The way we consume cannabis has everything to do with the outcome. There are several different delivery methods available to patients today, which is a really good thing because we have choices. Choices are important. Not everyone can smoke or vape cannabis because of respiratory issues, not everyone can eat cannabis edibles because of dietary issues, and everyone has a different result from cannabis medicine depending on both their needs and their metabolism.
Cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) are located just about everywhere in our bodies but are concentrated in specific areas. When our body has issues, like inflammation for example, cannabinoid receptors will increase in that area that needs help.
Absorption of Cannabinoids When Smoking or Vaping
With smoking and vaping cannabis, the absorption rate is low (around 15%) but the effects are fairly quick. This is because the cannabinoids inhaled are absorbed in the lungs, are quickly delivered to your bloodstream/heart, and are distributed throughout your body. The THC received by the brain presents you with the high, and the medical benefits are delivered as needed throughout the rest of your body.
Absorption of Cannabinoids with Topicals/Transdermals
Topical/transdermal cannabis products will not really get you high, but will relax you and provide extended pain relief. Absorption is very slow, sometimes longer than cannabis edibles. The absorption rate is the lowest of all the methods at less than 10%, but the duration of efficacy is the longest of all methods at 8 to 12 hours. The cannabinoid receptors are accessed directly which is a big plus for analgesic effects.
Absorption of Cannabinoids Using Suppositories
Suppositories are one of the newest delivery methods in the cannabis world and it is gaining popularity fast because it’s highly effective medicinally and has little to no high, depending on dosage. Cannabis oil suppositories have the greatest absorption rate of all the methods of ingestion. Nearly 80% of the medicine in the suppositories is absorbed directly into your system through the gastrointestinal tract’s cell walls, or, if used vaginally, through the vaginal wall. Although all ingestion methods will release some level of THC into your bloodstream, and some of it will make it to your liver, suppositories are different in that the majority of the cannabinoids will be absorbed by the large concentration cannabinoid receptors in your gut before it ever gets to your liver. Not much THC is left to get converted to 11-Hydroxy THC or to make it to your brain.You will get a feeling of well being and the relief may make you feel pretty darn good, but it won’t be the euphoric or intoxicating brain high.
Absorption of Cannabinoids with Edibles
With edibles, the absorption rate is about 35%, but the cannabinoids are processed through your digestive tract. This may take a long time compared to other methods of delivery, and the effects are quite different. The cannabinoids eventually make it to your bloodstream and will make you high when they reach the brain, but when the THC makes it to the liver it converts to 11 Hydroxy THC, a much stronger and more sedative substance that also lasts much longer than regular Delta 9 THC. For more information, please check out this very informative post on how your body processes edibles.
CBD edibles have an issue that all patients should be aware of. When using CBD products, or products containing a good amount of CBD, be aware that if you are taking prescription meds like blood thinners (Warfrin, etc., or any drugs that warn to not take with grapefruit), that you must space out the time you consume these two medications by 4 to 6 hours, because the part of the liver that processes these drugs and CBD is the same and cannot do both effectively at the same time.
Always use caution when trying a new method of delivery with cannabis product. Start low and go slow. Safety first!
