Sifting through the clutter of information on cannabis oil effects on the internet can be exhausting and confusing. The best thing to do is to try and have a fundamental understanding of how cannabis oil benefits work, cannabis extraction methods, and what it exactly does to you. Only then will you find yourself in a position to see how one is different from the other, from cannabidiol tinctures to cannabis-infused oils.

Edible cannabis-fused oils are among the most common and most highly recommended cannabis medicine products in the world to experience cannabis oil effects. The vast majority of medications are administered orally, thus it is only natural that an edible form of cannabis medicine become the most widely used format to derive cannabis oil benefits. Not only are cannabis-infused oils relatively simple to produce via cannabis extraction methods, they also provide a safe and convenient alternative to the old ways of smoking cannabis with cannabidiol tinctures and cannabis oil benefits amongst other cannabis products.

What is cannabis oil?

Cannabis oil is the resulting product created when an cannabis extraction methods of chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant (Vijaya, or full spectrum cannabis extract) ‘activate’ and then are infused with a carrier oil, such as medium-chain triglyceride (MCT).

Cannabis-infused Oils vs Tinctures – What’s the difference?

Tinctures differ from cannabis-infused oils. Rather than using a carrier oil for infusion, a cannabis tincture is created by dissolving cannabis extract into a solvent such as alcohol, take cannabidiol tinctures for example.

How is cannabis oil made and what is decarboxylation?

The manufacturing of cannabis oil is typically a three-step process:

1. Extraction – The process of creating a highly concentrated cannabis extract via cannabis oil extraction methods, containing a high volume of chemical compounds found in cannabis such as cannabinoids and terpenes.
2. Decarboxylation – Raw dry cannabis materials primarily contain the cannabinoids THC-A and CBD-A. So, what is decarboxylation? Prior to infusion, these cannabinoids are ‘activated’ through the precise application of heat in order to convert them into the cannabinoids delta9-THC and CBD (the two most common cannabinoids used in cannabis medicine therapy), this process is known as decarboxylation.
3. Infusion – For cannabinoids to be effectively absorbed by the body, they must first be infused with a fatty-oil to create cannabis-infused oils. This is accomplished by gently heating and agitating a mixture of cannabis extract with a carrier oil until a consistent potency and thickness is achieved.

How do you use cannabis oil?

The simplest and most effective way to consume an edible cannabis-infused oil is to just put it in your mouth and swallow. While it is common to find cannabis oil and hemp-derived oil products that recommend placing the oil beneath the tongue, these types of infusions are not well suited for sublingual absorption, as that would require the use of specialized nano-emulsion technologies to experience the proper cannabis oil benefits. Nano-emulsion products are not yet common in most markets.

When ingested, cannabis oil is metabolized by the liver, leading to a gradual onset and prolonged duration of cannabis oil effects. One can typically expect to begin experiencing the onset of cannabis oil effects within 60-90 minutes following ingestion. However, it is not uncommon for this process to take up to 2 hours. Cannabis oil effects can then be expected to last for a duration of approx. 6-8 hours.

Can I cook with cannabis oil?

Cannabis-infused oils are medicine. While it is possible to use cannabis oil in everyday cooking, it is not recommended for several reasons:

1. It can become far more difficult to achieve an accurate and consistent dosage to enjoy cannabis oil benefits.
2. It can result in the degradation of cannabinoids and the evaporation of terpenes when heated beyond initial decarboxylation. If you’re having difficulty remembering what is decarboxylation, refer to earlier in the article.  
3. It can substantially increase the chances of accidental exposure of friends and family who aren’t looking to experience cannabis oil effects.

To begin your cannabis medicine journey today, book an appointment now with the Savikalpa Virtual Clinic for an online doctor consultation, or request more information from a member of our highly trained clinic staff (eclinic@savikalpa.com).

We pride ourselves on being one of India’s most qualified sources of fast, friendly, and professional access to cannabinoid medicine online!

Interested in learning more? Send us your questions (eclinic@savikalpa.com). It is our mission to educate patients in any way we can, and we would be delighted to hear from you.

DISCLAIMER – All individuals accessing this site undertake full responsibility for their own assessment of the accuracy/relevance of any and all content found herein. The content found on this site is not intended to serve as a substitute for medical advice/diagnosis/treatment from a qualified and licensed health care provider. This information should also in no way be misconstrued as professional legal advice regarding legislative, regulatory or any other matters. Individuals should always seek guidance of fully qualified professionals.