What It Feels Like to Be High — And Why
by James Han
Consuming cannabis in any form — smoking, vaping or ingesting — can get you high. If you’re new to cannabis, you’ve probably wondered what being high feels like, or pieced together details from TV shows and anecdotes. The truth is that being high feels different for each individual. Depending on the strain of cannabis, potency, method of consumption and other factors, you may feel anything from full-body relaxation to increased creativity, a greater appetite (also known as “the munchies”), distorted perception of time and other effects, with varying durations.
So before you take your first hit of a joint or bite of an edible, read on to learn what being high feels like and what you can do to make the most out of the experience.
Why Cannabis Gets You High
The cannabis plant contains more than 100 bioactive compounds, but the most famous — and the one that gets you stoned — is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. THC is an intoxicating compound with a similar chemical shape to anandamide, also known as the “bliss molecule,” which the human body naturally produces. Because of their similar shape, THC can activate the brain’s reward system (which includes regions of the brain that oversee pleasurable activities like sex and eating) and stimulate the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is responsible for the euphoric, elated feelings that often accompany a high. At the same time, THC can also interfere with the parts of your brain that regulate memory, attentional focus and reaction time, as well as bind to special endocannabinoid receptors that are located on organs throughout your body.
It goes without saying that you shouldn’t get high for the first time before you drive or need to complete tasks that require your utmost concentration — save it for a day when you have no responsibilities.
What Does Being High Feel Like?
For your first time getting high, start with a small dose — maybe even half the recommended serving size on the product label of your tincture or edible (or a small puff if you’re trying a pre-roll). You may need to wait anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes before the THC enters your bloodstream and you feel high, so give yourself some time to assess your state of mind before taking another serving or dose.
In the most pleasant stages of a high, people tend to feel:
Euphoric
Relaxed
Giggly
Hungry
Creative
Altered sensory perceptions
Cannabis doesn’t make you hallucinate the way LSD or shrooms might, but colors may appear brighter, your surroundings (even if familiar) may seem strange and music may feel more pleasurable to listen to. (Pro tip: have a good playlist ready for your first time.) If you use too much cannabis, your enhanced sensations may feel overwhelming and make you feel paranoid or overly self-conscious.
Increased creativity
The euphoria that comes with the release of dopamine can encourage you to laugh, especially if you’re with friends, or to express yourself creatively in the form of writing, reading and meaningful conversations. A lot of research is currently being conducted to better understand the relationship between creativity and THC — current studies don’t draw many connections between the two, but anecdotal reports paint a different picture.
Relaxation (in low doses)
Low doses of cannabis can help you feel relaxed and better manage your stress, according to a team of researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. On the other hand, too much can have the opposite effect, and lead to a more negative mood.
Hungry
THC can give us the telltale “munchies” by making us more sensitive to tastes and smells as well as interacting with endocannabinoid receptors in the hypothalamus, which leads to the release of ghrelin, also known as the “hunger hormone.” And since your ability to taste food when you’re high is accentuated, you’ll naturally want to keep eating more and more (and more).
5 Factors That Impact Your High
Getting high for the first time is a rite of passage, and how you feel will depend not only on some of the material and biological conditions you’re working with (like the strain and quality of your cannabis or your own unique biochemistry) but also the people you’re getting high with and your state of mind going into it. Here are some of the biggest factors that play a role in how your body reacts to THC.
Dose
Dose is a critical component of your high, especially if you’ve never used cannabis before. If you’re smoking flower or vaping, look at the percentage of THC (and avoid anything with more than 20 percent THC for your first time). Take one puff and wait at least 15 minutes before you take another. If you’re taking an edible or tincture, start with about 2 mg of THC (a microdose) and gradually increase by 1 mg per day. Beginners should altogether steer clear of concentrates, which are extremely potent and best for cannabis aficionados.
Cannabis Strain
The strain of cannabis that you choose can make a big difference in your high. If you’re looking to feel more invigorated, focused, aware and creative, opt for a sativa. If you want a full-body, “in the couch” kind of relaxation that can help with sleep, choose an indica. Hybrid strains are perfect for a good mix of the two.
Type of Cannabinoid
THC is just one cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. Though most other cannabinoids (like CBD) don’t have psychoactive effects, or effects that aren’t nearly as potent as THC’s, experimenting with cannabinoid blends may alter your high or overall experience.
Delivery Method
Smoking and vaping cannabis will get you high more quickly than taking a tincture or edible, since the THC enters your bloodstream directly through your lungs. (Of the two, vaping has been shown to be more potent.) Taking an edible, on the other hand, will yield a more sustained and gradual release of THC into your bloodstream. Edible highs tend to last longer than vaping/smoking highs.
Tolerance
The biochemistry of your body and endocannabinoid system will account for many of the differences you may feel when you’re high, compared to others. It’s important to listen to your body and pay attention to your own experience — after all, you can’t change the genetics of your tolerance.
Experiencing Your First High With New Amsterdam Naturals
Getting high for the first time can seem intimidating, but as long as you start with a low dose and tune into your body’s reaction, you’ll set yourself up to experience a pleasant high and figure out if THC is for you. To get started, grab some high-quality cannabis in your preferred form from New Amsterdam Naturals. You can learn more about how to order from our online dispensary or brick-and-mortar store in our complete guide to purchasing cannabis. We’re always happy to answer any questions you have!
James Han is a writer, editor and content strategist based in Los Angeles. When he’s not deep in a Google Doc, you can find him reading, watching films and taking long walks.
Sources:
Leafly - Meet the ‘Bliss Molecule’ Anandamide, a Cannabinoid Your Body Produces
WebMD - How Pot Affects Your Mind and Body
National Institute on Drug Abuse - How does marijuana produce its effects?
Progress in Neurobiology - “The effects of cannabinoids on the brain”
Healthline - Sensation of a Marijuana High: Smoking, Edibles, and Vaping
Medical News Today - Cannabis does relieve stress, but only at low doses
Smithsonian - A Scientific Explanation of How Marijuana Causes the Munchies
JAMA Network Open - Acute Effects of Smoked and Vaporized Cannabis in Healthy Adults Who Infrequently Use Cannabis