Cannabis oils & how we consume them

Cannabis can be consumed in a variety of ways and each way may offer different health benefits to the consumer.

Elizabeth Dyer | Cannabis Writer & Advocate

Cannabis can be consumed in a variety of ways, and the right consumption method will depend on the cannabis product you're using and what kind of experience you seek. Generally, consumption methods fall into four categories: inhalation, oral, sublingual, and topical, and each way may offer different health benefits to the consumer.

For acute episodes of incoming dystonia, inhaling cannabis through a vapouriser can quickly ease its onset; for pain, inhalation can also offer an incremental way of managing this. Cannabis oils are generally used in a different way by consumers and may often be used in tandem with inhalation.  Those experiencing inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s or arthritis may take regular daily oil doses with the aim of lowering inflammation and nourishing the endocannabinoid system. Oil is often used for the longer term management of conditions whereas inhalation is for shorter term management and acute onset. Inhalation works quickly - almost instantly - and is active in the body for an hour or so, whereas the body takes longer to absorb the oil and its effects last longer. 

Consider the scenario: you have a prescription for cannabis flower and the prescribing doctor recommends inhalation with a medical vapouriser. The vapouriser toasts the cannabis flower, activating the cannabinoids, the terpenes and the flavinoids and what is left is a valuable toasted cannabis product commonly known as AVB (already vaped bud). Because the AVB is decarboxylated cannabis, it still contains many beneficial cannabinoids. Interestingly, it can often contain high levels of a lesser-known cannabinoid called CBN or cannabinol. CBN is created when THC ages and degrades yet it possesses many medicinal qualities. CBN is a potent antibacterial agent and has been found to be a neuroprotectant, whilst also containing anti-inflammatory properties. The medicinal potential of AVB is, very much, underestimated and this product can, in turn, be used to make a lipid extraction cannabis oil.

It is worth noting that if the cannabis flower used is prescription grown, there may be some of the vital terpenes missing. This is because prescription cannabis flower undergoes a process known as irradiation. During this process, many of the terpenes are stripped from the cannabis and this can impair the entourage effect. Terpenes have a vital role to play alongside cannabinoids. For example, caryophyllene, which can also be found in black pepper, rosemary and cloves, binds to the cannabinoid receptors (CB2) and exerts a significant anti-inflammatory effect, working harmoniously with more well-known cannabinoids such as CBD and THC. For this reason, adding terpenes to the oil can provide significant benefits to the consumer. Terpenes, from a range of plants can also be added to the oil in combination and preference. In addition to improving the entourage effect, they also add a pleasing flavour. Once terpenes are added, the oil is ready for consumption. 

One of the benefits of the oil is the many ways in which it can be consumed. Sublingual consumption tends to be the most popular though some prefer other less-known consumption methods such as the pechoti method -rooted in Ayurvedic medicine. For consumers who would prefer to nullify the effects of THC, suppositories can be made, which when inserted correctly,  bypass the liver. In order to make suppositories, the carrier oil must be changed to one that hardens such as organic shea butter or coconut oil.  

Employing such oils can be useful when making balms and creams for topical application. Conditions such as eczema,  psoriasis and acne can be calmed with a cannabis balm and, in addition, when applied to aches and pains, the balm can ease and soothe inflamed joints and muscles. 

Making and consuming AVB oil can contribute further to health and wellbeing and can additionally support the conditions for which the cannabis flower is prescribed in the first place.  There is, however, one concern. Using AVB to make oil is currently illegal yet in spite of this, many patients recognise its benefits and continue to use it.