5 Ways to Take Medical Marijuana

Medicinal marijuana might be able to help you find relief from chronic health problems, including severe pain and anxiety, but when you first get your prescription, it can be a little overwhelming. It comes in a variety of forms, each of which has its pros and cons. Your doctor, as well as the people who work at the dispensary, can help you understand your options for taking medical marijuana. In the meantime, this blog post provides a brief overview of some common administration methods.

Inhalation

Inhaling marijuana, such as through smoking or vaping, gets the product into the bloodstream very quickly, a fact that makes this method a favorite among individuals who suffer from acute pain. However, it also has the shortest duration of any administration method. Additionally, if you have concerns about lung health, you should definitely take that into consideration before you choose to smoke marijuana because it may irritate your airway.

Pills and Edibles

Swallowing marijuana provides strong and long-lasting effects, but it might take a while to kick in after you eat it. If you don’t want to taste the marijuana, pills may be the best option for you. However, if you like the idea of consuming it in the form of a treat — such as a cookie, brownie, or chocolate bar — you can do that as well.

Sublingual Administration

Tablets, strips, sprays, and tinctures are all different forms of marijuana that are meant to be taken sublingually. You simply place the product under your tongue, where it will quickly be absorbed into your body. Sublingual products work almost as quickly as inhalation but tend to last slightly longer.

Topical Products

Creams, patches, and other forms of topical marijuana products are easy to use and take effect quickly. They typically contain a mixture of marijuana and a carrier oil because without the oil, it would be difficult for the active compounds in the marijuana to penetrate the skin and make it into the bloodstream.

Suppository

If you want powerful and fast effects from your marijuana, you might consider using a rectal suppository. The colon contains receptors that quickly absorb the compounds in the marijuana, and the effects tend to last for a long time. Another advantage of this method is that a relatively low percentage of the THC in the marijuana is converted into his psychoactive form. Essentially, this means that rectal suppositories are less likely to affect your mind than other forms of marijuana.

Each medical marijuana patient has their own preference on how they take their prescription. You might decide to try multiple administration methods before you find one that you are comfortable with.

Meet the Doctor

Dr. Derek Murphy is a skilled physician in the Orlando, FL area who has helped more than 2,000 patients begin their pain relief journey with medical marijuana. If you are curious as to whether marijuana is right for you, he would be pleased to chat with you. Contact our office at 407-319-7541.