Survey Results
This page has some early results of our cannabis and hemp effectiveness research project (via a simple, standardized survey). It does NOT include specifics about which type of active ingredient amounts worked best for different conditions and goals...YET. But we will as soon as we have collected enough responses for it to be meaningful to regular patients and consumers.
We systematically collect anonymous, self-reported, observational, real-world marketing research data - NOT clinical data. But we don't sell our results to companies, we publish them here for free to everyone.
Our revenue comes from our partners and their ads on this site. They want to be seen by YOU - the curious patient or consumer looking for more control, consistency, and personalized relief and experiences. We do not partner with cannabis or hemp "plant-touching" businesses, simply so we can remain as unbiased and product-neutral as possible.
To show "statistically significant" correlations about active ingredients and effectiveness, we need a LOT of survey responses. MANY, MANY thousands. We hope that we can begin posting more detailed information soon. We just don't have enough surveys for that yet, but we will get there.
So please ask your friends and family to take our survey! We'll send everyone a few of our Pocket Guides for their trouble. We believe the results will be valuable to patients and consumers in all walks of life everywhere. Everyone's cannabis or hemp "anecdote" collected with the same survey suddenly turns them into real actionable data.
In the meantime, we CAN show you some results that cover other important aspects of cannabis or hemp product choices.
We distinguish between medical use and adult use (recreational), however we understand there is significant overlap - that distinction isn't always clear. Many consumers may not have a specific medical symptom they are treating, but the effects could very well improve aspects of their life that could easily be classified as a medical symptom or condition.
Our goal is to help both patients and consumers by publishing what others like them say works best. We feel this medical versus adult-use distinction will help guide others, especially patients, toward a product that works well for them.
Method of Consumption
The many different methods of cannabinoid consumption is fairly unique among medical or wellness products. Here's what people tell us about the method of cannabinoid consumption that Works Best for them.
Smoking is still preferred by both types of consumers: 39.4% for Medical use patients, and 60.6% for Adult use consumers.
Ingestion is second most popular for both groups: 29.4% for Medical and 19.0% for Adult.
Vaporization is close behind in third place: 27.1% for Medical and 18.3% for Adult. Mucosal (tincture or suppositories) is next with the remaining consumers.
There was very little change in these percentages when comparing 2021 and 2022.
Preferred Method: Inhalation
The majority of the surveys we've received so far indicate that inhaling cannabis or hemp products is most effective for achieving their goals, whether by smoking or vaporizing.
The charts below show how many draws, or 2-3 second inhalations, are usually the most effective for smokers and "vapers".
The vast majority of medical and adult users take 10 or fewer inhalations, and a significant number take 5 or fewer, whether they smoke or vape their product.
Cannabinoids affect people very differently, and YOUR best method and dose might not work the same way for others.
The chart below shows the methods preferred by those who SMOKE their cannabis or hemp products. While joints are not the most efficient method to consume cannabis, they are very well-established and the most popular method with patients and consumers (37% & 43%). Pipes are second and waterpipes are the third most preferred method of smoking. Joints mixed with tobacco (or blunts) are fourth for patients and consumers (3% & 9%).
The next chart shows the vaporization temperatures that are most often used by those vaporizing their cannabis products. 61% prefer a temperature setting between 350F and 400F (177C and 205C). 24% prefer higher temperatures (includes dabbing which is generally between 500F (260C) and 650F (343C)).
The average preferred vaporization temperature used for medical symptom relief was 425F (218C). For adult use it was 399F (204C). Higher temperatures will generally help vaporize the cannabinoids more quickly since their boiling points are MUCH higher than 600F (315C). However, cannabinoids WILL evaporate at much lower temperatures, it just takes longer. A 2022 study showed that it takes more than 3 minutes to vaporize most of the THC at 356F (180C).
Oral Ingestion (Swallowing)
Almost 30% of the medical responses we've received so far tell us that ingesting, or swallowing a cannabis or hemp product works best for them. 19% of adult-use responses prefer ingesting. When ingested, cannabinoids are metabolized into other cannabinoids that can affect people differently. The effects usually last MUCH longer than inhaling or mucosal (tinctures, suppositories) consumption.
Patients prefer oils and concentrates (51%) with Food & Candy second most preferred (37%). Adult users prefer Food & Candy (54%) with Drinks and Oils & Concentrates tied for second place (18% each).
Functionality
The next chart shows the AVERAGE wait time for the product to take effect and the AVERAGE duration of effects. Everyone has unique biochemistry and your results may be very different from the average. Example: the range of results for "swallowing" was between two (2) hours and 15 (fifteen) hours. Be careful and keep track of your own results for more control.
Effectiveness and Quality of Life
The next chart shows what people tell us about the overall effectiveness of "What Works Best" for them. Over 99% said they usually see an improvement of 50% or more. In medical applications, a reduction in symptoms by 50% to 80% can literally change someone's life.
Quality of Life was improved in 99% of those who have found their "best" product. The three main methods of consumption showed average Quality of Life (QOL) ratings of at LEAST "much better" (4.0/5). Inhalation had the highest rating at 4.3.
Quality of Life improvements by age are interesting in that they seem to gradually improve as you age. 18-24 year olds report a QOL score of 4.0 (much better), while 55-64 year olds report a QOL score of 4.4. Even the reluctant baby boomers are reporting quality of life improvements, but with a lower score of 3.5 (3.0 means "better").
An unexpected result was among those that INHALE their best product. Smokers reported slightly better effectiveness (79% vs. 76%) and Quality of Life improvements (4.3 vs. 4.2) than those who vaporize or "dab" their best product.
Overall, both medical use and wellness, or adult-use consumers report significant improvements in their Quality of Life:
Side Effects
We will be adding to and updating this results page periodically as we collect more data. Our research project has no end date, because new product development will continue, and we see our work as a "living" analysis. We'll post most significant new information on social media as we publish it here, but keep this page in mind. It will be developing with new insights for many years to come. Thank you for your help in de-stigmatizing perhaps the most powerful and misunderstood plant on earth! Encourage your friends and family to contribute to our research by taking a quick survey about "What Works Best" for them. Thank you!