There are many ways to use tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and each has its own unique benefits. From vape pens to edibles to cannabis extracts and tinctures, there’s no shortage of options for cannabis patients.
Today, we’re talking about transdermal THC patches.
Cannabis transdermal patches deliver medical marijuana through the skin. They provide a slow release of medication, which is valuable for a few reasons:
Transdermal patches look like Band-Aids or nicotine patches, so they are discreet. They blend with your skin tone and can be concealed under clothing, enabling you to enjoy cannabis’s effects anywhere you go.
Click here to get your medical marijuana card!
THC transdermal patches release tetrahydrocannabinol into the skin. THC is the cannabinoid compound that gives marijuana its psychoactive effects.
In other words, THC patches can make you feel high.
CBD transdermal patches work the same as THC patches. However, they deliver cannabidiol (CBD) into the bloodstream, rather than THC.
CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in marijuana that doesn’t have intoxicating effects but does have pain relief benefits.
Note: There are many subcategories of marijuana patches, including cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and tetrahydrocannabinol A (THCA). Each has its own unique benefits, which we outline on the pages linked above. Talk to the budtender at your dispensary about your treatment goals and the effects you’re hoping to achieve, and they’ll help you choose the right patch.
Most transdermal patches are simply applied to a veinous area of your body.
However, you should make sure to read the directions included with your patch to ensure you’re applying that specific product correctly.
Even though the application process is simple, there’s a science behind them that explains why transdermal patches are so helpful.
Each patch has additives included with the cannabis medication called permeation enhancers. When you apply the patch to your skin, the permeation enhancers cause the cannabinoids to migrate from the patch into your bloodstream and throughout your endocannabinoid system.
Over time, you receive controlled, accurate doses of medical marijuana that give you control over your medication.
As with other cannabis consumption methods, the timeline varies with different products. Some patches last much longer than others.
Some patch brands work for two hours, while others deliver relief for as long
Transdermal cannabis offers patients a variety of medicating advantages that other consumption methods can’t provide. Here are some examples:
In many ways, using a patch is comparable to an extremely slow smoke, if that were possible. You get all the benefits without the same risk of adverse side effects, such as the inhalation of smoke particles that irritate the lungs.
Transdermal patches may be the delivery method of the future.
Why?
Because they are specifically designed to either highlight the characteristics of a specific cannabinoid or to target a particular symptom.
Pretty soon, we could see transdermal patches for every condition possible. As it is today, however, these small patches seem to treat a few disorders and symptoms more effectively.
For instance, THC patches seem to be most effective for chronic pain relief and treating muscle spasms and appetite loss.
CBD patches, on the other hand, are effective at treating inflammation, joint tissues, muscle spasms, pain, and anxiety.
You should consider several different options when finding the right patch for you. For example, if you’re looking at a patch with a particular cannabinoid profile, you need to know what symptoms or disorders they are useful for treating.
While THC patches and topical creams are both applied to the skin, topical creams are not absorbed into the bloodstream; they only treat the area to which they are applied.
Yes, topical creams can provide muscle relief in specific areas, but they won’t circulate through your system to treat other parts of your body. Topical creams don’t carry psychoactive effects, either, while THC patches will likely make you feel high.
No, THC patches are typically not dangerous. They have a slow-release mechanism that prevents too much cannabis oil from entering your system at once.
However, you should consult your doctor before using medical marijuana in any form to ensure that it’s safe for you specifically.
Also, all marijuana products should be kept out of the reach of children.
You can only purchase transdermal patches for medical use in states where medical cannabis is legal.
To obtain them for medical use, you need a medical marijuana card from a doctor. At that point, you will be able to buy medicinal cannabis products from a dispensary.
Click here to get an appointment with an approved medical marijuana doctor!
