The efficient delivery of medication is a crucial step in the healing process, but just taking a dose doesn’t ensure that your body absorbs all the medicine. Often taking medication orally can create digestive problems, sensitivity to medication is common and when medication is taken long-term the gut can lose the capacity to process it effectively. It comes as a surprise to learn that suppository delivery scores high in terms of of effective dosing without side effects.

It is a common assumption that suppositories are used mainly for localized issues. i.e. laxatives and yeast infection treatments are often prescribed in suppository form. However research into efficient delivery systems show that suppositories allow for direct entry into the bloodstream and this yields greater absorption rates than oral ingestion. This direct bloodstream path is particularly valuable for those taking high doses of THC as the liver is bypassed and THC’s psychoactive component is not metabolized..

Cannabis suppositories are first mentioned circa 3000 BC in Egyptian medicinal texts, recommended for pain relief, menstrual problems, migraines and hemorrhoids. Nowadays cannabis-rich suppositories are recommended for a wider range of health issues which we’ll discuss here.

There is a decided shortage of research into vaginal suppository use but women are using cannabis vaginally for a variety of reasons. Menstrual cramping can be severely debilitating and women are often advised to take oral contraceptives to reduce pain and blood flow. Many women are turning to cannabis suppositories to relieve menstrual pain, by using 1:1 CBD:THC suppositories, cramping is relieved by reducing local inflammation with CBD and pain relief with THC. Synergy suppositories are made with broad spectrum CBD:THC oil which adds the benefits of the entourage effect of CBG, CBN and other minor cannabinoids.

Abnormal PAP smears indicating abnormal cervical cells can also be treated with 1:1 CBD:THC suppositories, the presence of CBD and THC is known to cause cell apoptosis (destruction) of abnormal cells.

For women, during perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause, systemic hormonal changes create many health issues. The loss of estrogen often manifests in dry skin conditions for the vulva and vagina. This can lead to inflamed vulva, itching and flaking surface skin and thinning of the vaginal walls making intercourse painful.

There is a growing awareness in mainstream womens’ health discourse about cannabis suppositories for enhanced pleasure, restorative value and pain relief. Our member testimonial describes how using 1:1 CBD:THC suppositories alleviated her internal discomfort making intercourse the fun that it should be! Read it here.

Research into the EndoCannabinoid System (ECS) and female reproductive system shows receptors influencing ovarian function and present throughout the sexual organs. The ECS also plays an active role in sexual desire this explain’s the popularity of cannabis suppositories as a relaxant and an aphrodisiac both here and in Europe.

For men, suppositories are a rectal proposition and one which allows high doses of medication to be taken without psychoactive effects. Often oral ingestion can cause digestive problems and absorption through the gut can reduce the dosage delivery over time. High cannabis content in suppositories are used for chronic conditions particularly pain management and anti-cancer protocols as a single suppository can deliver up to twenty times more medicine per dose than is possible through oral delivery. Synergy founder, Leonard Leinow, writes about his suppository protocol for treating an aggressive form of prostate cancer here.

High cannabis dosages are recommended for an anti-cancer protocol and may also be needed to treat chronic pain conditions. These high doses would not be tolerable for most people to take orally but suppository delivery bypasses the liver preventing the psychoactive cannabinoid from activation.

Cannabis suppositories are also useful in delivering directly to localized inflammation, relieving hemorrhoids, anal fissures and acting on enlarged prostate conditions. Many other pain issues including sciatica, restless leg syndrome, lower back pain and post-operative pain respond well to suppository delivery.

Despite the many advantages of suppository delivery there is still the hurdle of insertion to overcome! This tends to be an issue for many men and women but ultimately it's an easy maneuver to master! Most people use suppositories at night, laying down reduces the chance of any leakage as the body absorbs the oil.

Suppositories are commonplace in Europe. At Synergy part of our mission is to share information on how to use cannabis medication successfully, we recommend suppositories as a highly effective delivery system with no side effects.

Further Reading:

“The role of of the Endocannabinoid System in Female Reproductive Tissues” https://ovarianresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13048-018-0478-9

“Do Cannabis Suppositories work?” https://projectcbd.org/health/cannabis-suppositories/

“Circulating Endocannabinoids Concentrations And Sexual Arousal In Women” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22462722/