Cannabis for medical use: method of administration

Medical cannabis can be administered in various ways depending on the country and legislation.

‍The medical use of cannabis is almost 5,000 years old. However, we are only beginning to understand the mechanisms of action of cannabinoids, their therapeutic virtues, the most efficient dosages and methods of administration.

The first written records of the therapeutic use of cannabis date back to 2700 BC. In the oldest pharmacopoeia in the world – attributed to the Chinese emperor Shen-nung – cannabis was mentioned in around a hundred indications.

However, it was not until the end of the 20th century and the discovery of the endocannabinoid system that we began to understand why and how cannabis acts on the human body.

The properties of cannabinoids

We now know that the plant contains many active ingredients: CBD, THC, CBN, CBG, etc. Not all of these cannabinoids are created equal and much remains to be discovered about their physiological effects. However, the anti-inflammatory, anti-emetic, analgesic, anti-bacterial and even anti-cancer properties of certain cannabinoids have been proven.

Properly administering medical cannabis

In order to optimize the therapeutic virtues of cannabinoids, it is not only necessary to identify their individual mechanism of action. It is also necessary to determine at what dose they will be safest and most effective.

In this regard, the method of administration is very important. Indeed, cannabis can be smoked, inhaled, ingested or even applied to the skin.

The properties of cannabinoids

We now know that the plant contains many active ingredients: CBD, THC, CBN, CBG, etc. Not all of these cannabinoids are created equal and much remains to be discovered about their physiological effects. However, the anti-inflammatory, anti-emetic, analgesic, anti-bacterial and even anti-cancer properties of certain cannabinoids have been proven.

Properly administering medical cannabis

In order to optimize the therapeutic virtues of cannabinoids, it is not only necessary to identify their individual mechanism of action. It is also necessary to determine at what dose they will be safest and most effective.

In this regard, the method of administration is very important. Indeed, cannabis can be smoked, inhaled, ingested or even applied to the skin.