Different Stages of Being High
Since each person’s endocannabinoid system is unique, similar to our fingerprints, there is no standard cannabis experience. An edible containing 5 mg of THC can completely alter one person’s perception while hardly showing in the other’s. However, all cannabis users can agree that THC makes you high and that experience can be a journey.
But, before you delve into the specific stages of that cannabis journey or before you get stoned, you need to know some essential details. In 2017, the National Health Institute conducted a study that identified two primary THC high timelines: smoking or vaping and ingestion.
Smoking or vaping produces an onset that happens minutes after entering the body. The peak typically occurs 20 to 30 minutes after the start, and the high lasts up to 2 hours. During the process, THC high, on the other hand, is filtered via the liver before entering the circulation upon ingestion. The beginning of the high can take up to 2hours after intake, with the peak coming 2 to 3 hours afterward. Depending on the dose, the effects might last for up to 24 hours.
Both highs can be hypnotically addictive or light and controllable, depending on whether they are inhaled or eaten; thus, knowing your dosage should be significantly emphasized.
If you are ready to share experiences with others or are new to cannabis and don’t know what to expect, the stoned spectrum can bridge your own and others’ experiences. Please look at the ten stages of high below to see whether it all adds up.
The ten stages of being high
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is the active element in marijuana. THC crosses within your system through your lungs when you smoke or vape weed. Within minutes of smoking, its concentration in the blood reaches a high. After the high, THC is broken down and eliminated in urine and feces.
Because the percentage of THC in your blood fluctuates over time, you might go through several phases of highness. Feelings of euphoria tend to peak after THC concentrations in the blood have peaked.
Before using pot for the first time, it is natural to be curious about how it feels to be high. You have probably heard stories from smokers who may have positive and negative experiences.
You will be able to recognize at least some of the phases of being high if you pay attention while in the process.
Stage 1
When it comes to cannabis, your mouth and nose are usually the first to contact it. When using edibles, trays of terpenes can even predict your high’s route, length, and strength. Taking a breath and savoring the flavor of your weed may have a strong influence on your cannabis experience.
It’s too early to notice an effect in the first minute or minute and a half after smoking. Even if that impact isn’t directly tied to cannabis, you’ll see it soon enough. The THC hasn’t yet reached the brain. But if you were holding your breath, you might become dizzy. Once you start to wonder what just happened, this stage is over. You’re no longer sober at this point.
If you had an edible, make sure not to make any plans for the next several hours. While you’re unsure if you were given a regular sweet treat or a THC-infused edible, the high might creep up on you. Be patient if you want to get high. The wait will be worth it!
Stage 2
The high begins when THC enters the blood-brain barrier and reacts to CB1 receptors. This activation can happen within seconds after you hit a joint, minutes after you smoke, or hours after devouring an exquisite edible.
A few factors influence activation, but once the blood-brain barrier has been broken, the primary effects of cannabis can begin to manifest. These effects usually start with a tingling sensation in the limbs and a subtle shift in cognition that brightens and softens rough edges before spreading throughout your body.
Stage 3
In stage 3, the activation and onset of the euphoria begin, so you should expect the physiological and mental effects to strengthen. The duration and intensity of this experience depend on the intake method, different strains, and your DNA.
The high intensifies when THC mixes in your blood, making you feel more relaxed, creative, and pain-free. Stages 2–3 are ideal for connecting with your body. In this stage, mild stretches or other reduced physical activities are advised.
Stage 4
Stages 2 – 4 can happen so quickly and smoothly that there may be no subtle effects from a resounding hit and experiencing a high onset. However, there will come the point when your blood THC content hits its maximum, and your high will kick in – often abruptly.
Adjusting your dose to meet your tolerance is vital to guarantee a safe swoon. It would be best if you tried to have a few more deep and mindful breaths to ride with the moment much better.
Stage 5
You may experience a tug between gravity and elevation as your body adjusts to the weed high. More THC in their circulation during this high stage may produce anxiety or stress.
The most straightforward approach to prevent feeling paralyzed or other intense psychotropic effects at this moment is to have a pre-planned activity or have some THC-softening CBD oil on hand.
This is also the time to go out on a stroll around while having deep thoughts, have fun with friends, or put on a gaming console. You can also enjoy a great time while listening to music or take a bath to let your mind wander freely while your high lasts.
Stage 6
Your selected marijuana strain or other drugs’ effects should intensify as your high solidifies. Whether you use it through joint or other drugs, whatever distinctive feelings or senses come out of this strain should be firm and absolute.
Focus-inducing strains may inspire wild creativity, while euphoric strains may cause fits of laughter, talkative strains may relax jaws, and chill-out strains may keep you glued to the sofa. For others, this is the peak when THC blood concentrations are at their maximum, and the body has become used to that level.
Eventually, out of all stages of being high, this stage is the time to get reflective about your life and the world, let your thoughts wander, and maybe have a productive activity while enjoying the intense feelings.
Stage 7
When you have reached stage 7, you have been high. Your eyes are undoubtedly bloodshot, your lids are heavy, and you are probably getting the munchies if your high calls for it.
Contrary to common belief, not every cannabis high is accompanied by hunger. Many strains can also be appetite suppressants. However, if your strain is notorious for consumption cravings, plan to avoid ending up high and dry with no edibles or munchies during the previous stages.
Apart from craving food, you will notice at this point a progressive softening of effects as the THC in your endocannabinoid system is diluted. This period might last anywhere from a few hours to days. You can lean into smoking weed or eating edibles and other food or whatever you started in Stage 5 and enjoying the trip at this stage.
Stage 8
Stage 8 is a perfect moment for you to brew a cup of tea while being stoned and relaxed. Unease feeling can swiftly fill the void left by THC’s gradual dissipation from your body. This is why stage 8 is generally when bong rippers, joint smokers, and dab hitters decide to start another session.
Stage 9
A potent stage 7 might result in dizziness or feelings of sluggishness compared to the euphoria brought by the rest of the high. If that feeling arises, don’t resist or try to control it. Just give in to the feeling and take a nap. Burnout is a regular occurrence in these situations.
Stage 10
During stage 10, the ideal outcome, and the most usual, is that your high will fade quickly. This will leave your cognition and senses slightly changed and your body slightly more sensitive, but your consciousness intact. Cannabis or THC’s psychoactive effects have worn off by this point, but the numerous other cannabinoids have influenced you in far less workable ways than THC.
Tranquility, bodily ease, and overall congeniality are characteristic side effects of a cannabis high that remain long after the laughs, head trips, and munchies have worn off. Stage 10 is a perfect moment to wonder about your high, what you enjoyed about the strain, what stages of being high worked best, and what you may change before you get stoned again on your next session.
Weed or marijuana smoking FAQs
If you have never tried marijuana, you might be curious about how it feels. You can become high or stoned by smoking, swallowing, or vaping weed or marijuana. Take a look at some of the most common questions when you smoke marijuana below:
Can various cannabis strains cause different highs?
Cannabis or marijuana strains are various varieties of the same plant. It comes in 3 types: Indica, Sativa, and hybrids.
Indica strains are associated with relaxation, while Sativa strains are said to provide a more energetic, physical high. The effects of both Indica and Sativa are combined in hybrid strains.
Are munchies real?
The term “munchies” refers to the effect of marijuana that has been scientifically proven. Cannabis affects the parts of the brain once you are stoned. It may cause an increase in ghrelin, a hunger hormone. THC also heightens the senses of smell and taste, causing you to start enjoying eating.
What does it feel like to vape or smoke marijuana?
Keep in mind that marijuana vaping differs from marijuana smoking. As you start vaping marijuana, you inhale vapor rather than smoke it. Compared to marijuana smoking, vaping releases larger amounts of the cannabis’ active components. As a result, marijuana vaping has a higher potency.
Vaping has the same instant effect as smoking, continuing for up to four hours. Also, vaporizing cannabis causes greater blood THC levels and more potent effects than smoking the same quantity. FRC offers Golden Dragon vape cartridges at a affordable price!
What does it feel like to get high through eating edibles?
Eating marijuana produces a different high than smoking does. THC is delivered into the system over a more extended period. Therefore the effects should be less powerful.
In research published in 2017 that evaluated the effects of smoking, vaporizing, and swallowing cannabis, users reported lesser effects when cannabis was consumed. However, some reported that the edibles provide a robust and occasionally crippling high. Thus, it is possible that this is related to the dosage.
Other reports claim that when THC is consumed, it travels fast to the liver, broken down into another psychotropic component. Depending on the content and ratios of THC and its metabolites in the circulation, the high may alter.
When taking edibles, you can experience the effects anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes after they are ingested. Thus, it lasts longer than smoking or vaping. However, the effects are usually gone before or within 24 hours. FRC has a wide selection of delicious edibles and offers same day weed delivery all throughout the Lower Mainland.
Conclusion
Remember that smoking cannabis may have a wide range of effects depending on the person and the strain. For example, some folks claim to be in a good mood or feeling calm when they smoke weed. Others have reported hunger, extreme urge to laugh, and time and sensory perception changes.
Remember that marijuana is still illegal in the majority of states. In certain places, it’s only permissible if you have a prescription. Thus, marijuana should only be used when it is legal.
When you consume marijuana, you may not go through all of the stages mentioned above. Try a new strain or a different dose if the munchies or paranoia trouble you. Moreover, you can have more fun with almost everything when you are high. Knowing the stages can help you get ready for your first cannabis experience.
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