The effects of cannabis depend on the amount of the drug taken, the method used and the person’s response to it. It can range from euphoria to anxiety, drowsiness or restlessness.
The effects of consumption also vary by age, gender and region. It is particularly common for young people to experiment with cannabis.
1. Smoking
Smoking is one of the most common ways to consume cannabis and produces instant intense effects. However, smoking can be harmful to the respiratory system and may be dangerous if you have a history of asthma or other respiratory issues. Vaping is another alternative to smoking that delivers the same effects but without the harmful smoke.
It is important to understand the different consumption methods and choose the one that best fits your needs. It is also important to understand the effects of each type of consumption method and how they can affect your experience.
For example, smoking can cause you to lose track of time and become paranoid or confused about what is real or what isn’t. This can lead to a number of problems, including anxiety and panic attacks, and it can raise your risk for clinical depression and other mental health issues.
This is especially true if you are new to cannabis and aren’t used to it. It can also cause you to have negative thoughts about yourself and your life.
In addition to these effects, people who smoke marijuana are more likely to develop schizophrenia later in life. This is a serious mental health condition that can lead to psychosis-like experiences and hallucinations.
Studies have also shown that young people who start using cannabis at a young age have a higher risk of developing cognitive problems, including memory and learning problems. This may be due to the way their brains develop during adolescence.
The ESPAD survey shows that the frequency of cannabis consumption increases from 2% at 14 years to 29% at 18 years in boys, and from 1% to 14% in girls. The increase is more pronounced in young people who have tried cannabis.
2. Vaping
Cannabis has a wide range of different consumption methods that can be used to enjoy the effects of the plant. These include inhalation, oral, sublingual and topical consumption. Choosing which method to use will depend on the desired experience, the type of cannabis product you’re using and your health and wellbeing needs.
Inhalation: When inhaled, cannabis’ mind-altering compounds — cannabinoids and terpenoids — are absorbed into the lungs. This form of consumption is great for quick relief from acute pain, as well as neurological and psychological symptoms.
Tinctures: Made by steeping cannabis in alcohol, tinctures are absorbed under the tongue (sublingually). This form of consumption has a similar effect to inhalation but has more lasting effects.
Vaping: When using a vaping device, cannabis is heated to a higher temperature than when it’s smoked, meaning that the vapor will contain more of the weed’s THC than when it’s smoked. It’s thought that this increases the potency of the vapor, which may result in a stronger euphoria.
However, it’s important to remember that this may also lead to a stronger “come down” and a greater likelihood of adverse side effects. In addition, vaping can increase the amount of nicotine that an individual consumes, which is highly addictive.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that when a 25-mg dose of cannabis was vaporized, it increased ratings of anxiety, paranoia, memory loss and distraction as compared to a 25-mg dose of smoked cannabis. Researchers recommend that these findings be taken into account when determining the doses of different cannabis products and informing consumers about their health risks. They also ask that regulators of medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries take note.
3. Ingestion
Different methods of consumption can have different effects on your cannabis experience. For instance, smoking may cause a more psychoactive effect than vaping, while eating an edible can make it harder to feel the effects quickly.
The effects of ingestion also vary depending on the amount of THC or CBD in the substance. Some studies have found that ingesting CBD helps to alleviate some of the negative effects of THC.
In some cases, consuming too much marijuana can cause severe toxicity. This can lead to a variety of symptoms that can last for hours and are not pleasant. It is important to always seek medical attention if you or someone you care about experiences any of these symptoms.
People who have a history of drug abuse should avoid cannabis. It can increase their risk of developing schizophrenia, learning and memory problems, and other mental health issues.
Long-term marijuana use can also affect your brain, and it can cause memory and attention problems. In a study, researchers found that people who used cannabis frequently for years had smaller hippocampi, which are the areas of the brain responsible for learning and memory.
Smoking also causes lung inflammation and bronchitis, which can increase your risk of cancer. Edibles do not seem to carry these risks, and they can be more discreet than smoking.
Aside from these risks, you should remember that there are a lot of things that can make cannabis different from one person to the next. Some of these include the way that you consume it, your overall health, and how it is grown.
The most important thing is to remember to go slow, pace yourself, and never take more than you think you can handle. This will help you to enjoy your cannabis experience without any unwanted side effects.
4. Topical
Topical cannabis consumption is a convenient way for patients to experience the benefits of medical marijuana without having to smoke, vape or ingest the herb. It’s a great way to start using cannabis and is often paired with other consumption methods, like edibles or tinctures, for best results.
Topicals come in a variety of forms, including lotions, balms, creams, salves and patches. They do not provide psychoactive effects, but can be effective for pain and inflammation.
Many topicals also contain terpenes to help enhance the absorption of cannabinoids and other therapeutic ingredients. For example, citrus-scented limonene helps cannabinoids penetrate your skin, increasing their effectiveness and enhancing their aroma.
A topical cannabis product can be a great addition to a medical marijuana regimen for pain and inflammation management. It can also be used to ease muscle soreness, sprains, bruises and other minor wounds.
The key to success with a topical is choosing a quality product that contains the right terpenes and cannabinoids for your needs. In particular, strain-specific products try to mimic the terpene and cannabinoid profile of the original plant.
Some cannabis topicals contain other therapeutic ingredients for enhanced pain and inflammation relief. For example, a blend of cayenne pepper and CBD may help with arthritis-related joint pain, while a formula with menthol can relieve dry skin.
The topical application of medical marijuana also allows consumers to use their medication in their daily routines, which is important for some individuals. This method is especially beneficial to those who are not able to smoke or vape cannabis.
5. Drinking
Infusing cannabis into a beverage can produce a very different experience than smoking or vaping. While both methods deliver a dose of THC to your system quickly, liquids can take longer to activate the effects of the compounds within.
Drinking THC-infused beverages is a great option for people looking to try marijuana in an enjoyable, non-smoking way. These drinks are often crafted to resemble seltzers, beers or cocktails, and can come in a variety of dosing levels.
These drinks can be used as a safe alternative to drinking alcohol, and they don’t typically cause a hangover the next day. However, it’s important to remember that the effects of any substance can vary from person to person.
The effects of THC and CBD in these drinks vary by brand, with some delivering high-intensity psychoactive effects, others providing a more calm, mellow vibe and still others offering a combination of both THC and CBD for an added effect.
Unlike smoking or vaping, drinking THC-infused beverages can take up to an hour before you start feeling the effects of the THC and CBD in the drinks. The length of time depends on your weight, diet and metabolism, as well as the type of cannabis-infused drink you’re drinking.
It’s also important to note that while the effects of drinking cannabis can be a positive alternative to consuming alcohol, they aren’t harmless and should be treated as a recreational drug. Using cannabis on a regular basis can lead to psychological and physical dependence, and over-consumption is known to increase the risk of developing an addiction to it.
For that reason, it’s crucial to consult a doctor before taking any new substances. It’s especially important to talk to a doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
