Cannabis has, for the longest time, been used for its psychoactive effects. It’s a drug used recreationally to change one’s state of mind. There are many ways to consume cannabis from The Farmhouse Cannabis Co., but the most common is smoking it; others include; eating it, vaporizing, and using it in oils. All these methods have in common that they all result in the active ingredient THC entering the bloodstream and eventually making its way to the brain. But the big question is, how does cannabis get you high?
How Does Marijuana Produce Its Effects?
It all starts with THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis that produces the ‘high’ feeling. It binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, altering things like perception, mood, and cognition. In other words, it changes the way you think and feel.
The effects of THC can vary depending on the person. For some, it can produce a feeling of relaxation and euphoria. For others, it might cause anxiety or paranoia. The intensity of the high also depends on things like the amount of THC consumed, the method of consumption, and the person’s tolerance.
What Are the Short-Term Effects of Cannabis?
The short-term effects of cannabis can vary depending on the person. They can also depend on things like the amount of THC consumed, the method of consumption, and the person’s tolerance.
When one consumes marijuana in any form, THC is released into the bloodstream and eventually makes its way to the brain. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, altering things like perception, mood, and cognition. In other words, it changes the way you think and feel.
The effects of THC can vary depending on the person. For some, it can produce a feeling of relaxation and euphoria. For others, it might cause anxiety or paranoia. The intensity of the high also depends on things like the amount of THC consumed, the method of consumption, and the person’s tolerance.
In general, the effects of cannabis can include:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation
- Altered perception
- impaired memory
- impaired motor skills
- anxiety
- paranoia
In some cases, cannabis can also cause:
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Increased appetite
- Dizziness
What Affects How Long the High Lasts?
Once cannabis enters your system, the effects can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. The length of time depends on a few different factors, including:
The method of consumption: If you smoke cannabis, the effects will peak within minutes and wear off after a few hours. If you eat cannabis-infused edibles, it can take up to two hours to feel the full effects.
The THC concentration: THC is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis. The higher the THC concentration, the longer the effects will last.
The person’s tolerance: People who use cannabis regularly will build up a tolerance to THC. This means they will need more THC to feel the same effects as someone who doesn’t use cannabis.
The person’s body composition: THC is stored in fat cells, so people with more body fat tend to have a longer-lasting high.
Other medications: Certain medications can interact with cannabis and affect how long the effects last. For example, if you take a medication that slows down your metabolism, the effects of cannabis will last longer.
How Long Does Cannabis Take to Kick In?
It usually takes between 10 and 30 minutes for cannabis to start working. The effects depend mostly on how you take it. Eating an edible, for example, can take up to 2 hours to kick in, while smoking or vaporizing tends to work much faster.
Another factor is how much you consume. A small dose will usually produce milder effects than a larger one. Remember, Cannabis can stay in your system long before it is completely flushed out.
What Could Make You ‘Unhigh’?
While some people feel the effects of cannabis for hours, others may find that the effects start to wear off after just a few minutes. There are several possible explanations for this.
One is that you may have built up a tolerance to THC. If you use cannabis regularly, your body will become less sensitive to THC. This means that you’ll need more THC to feel the same effects as when you first started using cannabis.
Another possibility is that you’re not taking enough cannabis. If you’re new to using cannabis, start with a small dose and increase it gradually until you find the dose that works for you.
It’s also possible that your body is metabolizing THC too quickly. This can be due to factors like exercise, which speeds up your metabolism and causes THC to leave your body more quickly.
Conclusion
Cannabis is a proactive drug that can have different effects on different people. How cannabis affects you depends on many things, including your body composition, the method of consumption, and how much THC you consume. The effects of cannabis making you high is temporary and usually last for a few hours. However, they can last longer if you have a high tolerance or consume cannabis regularly.
