How Different Consumption Methods Affect Your High

Have you ever considered switching up your consumption routine? Becoming reliant on one particular method isn’t unordinary, but you may be missing out on entirely new experiences with the plant you know and love.

From personal experience, I recently made the switch from bongs to cartridges and PAX pods. The experience is entirely different and, personally, better. It inspired me to discuss the main cannabis consumption methods and how they affect your high.

Without further ado, let’s chat about the most popular ways to consume cannabis and what you may experience with each.

Smoking is the most popular and traditional way of consuming cannabis. That pungent and aromatic weed smoke is something many stoners love. While smoking anything isn’t really good for the lungs and general health, it’s the fastest and easiest way to experience a high from weed.

Smoking often produces the strongest effects out of all consumption methods besides dabbing and, sometimes, edibles. Because smoking produces such strong effects, it may put the user at risk of THC-induced anxiety and paranoia. On the other hand, it may also produce intense feelings of euphoria and a powerful buzz.

There are a few ways to vape cannabis, including the following:

• Dry herb vaporizers
• Concentrate vaporizers
• Dual-use vaporizers
• Vape cartridges
• Disposable vaporizers
• Dabbing

Did you know that dabbing also falls under the category of vaporization? Because dabbing doesn’t involve combustion from a flame, it’s technically a form of vaping. Of course, there are tons of concentrates to choose from, like shatter, crumble, wax, budder, etc.

These concentrates will produce different effects based on their potencies, cannabinoid content, and terpene profile. In short, dabbing can be stronger than vaping from a handheld portable device because the individual can load their preferred quantity of concentrate to produce hefty clouds of potent smoke, which, in turn, get you pretty blasted.

Dabbing aside, cannabis vaporizers will produce different effects based on the concentrate used, ranging from live resin and live rosin to distillate. Of all extracts, the high from vaping tends to be a bit lighter than smoking but can still be very strong. It’s a great option for those looking to quit smoking but still take advantage of marijuana’s many benefits.

Ah, edibles. You never really know how you’ll feel after an edible unless you understand your tolerance. Here’s a short rundown on the typical THC doses for different tolerances:

• 1-5mg (Microdosing): Best for beginners with low tolerances or seasoned users looking for minor effects
• 5-10mg: This is a typical dose, ideal for those with lower tolerances or seasoned users looking for a slightly stronger effect than microdosing.
• 10-50mg: A good dose for brave beginners looking to feel even more powerful effects or seasoned users seeking something a little stronger than the doses above.
• 50mg+: Not for the faint of heart. Ideal for seasoned users looking for powerful effects.

Based on the above, it’s clear that each dose produces different effects based on your tolerance. Regardless, the edibles experience is completely different from everything else. It can take from 1-2 hours to feel the peak effects, which gradually set in and may hit you like a truck.

The edibles high also last much longer than other methods, so be prepared to feel the effects for up to 4 hours.

Over the past few years, the world of cannabis has seen incredible innovations. One of the most exciting developments has been the emergence of cannabis-infused beverages.

These drinks offer a unique, convenient, and enjoyable way to experience the effects of cannabis, making them a popular choice for both experienced users and those new to the cannabis scene.

Cannabis-infused beverages are drinks infused with cannabinoids, the active compounds found in cannabis. These can include THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is known for its psychoactive effects, and CBD (cannabidiol), which does not produce a “high” but has been praised for its potential health benefits.

These beverages come in various forms, including teas, sodas, and seltzers, each offering a unique flavor profile and experience. They are often seen as a healthier and more discreet alternative to traditional consumption methods, like smoking or vaping.

Cannabis-infused beverages offer a different kind of high compared to other forms of cannabis. The onset of effects can be quicker than edibles but slower than smoking or vaping, providing a balanced and manageable experience.

The intensity of the high can vary based on the drink’s THC content and the consumer’s tolerance. Generally, these beverages offer a mellow, uplifting buzz perfect for social gatherings or a relaxing night in.

Individuals and medical patients often opt for tinctures for a more natural route. These oils can contain various cannabinoids and potencies, producing different effects based on your tolerance. Regardless, here’s the gist of what you’ll experience.

The cannabinoids in tinctures are dropped into the mouth and absorbed by the mucous membranes. Unlike edibles, tinctures produce effects almost instantly because they don’t have to pass through the digestive tract to kick in.

Instead, you may start to feel effects almost instantly or up to 15 minutes. They’re easy, discreet, and perhaps the most natural way to feel a fast-onset of effects.

Lastly, that brings us to pills, softgels, and capsules. Similar to edibles, these pills all have different potencies, cannabinoid contents, and maybe even terpene profiles. However, they can be similar to edibles in that swallowing the whole pill may cause the effects to kick in slower.

On the other hand, dissolvable pills act similarly to tinctures, which are absorbed by the mucous membranes to produce almost instant effects. This is another excellent and discreet way to take advantage of marijuana’s many benefits.