Although it’s fair to say that the benefits of marijuana are sometimes a tiny bit over-exaggerated, the fact is that many people suffering with chronic pain or mental health conditions have enjoyed a noticeable improvement in quality of life when using the drug. However, while scientific research does provide evidence supporting the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, it’s still very much a taboo subject.

Unfortunately, despite the health benefits, information regarding the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is still not widely available to the general public in many parts of the world. Many people are finding that they don’t really know where to start, especially as there are so many consumption methods. Let’s take a look at the most common methods, looking at the benefits of each method:

Smoking

Smoking marijuana is the quickest way to enjoy the benefits of the drug. That’s because smoking delivers the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) rapidly and directly to the brain for an instant ‘high’. In fact, it takes just 10 minutes from the first puff to achieve peak levels of THC in the brain. Marijuana also leaves the body relatively quickly due to the way it’s metabolised, so smoking is an excellent way to carefully monitor your intake, and the effects, making it a good choice for first timers.

While smoking is perhaps not the healthiest consumption method due to smoke inhalation, it is certainly one of the most convenient, and one of the most flexible; did you know that as well as rolling joints, you could also use a pipe, bong, or small water pipe (which helps filter out the nasties) to smoke marijuana?

Vaping

Vaping allows for quick delivery of THC to the brain without smoke inhalation, which makes it a good alternative to smoking for those who don’t enjoy the act of smoking, or are hesitant to do so for health reasons, such as asthma.

Peak levels of THC can be obtained in roughly the same time frame as smoking, and there is evidence of decreased respiratory symptoms in people who vape marijuana compared to smokers. Although there’s not as much evidence out there to support the benefits of vaping marijuana in comparison to smoking as this is a much newer method, it is possible that vaping could help to control neuropathic pain.

One of the biggest advantages of vaping marijuana is that there’s practically no smell which makes it much more discreet than smoking, and some report a better taste, and better high!

Edibles

Consuming edibles — brownies, cakes, or milkshakes, for example — is a fun method that’s also a lot more discreet than smoking or vaping, making it a popular choice for many, particularly those who want to enjoy marijuana in public spaces.

Reports show that nearly 30% of Americans who use marijuana choose to consume edibles, and this can be a healthier ingestion technique, too, depending on what the marijuana is added to! A further advantage of edibles is that the effect is slow and continuous over a period of 1 to 6 hours, rather than a sudden and short-lived high, which some people prefer.

However, because of that slow progression, it gets tricky to manage the intake a find the right dosage. You will surely need to experiment for a bit so – start low and go slow!

Cooking or baking with marijuana is probably easier than you may think, as it can easily be added to butters, other fats, or milk, or simply used in the same way as regular garden herbs and added to a dish during cooking.

Tinctures

The use of tinctures may not be as common as other marijuana consumption methods but it’s still an option, and is sometimes used by medical marijuana users. A tincture is a marijuana-infused alcohol and comes somewhere between smoking and edibles; the effects are relatively fast (15 - 20 minutes on average) like smoking, but it can also be a healthier, smokeless option. It is used by placing a drop or two underneath the tongue and allowing it to be absorbed into the body.

The beauty of tinctures is that it’s very easy to control your dose, and increase if necessary, and tinctures can also last for quite a long time if they’re stored correctly in a cool, dry place. Typically low calorie, tinctures can easily be made at home, and like oils and butters they can also be added to cooking, making it possible to make marijuana treats.

Topicals

Although topical marijuana isn’t technically consumed, it’s still one of the most popular uses of the drug, and is understood to be particularly useful for those suffering from inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

Although topicals do not provide a high because they don’t enter the bloodstream, they can be more effective at managing skin conditions than other forms of marijuana consumption, and could even help with headache and cramping.

There’s actually lots of options for topicals, including lotions, balms, moisturizing creams, lubricants, and even leave-on patches which have been infused with marijuana, and they can help to provide localized relief to painful areas. This method is best for people who want to enjoy the health benefits of marijuana, without experience the psychoactive effect.

What Method is Best?

Choose a method that’s right for you. If you already smoke or vape, then swapping out your usual cigarettes or e-liquids for marijuana cigarettes and cannabis oil can be the most convenient and enjoyable method, but keep in mind they may not be the healthiest of options.

Edibles can be a good place to start for those new to marijuana, and allow for the dose to be increased as necessary. If you have a health condition which may benefit from marijuana, then it’s worth looking into your options, exploring these different methods and deciding if this management technique could be right for you.