients to consume cannabis quickly and discreetly. It is also easier on the lungs and doesn’t leave behind a telltale smoke smell. However, it is essential to know your personal health and comfort level before trying vaping.
Tinctures are liquid extracts that contain THC and can be administered by placing drops under the tongue for quick absorption or incorporated into medication capsules that are swallowed. Tinctures maintain their potency for a long period and are very accurate to dose.
Edibles
Edibles are food products that have been infused with cannabis. They can be homemade or purchased from a dispensary. They come in various flavors and forms, including baked goods, candy, gummies, chocolates, and tablets. There are also marijuana-infused beverages like tea, soda, and coffee.
Because they must pass through the stomach and liver before entering the bloodstream, edibles can take 30 minutes to an hour to take effect. But once they do, their effects can last much longer than smoked or vaped medical marijuana.
Dabbing is a more advanced method of consuming marijuana and should only be used by experienced users. It involves heating the medicinal plant or extracts at a high temperature without burning them, which releases cannabinoids and terpenes into inhaled vapor. The vapor is much safer for the lungs than smoke and can be inhaled quickly and discreetly.
Tinctures
Tinctures are an excellent alternative to edibles and provide a dose of herbal medicine easily controlled by the dropper. Tinctures are extracts from soaking plant material in a base liquid, often alcohol and sometimes glycerin or oil. This process takes a few days or even weeks to allow the active ingredients in the plant to separate from the plant matter. The resulting liquid is then strained, ready to be dosed and consumed.
Historically, tinctures have used an alcohol base, which cuts through the lipids in plant material and allows the cannabinoids and terpenes to dissolve into the liquid. However, other solvents, like glycerin, vinegar, or even honey, can be made tinctures or oxymels.
Cannabis tinctures come in small glass bottles with dropper tops and are consumed orally, under the tongue. They have a faster onset than edibles; the effects typically peak within 15 to 30 minutes.
Topicals
There are many different types of topical cannabis products on the market, including lotions, creams, ointments, balms, sprays, and bath products such as salts or bombs. Each topical has a slightly different effect depending on the formula and cannabinoids in the product.
As they absorb through the skin’s pores and into your endocannabinoid system, the cannabinoids in the topical will bind to the receptors in the area of concern. In most cases, a topical will not have any psychoactive effects as the cannabinoids don’t pass through the blood/brain barrier.
A person might need to try several topical products before finding one that works best. This is because everyone’s endocannabinoid system is unique, and their body has its response to the various chemicals in marijuana. Depending on the individual’s tolerance and desired experience, they may need to use higher or lower potency products with THC or CBD.
Patches
Transdermal patches – a type of cannabis topical that is applied to the skin and releases cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream – offer an effective way to deliver a consistent dose of medicine throughout the day or night. They are especially useful for patients with chronic pain, nausea, or anxiety. They can provide a more widespread therapeutic effect than THC or CBD topicals that only absorb into the first few layers of the skin.
When you apply a patch, it’s important to keep it on a well-vascularized area of the body (the inner wrist or top of an ankle are good choices) and make sure it’s clean and hairless. It’s also recommended to start with a low dose, be patient, and adjust your dosage accordingly as you experience results.
THC patches typically don’t produce the stereotypical high associated with smoking or edibles and tend to have less psychoactive effects. However, they may still cause side effects such as hunger or euphoria.
