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Substance Absorbtion

The term "method of consumption" refers to the route of administration—the way the substance enters the body. Individual substances can usually be consumed in different ways, and the method influences both the duration of effects and the risk. Note that different safer-use materials are required depending on the method of consumption.

Oral (swallowed)

risk

Slow onset of action, between 30 and 120 minutes

  • Unintentional overdose due to excessive dose or too rapid redosing.

Safer use

  • Adjust dose according to age, gender and weight

  • Wait long enough for the effect to take hold.

Nasal (sniffed)

risk

  • Damage to the nasal mucosa

  • Risk of hepatitis C transmission through shared snuffing equipment

Safer use

  • Take a small dose

  • Breaks between doses

  • Use appropriate smoking accessories and filters.

  • Vaporizing is less harmful than smoking.

Injected intravenously

Very rapid onset of action after a few seconds

The effect is fast, strong and intense – the flash usually subsides relatively quickly.

risk

  • Unintentional overdose

  • Risk of HIV/Hep-C transmission – unclean materials (syringe sharing)

Safer use

  • Finely grind the powder/stone

  • Create a clean solution

  • Choose a suitable syringe (needle size)

  • Draw solution through a filter

  • Disinfect/change the injection site

  • Use your own material

Intramuscular injection

Slow onset of action after several minutes

risk

  • Unintentional overdose due to delayed onset of action

  • Muscle/tissue irritation

  • Risk of HIV/Hep-C transmission – unclean materials (syringe sharing)

Safer use

  • ​See IV consumption 

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