Everyone has been there. You found a strain that you love but have experienced inconsistency when it comes to the effects. One day you’re creative and full of energy, the next day you don’t feel like leaving the couch. It can be frustrating.
So what is it that causes these different types of effects? It’s always an important question to ask, to make sure that you get the most out of your cannabis. Here are 6 different factors that can affect your high.
Dosage
While some might find this to be a no brainer, figuring out the right dosage for cannabis isn’t always so easy. With dosage, it is always important to keep in mind that every cannabis strain is different, and will require an adjustment of dosage depending on the user and method of ingestion.
Until you hit your sweet spot and find the perfect dose for your favorite strain, it’s important to remember to start “low and slow”. While taking too little might seem like a waste, it’s much better than ending your dinner date early because you ate a strong edible beforehand, you’re freaking out, and you need to go home to spend the rest of the night curled up in a ball under a pile of blankets.
Trust me, finding the right dosage makes all the difference.
Strain
With all of the different types of cannabis on the market today, finding the right one can be trickier than you might think, especially for new users. Every strain will have a slightly different cannabinoid profile, and understanding the effects of a strain’s profile will allow you to have more control over your high.
Some of the most common strain categories are Indicas and Sativas. Indica strains are thought to be more sedating in their effects, perfect for relaxing or pre-bedtime. Sativa strains, on the other hand, are primarily used for their uplifting and energizing effects, perfect for socializing, creativity and physical activities.
However, it isn’t that simple. Researchers suggest that, while the terms indica and sativa help identify the individual plants, the cannabis from these distinct plants don’t always have consistent cannabinoid profiles that are commonly associated with their type.
While cannabis can contain over a hundred different cannabinoids, it’s most import to familiarize yourself with THC and CBD. Rather than choosing a strain based on it’s labeling as an indica or sativa, consider choosing your strain based on these primary cannabinoids.
THC dominant strains are commonly utilized for their psychoactive benefits and promoting a euphoric experience. This cannabinoid can also be useful for those looking to treat depression, pain, anxiety and insomnia. While some people enjoy the mood-enhancing aspects of THC, for others it can leave them feeling anxious and uncomfortable. For those individuals, strains with higher CBD could be more beneficial.
CBD is non-psychoactive, though it does play a direct role in how THC interacts with the brain. CBD dominant strains are typically utilized for those looking for the benefits of cannabis while avoiding its psychoactive aspects. Most of these strains contain small amounts of THC which work synergistically with CBD in order to maximize its powerful health advantages.
Strains with a balanced THC/CBD ratio are also a popular choice. These strains allow for mild psychoactive benefits of THC, while maximizing the therapeutic aspects of CBD. Strains like these are popular for newer cannabis consumers, who seek an unintimidating introduction to the signature cannabis high.
Delivery
From eating a delicious brownie to using your favorite vape pen, every delivery method for cannabis will yield to a different high.
The body processes cannabis differently, depending on how it is consumed. Edibles tend to be known for a stronger and longer-lasting high. This also causes a longer amount of time to wait until you begin to notice its effects. With edibles, it can also be more difficult to know the exact dosage of cannabis your consuming.
Smoking and vaping can make it easier to have control over your cannabis dosage, allowing you to have a true sense of how much you are consuming. It’s important to find your tolerance and preference when it comes to the delivery method and, just like when finding the perfect dose, make sure you start slow.
Surroundings
Being in the right environment for your cannabis high can make a huge difference in your experience. It’s important to avoid stressful or anxiety-inducing triggers, which can send your high spiraling downward into a bad time.
Always be sure what situations or company you like to be in before you decide to use cannabis. Some people love sharing their highs with company, with others may find it triggering to their social anxiety. Being aware of your surroundings and reflecting on your past experiences can ensure that you get the most fulfillment from each high.
You
The main ingredient to any high is you. From age to the wiring of your brain, there are countless variables that make up every individual’s experience with cannabis.
Research has shown that the effects of cannabis were more tolerable for adolescent rats than adult rats. Adult rats showed more signs of stress and anxiety. While more research is needed, this gives us a glimpse of how age plays a factor in experiencing cannabis.
Whether we enjoy the experience of cannabis or not really comes down to the interaction between our Endocannabinoid System, the cannabinoid profile and our opioid receptors. Activation of μ-opioid receptors makes you feel good, while κ-opioid receptors have the opposite effect. κ-opioid receptors are responsible for aversive properties of taking prescription opioid medications.
As you can see, there is a multitude of factors that go into affecting the high you get from cannabis. At the end of the day, the important thing is that you reflect on your experiences with cannabis, and find what is right for you. Have more questions? Talk to one of the friendly budtenders at THC Soquel!