As knowledge of the benefits of marijuana has grown and dispersed, its market has grown. Millions of people around the world consume it for medical or recreational purposes, and the US has the largest cannabis market of all countries.

The variety of chemical profile combinations and consumption methods ensure that there’s always a new marijuana experience around the corner. The effects of different chemical profiles are obvious (e.g., high-THC cannabis will be more psychoactive). However, the consumption method has just as strong an influence on your marijuana experience. Here are the ways consumption methods can influence your experience with cannabis.

Inhaling

Inhaling refers to all processes where you heat up your weed and inhale the resultant smoke or vapor. The chemicals enter the lungs and then the bloodstream through the alveoli. Inhaling marijuana is one of the fastest ways to get its chemicals to your brain (the effects can settle in 10 to 30 minutes).

The most popular inhalant method is through smoking a blunt, joint, pipe, or bong. However, these methods can be harmful to your lungs. Additionally, burning the weed burns off some of the chemicals.

Vaping is another, more efficient, and possibly safer way to inhale marijuana. The weed is heated up enough to activate the chemicals but not enough to burn them. The chemicals are infused with the vapor, which is then inhaled.

Topical Application

Topical application refers to cannabis applied on the skin, typically through a cream. CBD creams are the most common topical cannabis products. Since CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, many people use it to help with muscle soreness and general inflammation.

Additionally, the creams are used with vitamins and minerals to improve skin health. Other topical cannabis products include transdermal patches. These send chemicals through the skin and into the bloodstream.

Edibles and Sublingual Application

A pile of cannabis-infused gummy bears

Edibles and sublingual consumption refer to methods of consuming cannabis through the mouth. Sublingual application refers to placing the appropriate cannabis product under the tongue and waiting for it to dissolve. Edibles refer to food infused with cannabis that is eaten.

Consuming marijuana sublingually results in faster effects than edibles. However, edibles result in unique and often overpowering highs because the cannabis passes through the digestive tract before reaching the brain.

If you’re looking for medical marijuana in New York, California, or Minnesota, get in touch with us at IndicaMD. We provide medical cannabis cards in Queens, Manhattan, and other places throughout New York, California, and Minnesota.