Pain is one of the most common reasons why people use cannabis. Whether it’s chronic pain, arthritis, nerve pain, or something else, cannabinoids in the plant dampen the sensation of pain, allowing you to go about your day. You have many options at your disposal when it comes to choosing a method that provides you with the relief you’ve been seeking. Along with smoking, there are edibles, tinctures, and topicals. Another option is cannabis pills.
What Are Cannabis Pills?
Cannabis pills are generally a mixture of potent cannabis extract mixed with an oil, such as coconut or vegetable oil. The reason behind the oil is so that your body can absorb the cannabinoids more effectively. A gelatin or plant-based capsule contains the mixture, making it easy to swallow.
You’ll find cannabis pills in a variety of THC dosages. Some of the most common include 2mg (for microdosing), 10mg, 25mg, and even 100mg. Other pills contain varying ratios of CBD to THC.
How Do They Work?
Taking cannabis pills to treat pain is incredibly simple. All you have to do is swallow your desired dose. The pills go through your digestive tract. The liver processes the cannabinoids before they enter your bloodstream. Once they’re in your system, they travel throughout your body and to your brain, where they attach to various cannabinoid receptors to provide you with pain relief.
Benefits of Cannabis Pills for Pain
One of the biggest benefits of cannabis pills is that you don’t have to smoke anything. If you’re concerned about the effects of inhaling smoke or vapor, you don’t have to worry. All you do with a cannabis pill is swallow it.
Another significant benefit of cannabis pills is that they provide longer-lasting relief. The cannabinoids linger in your system longer, which means you’ll need to take fewer doses during the day to keep your discomfort to a minimum.
Other benefits of cannabis pills include:
- They’re discreet
- You can conceal them easily, so no one will know that you have them
- They don’t produce any odors
- They allow for accurate dosing (each pill contains a measured dose, so you know exactly how much THC you’re getting every time)
Are There Any Drawbacks?
While there are significant benefits to cannabis pills, there is also one substantial drawback. The pills don’t provide immediate pain relief. Due to the way your body processes them, it takes longer for the cannabinoids to enter your system. Where the effects of smoking, vaping, and sublingual tinctures take effect in as little as 15 to 30 minutes, you may be waiting anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours before you feel the effects of a pill.
If you need immediate pain relief, the wait can prove frustrating. Keep in mind, however, that you don’t want to take a second dose right away. Not only does cannabis last longer in your system when you ingest it, but the high can also be more intense. You want to be careful not to overdo it.
Cannabis pills provide an easy, convenient, and discreet way to get the relief you need from your pain. While they take longer to kick in, they do provide longer-lasting results, allowing you to function normally throughout your day and get the sleep you need at night.