Now that you’ve made the decision to try smoking herbs for the first time. “Hey, why the heck not?” is what you tell yourself when you’ve seen enough Cheech & Chong movies and finished your homework.
Assume for the moment that this is primarily a recreational endeavor. Prior to experiencing that altered state for the first time, there are a few things to think about. If you’re considering using medical marijuana for its therapeutic benefits, obtaining a medical marijuana card is crucial to avoid legal consequences. You can easily obtain a medical card by applying online through our website. Fill out a straightforward form and take a step towards gaining legal access to medical cannabis.
Key safety measures for newcomers to cannabis smoking
When learning to ride a bike, performing a judo hip throw, or smoking weed for the first time, there are always safety precautions and best practices to consider. Finally, it comes down to mentally and physically preparing for a completely foreign yet eye-opening experience. Here are our top picks for an unforgettable first cannabis high.
- Select the Best Time of Day
Select the ideal time of day to start playing the game as a novice. Since impairment is inevitable, you should smoke late at night after finishing your assignments. And here’s a tip: after smoking, avoid scheduling any kind of activity. You’re not going to get much done, especially if you’ve been struck very hard.
Rather, take advantage of this time to familiarize yourself with the feeling and how it influences your mood in general. At first, it might seem like you’re going somewhere unfamiliar, but the journey will get easier.
- Select the Best Environment
You’d go all out when preparing your home for a date night. This includes selecting appropriate music and planning the appropriate lighting and delicacies.
Take a similar approach your first time smoking marijuana. Make it a comfortable and secure environment for you to feel at ease. Your surroundings will be crucial in this first foray into the unknown.
- Keep Yourself Hydrated
“Cottonmouth” is one of the first physical signs of cannabis intoxication. As the name implies, the inside of your mouth will feel thick and dry, as if you inserted a ball of cotton. It could be a very uncomfortable and distressing feeling for some people.
Staying hydrated is your best defense against cottonmouth. Keep a pitcher of water nearby for when the feeling hits. Sugary drinks, such as juice or soda, also work well.
- Prepare the Snacks Ahead of Time
When you suddenly feel the urge to consume everything in your pantry, you’ll know the weed has taken effect. That is a case of the munchies, my friend. In a nutshell, marijuana’s psychoactive chemical THC tricks your brain into thinking you need more food, resulting in a seemingly endless appetite boost (at least for the next hour or so).
Prepare for the munchies by keeping a bag of your favorite potato chips or another quick snack on hand. Eating can actually help to alleviate some of the more unpleasant side effects of the high. But moderation is the key, just like it is with everything in life.
- Eat Something Before You Begin
Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach will cause you to become intoxicated much faster. This is because the food slows the absorption of alcohol as it passes through your small intestine.
You can apply the same logic to marijuana use. Have a cracker or two before diving in, just to keep the high at bay. Finally, you will be able to make the most of the entire experience.
- Begin with a Joint
Everyone has a preferred method of smoking marijuana. For your first dive, however, stick to a couple hits from a joint or blunt.
Using a bong or pipe requires some skill that you are probably unfamiliar with, as opposed to hitting a joint, which is very similar to sipping from a straw. It also delivers a more consistent stream of cannabis, often in lower individual doses than hitting a pipe every few minutes.
- Choose a strain with a CBD:THC ratio of 1:1
Smoking a THC-rich strain will provide you with the desired high. To avoid drifting too far into space, you might want to try some cannabidiol (CBD).
So, if you’re looking for the perfect first-time high, choose a strain with a CBD:THC ratio of 1:1. The high will be milder and much easier to “control” if you strike that balance right in the middle. You’ll still feel euphoric, but it won’t transport you to another dimension just yet.
- Don’t Smoke Alone
This point expands on the previous one; while there is nothing criminally wrong with smoking alone, it is far more beneficial to have trusted people around you your first few times. These are the people who will show you a good time but will also slap you back to reality if necessary.
You need a seasoned individual to help you learn the ropes, just as you would when learning to drive a car for the first time. You’re in for a completely different experience here, so save the solo flight for your fifth or sixth cigarette.
- Do not combine with other substances
Because this is your first time, you’ll want a pure, unadulterated experience for your first voyage. So, if you were planning to warm up with a few cocktails, don’t even consider it.
Including alcohol in the mix will only exacerbate the situation. It may cause your head and the world around you to spin, resulting in nausea and vomiting. Who would want that? You don’t want alcohol to be the deciding factor in your decision to use cannabis.
- Don’t Smoke Excessively
We’ve all heard the stories about people trying to impress others by smoking excessive amounts for the first time. As you might expect, their enjoyment of the experience did not end well.
Don’t be that person. Slow down, enjoy the moment, and smoke in moderation. It is a marathon, not a race.
What Can Happen If You Smoke Weed?
Everyone is affected differently by cannabis. However, certain sensations are shared by a large proportion of users, both positively and negatively. Let’s start with the good news. Here are some of the reasons why marijuana is so popular:
- Positive, euphoric effects
- Giggles—everything will be three times as amusing.
- You’ll develop a bond with your fellow smokers.
- Music and movies (both audio and visual) will be improved.
- Food will taste even better (you’ll gain no more than five pounds if you give in to the munchies).
- Increased concentration on a single topic/activity
- Be prepared to have profound or complex thoughts.
- Strong wave of relaxation—say goodbye to tension, at least for now.
- Time has slowed.
What if, on the other end of the spectrum, you’re met with a racing heart, uneasy feelings, and strong negative thoughts swirling around your head?
What you can do is as follows:
- Take a few deep breaths.
- Remind yourself that you’re only high and that everything will pass.
- Open a window to let in some natural light.
- Drink plenty of water and eat something.
- Lay sideways on the sofa (rather than on your back).
- Make your surroundings more comfortable by playing soothing music, etc.
- Try out to sleep
- Distract yourself with conversation or relaxing media (refrain from using your phone).
- Don’t stay on the same surface for too long—stretch out.
