Cannabis is known for giving users a euphoric effect. It is also well-known for giving users what is known as the “munchies.” That just means that they become hungrier when using cannabis.
But there are also some other effects that you might want to know about before deciding to take cannabis. These effects happen in both your brain and your body. The THC in cannabis is what will give you a high because of how the THC interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in your body.
How Long Does It Take to Get High?
When you use cannabis, you might be wondering how long it will take for you to notice the effects listed below. The answer is that it can vary. It will depend on what strain you are using and how potent it is. The method of delivery is one of the main factors that will determine how long it takes to get a high.
Using an Edible
If you eat something that has cannabis in it, all the fat-soluble ingredients in the product, like butter, will have been bound to the THC molecules. Your stomach will need to process these ingredients and then send them to your liver to metabolize them.
Once they are in your liver, your bloodstream can then begin to absorb the THC. You will start to get high around this point. From the time you take an edible to the time that you first start to feel the effects may be around an hour. But depending on the edible and the strain, it could vary from half of an hour to two hours. The big difference is because of the many strains of weed and how your system will react to them. Your weight plays a role. The larger the person, the longer it will usually take.
Smoking Cannabis
If you smoked cannabis, then the cannabinoids will enter your lungs just a few seconds after you inhale it. From there, the smoke might make you cough a bit if you are not accustomed to it. You will probably feel a head rush, as well.
Depending on the kind of weed that you smoked, whether it is high-quality or cheap, you will feel high within about five minutes. Sometimes, it might only take a minute, and other times it will take 10 or 15 minutes to feel any of the effects. Some people might feel high just a few seconds after taking a hit. The same goes for vaping your cannabis.
Your Own Cannabis Tolerance
Your cannabis habits will also play a role in when you will get hit. If you have a high tolerance to it, then you will feel high later than if you have never tried using cannabis before. The only way to know how long it will take you to get high is to find out for yourself. Don’t be afraid to experiment a bit with cannabis.
The effects of cannabis can take anywhere from a minute to an hour or longer to notice. It can last for many hours. On the other hand, you might be over your high in less than an hour. A more experienced smoker will need to smoke every couple of hours to maintain their high. Someone who doesn’t smoke cannabis much might need to do it just a few times a day if they want to maintain their high.
1. Your Balance Might Be Off
THC will impact two areas in your brain. These are the basal ganglia and cerebellum. These areas regulate your coordination, balance, reaction time, and posture. The basal ganglia and cerebellum are disturbed when you smoke. That means that when you are under the influence of cannabis, it might be harder for you to walk around. In addition, you may notice that you are clumsier than you usually are.
2. You Can’t Safely Drive
It is safer for you to drive while you are high than when you are drunk. But that does not mean that you should do that. It is not entirely free of risks to go for a joy ride while you have a high. The THC impacts the area of your brain that works with your reaction times and coordination. That means that your driving abilities are impaired, so you might not see a danger on the road until it is too late.
3. You Will Be Euphoric
When the THC gets to your brain, you will have a feel-good chemical known as dopamine in your body. The dopamine that gets released is a part of the rewards system in your brain. When you feel the rush of dopamine in your brain, you will feel more euphoric. This is one of the reasons that so many people like to use it recreationally.
Of course, this does come with its downsides. Having too much dopamine can be an issue. When the response is over-triggered, it might be harder for you to feel happy from other good experiences. However, you would have to smoke a lot of cannabis to come to this point.
4. You Might Feel Paranoia or Anxiety
One of the most common side effects of smoking is feeling anxious. Many smokers also might have feelings of panic, paranoia, and distrust after they smoke. The side effects are determined by the specific ratio of THC and CBD in the strain, as well as whether the strain is a sativa, indica, or hybrid.
An indica may give you more of a body high, and it is known for causing sleepiness and couch lock in many people. Sativas might stimulate your mind more than your body. You could feel giddy and happy. Based on the kind of pot that you are using, you might have a giddier and more euphoric high, or you could have a high that induces anxiety in you.
5. It Might Cause Red Eyes
When you watch a movie that features a cannabis user, you might have noticed that they are on the couch with food and have bloodshot eyes. You might be wondering why a smoker’s eyes get red sometimes. The reason is that cannabis can cause your eyes’ blood vessels to get bigger. That will make them look red and bloodshot.
6. Having a Dry Mouth
Besides having red eyes, one of the other effects of using cannabis is that it might give you a dry mouth. This is an uncomfortable feeling that does not just result from inhaling smoke. Even vaping or other forms of using cannabis can lead to a dry mouth.
The reason is that you have cannabis receptors in your mouth where your saliva is produced. When the cannabis activates these receptors, there will not be as much saliva produced. The good news is that you can combat this by trying to stay well-hydrated. Keep drinking water even as you are smoking or having an edible.
7. You Will Get Hungry
Once you have been smoking for a while, you might feel like eating anything you can find. This is known as the “munchies.” It is thought that the THC might interact with the cannabinoid rectors that are in your hypothalamus.
This is the region of the brain that controls many functions, including hunger, thirst, and your mood. When you use cannabis, you might be deactivating a part of your brain that usually suppresses your appetite. That can make you think you are hungry, even if you are not.
8. Your Heart Rate May Increase
Normally, your heart will beat at around 70 or 80 beats each minute. But once you have had cannabis, your heart rate will most likely go up by around 20 or 50 beats each minute. If you take cannabis with other kinds of drugs, then your heart rate might double. This will only last for a short while, however, and after around 20 minutes, it will go back down again. However, if you suffer from heart conditions, then you might want to consult with your doctor before trying cannabis. Plus, it can interact with some kinds of medications.
9. Your Blood Pressure Might Drop
Cannabis can cause the blood vessels in your body to become dilated. That will make your blood pressure drop. This is the same thing that causes your eyes to look more bloodshot. But at the same time, your breathing passages will open up more, and that can make you feel calmer and more relaxed while you are high.
This might be a good thing if you have high blood pressure. But some people already have lower-than-average blood pressure, so if this applies to you, then you should be careful while you are high. Avoid standing up too quickly, as this can cause the blood to rush away from your head and make you feel dizzy. Staying hydrated can help keep your blood pressure from dropping too low.
10. Your Senses Might Be More Intense
You may notice that although your breathing passages are opening up more, you also have more acute senses. You might notice sensations, such as touch or smell, that you do not normally experience or notice. That is because not only does THC cause dopamine to be released, but it also binds to certain receptors in your brain.
These receptors are associated with both taste and smell, and that can make the receptors be more sensitive. Combined with the fact that your pupils become dilated, you may have heightened senses. This is why you want to be in a relaxing environment when you are using cannabis. If you are in an unfamiliar area or a stressful situation, your heightened senses will only contribute to your discomfort.
Using Cannabis Safely
Since there are so many different things that go on in your body while you use cannabis, you will want to use it safely. Of course, you should check with a doctor before trying it even if you have no health conditions. It is important to not drive a car or operate other heavy machinery while you are high.
If this is one of your first times using cannabis, you should start with a very low dose. The right dosage will vary depending on such factors as your height, age, previous cannabis experience, and any underlying health conditions. The method that you use to consume it also plays a role. For example, an edible will hit you much harder than vaping it. But smoking or vaping cannabis will make you feel effects much faster. If this is your first time using cannabis, it is a good idea to pick out a strain that is lower in THC. Remember that some of the things that happen in your body and brain, such as a racing heart, may be reduced if you start out slowly and let your body get accustomed to THC and CBD.
What if You Have Undesirable Effects?
Even if you are care full in measuring out how much cannabis you take, you might accidentally take too much. The good news is that there are steps that will help you. For instance, you might try to take some lemon or pepper. These might counteract the negative effects.
If you are feeling couch-locked, you can try to take a cold shower. That might wake you up. On the other hand, you may want to go with a warm shower and take a long nap afterwards.
Closing Thoughts
Using cannabis is an enjoyable experience for many people, although it can sometimes cause some unpleasant effects. But if you follow the right guidelines, you can reduce the chances of experiences any unenjoyable effects. That will help you have a stronger focus on the best parts of being high and make it a memorable experience for you.
