8 Factors That Affect Your Cannabis High

Consuming cannabis brings on an enjoyable, relaxing high that’ll heighten your mood, enhance your senses, and relax your body. However, while it’s likely that pretty much everyone will experience these effects after smoking a joint or hitting a Bong, there are many factors that affect your cannabis high.

Cannabis hits everyone differently. That means that even if you and your friend smoke the same amount of the same strain at the same time, the effects of cannabis might hit one of you harder than the other. Even when it comes to personal use, you might feel more high one day than the next depending on a variety of factors.

It helps to know about the factors that can impact how high you get. For some users, it can help them manage their high to avoid unwanted side effects. Of course, you might also want to use these factors to your advantage if you have a high tolerance and want to get extra high. Here are 8 of the main factors that affect your cannabis high.

1. How Much You Consume

One of the most obvious yet important factors that can affect your cannabis high is how much you consume. Beginner users often make the mistake of smoking too much before they’ve built up a tolerance to cannabis, which can quickly result in an overwhelming high. Even experienced users sometimes smoke more than they should.

Although it can be tempting to overindulge when you’re smoking weed, it’s best to take it easy. If you’re rolling a joint, try not to use more weed than you need to get high. The same applies to packing the bowl of a Bong or Pipe. When you’re smoking, smoke as much as you need to get on a good level then stop until you feel you need more.

The same applies to other methods of consumption. For example, if you’re vaping Cannabis Concentrates then start with a small amount to gauge your tolerance. If you’re using Cannabis Edibles or Tinctures, then start with a small dose of around 10mg before you try taking more. This is especially important as these products can get you extremely high.

Once you know your limits, it becomes much easier to control how high you’ll get. As such, seasoned smokers will be much better at controlling their dosage to ensure they get the perfect high without overdoing it.

2. How Fast You Consume

It isn’t just how much cannabis you smoke, vape, or eat that’ll affect how high you get. How fast you consume it can also make a significant difference. Even if you roll a small joint, smoking all of it quickly can result in you getting high out of your mind within a few minutes.

It’s best to take time between hits to avoid getting too high. For instance, if you’re smoking a joint, take your time between each puff. If you’re vaping marijuana, then take one hit at a time and stop once you feel high enough. Even if you’re using a particularly flavorful strain, it’s best to avoid going too fast.

While smoking or vaping quickly can have an impact on how high you get, holding in your hits for longer won’t make a difference. Despite popular belief, most THC is absorbed within a couple of seconds. A 1989 study found that holding a hit for 10 or 20 seconds made no discernible difference to the intensity of the effects.

You should also keep in mind that different products can take longer to hit you. For instance, while the effects of smoking or vaping weed generally hit you within seconds, the effects of Cannabis Edibles can take 30-90 minutes to kick in. As such, you’ll want to avoid eating more before the effects hit you.

3. The Product You Use

Another one of the biggest factors that’ll affect how high you get is the exact product you use. Marijuana now comes in a wide variety of forms, and each will hit you differently. Not only that, but each product comes in various strains, brands, and potencies, all of which can make a difference to your high.

When it comes to using Cannabis Flower, each strain is different. For instance, indica strains are said to give you more of a physically soothing high, sativa strains are said to be more mentally uplifting, and hybrid strains usually offer a balance of both. Strains also differ in how potent they are, meaning some will hit you harder than others.

Other types of products also have major differences. For example, Cannabis Concentrates have much higher levels of THC than Cannabis Flower and, as such, even a small amount can give you a seriously strong high. Each type of concentrate is also different. For example, Shatter is generally much more potent than Hash or Kief.

Every type and strain of cannabis product will hit you differently, so it helps to know what you’re getting into. If you’re looking for a milder high, then opt for milder strains of Cannabis Flower. Those who want a stronger high might be better served by products like Concentrates and Edibles.

4. The Method Of Consumption

No matter what kind of cannabis product you use, the method of consumption you use can also make a difference. When it comes to smoking and vaping weed, your experience can differ based on the device you use. There are also alternative methods of consumption, such as eating Cannabis Edibles.

Smoking Cannabis Flower in a joint is one of the most popular options, especially as you can buy Pre-Rolls for extra convenience. With that said, some users find that smoking their ground weed with a Glass Pipe, Bubbler or Bong leads to harder-hitting effects. According to research, vaping Cannabis Flower can offer even stronger effects.

Cannabis Concentrates can also be used in various ways. For instance, some users mix them with weed in a joint or bowl for a hard-hitting high. However, using a Concentrate Vaporizer will make your cannabis high stronger. You can also use Cannabis Concentrates with a Dab Rig, which offers some incredibly intense and powerful hits.

Using Cannabis Drinks or Edibles can also offer a significantly different experience to other methods of consumption. When you consume cannabis orally, your body converts THC into a stronger form. While you’ll have to wait longer for the effects to kick in, they’re much stronger than smoking cannabis. The high will also last for much longer- usually anywhere between 4-12 hours.

5. Frequency Of Use

Another major factor that impacts how high you’ll get from using cannabis is how frequently you use it. While your tolerance for cannabis depends on a variety of factors, how often you use it is arguably the biggest contributor. In other words, those who use cannabis less will likely be hit harder by its effects.

The first few times you use cannabis, it won’t take much to get high. Many users won’t even need a full joint to feel the intense effects of THC. However, your body will begin to build a tolerance to the effects of cannabis. As such, you’ll soon find that you need to use more to get to the same level.

Those who smoke weed frequently often have a hard time getting as high as they want. As time goes on, the same things that used to get you extremely high will begin to feel milder. When it gets to this point, you usually have to smoke more, use a stronger product, or even try a different method of consumption.

In contrast, those who only smoke occasionally won’t notice a significant difference in their tolerance to weed. Some can even smoke or vape the same amount and still get just as high provided they don’t do it too often. Sometimes, those with high tolerance levels even take a break from using cannabis for a while to reset their tolerance.

6. Your Surroundings

The kind of experience you’ll get when using cannabis can also vary significantly depending on your environment. The best approach is to get high somewhere where you feel comfortable and at ease, as this will result in a much more positive high. Adversely, getting high when you feel anxious or nervous can result in an uncomfortable high.

When you use cannabis, it enhances your mood and senses. If you’re in a good mood before you smoke, you’ll likely feel better after and vice versa. That’s why it always helps to pick the right surroundings before you start using cannabis.

Some users find that they have a better experience when using cannabis around friends. Having people to talk to and laugh with can often have a positive impact on your mood. However, introverted users may find that they have a better experience when they smoke alone at home.

You might even want to make some changes to ensure that your surroundings are as comfortable as possible. For instance, putting on some of your favorite music or a TV show before you get high can make for a better experience. Sometimes all you need is some air conditioning and a few cushions to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible.

7. Cannabinoids and Terpenes

When you smoke, vape, or use cannabis in any other way, it isn’t the plant itself that gets you high. Cannabis contains a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes that are absorbed into your system when you ingest it. These compounds are responsible for the kinds of effects you’ll experience.

The sole psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis is THC. This is the chemical that gets you high by interacting with your body and brain. Cannabis strains and products with higher levels of THC will hit you harder than those with lower levels and, as such, it’s important to check the THC levels of your chosen product before you use it.

Other cannabinoids can also have an impact. For instance, CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that’s said to tame the effects of THC and enhance its benefits. Strains and products with higher levels of CBD are said to counteract some of the side effects of THC, such as anxiety and paranoia. CBD is even extracted and used in standalone CBD products for those who don’t want to get high.

Terpenes are aromatic oils that can be found in all plants, including cannabis. Each cannabis strain has a different makeup of terpenes and these are what give each strain its unique aroma and taste. Terpenes also work in conjunction with cannabinoids to enhance their benefits and provide an entourage effect.

8. Food and Drink

Much like with alcohol, consuming cannabis on an empty stomach can result in stronger effects. This stands to reason since being hungry or thirsty can result in you feeling lightheaded and lethargic. However, research also suggests that THC is absorbed quicker when you consume cannabis on an empty stomach.

A 2012 study compared the effects of a THC/CBD spray on both fasted and fed subjects. The study found that the cannabinoids were absorbed quicker by those who hadn’t had anything to eat or drink. What’s more, food seemed to delay the time to peak concentration by up to 2 and a half hours.

Water can also have a significant impact. Being dehydrated can impact your mood and make you feel less physically energetic. If you get high without drinking anything, you’ll likely feel much more sedated and might even experience increased anxiety. Water also helps counteract dry mouth- a common side effect of cannabis.

It’s best to stay hydrated before, during, and after getting high. However, those who want harder-hitting effects might want to wait until they’re high to eat. After all, eating is even more enjoyable when you’re high, and certain foods such as mangoes and chocolate can even enhance the effects of cannabis.

Conclusion

Each time you get high, the experience can differ significantly depending on factors such as the product used, how much you use, your chosen method of consumption, and even your surroundings. Whether you’re looking for stronger or milder effects, keep these factors in mind next time you’re planning to get high.

Whether you prefer to get high with Cannabis Flower, Concentrates, Edibles, or other cannabis products, you can find everything you need online at Purple Penthouse.