Cannabis is full of compounds called cannabinoids that have proven medicinal properties. But the traditional method of smoking comes with plenty of lung health concerns. The American Lung Health association notes that any smoking is harmful to the lungs.
Whether the smoke comes from burning wood, tobacco, or cannabis, it can be loaded with toxins and carcinogens from combustion. Smoke from cannabis combustion produces many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens found in tobacco smoke.
So how can you enjoy the health benefits of cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) without actually smoking it? Many companies are focused on products that provide alternatives. Green Growth Brands markets its cannabis products as a component of healthy living, focusing on some of these alternative delivery methods.
Cannabis Oils
Oils are one of the most basic ways you can dose CBD without needing to smoke it. Oils use extraction technology to isolate CBD and infuse it. The result is CBD oil, and is one of the most potent forms of medical cannabis available on the market today. Many are made using alcohol as a solvent, but that is not always the case.
Now being legal in countries like Canada, many producers are using new extraction technology to create these essential oils to mass produce. Since extraction can isolate specific cannabinoids like CBD and THC, you do not have to worry about psychoactive properties. Most CBD oil will include less than 0.3% of THC after extraction. Extraction techniques can also lead to high-percentage doses. Some can offer up to 99% pure CBD, which can provide more control and consistency for dosing.
Topicals
Cannabis-infused topicals are another popular delivery method for CBD products. Topicals are a vast category and come in many shapes and forms from lotion, creams, sprays, patches, and balms. These are intended to provide relief for CBD patients. Most are a combination of CBD oil and other natural products, like lavender and echinacea. In Canada, licensed producers cannot manufacture or distribute topicals. That has led to many people purchasing oil to create their own, or from a CBD-focused company like Green Growth Brands.
Edibles
Brownies, cookies, and other desserts are popular vehicles for delivering edible CBD to patients because they can be homemade. The CBD edibles world is more than just providing a sweet treat with medication. For patients who need CBD dosing that doesn’t include sugar, these are a great route.
Many meals you make at home can be CBD-infused with butter or oil. The only downside is that it takes much longer to feel the effect. There is also some risk of a psychoactive experience if dosing is not handled correctly. Many commercially produced edibles like gummies, shakes, and drinks clearly label how many milligrams of CBD you can find in the product. It’s impossible to get this level of dosing with homemade, so be aware of that if you decide to strike out on your own with CBD oil.
Juicing
While technically falling under the edible’s category, juicing to get your CBD intake is growing in popularity. Juicing does not require any heat, making it the perfect way to ingest without any psychoactive effects. The raw form of THC needs heat to become the psychoactive experience associated with cannabis.
Don’t expect to walk into a dispensary and juice the buds you buy, though. Juicing for CBD intake requires fresh, raw buds and leaves. Fresh cannabis can be purchased from some licensed producers in Canada now, making this a viable option. An excellent place to start is by mixing half cannabis juice and half carrot to cut some of the plant’s bitter flavor. Remember to use raw plant material that is free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
Capsules & Suppositories
Many medical patients find it challenging to get the right dose every day consistently. Many consumption methods like edibles and juicing requires a trial and error method that isn’t ideal for some. Capsules and suppositories are a way to offer a structured dose of CBD that is the same, day after day.
Capsules and suppositories require no prep or clean-up, so they are ideal for busy patients. Many medical professionals are familiar with capsules and suppositories, so they are most likely to be recommended in a medical setting. Since they offer so much control over dosing, they are often recommended for under-age patients.
Vaping
While vaping and smoking both use the element of heat to activate the cannabinoids in cannabis, it is different. Smoking actually burns the material, creating smoke to be inhaled. Vaporizing heats at a much lower temperature so you can extract benefits without smoke. Vaporizers tend to be expensive and can be just as harsh on the lungs. They may not be suitable for patients who don’t like smoking in the first place, but vaping is different from smoking.
