4 Tips for Finding the Right Cannabis Product
Finding the right cannabis product is a unique journey for each individual.
Your distinct Endocannabinoid System (ECS) means that the best products and dosages for you may require patience and trial and error.
The ultimate goal is to discover the minimum effective dose that alleviates your symptoms.
Here are four tips to help you find the right cannabis product:
The First Step: Choose Your Ingestion Method
There are six primary methods for consuming cannabis: smoking/vaping, ingestion, sublingual, topicals, suppositories, and transdermal patches.
Smoking/Vaping: Although many people smoke, experts typically don't recommend it for medical purposes due to the risk of lung irritation and exposure to toxins. If you prefer inhalation, consider using a dry herb vaporizer, a cleaner and healthier option than vape pens.
Ingestion: This method includes anything that passes through your digestive system, such as edibles, oils, and teas. The key is to start with a low dose and gradually increase it to find the right balance for your body.
Sublingual: Place the product under your tongue for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, which allows it to absorb into your bloodstream quickly.
Topicals: You must apply these products to the skin and rub them vigorously. CBD absorbs ten times more effectively than THC, and adding limonene can enhance absorption. Topicals are excellent for localized relief and are non-intoxicating.
Suppositories: This method can reduce the psychoactive effects of THC compared to oral ingestion. Suppositories last 4 to 8 hours, making them helpful in managing period pain or as a lubricant for sex.
Transdermal Patches: With the highest bioavailability at 90%, transdermal patches provide consistent relief. You can even cut most patches to adjust the dosage to your needs. Follow the doctor's recommendations for an initial starting dose.
Each ingestion method offers a different experience, so it's wise to explore several options and choose the ones you're comfortable with.
Step Two: Ask for a Certificate of Analysis (COA)
When evaluating products, ask for a Certificate of Analysis (COA). This document, provided by a third-party lab that meets required standards, offers detailed information about the product, including:
Cannabinoid potency
Terpene profile
Bacteria, fungi, and mold
Pesticides and fungicides
Heavy metals
Residual solvents for processed products
Water activity and moisture content
Not all products have a COA readily available, but some might include a QR code on the packaging that you can scan to view the lab results. Reviewing the COA ensures you're aware of any potential contaminants like solvents, heavy metals, or mold, helping you make an informed choice about whether the product is right for you.
If you're seeking a specific cannabinoid ratio, like 1:1 CBD to THC, the COA will provide that information, allowing you to choose a product that meets your needs.
Do you know how to read a label to know how much you are consuming at a time?
Step Three: Master the Art of Reading Labels
Understanding product labels is crucial but can be confusing. Here are some key points to focus on:
Source of the Product: Determine whether the product was grown indoors or outdoors, is a hemp by-product, or is grown organically without pesticides.
Potency:
For flower, you will see potency as a percentage. For example, 24% THC means 240 mg of THC in one gram of flower.
For concentrates, potency might be listed as a percentage or in milligrams per package. For instance, an RSO syringe with 82% THC would have 820 mg of THC.
Milligrams per Milliliter (for tinctures/infusions): A bottle containing 700 mg THC in 30 mL would provide about 23 mg THC per mL (700/30 = ~23 mg).
Milligrams per Package: A cookie containing 100 mg THC means half the cookie provides 50 mg THC. Similarly, a 200 mg package of CBD gummies, with ten gummies, would mean each gummy contains 20 mg CBD.
Milligrams per Portion: A package containing ten gummies with 10 mg per gummy would total 100 mg of THC or CBD.
Some labels include terpene testing, providing valuable insights into the specific effects a product might have. Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis and other plants, contributing to the plant's scent and its therapeutic effects. For example, myrcene, the most common terpene in cannabis, is known for its soothing properties. When present at higher concentrations (0.5% or more), myrcene can have a calming, relaxing effect, making it a good choice for those seeking relief from insomnia or anxiety. For more information on terpenes, please visit my terpene cheat sheet.
In addition to terpene content, it's crucial to understand whether a product is Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, or an Isolate:
Full-Spectrum:
Benefits: Contains all cannabinoids and terpenes, including THC, providing the full entourage effect for maximum therapeutic benefits.
Drawbacks: Contains THC, which might be a concern for those sensitive to it or needing to avoid it due to drug testing.
Broad-Spectrum:
Benefits: Includes multiple cannabinoids and terpenes, typically without THC, offering some entourage effect.
Drawbacks: It may not be as effective as full-spectrum for some conditions. It can be more processed.
Isolate:
Benefits: It contains only one cannabinoid, pure CBD (with no THC) or pure THC, which is ideal for targeted effects.
Drawbacks: Lacks other beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes, missing the entourage effect.
Understanding a product's terpene profile and cannabinoid content can help you make more informed choices. It allows you to select products that align with your needs and desired effects. Whether looking for something sedating, uplifting, or somewhere in between, terpenes and cannabinoids will play a crucial role in your experience.
Tracking your experiences is not just important; it's essential to finding the right cannabis product.
Step Four: Track Your Experience
Even if you've chosen the proper ingestion method, reviewed the COA, and learned to read labels, tracking how each product affects you helps build a personalized understanding of what works best. It puts you in the driver's seat of your cannabis journey, empowering you with the confidence that comes from personal experimentation and tracking experiences.
You can use apps, journals, or Post-it notes to track your usage, effects, and other observations. Record the time of day, dosage, method of ingestion, and any side effects or benefits you notice. Keep these records organized to look at when trying new products.
Being open to experimenting with different products, ingestion methods, cannabinoid ratios, and terpene profiles is key to finding what works for you. A product's effectiveness can also depend on factors such as the time of day you use it or whether you take it on an empty or full stomach.
Remember, what works for one person might not work for another, so don’t hesitate to try something new if a product doesn’t meet your needs.
Need Help Finding Your Perfect Product?
If you're feeling overwhelmed or need personalized guidance, book a discovery call with Lindsey Hudson, Certified Cannabis Health Coach and Educator, and start your journey to finding the right cannabis product for you!
