No two people are exactly alike. That is the primary reason why being high may feel different for everyone. There are countless factors to consider before you can perfectly duplicate one’s user experience.
If you are a regular user, you may notice that not every session feels the same. Taking marijuana may feel uplifting when you are trying to relax, but the same amount and strain may trigger your anxiety if you are incredibly stressed. However, these negative experiences shouldn’t discount just how great and beneficial marijuana is. It helps to understand the exact mechanisms that yield a good high, as well as the factors to mitigate to ensure that you never encounter a bad one.
The different levels of high include:
- Change in perception
- Euphoria
- Contemplation
- High tension
- Summit
- Hunger
The factors affecting the effects of weed for each user include:
- Amount of cannabis
- Mode of consumption
- Your mood and environment
- Cannabinoids and terpenes content
Different Levels Of High
Here is an overview of what you could expect when you consume marijuana.
1. Change In Perception
This typically occurs when consuming products with THC. This psychoactive compound enters the bloodstream and binds to the CB1 receptors. The effects may materialize anywhere between minutes to hours. The overall effect is how it changes your perception of your surroundings. You may also feel some sort of pent-up pressure behind your eyeballs.
2. Euphoria
Euphoria is a feeling of intense happiness and it is also an effect brought about by THC. This explains why people who are high on marijuana sometimes burst out in laughing fits over the littlest things. You can use this uplifting energy to your advantage by stimulating your body to relax and unwind. Others recommend stretching exercises or other forms of mild physical activity to encourage you to connect with your body.
3. Contemplation
Marijuana may cause some users to become contemplative and introspective. Thoughts may gloss over one’s sense of purpose and role in the world. This makes marijuana an excellent aide for deep and soulful conversations that allow one to think of the bigger picture instead of fixating on himself.
4. High Tension
High tension is a result of taking marijuana in an improper mental state. This could heighten feelings of stress and paranoia. It is advisable to lay off marijuana at this point. Stay hydrated and try to fixate on a predetermined activity, like a fun video game.
5. The Summit
The summit is known as the peak of one’s high. This is a pretty common occurrence among energizing strains.
6. Hunger
It is common to have a case of munchies when using marijuana. The hunger really kicks in when you come down from your high. It helps to have a lot of food at hand so that you can eat something and help ease off the high.
Factors Affecting The Effects Of Weed
1. Amount
Newbies need to be aware that the amount of weed significantly impacts the effects. It is advisable to start at low doses to assess the effects. Avoid overindulging because this will introduce a new wave of unfamiliar effects and emotions that might be challenging to deal with. The best thing is to always follow the recommended dosage stated on the packaging of the product.
For beginners, 5 mg should be more than enough. People with medium tolerance can go between 5 to 10 mg. High tolerance users can go up to as high as 25 mg. The amount may also be affected by your weight. A lightweight person will experience more effects at 10 mg compared to a heavyset individual.
2. Mode Of Consumption
This refers to the way you consume cannabis. The most common modes of consumption include vaping, smoking, and eating. These have different effects because of the amount of THC/CBD you get with every serving as well as the way by which your body processes it.
For example, smoking a joint may cause a THC loss of up to 63%, and that percentage drops when you use a bong. Vaping results in about 46% THC loss. As such, the mode of consumption creates a huge difference in the number of compounds that hit your bloodstream.
3. Your Mood And Environment
These are external and internal factors that play a huge role in the effects of marijuana on your body. Marijuana has the tendency to heighten your emotions. Consuming it in a stressed or bad mental state can result in paranoia and anxiety. Similarly, a stressful environment can likewise trigger these negative emotions. It is advisable to consume cannabis in a happy or normal emotional state, in an environment where you feel safe and calm.
4. Cannabinoids And Terpenes
Each strain has varying cannabinoids and terpenes profiles that affect user experience. The THC to CBD ratio is one of the most important considerations. The recommended ratio is 2:1 or less. A 1:1 ratio gives you a pleasant balance between intoxication and medication.
Terpenes are the compounds responsible for the smell and taste profile of various strains. Limonene is the terpene that yields a citrus smell and taste, often correlated with stress relief. Lianool is another terpene for combatting anxiety and it is abundant in lavender.
In the end, the best way to determine the specific effects of cannabis products and strains is to try them out yourself while paying attention to the factors. Start at small doses and slowly work your way up. Use your previous experiences to determine which ones work best for you. Shop at MonthLeaf for your monthly supply of cannabis products.