Cannabis oils are the finished product once you’ve extracted the cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant, resulting in a concentrated and extremely potent cannabis oil.
The ideal way of administering cannabis oil is via syringe underneath the tongue in the mouth.
Through this route, the cannabinoids and terpenes are absorbed through the sublingual tissue lining and enter the bloodstream.
This way of administering the cannabis usually brings on the effects within 30 to 45 minutes and it increases the bioavailability of the cannabinoids because they are not being broken down by the liver, which is the case with the ingestion route.
This increased bioavailability makes cannabis oils one of the ideal delivery methods for medicinal use with cannabis patients who need a high dose of cannabinoid therapy as part of their treatment plan. However, cannabis oil syringes can be quite expensive – ranging from $25 all the up to $155 depending on the quality of the oil and your area.
Naturally, you want to make sure that you are getting the most value from this delivery method when you choose it.
So here are 4 tips on how you can get the most value from cannabis oils:
#1) You can use these oils in many different ways.
Cannabis oils are ideal and most beneficial when taken sublingually, yet they are quite versatile.
You can also use them topically; you can vaporize the oil in a dab rig or concentrate vaporizer; you can add it to food, and you can put it on a joint or bowl and smoke it as well to receive some additional potency.
Although I do want to mention that most of these types of cannabis oils are not meant to be vaporized in vape pens, as they are thicker in consistency and will not move in the cartridge.
#2) You can use oils on your skin for growths.
When it comes to using cannabis oils as a topical they are much stronger than most topicals, so they are mainly ideal for cancerous looking growths.
When applying a small amount daily to the growth, the oil has been known to visibly reduce them in size and I myself have had great results with this.
When applied daily, you start to see very noticeable results almost instantly. You can see the growth start to change color and shape and reduce in size.
However, the oil is not designed for topical use the way topicals are so it is very sticky, can be hard to move around and get off your fingers once applied. To make this easier try mixing the cannabis oil in a little bit of coconut oil to make it less sticky and easier to spread.
We recommend putting a band-aid over it after applying, so you prevent other things like hair from sticking to it throughout the day. We also recommend washing and applying new oil each day to the area. When you are done you can try using some rubbing alcohol or Dr. Bronner’s hand soap to remove any remaining stickiness from your hands.
#3) What if you can’t get past the taste?
The cannabis oil can leave a bitter, spicy or burning sensation in your mouth when administered under the tongue. Some people mix it with a little bit of honey or yogurt to help with the taste.
However if you decide to go this route and you swallow the honey or yogurt solution instead of letting it dissolve underneath your tongue, then you are not getting the bioavailability from the medicine and you are instead digesting it as an edible. which means it will take longer to feel the effects and you will lose some of the medicinal value that could be available to you – so it’s important to keep this in mind.
#4) How do I get the right dose?
Cannabis oil comes in a pre-measured syringe so you can accurately dose yourself. However, it is difficult to see the syringe when administering the oil into your own mouth directly unless you have a caregiver to help you. There are some other ways you can still apply the solution yourself, such as applying the oil on a toothpick or even your clean finger and then placing it under your tongue.
The dose a person needs depends on the condition they are trying to treat, current medications, age and potency of the cannabis oil – among other things. So when using cannabis oil for severe medical conditions, we always recommend that you speak with a doctor to get a personalized treatment plan that will work best for you.
Once you know what your dose is, if you want to take the cannabis oil sublingually, you will want to put the cannabis oil under the tongue and hold it there for about a minute before swallowing.
With the efficacy of cannabis oil depending on your body and how you take it – as well as the oil itself – the effects can be felt anywhere from 30 minutes up to two hours, so be sure to wait for at least two hours before increasing your dose, if you are feeling that your first dose was not strong enough.
Generally, the effects can last up to four hours though it varies from person to person.
Also try not to take the cannabis oil on an empty stomach as it will intensify the effects and throw off your dose estimate.
Are Cannabis Oils for You?
Cannabis oils have been used to help treat many different types of conditions – everything from HIV, to arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, leukemia, Crohn’s disease, depression, insomnia, glaucoma, asthma, chronic pain, cancer and mutated cells including warts and tumors.
This is definitely a delivery method worth checking out. You never know which delivery method is going to work best for you and your situation, sometimes it’s even a combination of a couple different delivery methods that will work best.
However, as we mentioned before if you have a severe medical illness and think this might be a tool you would like to try in your treatment plan, be sure to bring this up with your doctor to get the right guidance and support for your particular needs.
