Methods of Consumption
The effects experienced when consuming cannabis will always vary by individual and may be based on many personal factors, including genetics, physical health, mental health history, age, personality traits and gender.
Highlights:
- Inhalation of cannabis usually produces effects quickly.
- Ingestion takes longer to produce effects, but the effects can be stronger and last longer.
- Choosing to consume small amounts of cannabis can reduce the risk of harmful or unpleasant effects.
The effects experienced when consuming cannabis will always vary by individual. Effects may also depend on many personal factors, including genetics, physical health, mental health history, age, personality traits and gender. Your body’s response is also based on a combination of those factors and the products you choose, the cannabinoid content in the product and the method of consumption you choose.
Read on to learn about how each method can impact your experience and use our chart below to compare the differences between methods.
1. Inhalation
This method involves the combustion (burning), vaporization of ground dried cannabis flowers or the concentrate THC oils that we sell. Combustion could involve rolling the dried flower in paper and lighting it with a flame or putting it in a pipe or water pipe (sometimes called a “bong”), which cools the smoke before it is inhaled. Another way to inhale cannabis is to put it in a vaporizer or “vape”—an electronic device that heats the cannabis(oil) to an ideal temperature for the release of its active compounds in a vapour, which is then inhaled.
Inhalation delivers the active compounds in cannabis to your body via the lungs. From there it quickly enters the bloodstream, so an effect will be felt rapidly—one inhalation may be all it takes to feel the effects. For this reason, you should wait five to 15 minutes after a single inhalation to gauge its full effect.
If you’re new to inhaling cannabis, it’s wise to begin with one inhalation and consider that the more you inhale, the stronger the effects will be.
2. Ingestion
This method involves eating or drinking cannabis via oral tinctures, capsules, oils or edible products.
3. Topical application
These cannabis products are used mostly for medical purposes. They are rarely psychoactive. Even so, it’s wise to apply a small amount on your skin to start.
4. Other consumption methods
There are a variety of other ways to consume cannabis. Currently, the Dutch Cannabis Extracts shop does not sell items in these categories.
Juicing: Fresh cannabis flowers can be used to make a juice. You would still ingest the plant’s cannabinoids, vitamins and minerals through this method. However, because the cannabis has not been heated in the process of making the juice, the compounds will not be activated or produce any intoxicating effect.
Nasal spray: Similar to sinus medication, this method delivers a standardized dose of THC or CBD directly to the bloodstream.
Suppositories: These may be used medically for specific conditions. More research is required.