What is the best ROA in theory?

[hahapotatoman]

Some people swear by snorting, others say boofing, etc.

I think IV injection is undoubtedly the cleanest and fastest, but also the most dangerous. So excluding that, what would be the overall best ROA? I personally think sublingual is underrated, it's almost like snorting but without ruining your nose

 

[brainonbugs]

For what drug?

 

[hahapotatoman]

For what drug?

Is the answer very different for different drugs? for example Adderall and oxycodone

 

[Snafu in the Void]

Is the answer very different for different drugs? for example Adderall and oxycodone

Absolutely. All drugs have different bioavailability, which means they have different ability and efficiency to be absorbed via any ROA. Also some drugs need to be metabolized, others not.

For example oxycodone has rather poor intranasal bioavailability (30% less than oral), so it's wasteful and better to just eat it. By snorting it 30% of the dose is wasted, even though it hits you more quickly.

All ROAs have certain benefits, but it always matters which drug you're taking.

Smoking - quickest, goes immediately to the brain from the lungs
Snorting - similar to smoking, but not quite as fast, typically has lower bioavailability
Rectal - Extremely efficient at absorbing, nearly 100% bioavailability for every drug
Oral - generally the safest route, best for prodrugs
Sublingual - this one varies a lot, but is the quickest for drugs that should not be snorted
IV/IM - strongest, quickest, highest bioavailability