Gone are the days of weed being an illegal drug. While cannabis is most famous for getting you high, there are so many benefits and ways it can affect you than just that. Want to know more? Then read on to learn about the positive effects of weed, fun things do while high, the differences between sativa and indica, and more.
Sativa vs. Indica
Weed has many names: pot, cannabis, trees, green, and grass are just a few. They all mean the same thing: a combination of dried flowers and buds from the cannabis plant.
There are two subspecies of cannabis- sativa and indica- that we use for their medicinal benefits and to get high, but they affect you differently.
Let’s take a look at what to expect from a sativa or indica strain.
Sativa
Sativa thrives in dry, hot climates and is native to Southeast Asia and Central America. The plant’s height can exceed 3.65 meters, and it’s known for being tall and skinny with long and narrow leaves on thin stems.
Some of the effects of smoking sativa include:
- Mind high
- Alertness
- Energy
- Creativity
Indica
Cannabis indica originates from the Middle East and is found in countries like Pakistan, Turkey, and Afghanistan, but it is also grown in India. This subspecies of cannabis is shorter and stockier than the sativa variety, producing broader leaves and more buds.
After smoking cannabis indica, you may experience:
- Pain relief
- Body high
- Relaxation
- Increased appetite
Contrary to common belief, The are many medical benefits to consuming THC.
Positive Effects of Weed
While many people have a negative image of weed, due to decades of anti-cannabis propaganda and fearmongering, you can’t ignore the favourable medical effects of weed.
The two primary components in weed are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and both of them offer medicinal benefits. While THC is known as the cannabinoid that gets you high, CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive, which has made CBD very popular with people interested in the medical effects of cannabis.
Slow the Spread of Cancerous Cells
A 2007 study performed by researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco reports that CBD may slow the spread of cancer cells in breasts, lungs, and the brain. Smoked and ingested cannabis has also been found to combat nausea and vomiting produced by aggressive chemotherapy.
Relief from Chronic Pain
The active chemical compounds in weed affect the central nervous system and help reduce chronic pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms. When THC is in your body, it encourages the brain to release dopamine, its “happy” hormone. When your body floods itself with dopamine, you feel better, and copious amounts of the hormone are responsible for the pleasant high you feel when you consume cannabis.
Treatment for Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD
Mental illnesses like social anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder can be treated with cannabis. Low doses of CBD cause relaxation, which significantly reduces mental stress. Though it isn’t a permanent treatment option and isn’t advised for people with psychiatric disorders, cannabis can provide short-term relief from the symptoms attributed to certain mental illnesses.
Different ways of doing Weed
Although cannabis is widely associated with smoking, there are various ways to consume it, many of which don’t involve smoking at all. Let’s take a look at the most common and popular methods of consuming cannabis:
- Flower
- Edibles
- Vapes
Flower
If smoking is your preference, you’ll need flower, also called buds or nuggets. They are the flowering part of the cannabis plant and are commonly dried, ground up, and smoked in joints, blunts, bongs, or bowls.
When you smoke flower, the THC enters your bloodstream quickly, so you feel the effects faster.
If smoking is the way you want to experience your high, try the 9lb Hammer, a potent indica strain with a mild citrus and grape scent and plenty of euphoric effects. It’s the perfect choice if you want relief from insomnia, headaches, or body aches.
The effects of THC is experienced faster if inhaled.
This term refers to any food infused with weed to get you high. It’s the ideal option for people who are hesitant about smoking, though the effects of edibles will take considerably longer to kick in than smoking, it’s often more intense.
You can create your own edibles with infused oils or purchase pre-made sweet treats like DOSE Gummies, which are packed with natural fruit flavours and 100mg of THC.
Vapes
Vaporizers provide an experience similar to smoking weed, but instead of inhaling smoke, you inhale a vapour. The weed is heated inside the vape at a low heat without creating combustion, but it often has added chemicals that change the type of high you experience. Culture Disposable Vape Pens, however, omit harmful additives and deliver potent cannabis in recyclable pens.
Head High vs. Body High
Because weed can act as both a stimulant and a relaxing agent, you won’t experience the same effects with all weed strains. Sativa causes more of a “head high,” while indica produces a “body high.”
But what do those terms mean?
A head high gives you a rush of mental and physical energy. It increases motivation and creativity by encouraging thinking on a deeper level. While experiencing this high, you may feel more alert and aware of everything around you.
Sativa creates a stimulating effect, so it’s ideal for daytime use. It’s also useful for people who need help getting through an exercise routine or social event.
A body high, on the other hand, gives the body a sense of calm and relaxation. Drowsiness is often associated with body highs because tension leaves your body and makes a good night’s sleep much easier to accomplish. You can consume this type of weed during the day if you don’t intend to work and drive, but it’s better suited for nighttime use.
The body high produced by indica is possible because the weed calms everything from your thoughts to the cells in your nervous system. As a result, you will experience intense relaxation and euphoria.
Things to Do After Smoking Weed
Getting high from smoking weed doesn’t mean you can’t be productive or engage in certain activities. However, it would be best to stay put if you feel its sedative effects because you might be too impaired to drive or work. Here are some ways to get the most out of your high when you feel the effects of weed kick in.
Meditate
If your mind continually wanders no matter how hard you try to relax, smoke weed before meditating. While your mind is calm, you can focus on a steady stream of positive thoughts while slowing your breathing. Instead of telling your mind what to think, meditation will help you understand your natural thought patterns.
Watch a Comedy Movie or Show
Laughter makes you feel good, and weed will enhance that feeling. Tuning in to a standup show or watching your favourite comedy movie is an excellent way to spend the day on the couch while you’re high.
Weed enhances the feeling of happiness.
Clean Up the House
Take advantage of your body high by getting your home in order. Put on some music, pick a room, and start cleaning. Not only will you have fun being physically productive, but once you come down from your high, you can relax in your spotless house.
How to deal with a weed hangover
Occasionally, you may experience a “weed hangover” the day after you smoke. Despite the name, weed hangovers are not the same as those produced by alcohol, and the effects are milder. Some of the symptoms include:
- Brain fog
- Headaches
- Lethargy
- Dry eyes and mouth
The after-effects of smoking weed usually disappear on their own after time, but if you want relief from some of the more irritating effects, you can:
- Drink plenty of water before and after smoking to remain hydrated and prevent cotton-mouth and dry eyes.
- Eat a balanced breakfast with plenty of healthy fats and a serving of carbohydrates for energy.
- Drink coffee to stave off fatigue and improve your alertness.
- Take your preferred over-the-counter pain reliever for headaches that don’t go away on their own.
Side Effects of Weed
Unlike other drugs, the likelihood of overdose or death from smoking weed is almost nonexistent. Though this is one of the top advantages of weed, consuming the plant isn’t without drawbacks. Short-term side effects include:
- Increased appetite
- Cotton-mouth
- Increased breathing
- High blood pressure/heart rate
Smoking does pose a long-term risk to the respiratory system. The chemical compounds in cannabis smoke can irritate the lungs and increase the risk of chest infections. Avoid this by consuming weed through edibles, vaping, pills, capsules, and oils.
You may have heard about people feeling paranoid or anxious when they try weed. This is a very real possibility if you have an excessive amount of THC in your system. THC can overstimulate your amygdala (the part of the brain responsible for emotions and stress), thereby leading to feelings of fear and anxiety.
Paranoia isn’t a side effect everyone will experience after using cannabis; most people will have positive experiences of excitement, relaxation, and euphoria. Still, some are naturally sensitive to THC. If you’re unsure if you’re predisposed to feelings of fear, paranoia, and anxiety after consuming weed, consider using a less potent strain of cannabis or simply consume CBD, which has no negative impact on the amygdala.
Try It for Yourself
When used responsibly, the effects of weed can elevate your potential by providing creative motivation, relief from pain and insomnia, and overall excitement and positivity. Whether you’re a weed novice or an experienced consumer, we here at XpressGrass have the perfect products to suit your needs.
As an online dispensary, we discreetly ship premium lab-certified cannabis to customers throughout Canada. We offer everything from cannabis concentrates to buds to edibles, and our team ensures every order we receive meets the highest standards of quality.
