An estimated 150 million people across the globe use cannabis at this point, and that number will continue to climb in the years to come. People turn to this natural product to help with everything from depression and insomnia to chronic pain and anxiety. It has been in use for thousands of years, and it’s sure to carry on if humans exist.
Over time, numerous ways to use or consume cannabis have been discovered. Each one has its own benefits and disadvantages. Understanding the options and what they have to offer can help you choose the best one for your unique needs and expectations.
Vaping
Vaping is one of the most common ways to use cannabis despite having only been an option for about 30 years or so. Once vape pens reached the market, they piqued people’s interest. It didn’t take them long to rival the popularity of conventional smoking. Among young adults, vaping has even surpassed smoking. While more people still smoke cannabis as opposed to vaping it, the latter is certainly growing more common.
An ever-growing variety of vape juice is available. Each one has its own unique flavor, aroma, and effects. That means vaping can be tailored to more people’s distinct needs and preferences. All you have to do is find a delicious strain that provides the effects you’re looking for. In fact, you may find more than one that meets your expectations. In the beginning, vape juices contained varying amounts of nicotine or nothing more than interesting flavors. Today, though, you’ll find a growing selection of cannabis-infused options that contain varying concentrations of the compounds that provide the herb’s highly touted potential benefits.
Vaping cannabis is said to generate more significant effects than smoking it. That stems from a couple of important factors. For one, vaping exposes substances to lower temperatures than conventional smoking. As such, it destroys less of the active compounds. Secondly, when people smoke cannabis, they’re smoking the dried flower of the plant. When they vape it, they’re consuming oils made from extracts from the entire plant. Vape juice generally contains higher concentrations of active compounds than the dried flower alone, so its effects are bound to be stronger.
Many people feel that vaping is much simpler and more convenient than smoking. That’s especially the case with today’s easy-to-use vape pens and disposable pods. They don’t require the same levels of effort and maintenance as their more complicated predecessors. That means people can more readily enjoy the experience and its effects. If you choose a trusted brand that’s known for quality and purity, you don’t have to worry about the additives and unsavory fillers that may be mixed with your cannabis extracts.
Smoking
Smoking is the oldest form of cannabis consumption, and it remains popular despite all the other options now available. For most people, the amount of time it takes to feel the effects of smoking cannabis and how long those effects last are comparable to those of vaping it. Of course, there’s a broader range of strains available for smoking than juices for vaping. With the constantly expanding selection of vape juices on the market, you don’t have to sacrifice flavors and effects if you prefer vaping.
Some people choose to smoke cannabis because its effects are milder with that method of consumption. Others prefer the harsher hit of conventional smoking over the smoother experience of vaping. For many, though, it’s simply a matter of sticking to tradition and a reluctance to stray from what was once considered the norm.
Edibles
Edibles have been around for at least 4,000 years. Though they were popular in certain cultures, like ancient India, from the beginning, they didn’t become a global phenomenon for quite some time. In Europe, they gained a certain amount of notoriety in the fifteenth century. Official accounts indicate that they eventually made their way to North America in the 1960s, but they’ve probably been here for much longer than that. One of the first edibles to gain popularity in America was cannabis-laced fudge.
Today, you’ll find a virtually endless list of edibles on the market. Many of them are sugary treats that satisfy your sweet tooth while also providing the notable effects of cannabis. You can also purchase dried cannabis, oils, and extracts to add to your favorite recipes on your own. Edibles’ effects don’t kick in quite as quickly as smoking, vaping, or other options. Because the cannabis in edibles has to go through the digestive process, its bioavailability is much lower. Still, the effects of edibles tend to last much longer than those of other methods of consumption.
Tinctures
Tinctures are liquids that contain cannabis compounds mixed with alcohol. Simply place a few drops of them under your tongue, and they’ll quickly be absorbed into your body. Once they enter the bloodstream, they’ll begin to take effect. Their effects can last four hours or longer depending on the concentration of cannabinoids and many other factors. Since tinctures don’t have to go through the digestive process, their bioavailability is much higher. As such, you may need less product to get the effects you’re looking for. It’s easier to adjust the dosage with tinctures than with smoking or edibles as well.
Topicals
Topicals are also widely available. These are the products you use on your skin rather than ingesting. They’re said to be highly effective for wound healing and treating certain skin conditions. You’ll even find rubs and patches that contain a blend of cannabis, lidocaine, and other ingredients for pain relief. One of the obvious drawbacks of topicals is their limited effects. Obviously, they won’t work for insomnia, depression, anxiety, and certain other issues. Some people find that some of the additives in topicals cause skin irritation and rashes as well. Still, many people swear at them for relieving joint and muscle aches and controlling skin problems.
Choosing Your Method of Cannabis Consumption
You can use cannabis in several ways, each with its own benefits and downfalls. Vaping is rapidly rising through the ranks because of its many strong suits, but it’s not necessarily the best option for everyone. Consider the information provided here to help you decide which method might work best for you.