How to take medical cannabis oil

How is medical cannabis oil taken?

There are a few ways that medical cannabis oil can be taken, but for the overwhelming majority of UK medical cannabis patients, sublingual administration is the prescribed (and preferred) method.

What is sublingual administration?

When medical cannabis oil is prescribed to be taken sublingually, it simply means that the patient will place the oil under their tongue and hold it there for at least 60 seconds. 

This gives the oil time to be absorbed by the blood vessels under the tongue and enter the bloodstream, providing fast and effective relief.

Why is medical cannabis oil usually prescribed to be taken sublingually?

• Faster onset: Taking the oil sublingually bypasses the digestive system and goes straight into the bloodstream. This not only speeds up the onset of the therapeutic effects but also avoids the potential loss of potency through digestion.
• Reduced potential for side effects: One of the more common side effects of medical cannabis oil is gastrointestinal upset. By taking it sublingually, the oil doesn't have to pass through the digestive system, reducing the risk of stomach issues.
• More accurate dosing: Medical cannabis is often prescribed to be titrated (where the dosage size is slowly increased from a very low starting point) until the desired therapeutic effects are achieved. By taking it sublingually, patients can more easily control and adjust their dosage as needed.

Oral administration explained

While most UK medical cannabis patients use sublingual administration, some may find that taking their oil orally works better for them. This involves swallowing the oil directly or mixing it into food or drink.

When taken orally, the time it takes for the effects to be felt will vary based on a range of factors but should take anywhere between 45 and 90 minutes in most cases.

When is oral administration suggested?

There are a few reasons why your doctor may suggest that you take your prescribed medical cannabis oil orally:

• Prolonged effects: While sublingual administration provides fast relief, the effects do not last as long as those of oral administration. For patients with chronic conditions, oral administration may be preferred to provide longer-lasting relief.
• Difficulty with sublingual administration: For some patients, holding the oil under their tongue for 60 seconds may be challenging due to physical limitations, an aversion to the taste, or other factors. In these cases, oral administration may be a more suitable option.

In some cases, patients may find that they do not experience the desired effects from sublingual administration. If this happens, your doctor may recommend oral administration to see if it provides better results.

Can medical cannabis oil be vaporised?

While there are forms of medical cannabis oil that have been designed to be inhaled, most options should only be taken sublingually or orally. If you're interested in vaporising your medical cannabis, speak to your doctor about the medical cannabis flower options available to you.

Want to learn more?

We have a backlog of 'New Patient' articles just waiting for you to dive into, covering all the more frequently asked questions. We also have a full blog and education hub, both of which are overflowing with everything there is to know about UK medical cannabis, the emerging research into this fascinating plant, and much more.

And then there is our fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker - it takes less than 30 seconds to complete, and you'll find out if you potentially qualify for a medical cannabis prescription in the UK instantly.

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