What’s a sublingual?

sublingual (suhb-ling-gwuhl): adjective
situated under the tongue, or on the underside of the tongue.

Examples of sublingual products include tinctures, lozenges, and oral sprays, which are quickly absorbed. 

What are the benefits of sublinguals? 

Sublingual cannabis products are great for patients who need fast and discreet ways to consumer medicine. 

Sublingual products take effect more quickly than ingestible products can make dosing easier for new patients. Since their onset time is faster, you can take a small dose, wait 30-45 minutes, then re-dose and repeat until you reach your desired effects. When using edible products, you should wait at least 2.5-3 hours before re-dosing. 

Sublingual products are also more bioavailable than ingestible products.

Sublingual products avoid first-pass metabolism entirely. This allows more of the cannabinoids (12-35%) to be absorbed and circulated throughout your body.

For patients who have trouble swallowing their medicine orally, sublinguals offer a convenient alternative.

Sublingual products such as lozenges are also very discreet, making them great for patients who need to re-dose throughout their day, especially away from home.

What are the disadvantages of sublinguals?

While sublingual products will take effect more quickly than ingestible products, their effects won’t last for as long; ingestible products typically last 6-8 hours, while the effects of sublingual products usually only last 2-4 hours.

Sublingual products also don’t take effect as quickly as inhaled products — but the benefits of a smokeless product and the risk it poses to lung health may outweigh this small disadvantage. 

The effectiveness of sublingual products can also be influenced by eating, drinking, and even smoking; be sure to consult with your doctor on how to use your sublingual products as safely and effectively as possible.