Ways To Consume Cannabis
Most cannabis users have their go-to method when it comes to consuming cannabis. We tend to stick to the technique or method we try first and hardly ever give it another thought. If it works, then why change it?
The answer is simple. Different ways to consume cannabis provide different experiences.
Think about what it is you enjoy the most about cannabis. Is it the high? If so, what is it about the high you enjoy most? Is it the taste? Does the method or process itself add to the experience? Once you answer these questions, you can then see what other forms of cannabis consumption are out there. Who knows, you might end up with a new favorite.
You might even end up rotating various methods depending on your mood, time of the day, or the type of social situation you are in.
While there are plenty of ways to consume cannabis, they all fit into one of three categories: inhalation, oral and topical. Let’s explore each of them.
Ways to Consume Cannabis: Inhalation
Consuming cannabis through inhalation is by far the most popular way to consume cannabis. One of the reasons for its popularity is that it works very quickly. The smoke that comes from heated cannabis hits your bloodstream through your lungs almost instantly, making you feel ‘high’ within minutes.
If you want to explore consuming cannabis through inhalation, you can either smoke it or vape it.
Smoking cannabis is the most common way of inhaling cannabis.
There are plenty of smoking devices to choose from.
If you enjoy smoking roll-ups, then joints or blunts might be the right choice for you. Joints are roll-ups filled up with cannabis flower (usually broken down with a grinder) and rolled up in a rolling paper. Blunts are usually rolled up in a tobacco or hemp leaf. They come in the form of a cigar that has been hollowed out and then stuffed with cannabis. If you do not know how to roll, worry not. We sell pre-rolled blunts and joints for those of you who don’t want to roll themselves.
Hand pipes are the most popular smoking tool for people who don’t like joints and blunts. They can be as discrete or as expressive as you want them to be. Their ease of use makes pipes excellent tools for people who want to try something fun and new.
Water pipes, such as bongs or bubblers, are another popular method of smoking cannabis. The water in water pipes cools the smoke, making it an easier smoking experience for some users.
Ways to Consume Cannabis: Vaping Cannabis
Another way of consuming cannabis is vaping. Vaping is becoming the new go-to method of smoking for cannabis users who enjoy experimenting with new technologies.
Vaporizers work by heating cannabis flower (or concentrates) to a temperature that creates vape instead of smoke. This process encourages the release of THC and other cannabinoids but reduces the amount of tars and toxins released. While research is not conclusive on whether vaping is a healthier method of consuming cannabis, some users find it to be a more accessible and pleasant experience than smoking.
Additionally, vaping cannabis produces less odor than other inhalation techniques, which is an important factor for people who enjoy consuming cannabis indoors.
Whether one should vape cannabis oil or dry flower depends on personal preference. One of the main factors to keep in mind when choosing between the two is that vaping highly concentrated oil will hit you harder than vaping cannabis flowers. If you want to get the strongest effect possible from a flower, using a bong, a pipe, or a joint might be the better choice.
Ways to Consume Cannabis: Oral Consumption
If you want to avoid inhaling cannabis altogether, you should look into consuming cannabis orally.
There are two different ways to consume cannabis this way are: edibles and tinctures.
Edibles are any food or drink that contains cannabis.
The big difference between edibles and other methods of consuming cannabis is the way in which your body processes .
When you venture into the world of cannabis-infused food and drinks, your body will absorb the active ingredients in cannabis through your digestive system.
The most important thing about edibles is that you need to remember to start slow and remain patient. Your body needs time to digest the cannabis served in the form of an edible before you can feel any effects, so it might take a while before it kicks in. A lot of people expect to feel something immediately and, as a result, bite off more than they can chew, which sometimes leads to an unpleasant experience.
But, when done correctly, edibles are worth the wait. They will provide you with a full-body effect. Some describe them as more powerful than any other form of cannabis consumption.
If you wish to experiment with edibles, make sure to allow yourself plenty of time when you do it. That way, you will not have any time pressures to deal with, which will increase your chances of enjoying the experience to the fullest.
Ways to Consume Cannabis: Tinctures
If you don’t want to inhale cannabis but are too impatient for edibles, you should consider using tinctures. Tinctures are cannabis extracts that you take orally. They go straight to your bloodstream, providing a quick and strong effect.
It is an easy and discrete consumption method. Tinctures are usually sold in small glass bottles and are very easy to use. All you have to do is place a few drops under your tongue (follow the instructions on the bottle for the exact number), wait at least 30 seconds, swallow, and away you go.
Ways to Consume Cannabis: Topical
Probably the least popular way to consume cannabis are topicals. While some people might say that topical application is a delivery, not a consumption method, we believe it is worth mentioning.
Topicals are cannabis products that are absorbed through your skin. The main difference between topicals and other consumption methods is that topical products will not provide you with any psychoactive effects. Instead, they are used primarily for pain management.
They are the perfect choice for people who need to support their bodies with cannabis but want to keep a clear head.
Ways to Consume Cannabis: Creams
Creams are the most popular topical cannabis products. They can contain isolated cannabinoids, such as CBD or THC, but they can also include a wide range of different cannabinoids.
They are a popular choice among people who exercise regularly, as cannabis-infused creams have the potential to help with sore muscles that are a common result of over-exercise.
Creams should be used directly on the affected area. So be precise in your application and apply the cream to the affected area only.
Ways to Consume Cannabis: Transdermal Patches
Patches are a relatively new method of using cannabis. Cannabis patches, just like any other patches available on the market, look like band-aids. When placed on your body, the heat coming from your body activates the ingredients in the patch. As a result, cannabinoids get absorbed through the skin and steadily reach your bloodstream.
Just like in the case of creams, patches won’t get you high, even if they include high levels of THC. But while they can not provide you with the fun side of cannabis use, they are a great pain management tool. When placed on painful areas, such as joints or very stiff muscles, they may provide long-lasting relief.
They are very popular with people who have trouble sleeping due to chronic pain. Because they do not give any psychoactive effects, they are safe to use even if you need to keep a clear head.
Ways to Consume Cannabis Come in a Wide Variety
There is no right or wrong technique. Instead, it all depends on your personal preference.
If you enjoy inhaling cannabis, then joints, blunts, or pipes might be the way forward for you. If you’re not worried about how easy it is to carry your smoking gear around and want something that hits a bit harder, a bong might be your method of choice.
Vaping should be considered by people who want to inhale cannabis, but want to avoid smoking. There is still a lot we need to learn about this new method. If early indications are accurate, vaporizers have the potential to limit the amount of toxins inhaled while consuming cannabis. Vaporizers also work well with cannabis oils and concentrates.
If you are looking for a full-body high, you should consider edibles. They can be a great and fun way of experiencing cannabis. But remember – it takes a while before you can feel the effects of edibles, so be patient and take it slow. Keep in mind that they are also known for hitting harder than most other types of cannabis consumption.
For those looking for a discrete solution, tinctures are the way to go. They work quickly, are discreet, and can be applied with minimal effort.
If using cannabis for pain management, and not wanting the psychoactive effects, consider using cannabis topicals. Whether in the form of cream or patches, topicals can be an excellent tool for dealing with pain or sore muscles.
And if you are feeling overwhelmed, let us know. We will be happy to help you select the best consumption method for you!
