Today there are many different ways to utilize cannabis. The question is:
Which ones will get you the most elevated?
This is something that many individuals have asked themselves. In this article, we will break down some of the different consumption methods that are most common in order from the least psychoactive to the most potent.
1. Topicals
Transdermal patches, lotions, infused salves, cannabis creams, and bath bombs are just a few of the cannabis-infused topical products that can be utilized to reap the benefits of different cannabinoids.
Topical and transdermal utilization of cannabis should produce no high other than the one that you receive from feeling better and having a higher quality of life.
While topical products may contain THC, it is in the form of THCa in most cases which is the acidic non-psychoactive form of the cannabinoid. Topicals might not be suitable for getting high, but they are great for targeting specific areas of pain and inflammation as well as for treating various skin conditions.
2. Smoking
Inhalation methods such as smoking are one of the most common ways to utilize cannabis globally. Smoking is also one of the quickest ways to fill a psychoactive effect from cannabis. When you utilize cannabis in this manner, THC is quickly absorbed into the body through the alveoli in the lungs and then enters the bloodstream before reaching cannabinoid receptors throughout the body.
THC however in the form of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is an oil-soluble compound which means it does not break down well in the blood which is water concentrated. Quite simply this means that when smoking cannabis, you’re not getting the concentration of cannabinoids that you can through other methods of consumption.
3. Vaping
Recent reports break down the difference between vaping and smoke cannabis. This new report also took an intense look at why vaping can produce a more potent effect than other inhalation methods such as smoking. Here is the science behind that. The study was performed at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
The study utilized 17 adults with an age average of 27 that rarely consumed cannabis. The 8 women and 9 men that participated vaped and smoked cannabis at strengths of 0mgs, 10mgs, and 25mgs in six separate eight-hour sessions that took place at least 7 days apart.
The study showed that participants that vaped cannabis at the 25mg strength not only experienced a more intense and potent high, but the level of THC concentration in their bloodstream was also higher than that of the participants that smoked cannabis at the 25mg strength.
4. Dabbing
Cannabis concentrates are much more potent than the buds produced naturally by the cannabis plant. On average cannabis concentrates such as wax, shatter, budder, and rosin have a THC content between 50 and 90%. In comparison to the average 15 to 20% THC found in dried cannabis buds, you can see how dabbing cannabis concentrates could produce one potent buzz.
While there is little research surrounding this, dabbing is very similar to vaping through a vape pen so I believe it is safe to assume that dabbing would produce a more potent buzz than vaping due to the concentration of THC present in the product.
5. Edibles
Cannabis edibles are unlike many other cannabis consumption methods as they can take upwards of an hour sometimes to take effect. This wait though is well worth it as cannabis-infused edibles are thought to be one of the most elevated ways to consume cannabis. Edibles also tend to pack one hell of a potent buzz from head to toe that can last significantly longer than the buzz from other methods of consumptions.
The science says this is because when delta-9-THC is metabolized and broken down by your GI tract, stomach, and liver, it is converted into a more water-soluble form of THC known as 11-hydroxy-THC. This form of THC can rapidly spread at higher intensities to the entire body through the bloodstream as well as pass through the blood/brain barrier with much more ease.
What’s your go-to?
What is your favorite way to get elevated? Do you prefer to reap the benefits and enjoy the high of relief or are you balls to the wall and prefer or require something stronger such as dabbing or edibles? I would love to know more about how you like to get lit in the comments below!
Article courtesy of Expert Joints. Written by AshleyP from CannaLance (Canna-Lance.com, @CannaLance, @MJWriter87)