The two most common methods for administering medicinal cannabis are: 

• ingesting cannabis oil 
• inhaling vaporised dry cannabis flowers.

Inhaling vaporised cannabis flowers provides immediate relief. This is not the same as smoking – vaporisers heat cannabis to specific temperatures, producing vapour rich in cannabinoids and other beneficial constituents of the cannabis plant, such as terpenes and flavonoids.  

Ingesting cannabis oil is an easy and popular method of taking medicinal cannabis. Simply use a dropper to measure and add the oil to a liquid like water or warm tea and then drink it or administer the oil directly under your tongue. It can be taken with or without food.  

This method takes longer to take effect, but its action also lasts longer. For best results, wait six hours before ingesting another dose of cannabis oil and take it at the same time and under the same conditions each day. 

We recommend you do not smoke medicinal cannabis, as this poses risks to your lung health. We also recommend you do not ingest edibles. These often come in treat form (chocolate or gummies) and are infused with THC. It is easy to take too much, or to consume them accidentally as they can be mistaken for regular treats.  

Always start low and go slow. Start at the dose directed by your myeden doctor. We recommend staying on this dose for four days to sensitise your body to the cannabinoid molecules and to stimulate your body’s own natural endocannabinoid system.  

If there is no noticeable effect after four days, then increase the dose by 0.1ml or 2 drops (if ingesting oil) or one inhalation (if vaporising dried flowers). Wait 10 minutes. Continue with these incremental increases until you notice minimal changes within yourself such as a sense of relaxation, a slight reduction in pain, or a slight improvement in mood.  

Stay on this dose for a further four days. This is your baseline dose that you can use to increase or decrease your dose depending on your desired therapeutic effect (your therapeutic dose).   

If you experience side effects before reaching therapeutic benefit, reduce back down to the highest dose that doesn’t cause side effects and stay on this dose for two weeks. Over this time your therapeutic window should open up and you can start increasing the dose again until you reach your desired therapeutic effect, or encounter side effects again. 

When it comes to medicinal cannabis, less is usually more. In most cases, a lower dose can produce better therapeutic effects. Remember, start low and go slow. 

Unlike most medications, cannabis is not prescribed at a certain quantity and frequency based on factors like body weight or age. Everyone responds differently to medicinal cannabis. Working out and then taking care to only use the correct dose of cannabis for you is an important part of being able to harness the therapeutic benefits of medicinal cannabis while minimising unwanted side effects. 

Only use as much medicinal cannabis as you need to treat your symptoms. Many of the benefits of cannabis actually lessen with an increased dosage, and very high doses can actually worsen your symptoms. So take it easy. 

If you are prescribed a cannabidiol (CBD)-based medicine, we recommend twice-daily dosing in the morning and afternoon. This is because, while for most people CBD helps to regulate sleep patterns, for some people it can be stimulating. If symptoms flair up at night you can try a third dose. If you notice your symptoms worsening (for example arthritis flaring up in cold or damp weather), you might find temporarily increasing your CBD dosage can help to relieve your symptoms. When you’re stable again, try reducing back to the lowest effective dose.  

Your goal is to use the minimal amount of medicinal cannabis to achieve maximum benefits for your therapeutic well-being. If you notice that you seem to be developing a tolerance to medicinal cannabis (you need a higher dose to achieve the same therapeutic effect), then you may have exceeded your optimal therapeutic dosage.  

We recommend you introduce medicinal cannabis, particularly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-based medications, to your body in a gradual, mindful and reflective manner.  

Start low and go slow. It is best to start with a subtherapeutic (lower than recommended) dose and slowly work up to therapeutic doses over a one or two week period.  

Every patient is different. It’s normal not to feel anything at all the first few times you take medicinal cannabis, then to begin responding to medicinal cannabis – at the same dosage previously tried.  

It’s important to keep notes of how much you’re taking and to be patient and wait for at least four days before increasing your dose.  

Sensations you might notice when your medicinal cannabis is beginning to take effect include: 

• A sense of relaxation 
• A slight reduction in pain 
• Slight improvement in mood 
• Mild sleepiness.  

If you consume cannabis oil, you typically have a syringe/dropper to administer the oil. These can be bought at most chemists. 

If you are going to inhale vaporised medicinal cannabis, you will need a vaporiser, or vape. We recommend a small pocket-sized vape you can find on Urbanleaf that makes it easy to take your medication at or away from home.

Always start by reading the manufacturer’s instructions.  

Your vaporiser will take a minute or so to heat up. We recommend you use this time to set positive intentions and reflect on what you are wanting to achieve while using medicinal cannabis.  

Vaporisers can be set between 160-220 degrees. At the midpoint (190 degrees) is a good place to start. 

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to load or pack a dose of medicinal cannabis into the vaporiser.  

Start with one medium inhalation, then wait 10 mins before repeating. Continue until you achieve the desired therapeutic effect. You can expect to feel the effect in a few minutes and achieve peak effect after 30 minutes. The effect will wane after 2-4 hours. 

If you consume cannabis oil, you typically have a syringe/dropper to administer the oil. If using dried herb or flowers, you typically use a vaporiser. Whichever way you’re taking medicinal cannabis, it’s important to keep your equipment clean. 

To clean your dropper, remove the plunger from your syringe and wash it with soap and water. Ensure it is dry before next use.  

Cleaning your vaporiser is important for reducing condensation, which can affect its performance. You can help to prevent condensation by keeping the contact pins clean and dry. The contact pins are located inside the device and on the bottom of the cartridge. To clean and dry the contact pins: 

• Remove the cartridge from the power supply 
• Use a cotton swab dampened with diluted isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) to clean the contact points 
• Allow contact pins to dry thoroughly before use. 

For ongoing care, avoid dropping your vape and avoid exposing it to excessive moisture. 

Cannabidiol (CBD)-based medicinal cannabis is very safe and well tolerated, even at extremely high doses. CBD is non-intoxicating and non-impairing and has a wide range of clinical applications. For most people, increasing the dose improves the medication’s effectiveness.  

We recommend you introduce CBD-based medications to your body in a gradual, mindful and reflective manner. It is best to start with a subtherapeutic (lower than recommended) dose and slowly work up to therapeutic doses over a one or two week period. 

Only use as much medicinal cannabis as you need to treat your symptoms. For most people CBD helps to regulate sleep patterns, but for some people it can be stimulating. Because of this, we recommend twice-daily dosing in the morning and afternoon. If symptoms flair up at night you can try a third dose. If you notice your symptoms worsening (for example arthritis flaring up in cold or damp weather), you might find temporarily increasing your CBD dosage can help to relieve your symptoms. When you’re stable again, try reducing back to the lowest effective dose.  

Side effects from CBD are generally mild to moderate. These are the most commonly reported side effects of CBD:  

• Diarrhoea  
• Difficulty sleeping  
• Dizziness  
• Fatigue  
• Nausea
• Weight changes. 

Most side effects resolve within two weeks. If they do not resolve, please talk to your myeden doctor; a product or dosage change may help.  

You must not use CBD-based medicinal cannabis if you:  

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding 
• Are a transplant patient using tacrolimus.  

You must use CBD with caution if you have ever been diagnosed with: 

• Glaucoma  
• Hepatic and renal failure  
• High blood pressure.  

Or if you take medications metabolised by cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver such as Clobazam, antiepileptics, statins, warfarin.

Even at very low doses, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has powerful therapeutic value. It is also associated with most of the possible side effects of medicinal cannabis. At higher doses it is intoxicating and can make you feel high and may impair your thinking or bodily functioning.

Frequent overuse of THC-based medications can slow down the body’s own endocannabinoid system. See How does medicinal cannabis work? in our pre-consultation guide to learn more about the endocannabinoid system.

We recommend you introduce THC-based medications to your body in a gradual, mindful and reflective manner. It is best to start with a subtherapeutic (lower than recommended) dose and slowly work up to therapeutic doses over a one or two week period.

When used appropriately and in line with professional guidance, THC-based medicinal cannabis is usually safe and well tolerated.

These reported side effects of THC are generally related to high dosages:

• Anxiety
• Appetite changes
• Asthenia (abnormal physical weakness or lack of energy)
• Balance and coordination problems
• Cognitive distortion (having thoughts that aren’t true)
• Confusion, disorientation
• Convulsions
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Euphoria
• Feeling high or dissatisfied
• Fever
• Hallucinations, paranoid thoughts
• Light-headedness
• Low mood
• Nausea, vomiting
• Psychosis
• Short-term memory impairment
• Uncontrolled laughter.

You must not use THC-based medicinal cannabis if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis
• Have unstable cardiovascular disease.

You must use THC with caution if you have ever been diagnosed with:

• Anxiety disorders
• Arrythmia
• Balance impairment and increased falls risk
• Cardiovascular disease
• Hepatic or renal failure
• Low blood pressure.

Or if you are aged under 25, have a family history of psychotic disorder or use medications metabolised through cytochrome P450.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have many potential therapeutic benefits. Combining them can increase the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis. For example, balanced products with a 1:1 ratio are generally the most effective for pain.  

Most side effects related to medicinal cannabis are caused by THC. CBD reduces the activity of THC in the brain and central nervous system’s cannabinoid receptors, which is believed to reduce THC’s side effects and improve the tolerability of medicines that contain THC.   

The amount that CBD is able to reduce the activity of THC at the cannabinoid receptors depends on the ratio of CBD to THC. For example, most people won’t notice any intoxicating or impairing effects of THC if the ratio of CBD to THC is greater than 4:1. If you find you are more sensitive a further adjusted ratio may be more effective for you. Overall, the higher the ratio of CBD to THC, the faster the dose can be increased and the better it can be tolerated.  

Side effects from medicinal cannabis are possible. The most commonly reported side effects are:  

• Anxiety
• Appetite changes
• Cognitive impairment
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness or tiredness
• Dry mouth 
• Euphoria
• Nausea, vomiting
• Low blood pressure
• Vertigo. 

Considering its broad therapeutic effects, medicinal cannabis is incredibly safe. Most side effects are mild. 

Generally speaking, cannabidiol (CBD)-based products have minimal side effects. However, if CBD is combined with other medication, drowsiness may be a side effect.  

For more information about what to expect when taking a cannabidiol (CBD)-based medicine, including potential side effects, see I’ve been prescribed a CBD-based medicine. What can I expect? 

Products that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can make people feel high and impair functioning.  

For more information about what to expect when taking a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-based medicine, including potential side effects, see I’ve been prescribed a THC-based medicine. What can I expect? 

For more information about managing side effects, see How can I manage any side effects? 

The potential side effects of medicinal cannabis depend on the type of product and the individual.  

Often, decreasing the dosage can help to ease unwanted side effects. Patients that use less cannabis report that they have more energy, feel more clear-headed and have minimal or no unwanted side effects while achieving maximum therapeutic benefits.  

If you experience side effects before reaching therapeutic benefit, reduce back down to the highest dose that doesn’t cause side effects and stay on this dose for two weeks. After this time, you can start increasing the dose again until you reach your desired therapeutic effect, or encounter side effects again. 

If your side effects are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-related, stay calm and try some of the following strategies: 

• Find a calm space 
• Play some gentle music  
• Drink chamomile tea
• Breathe deeply or try some meditation
• If you have cannabidiol (CBD)-based medicinal cannabis, take 20-40mg
• If you have limonene (found in lemon rind), make an infusion
• If you have pine nuts, eat a small portion of these
• If you have calamus root, chew some or make an infusion.  

We want you to have the best possible experience with medicinal cannabis, so please follow your myeden doctor’s advice, and contact us if you need further support. 

Medicinal cannabis can impair a person’s ability to operate machinery, so take caution. Driving while using a CBD-based product may be possible. We do not advise driving if you’re using a THC-based product. Please seek your myeden doctor’s advice and check the regulatory guidelines for your state and territory.  

Many foods are endocannabinoid enhancing. Essential fatty acids, chocolate, herbs, spices, and tea can naturally help your endocannabinoid system function optimally, improve your health, and enhance the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis. 

Essential fatty acids 

A healthy ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can enhance the activity of the endocannabinoid system. Endocannabinoids are produced from arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. Having enough arachidonic acid is essential for endocannabinoid production, but having too much may lead to downregulation of cannabinoid receptors. Excessive omega-6 intake is also pro-inflammatory. Most western diets already contain an excess of omega-6 oils, commonly found in cooking oils such as safflower, sunflower, corn, and soy, and in animal products like meat, poultry and eggs. 

Omega-3 fatty acids are needed to balance the omega-6 intake for the endocannabinoid system to function properly. These fatty acids are much harder to come by in the diet and are also proven to have cardiovascular and neurological health benefits. An ideal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in the diet is 1:1, and the typical western diet often has a 1:10 ratio. Animal sources of omega-3 are the most potent, but vegetarian sources tend to provide other excellent health benefits. 

Sources of endocannabinoid-enhancing fatty acids: 

• Hemp seeds and hemp oil 
• Flax seeds (grind at home in a coffee grinder) and flax oil
• Chia seeds
• Walnuts
• Sardines and anchovies
• Eggs (pasture-fed or omega-3 enriched only). 

Chocolate 

Cacao powder contains three compounds that are structurally very similar to endocannabinoids. These compounds can inhibit the breakdown of your body’s own endocannabinoids, resulting in higher endocannabinoid levels, and may have some cannabinoid activity of their own. The content of cannabinoid-like compounds in chocolate varies widely and is highest in dark chocolate and raw cacao. Other compounds in chocolate may be able to help prevent heart disease, stroke and dementia. Look for at least 70 per cent dark chocolate or try adding raw cacao nibs to smoothies or cereal.

Herbs and teas 

Numerous herbs and teas contain compounds that can enhance the endocannabinoid system.  

• Beta-caryophyllene is a terpene found in black pepper, oregano, cinnamon, clove, cannabis, and many other herbs. It selectively stimulates the CB2 receptor, a sought-after property in the development of treatments for inflammatory disorders.  
• Echinacea, often used by herbalists for up to two weeks to stimulate the immune system during infections, also contains CB2 agonists.
• Camelia sinensis, commonly known as tea, contains a compound that prevents the breakdown of endocannabinoids, and another compound that stimulates the CB1 receptor.
• Turmeric, the yellow spice in curry powder, contains curcumin, which also raises endocannabinoid levels amongst numerous other health benefits. 

Eat organic and avoid plastic 

Certain pesticides, for example chlorpyrifos and piperonyl butoxide, are known to disrupt the endocannabinoid system. If you can, choose organic foods when shopping for meat, dairy, and produce. 

Phthalates, frequently added to plastic and tin food containers and water bottles, are known to block cannabinoid receptors and disrupt the body’s hormonal system. Choose glass or stainless-steel food containers and packaging whenever possible, and never eat food that’s been heated in plastic. 

Foods and drinks to avoid 

• Excessive amounts of alcohol
• Foods fried in vegetable oil such as peanut, corn and soy oil 
• Pesticides (eat organic wherever possible)  
• Processed grains such as white bread
• Refined sugar
• Trans fats – unsaturated fats found in processed foods. 

Source: https://healer.com/programs/endocannabinoid-diet-activities 

There are a range of activities that can naturally enhance your endocannabinoid system’s functioning, improve your health, increase the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis and give you a greater sense of wellbeing. 

Find and pursue activities you genuinely enjoy. Some starting points might be: 

• Social interaction and community engagement 
• Acupuncture
• Breathing exercises
• Enjoyable exercise
• Massage
• Meditation
• Osteopathy
• Yoga.