Routes of administration

General

The method in which a substance has been ingested can greatly effect the potency, duration, and overall experience of a drug. Many substances are more effective when consumed using certain ROA's over others, and some drugs are completely inactive using certain routes of administration. Determining a route of administration is highly dependent on the substance consumed, desired duration of the substance,and personal comfort.

Oral

Arguably the most common route of adminstration for most classes of drugs, oral adminstration allows a substance to be absorbed through blood vessels contained in the stomach, where Enterochromaffin cells contain approximately 90% of the bodys serotonin.

Sublingual

Sublingual administration refers to absorption under the tounge. It is a common route of administration for drugs such as LSD. Sublingual administration can result in a fast absorption bypassing the GI tracts tendency to break down certain drugs, such as 25I-NBOMe, which absorbs sublingual and buccal but not orally. Sublingual administration results in the substance being absorbed through the large Lingual artery present underneath the tounge.

Buccal

Buccal administration refers to absorption in the cheek and gum. This is commonly employed when ingesting drugs such as 25I-NBOMe, LSD, and other substances impregnated on blotter paper. Like sublingual, the substance is largely absorbed through the lingual artery but is also absorbed through gum lining. This method is also employed when chewing plant leaves such as Khat, Salvia Divinorum, and commonly Tobacco.

Insufflation

Insufflation is a very common method for substances in powder form. Insufflation is capable of rapid absorption through mucous membranes and blood vessels in the sinus. Absorption is generally much more rapid and subsequently a substance feels much more intense and often shorter acting than if taken orally. Insufflation is common among drugs such as cocaine, but is also known amongnst yopo rituals, and insufflating tobacco in snuff form was common practice in the 20th century.

Smoked/Vaporized

Smoking or vaporizing substances is a common method of consumption, oh which the most common example is cannabis. Vaporization of substances can lead to an almost instantaneous absorption of the substance and passage through the blood brain barrier. When a substance is smoked or vaporized, the substance is absorbed through blood vessels found in the bronchi tubes contained within the lungs. Like insufflation, duration is decreased while intensity is increased in proportion to oral absorption. Smoking or vaporizing a substance also bypasses the GI tracts tendency to break certain substances down, such as DMT.