Cannabis: Understanding Effects and Best Practices with Barnbuddy

Effects of Cannabis are like experiencing a range of feelings, from feeling really relaxed to moments of discomfort. Learn more about how cannabis affects you to better control and customize your own experience.

Understanding the Effects of Cannabis

The effects of using cannabis can be quite different, ranging from enjoyable to not-so-great, depending on various factors. It’s important to know that the same cannabis product may have different effects on different people, and your experience can change from one time to another.

Learning about the potential effects is a smart move to reduce risks and have a positive experience.

Let’s look into the short-term and long-term effects of cannabis and find ways to keep yourself safe and enjoy it.

Short-Term Experience: A Rollercoaster of Feelings

The short-term effects of cannabis, depending on how you use it, can happen within seconds to hours. These effects, whether good or not, usually go away on their own over time. Some common short-term cannabis effects include:

• Feeling happy, calm, and relaxed
• Enhanced sensory experiences
• Euphoria
• Confusion
• Tiredness or sleepiness
• Difficulty remembering or focusing
• Anxiety, fear, or panic
• Increased appetite
• Trouble with coordination
• Lower blood pressure
• Faster heart rate
• Paranoia or feeling out of touch with reality

Duration of Effects: How Long Do They Last?

How long the effects of cannabis last depends on factors like how you use it, how strong it is, your tolerance, and the dose. Here’s a breakdown based on how you use it:

• Inhaling (Joints, Blunts, Vapes): Peaks in about 30 minutes, lasting up to six hours.
• Ingesting (Edibles, Capsules, Beverages): Peaks around four hours after eating, with effects lasting up to 24 hours.
• Oral Absorption (Oils, Sprays, Sublingual Strips): Peaks after about two hours, with effects lasting up to 24 hours.
• Topical Application (Creams, Balms, Bath Products): Non-psychoactive effects, like tingling or muscle relaxation.

Long-Term Effects of Using Cannabis

Using cannabis over a long period can lead to lasting effects, especially for those who use it daily or often. These cannabis effects include:

• Difficulty remembering and concentrating
• Mental health problems
• Cannabis use disorder
• Impact on brain development (if you’re under 25)
• Lung infections
• Chronic cough
• Damage to blood vessels
• Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

If you notice symptoms related to these long-term effects, talk to your healthcare provider.

Preventing Negative Effects of Cannabis Consumption

There’s always a chance of experiencing unwanted effects when using cannabis, especially if you’ve taken too much. Here are some ways to avoid or minimize these effects:

• Opt for cannabis with low THC content. Strains with higher THC levels are more likely to produce stronger psychoactive effects, increasing the risk of negative reactions. If you’re sensitive to THC, consider CBD-dominant strains or products.
• Start with small amounts, especially with edibles. Begin with a low dose, such as 2.5 mg THC, and gradually increase if needed. This is crucial with edibles, as they can take up to two hours to take effect.
• Avoid mixing cannabis with alcohol or other drugs. Combining cannabis with alcohol enhances impairment and raises the risk of accidental injury. Mixing cannabis with other psychoactive substances, especially sedative drugs, amplifies their effects.
• Consider your physical and mental health history. Conditions like heart issues or pregnancy may influence your decision to use cannabis. If you have a personal or family history of mental health problems, it might be best to abstain from cannabis.
• Clearly label homemade edibles and store all cannabis products safely out of reach of children and pets.
• Take shallow puffs instead of deep inhalation. It’s a misconception that deep inhalations enhance cannabis effects; about 95% of THC is absorbed within seconds. Shallow puffs can reduce the intake of toxins into your lungs.
• Avoid frequent daily or near-daily consumption. Regular use increases the likelihood of cannabis dependence and negative cognitive and health effects.

Do various strains lead to different effects?

Yes, the distinct levels of cannabinoids and terpenes in each strain, also known as cultivar, will influence your consumption experience, but the outcomes will differ from person to person.

Sativa or Indica?

Until the 1980s, it was believed that the cannabis species—sativa or Indica—was solely responsible for the effects produced by cannabis. Sativa was thought to produce a more energetic experience, while Indica was considered more sedating. However, this information may be outdated. There are now hundreds of hybrids and new strains on the market, along with evolving ideas about active components like terpenes and their combined effects.

While many cannabis producers are working on creating new strains to consistently produce specific desired effects, the science of making a product with consistent cannabis effects for everyone is not well understood yet. More research will be needed before this becomes possible. Therefore, accurately predicting the experience you will have is not currently possible.

Many Licensed Producers may convey the intended or reported effect(s) of their products. Often, this information is crowd-sourced, meaning it comes from consumers who have used the product. It’s crucial to understand that this information is often not scientifically gathered or tested, and each individual reacts differently to cannabis.

How will I know how cannabis will affect me?

Humans and cannabis plants share similar chemical compounds called cannabinoids (in people, they’re known as endocannabinoids). Our bodies naturally produce them through our endocannabinoid system, believed to control how we feel, move, and react. We also have cannabinoid receptor sites throughout our bodies, to which endocannabinoids bind. The plant’s cannabinoids also interact with these receptors and influence their functioning.

Because the number and locations of receptors vary from person to person, reactions to THC and CBD also differ. Even if two people consume the same cannabis strain, their reactions and effects could be very different. Cannabis effects also depend on factors such as consumption method, frequency of use, genetics, age, sex, personality, current mood, and existing mental health conditions.

While the effects of cannabis on individuals are unique, the steps you can take to minimize harm are generally universal. High THC potency, as well as the method and frequency of consumption, can all contribute to negative effects in both the short and long term. Pay close attention to THC content and how cannabis consumption may interact with your existing mental and physical health conditions.