Sublingual absorption cannabis products, like mints, breath strips, and gummies, are cannabis edibles that are dissolved under the tongue. They’re becoming increasingly popular in states where cannabis is legal for adult use for their fast onset and potent effects, but how do they work?

Traditional edibles, like brownies or any kind of baked good or snack, are digested by the body slowly. The cannabinoids in these edibles have to go through the stomach, intestines, and liver before they’re absorbed into the bloodstream. That’s why edibles don’t take effect until one to three hours after consumption.

Many complain that the effects of edibles are hard to predict; one day a 20 mg cookie makes them feel great, while another day they don’t the effects of the same dosage at all. That’s partly because there are many factors that can affect how you digest and absorb cannabinoids, including metabolism, sleep cycle, and what else you’ve eaten that day.

That’s how sublingual absorption products are superior: they absorb straight into your system through the mucosal membrane under your tongue, allowing the cannabinoids to bypass all the hassle of the gastrointestinal system. That way their effects are both much faster and more predictable. They kick in after only 15 minutes or so.

The most obvious benefit of sublingual absorption cannabis products is their rapid onset. Taking effect after only about 15 minutes, they are the second quickest way to consume cannabis, after inhalation. In comparison to smoking and vaping, sublingual edibles are way more discreet. For one, there’s no smell. Not to mention, many of these products, like mints, breath mints, and lozenges, look just like regular products, making them easy to pop in your mouth in public.

Sublingual absorption edibles also wear off faster than regular edibles, which can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on the person and situation.

See the original article at Herb