There are a number of different medical cannabis product types in Australia. Aside from the general effects of medical cannabis, each product may offer slightly different effects. Before prescribing medical cannabis products, a doctor will consider a patient’s health condition, current medications, and medical history, to help determine the right medical cannabis product for them.

The effects of medical cannabis on the body are related to how the cannabinoids in the plant interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is believed to play a role in regulating various physiological processes.

How can effects vary by cannabis product type?

Certain medical cannabis products may have different effects. This is because products contain varying levels of phytocompounds, including cannabinoids. Each patient receives a tailored dosage and treatment plan suited to their unique medical condition. Even if a patient follows medical advice properly, they might still experience side-effects from cannabis medicines. Understanding the different product effects may help doctors make informed choices about their medical treatment options.

Side effects

Using medical cannabis products may result in various side-effects. Like all medications, medical cannabis use could lead to issues depending on a patient’s dosage, medical history and unique response to a product. In general, medical cannabis can cause memory loss, loss of coordination, fatigue, vomiting, and other effects. Illegally sourced products may also increase your chances of experiencing dangerous side-effects, as these products may not have adhered to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and quality checks. That’s why it’s important to source prescription cannabis products from reliable manufacturers that make products in accordance with GMP standards. This ensures they are following all of Australia’s production regulations and should be free from mould, pesticides and other unwanted contaminants.

Effects on different parts of the body

Some medical cannabis products may produce different effects on certain parts of the body, depending on the active ingredient and the method of delivery. Topical products, applied directly to the skin, may produce localised effects, rather than a generalised relief potentially provided by products that deliver cannabis straight to the bloodstream. Products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may primarily affect the brain. THC is a psychoactive chemical compound found in cannabis, and may cause cognitive impairment for some patients. This means using products containing THC can affect memory, movement, and judgement.

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Effect of cannabis product types

Different medical cannabis products may produce varying effects. Products range widely, including oils, topicals, edible products, and inhaled cannabis medications. This allows prescribers to provide personalised treatment options that suit diverse lifestyle and medical requirements. Depending on personal preference, and health condition, patients may find the effects of certain products benefit them more than others.

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Cannabis oils

Consuming cannabis oils may result in a number of effects on the body. Oils are typically applied sublingually, meaning they are placed under the tongue. This is because there are lots of blood vessels under your tongue that allow cannabinoids easy access to your bloodstream. Placing oil under the tongue may lead to faster-acting results than a capsule or edible. Oils applied to the skin may provide localised relief. Oils can also be swallowed and digested before entering the bloodstream.

The onset of therapeutic effect for oils can take between thirty minutes to two hours, but the duration of effect can last for six to eight hours.

Inhaled Cannabis

Cannabis inhaled via a vaporiser can deliver cannabis vapour straight to the lungs. Vaporiser devices heat dried cannabis flower or extract at a comfortable temperature. That being said, vaping may still cause irritation to the lungs and throat, especially when the patient first starts using them. If the cannabis is too hot, the vapour won’t be as smooth on inhalation. Inhaling cannabis via a vape device is believed to produce faster onset of effects than oils or topicals, but other products may last longer than vapour, as the average duration of this delivery method is two to four hours.

Topical cannabis products

Topical cannabis products are believed to be beneficial when delivering targeted pain relief. Topicals typically come in the form of creams, lotions, balms, and patches. Creams are massaged into the skin to help with a variety of medical ailments. Since these creams don’t enter the bloodstream, patients are unlikely to experience psychoactive effects, even with THC. However, some patches are transdermal, meaning they penetrate deep into the skin and access your bloodstream. Patients using transdermal patches or gels could experience effects such as dizziness, impaired coordination, or nausea.

Edible cannabis products

Oral cannabis products produce effects similar to most other products, particularly cannabis oil. However, these effects may take longer to occur, since ingested products need to pass through your digestive system before entering your bloodstream. Edible cannabis products may provide general relief, depending on your medical condition, dosage, and other medications. There are a wide variety of oral cannabis products available for patients, such as lozenges, capsules, wafers, and gummies.


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