Are you curious about how to take cannabis oil, but not quite sure where to start? In a rapidly changing medical and adult-use landscape, there are far more options for cannabis consumption than ever before.
In addition to traditional forms of consumption, you’ll now find a large variety of concentrates, edibles, transdermal patches, topicals, oils and tinctures. Each mode of consumption has its own particular benefits and effects, but more and more people are seeking out cannabis oils for their ease of use and convenience.
Here’s a complete and comprehensive guide about how to take cannabis oil:
1. What is cannabis oil?
Before you learn how to take cannabis oil, you should first understand what you are actually consuming. In essence, cannabis oil is simply a concentrated version of the cannabinoids like THC and CBD. The oil itself is simply a carrier substance.
The vast majority of products you’ll find on the market today involve high-tech extraction methods, where the cannabinoids are extracted and then added to a carrier such as MCT oil or hemp oil. Called “chemical extraction,” the process requires a chemical solvent to extract the cannabinoids and other beneficial compounds, such as terpenes and flavonoids.
2. Smoking cannabis oil
Smoking is one of the most common ways for how to take cannabis oil. Using an oil rig, which is similar to a water pipe, you can heat the cannabis oil which produces smoke that you inhale. Smoking is a good way to control how much you consume while getting a high concentration into your system fast.
Drawbacks include the fact that smoking can be hard on the throat and lungs, the requirement of additional tools, and the risk that the high concentration method of consumption can be more than some people want.
3. Vaping cannabis oil
Vaping is another way for how to take cannabis oil, which can be consumed with a vaporizer pen. This method offers a great alternative if you want the maximum possible effect, but don’t enjoy the harsh feel of smoke in your throat and lungs. You’ll still be able to easily control dosage but will similarly be dealing with a pretty high concentration.
4. Topical application of cannabis oil
Cannabis oil can also be applied directly to your skin in the form of a balm or ointment. Straightforward thanks to the fact that you don’t require any special tools or knowledge to use it, you simply figure out the dosage you want then apply that amount of balm to your skin.
Great for sore muscles and chronic pain, topical application of cannabis oil also has the mildest effects of all the consumption methods. It is worth mentioning though that while the effects happen quickly, they don’t last as long in comparison to other methods.
5. Sublingual consumption of cannabis oil
You can also take cannabis oil sublingually by purchasing cannabis oil tinctures. These are just little bottles that look like eye drops and they allow you to take your cannabis under your tongue. You simply apply a few drops under your tongue, hold it in your mouth for 30 seconds, then swallow.
This method to take cannabis oil is discreet, effective, and gives you feelings of calm and well-being. Using this method, you’ll be able to experience long-lasting effects while easily controlling how much you use. That being said, results do vary from person to person and the oil will take longer to activate than if you use some of the previously mentioned options.
Also, be aware of the fact that some tinctures contain alcohol, so if you’re trying to avoid this, look for oils made with vegetable glycerin.
6. Eating cannabis oil
A method of consumption that has become a lot more popular in recent years, you can easily eat cannabis oil by adding it directedly to your food or purchasing one of the many edible products on the market.
In addition to buying cannabis-infused treats, you can also make your own cannabis edibles, such as infused butter or pasta. Just be aware of how much oil you put in your food because edibles can take 2-4 hours to kick in, so people often eat too much. With that in mind, you should always wait a few hours to assess how you feel before consuming additional product.
7. Dosage of cannabis oil
The amount of CBD you should take depends on a range of factors, including your weight, body chemistry, concentration of the oil and whether or not you’re trying to treat a condition.
In general, you’d be well-advised to consult your doctor about the appropriate dosage for you as a way of mitigating any risks involved. In the event that your doctor doesn’t provide an exact recommendation, you should always start with a smaller dose than what you think you need.
Remember, you can always increase if you feel you’re not getting the effect that you’re after. This might mean starting out with something like 20 to 40 mg a day. Try it out for a week and if you feel like you need more, increase this amount by 5 mg. Keep going until you feel that it’s effectively treating your symptoms.
