If you’re new to taking prescribed THC oil as a form of medical cannabis, you may be overwhelmed by all of the information out there. Here, we’re breaking down everything you need to know, including the benefits, the different forms, how much to take, and how to take it safely.
What Is THC Oil and How Does It Work?
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, a concentrated cannabis plant extract offering several therapeutic benefits. There are over 100 cannabinoids with the ability to influence the body, but the two main active substances in the cannabis plant are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the part that gives people the feeling of being “high”, which is why it’s often used recreationally as well as therapeutically.
Firstly it’s important to clarify that the legality of THC differs depending on where you live and the concentration of THC in your product. In the UK, THC is not available as an over-the-counter medicine, and it’s not legal as a recreational drug. The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2010 categorises many substances derived from the cannabis plant as illegal unless they contain less than 1mg of THC, which is the case for some CBD products you might see in shops. From 2018 onwards, medical cannabis became legal when obtained through a prescription from a specialist doctor.
There are a few different forms of THC, including the likes of delta-9-THC (the main form of THC), delta-10-THC, and delta-8-THC. These variations of THC affect the body in different ways, but generally, researchers suggest that THC travels to the brain where it unlocks and activates various cannabinoid receptors linked to the body’s endocannabinoid system.
This system is linked to a number of physical functions, including pain, appetite, mood, memory, and nervous system activity. This means THC can be beneficial in helping with several health conditions, partly due to its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. While the exact effects and benefits will depend on the concentration of THC, method of administration, personal tolerance and metabolism, medical cannabis could help with:
- Chronic pain
- Insomnia and other sleep issues
- Women’s health issues, such as endometriosis
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea
- Mental health conditions like depression or PTSD
- Gastrointestinal issues like Crohn’s disease
- Neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Skin issues like acne or eczema
How Should THC Oil Be Taken?
THC comes in several forms, including oils, edibles, capsules and more. Your prescription will be based on your specific health condition and preferences, and the type you take can affect the time it takes to start working, the benefits you experience, and the intensity of any psychoactive effects. The main ways to take THC are:
Oil (Sublingual)
Oils allow for a more precise dose to be administered, and this typically means using a dropper to place the oil under the tongue and leaving it there until it absorbs. This could take as little as 30 seconds, but your doctor can give detailed instructions on how to take this. It’s one of the fastest ways for THC to be absorbed, as this method of administration negates the ‘first pass effect’, meaning the appropriate concentration of medicine is absorbed into the bloodstream quickly.
Oils typically maintain the highest concentration of THC after extraction from the plant, which could be anywhere from 52% to 69% THC, but could be up to 95% in some cases. Because of this concentration, you might start to feel the benefits within 20-30 minutes.
Oils come in several categories:
- Full-spectrum oil – Maintains all of the cannabis oils and terpenes from the plant, such as THC and CBD. We only prescribe these at anna.
- Broad-spectrum oil – Maintains some of the cannabis oils and terpenes from the plant, but not THC.
- Isolate oil – Maintains only the THC from the plant.
Edible/Capsule
Edible or capsule THC can be taken discreetly, which may be preferable to some people. It can come in a capsule to be taken in a similar manner to other medicines, or it can be added to foods, drinks or gummy sweets to make it more palatable and easy to ingest.
This usually has a slower onset of between 30 and 45 minutes, since the THC must be digested before it can take effect. The duration is typically between 3 and 6 hours depending on the dose you have taken.
Vapourised
Some people use vapes for recreation, but they can also be useful for taking certain medications, including medical cannabis. This is done by placing a specially formulated THC oil into a vapouriser, or vape pen, which heats it up to create a vapour you can inhale.
This leads to a fast onset of effects, usually within 30 minutes. In some cases, vaping can produce effects in just a few minutes, meaning it’s a great choice for anyone who needs quick relief from symptoms. It may also be easier to control the dose when vaping.
Flower-based THC products (typically associated with vapourised THC) are thought to have a lower concentration of THC after extraction than an oil would, sitting anywhere from 16% to 21% THC. However, the effects could last anywhere from 1-8 hours.
The downsides are the lack of research on the long-term safety of vaping, so it may only be used in special circumstances; your prescribing doctor can discuss this with you.
Topical
In some cases, THC oil can be applied topically, meaning it’s combined with a cream or balm and rubbed into skin. This method also bypasses the ‘first pass effect’, and could be used for pain in certain areas to provide more targeted relief. It can also be used for certain skin conditions, or to calm inflammation caused by conditions like arthritis.
How Much THC Oil Should I Take?
If you’re being prescribed medical cannabis, your doctor will advise you on exactly how much to take, how often and how to take it. For example whether you should take it with food or water. This dose recommendation may be determined by factors such as body weight, metabolism, symptoms, medical history, method of administration and more. Essentially, you should not be taking medical cannabis that’s not been prescribed to you directly by a specialist doctor, and you should never be guessing how much to take or how often.
To provide a general idea of how this may be prescribed, the Start Low, Go Slow (SLGS) principle is usually adhered to, which means you will begin with a small dose that’s gradually increased under the supervision of your doctor until you achieve desired symptom relief with minimal side effects.
First-time users of medical cannabis and those expected to have a low tolerance might be offered 5mg of CBD to be taken sublingually in the beginning. Later, this dose might be increased to 5mg of CBD every 2-3 days. If the desired effects have not been achieved, THC might be introduced at a starting dose of 1-2.5mg of THC, which could be increased by around 1-2.5mg of THC every 2-7 days, up to a maximum of 40mg of THC a day. Keep in mind these are general doses – your doctor will provide instructions that are unique to your health needs.
Alternatively, vapourisation might require increasing the dose by taking 1 inhalation every 15-30 minutes until the desired effects are achieved. For those with an intermediate or high tolerance level, or who have been prescribed medical cannabis in the past, your doctor may recommend a stronger dose – always follow the recommended advice for the best results.
Whether or not you’re concerned about dosage, tracking your symptoms and any side effects in a diary could help your doctor to adjust your medication up or down (known as titration) depending on its effects. Remember, even if you are on a low dose and not feeling its effects, THC can stay in the body for several days depending on metabolism and frequency of use. For this reason, it’s important to speak to your doctor if you have questions about dosage. Don’t adjust your intake without prior discussion.
You can learn more in our guide to THC coil effects.
What Safety Tips And Potential Side Effects Do I Need To Know About?
If you’re unsure about taking medical cannabis, it may provide some relief to know that cannabis overconsumption is not thought to be fatal. However, you can experience unwanted side effects, so appropriate usage is still important.
Some of the side effects of THC might include:
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling sick
- Behavioural or mood changes
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Hallucinations
- Suicidal thoughts
Using the Start Low, Go Slow principle can help to mitigate some of these side effects, but if you do end up consuming too much THC, try to remain calm and make your way to a safe place where you can take some deep breaths, lie down, and get a drink of water to stay hydrated. It helps to have someone with you to ensure your safety and comfort, so call someone you trust to come and sit with you until the effects wear off – this usually happens within a few hours. If you experience symptoms such as recurring vomiting, hallucinations, psychosis or suicidal thoughts, seek medical assistance.
Some people shouldn’t be taking prescribed medical cannabis, including:
- Children and adolescents
- Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding
- Anyone with certain heart conditions
- Anyone with a history of schizophrenia or psychosis
- Anyone taking certain other medications – always tell your prescribing doctor about other medications you take
You should also never drive while under the influence of medical cannabis, as is specified in the UK Road Traffic Act 1988. This states that it is an “offence to drive while unfit through drink or drugs”, and since medical cannabis can impair your judgement and coordination, it is not conducive to safe driving. Even if you don’t feel like your medical cannabis is affecting you and you believe it is safe to drive, be mindful that THC can remain in your system for many hours, so you should avoid getting behind the wheel if you could still be impaired.
Choosing a reputable clinic for access to medical cannabis is the best way to ensure you are taking the appropriate type and dose for you. At Emerald, we make it easy for anyone to access medical cannabis under the expert-led care of qualified specialists who maintain the highest clinical standards. We provide the best quality, safe, legal treatments at the greatest value, with unparalleled, long-term support to help you live a more balanced life. If you have questions about how to take THC oil for maximum efficacy and safety, Emerald can help.