Subscriptions - Maximum Yield Cannabis USA November/December 2020 | Page 94

First, the medical benefits can be achieved without feeling
“stoned” or “high.” Second, it allows the body to absorb more
of the active ingredients when compared with other delivery
methods. Medicines administered rectally generally have
a faster onset and a higher bioavailability compared with
oral administration. When using a cannabis suppository, the
medication is absorbed by the rectum’s blood vessels, giving
the medicine a direct link to the body’s circulatory system.
Once absorbed the medicine — in this case cannabinoids —
is distributed to the body’s organs. When smoking cannabis,
the body receives roughly 20-50 percent of the available
cannabinoids. The body receives roughly 25-60 percent of
the available cannabinoids when ingesting cannabis orally.
But when absorbed through the rectum, the body can receive
50-75 percent of the available cannabinoids. The higher
percentage of cannabinoids delivered, coupled with the fact
cannabinoids administered through a suppository will not
impair cognitive function, means cannabis suppositories
could be the most efficient delivery method for cannabisbased
medicines for all patients.
”Cannabis
suppositories
could be the
most efficient
delivery
method for
cannabis-based
medicines for
all patients.“
Type of Cannabis Extract Used in Suppositories
One of the biggest influences on the effectiveness of a
cannabis-based suppository is the cannabis extraction
method used. Though many cannabis suppositories use shea
butter or coconut oil as an ingredient, they rely on alcoholbased
(ethyl alcohol or others) extractions to ensure the body
can absorb the THC or other cannabinoids. Alcohol-based
extractions must be used because cannabinoids extracted
in fats are not ideal for suppositories. The blood vessels in
the rectum do not efficiently absorb fat-soluble compounds.
Put another way, when the cannabinoids are extracted into
fat (coconut oil, shea butter, etc.), the cannabis suppositories
are not going to provide the desired results. Suppositories
where the cannabinoids are in an alcohol-based extraction,
such as RSO (Rick Simpson oil), are more likely to provide the
desired results because they will be more readily absorbed
by the rectum’s blood vessels. A general consensus among
testimonials regarding homemade cannabis suppositories is
the cannabis should first be extracted using the Rick Simpson
method and then added back into coconut oil or shea butter
for ease of molding into a suppository plug. However, much
more research is needed to determine how much of the
cannabinoids are being absorbed when using this particular
method. Currently, there are studies on cannabis suppositories
where the active ingredient (delta-9-THC) is coupled with an
ester hemisuccinate. This additive is designed to breakdown
fat-soluble compounds into water-soluble compounds.
In other words, the addition of an ester hemisuccinate will
maximize the rate of absorption through the rectum. Though
RSO extractions seem to be the best choice for DYI cannabis
suppositories, the pharmaceutical industry will be focusing
on testing and perfecting delta-9-THC-hemisuccinate for
cannabis suppositories.
Results May Vary
One major disadvantage of cannabis suppositories (and most
cannabis-based medicines) is that individuals can experience
varied results. What one person experiences with a cannabis
product may be very different than what another person
experiences. Aside from a person’s individual tolerance to
the active cannabis ingredients, there are many other factors
that will affect the results of a cannabis-infused suppository.
The molecular size, water solubility, depth of insertion,
the person’s level of hydration, and any/all ingredients in
the suppository product will greatly affect how a suppository
works. Depending on all these factors, a suppository may be
more slowly or quickly absorbed, and the percentage of available
cannabinoids absorbed could fluctuate. All in all, the
results of cannabis suppositories can vary greatly from person
to person and product to product. More research is needed to
determine standards for cannabinoid levels in suppositories,
the extraction method for the cannabinoids, and the other
ingredients and/or additives used in the suppository.
Ailments Treated with Cannabis Suppositories
Due to the unique method of delivery, cannabis
suppositories could be the most effective way to treat a wide
variety of ailments. Medical marijuana has shown to work
effectively against a long list of ailments (too numerous to
list here). However, testimonials on the internet showcase
the benefits of cannabis suppository use for people suffering
from intestinal or prostate issues. Patients suffering from
digestive issues or issues with internal organs may benefit
greatly from a cannabis-based suppository and a direct
route to the areas of concern.
The ability to absorb cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream
without psychoactive effects may make rectal suppositories
the future of cannabis-based medications. After all,
when treating the body with cannabis, the more cannabinoids
administered, the better. However, due to the psychoactive
effects of some cannabinoids, it makes it difficult for
some patients to administer the dose they need to treat their
ailments. For serious conditions, the amount of cannabinoids
needed would make the patient enter a semi-comatose state.
With cannabis suppositories, a cannabis patient can administer
dosages that would otherwise be intolerable through
other delivery methods. Even though herbal suppositories
are an ancient healing technique, we are still far away from
understanding the full potential of cannabis-based suppositories.
There is still plenty of research needed on cannabis
suppositories themselves, what ailments they are best
suited for, and what ingredient(s) should be used to maximize
absorption rates and potency. However, the fact there
are hundreds of testimonials claiming the medical benefits of
cannabis-based suppositories shows this ancient method of
healing is in the process of being resurrected.
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