In our last installment of the Potency Plant Power Series, we looked at a few ways in which cannabinoids can be consumed. We talked about smoking cannabis flowers, consuming concentrates, and ingesting cannabis edibles. Next, we are going to look at topicals, oils, and other methods you likely didn’t know existed! Let’s dive right in!
Topicals
Topicals are cannabinoid products that are applied directly to the skin that provides a localized effect through passive diffusion into the skin. As we discussed in our endocannabinoid system article, the skin is comprised of cannabinoid receptors that work directly with cannabinoids such as CBD, THC, and CBG, to name a few. These receptors, when nourished with cannabinoids, may offer value to your skin’s overall health.
Topicals come in a wide variety of different textures, consistencies, potencies, and aromas. The most common forms of topicals available are lotions, serums, salves, creams, and balms. There is also a unique subset of products such as activated charcoal face masks, bath bricks, and mists such as the ones offered by Potency that have also been formulated to include the powers of cannabinoids!
Pros
- Pinpoint Specific Area of Concern
- No Risk of Intoxication
- Discreet
- Convenient
Cons
- Many Offer a Small Subset of Uses in Comparison to Other Consumption Methods (Shh! Not Potency Though! Check out this blog to learn more!)
Tinctures
While come consider tinctures to be an edible or prefer that they are classified within cannabinoid-based oils, we feel they deserve their own recognition as they are unique from both common edibles and the oils we discuss below. Tinctures have a rich history dating back thousands of years and spanning cultures globally. The products are made by soaking cannabis plant material in high-grade alcohol and allowing the alcohol to act as a solvent, pulling compounds such as cannabinoids into the alcohol. The alcohol/plant combo can remain infused in a cool dark storage area for years and used as needed. The tinctures on the market today have all plant material removed and filtered and are often added to beverages.
Pros
- Potent
- Quick Onset
- Full Spectrum
Cons
- Potent alcohol content and flavor
Oils
The essential oils of various plants have been embraced throughout history for their various attributes. Cannabis is no different. In fact, there are a wide variety of different cannabis oils. Let’s explore!
Sublingual Oils
These oils are formulated to be consumed by placing them under the tongue and allowing for absorption before swallowing. Many of the CBD oils on the market today are sublingual oils. The sublingual method of consumption has one of the highest bioavailability rates of all, meaning it allows for more of the active compounds in the product to be absorbed by the body.
Pros
- Fast Onset
- High Bioavailability
- Convenient and Easy
Cons
- Sometimes Unpleasant Tasting
Active Oils
These oils can be added to foods or beverages, placed into capsules, or ingested in any manner. These oils are made utilizing decarboxylated cannabis infused into a carrier oil such as MCT coconut oil. CBD oils on the market that are not meant to be taken sublingually typically fall into this category!
Pros
- Easy and Discreet
- Odorless
- Easy to Dose
Cons
- Typically Isolate Based
- MCT Can increase Bowel Movements when taken in large concentrations
FECO
Full Extraction Cannabis Oil is sometimes utilized to describe RSO and vice versa; however, there is a difference in these full spectrum extracts. FECO is made utilizing ethanol as an extraction solvent, whereas RSO utilizes alcohol or naphtha for extraction. Additionally, FECO contains less chlorophyll and plant compounds in comparison to RSO.
Pros
- Potent
- Less Chlorophyll
- Full Spectrum
Cons
- Intoxicating
- Dangerous Extraction
RSO
Short for Rick Simpson Oil, this oil is made utilizing a proprietary method that was popularized by a cancer patient, Rick Simpson, who utilized the formula to combat cancer. You can read more about his story here. This type of oil is dark and often has a thick consistency. This oil offers a higher concentration of plant compounds and chlorophyll as well as a high concentration of cannabinoids.
Pros
- Cannabinoid Rich
- Safer to Make
Cons
- Higher Chlorophyll Levels
Pharma
There are many other innovative products on the market today that allow cannabinoids to be consumed through various avenues. The legal market today offers a plethora of “pharma” type products, including capsules, suppositories, and inhalers, to name a few.
Capsules/Tablets
Cannabinoids can easily be infused into foods and oils, so why not made into an easy-to-swallow capsule or tablet? On the market today, you can find a plethora of different cannabinoid-based capsules and tablets formulated for various use cases. These products offer discretion, ease of consumption, and come predosed to eliminate any confusion on what is being consumed!
Suppositories
Like other suppositories, cannabinoid-infused suppositories offer a unique method of delivery, offering specifically heightened benefits for delivering compounds to the body and, in particular, for GI-based issues. Medical cannabis patients utilizing cannabinoid therapies to for issues such as IBS and Crohn’s are embracing THC and CBD suppositories for many reasons. This method of delivery for cannabinoids does not offer a high risk for intoxication.
Inhalers
Cannabis inhalers are really a thing, and they offer unique benefits that one may not think about. For many asthma patients, smoking and other inhalation methods are off the table. Edibles are not always the best go-to option because of their potency, so options are limited. This is where products like inhalers offer a vibe like no other. CBD and THC inhalers are available from retailers in various legal states and are utilized just like an ordinary inhaler.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways of consuming cannabinoids and embracing all that cannabis has to offer. Here at Potency No. 710, we are big fans of topicals and good old-fashioned joints! Of course, we can’t turn down a good Kiva chocolate edible either, but we typically reserve those for celebrations! What is your favorite way to consume? Let us know in the comments below!