Cannabis is a popular topic these days. Thanks to the cascade of cannabis reform across the globe, many curious individuals are legally able to possess and consume cannabis for the first time in their lives. Getting started with the herb can be a bit daunting. What does being “high” feel like, anyway? To help introduce you to the herb, here’s what you can expect the first time you partake.

Cannabis is quite different from alcohol in terms of effect. While all alcohol produces the same general effect, the cannabis experience varies significantly from person to person.

Some may find themselves in fits of giggles while others may find themselves yawning and comfortable on the couch. Others still may feel a little anxious or uneasy.

For the majority of cannabis fans, the herb tends to make people feel pleasant, calm, and relaxed. Here are a few sensations that are common with cannabis:

• Spacing in and out again
• Skewed perception of time
• Easy movements, bodily relaxation
• Joy, euphoria, contentedness, care-free attitude
• Drowsiness or increased mental energy
• Forgetfulness
• Increased sensory awareness

Unfortunately, there’s a reason many people try the herb and turn away. The overall effects of cannabis can be quite powerful for first-time consumers. Many experienced consumers have developed a tolerance to the primary psychoactive in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

This tolerance enables consumers to handle the herb without inconvenient changes in cognition.

The way cannabis is consumed can have a large impact on the overall effect of the herb. After smoking, vaping, or dabbing, most consumers will feel the effects of the herb within 15 minutes. The overall experience can last two to three hours.

The PAX 3 kit is compatible with both dry herbs and concentrates, an example of a product that gives you a choice of what you want to consume. Details like precision temperature control, available with the Arizer Air II, when vaping also affect the personal high you experience when vaping.

If ingesting orally via an edible, the effects can take as long as two hours to present themselves. The high from edible cannabis can last from four to six hours or longer.

When smoking, vaping, or dabbing, the inhaled cannabinoids are made easily accessible to your brain and respiratory system. Inhaled cannabis tends to have more of an immediate head-centered effect when compared to other consumption methods.

Edibles, in contrast, will produce a much longer and more powerful experience overall. The effects of edibles are often more strongly concentrated in the body, making them great pain management tools.

Walk into any cannabis shop and you may notice that products on the menu are divided into three primary categories: sativas, indicas, and hybrids.

Cannabis sativa is the latin name for the marijuana plant. Cannabis sativa forma indica is a subspecies of the cannabis sativa plant.

Both of these types have distinct effects. Hybrids are crosses between the two varieties and can produce a wide range of effects. How it makes you feel largely depends on the strain and the species you select.

Years of hybridization have created complex blends of cannabis strains, and every strain produces a unique experience.

Indica strains, in general terms, are thought to have more sedative, body-centered effects. Indicas are known to produce a heavy-lidded sensation and feelings of physical relaxation. It’s not uncommon for consumers to feel physically weighted or heavy after an indica strain.

Mentally, many find that indica strains produce more of a hazy or foggy mental state. However, this varies significantly from strain to strain. Indica strains can also cause you to feel sleepy, making them best to use before bed.

Some popular indicas include:

• Granddaddy Purple 
• Bubba Kush 
• Northern Lights

Generally speaking, strains classified as sativas are thought to have more of an energetic and uplifting effect. All cannabis that contains psychoactive THC can encourage feelings of euphoria. However, sativa strains are blissful while providing an energy boost similar to a cup of coffee or a black tea.

Many consumers go for sativas in the morning to benefit from the herb’s stimulating effects. The sativa experience is often described as “cerebral” and head-focused. Sativa strains are often great for social gatherings, setting the tone for thoughtful conversation.

In high doses, some may find that sativas produce feelings of raciness or anxiety. While many sativa strains promote focus, they don’t tend to produce the deeply relaxing physical sensation of an indica.

Some popular sativas include:

• Jack Herer
• Super Silver Haze 
• Sour Diesel