Aphria’s popular cannabis oils offer patients an alternative to dried cannabis, that deliver a more consistent potency, resulting in consistent dosing.
What is the Difference Between Oil Formats?
Aphria’s popular cannabis oils offer patients an alternative to dried cannabis, that deliver a more consistent potency, resulting in consistent dosing. The oils are consumed orally (they should not be smoked) and are available in several different formats: bottled oils (provided with a graduated syringe), softgel capsules, and oral sprays. Regardless of format, all of Aphria’s oil products are produced using C02 extraction before being diluted into non-allergenic medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil.
1) Bottled Oils
This is our original cannabis oil format: these bottled oils include a graduated oral syringe. Three product options are available:
- CBD 15:1 – Softgels (Formerly Rideau): 25mg CBD and <1mg THC per mL
- Champlain: 20mg THC and 1mg CBD per mL
- Capilano: 10mg THC and 12.5mg CBD per mL
Rideau and Capilano are available in 50mL bottles, and Champlain is available in 100mL bottles. The 1 mL syringe is graduated in 0,1mL increments, allowing patients complete control over the measurement of their dose. It also allows the oil to be applied either under the tongue (sublingually), which aids with absorption into the bloodstream.
Benefits: This format gives patients’ full control over the dosage of their medication. This means that it’s a good option for those who dose at low or high amounts, or those who are slowly and gradually increasing their dosage until a level that maximizes therapeutic effects and minimizes potential unwanted side effects is found, the syringe also makes it convenient to apply the oil under the tongue.
2) Softgels
- Softgel provide the benefits of cannabis oil within a convenient gelatin capsule. They’re available in the following cannabinoid-dominant options and potencies:
- Rideau: 15mg CMD and 1 mg THC
- Rideau Extra-Strength: 25mg CBD and 1mg THC
- Champlain: 6mg THC and 0mg CBD
- Champlain Extra-Strength: 10mg THC and 0mg CBD
- Capilano: 6mg THC and 8mg CBD
- Capilano Extra-Strenght: 10mg THC and 12mg CBD
Each product includes 30 softgels.
Benefits: Softgels provide a consistent, pre-measured amount of oil for those who know their effective dose. They allow for easier and more discreet transportation as well as consumption of cannabis oil. Finally, because the oil is sealed within the gel capsule, the softgels are flavourless and odourless.
3) Oral Sprays
Aphria’s cannabis oils are packaged in a convenient 15mL spray bottle. Two options are available to patients:
- Champlain: 20mg THC and 1 mg CBD per mL
- Capilano: 10mg THC and 12.5mg CBD per mL
Oral sprays dispense a pre-measured volume oil per pump. Each spray, when fully pressed down, is 0.1mL of oil.
Benefit of Spray: The smaller size and spray dispenser allow for easy transportation of patients’ medication and make it easy and discreet to consume on the go. They allow patients to take their medication in low, regular doses, a practice referred to as “micro-dosing”.
Will I Notice a Difference in Effects?
As long as the same dose of CBD and/or THC is taken, the overall effects of the cannabis oil are expected to be similar, whether consumed in liquid, softgel or oral spray form. [1,2,3,4,5].
You may notice small differences in the time it takes for the effects to begin. When cannabis oil is place under the tongue, some cannabinoids are absorbed into the bloodstream through the thin skin under the tongue. When cannabis oil is swallowed, it’s metabolized through the liver before entering the bloodstream, leading to a longer time before onset. [1,2].
Many factors including a patient’s weight, tolerance, or presence of food is in their stomach will influence the speed and strength of effects[6].
Aphria’s cannabis oil formats allow patients to choose the product that meets their potency, usage and situational needs. Whichever format a patient chooses, they can trust that they’ll receive products with the same quality and consistency they expect from Aphria, backed by the Seed-to-Sale Certified quality promise.
References
[1] Lucas et al. (2018). The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 84: 2477-2482.
[2] GW Pharma Ltd (2015) Product Monograph for Sativex. GW Pharma Ltd, Cambridge, UK. Control No:149598.
[3] Health Canada (2018). Information for Health Care Professionals: Cannabis (marihuana, marijuana) and the cannabinoids. [online] available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/information-medical-practitioners/information-health-care-professionals-cannabis-cannabinoids.html [Accessed 1 January 2019].
[4] Karshner et al. (2011) Plasma cannabinoid pharmacokinetics following controlled oral ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol oromucosal cannabis extract administration. Clinical chemistry 57(1):66-75.
[5] Millar, S et al. (2018). A systematic review on the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in humans. Frontiers in Pharmacology 9: 1365
[6] Health Canada (2016). Acccess to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations – Daily Amount Fact Sheet (Dosage). [Online}.
The post What’s the Difference Between Oil Formats? appeared first on Aphria | Medical Marijuana Canada.