High vs Stoned: What’s the Difference?

If you’re entering the cannabis sector as a first-time user, you’ll want to ask some key questions that will give you some insight into what to expect on your marijuana journey. One of those questions concerns the difference between getting high and getting stoned.

You also have to understand what it means to be baked, tipsy, and couch-locked. Yes, there is a lot of cannabis jargon to know, so let’s start with the differences between being stoned, being high, and other words used to describe a marijuana experience.

Marijuana is gaining a lot of traction and acceptance, which is why more and more people have questions about the herb’s effects on their mental state. As you may already know, marijuana is often mentioned for its psychotropic properties. It is famous for the intoxicating feeling enjoyed by its users after ingestion.

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Therefore, the terms “high” and “stoned” are used interchangeably to describe the result of using THC-based cannabis. But are these feelings and reactions the same? If you feel confused, that’s okay; You are on a learning curve and this article has all the information you need. You will understand the meaning of “baked”, “toed”, “high” and “couch-locked”.

What it means to be buzzed

There are different levels of cannabis sensation and feeling high is level one. From the label of this level you can see that it is the first jolt to your body system as the intoxicating substance enters your bloodstream.

You will slowly feel some changes creeping into your mental and physical state, and at this level you may not feel incapacitated. You will experience early signs of substance takeover, which will manifest in fits of giggles and a wartime state of euphoria.

What it means to be high

From arousal you get into stage two where you are now high and that is when your spirits get lifted. The high you feel depends on a few factors, such as:

In terms of strain quality and potency, quality weed can allow you to stay high for up to 4 hours. You will experience numerous sensations, from very sociable to giggly. Some people feel paranoid and anxious with levels of intoxication; You will have red eyes, a cottony mouth, and lower lids. There are also two levels of high: the physical high and the cerebral high.

RELATED: 4 Best Tips for Avoiding Couch Lock

The body high is all about your physical sensations, while the cerebral high is about getting mentally stimulated, leaving you feeling creative and focused.

So why do we get high? Well, it’s all down to the endocannabinoid system, which monitors multiple bodily functions and maintains balance. Our bodies produce some signaling molecules called endocannabinoids, and anandamide is one of them. When anandamide binds to CB1 receptors of the endocannabinoid system, it results in positive, uplifting, and warm emotions known as a “high.”

What it means to be stoned

The term “stoned” can be traced back to biblical times, when wronged people had stones thrown at them for their indiscretion. The word was also used mainly in the 1920s and 1930s, attributed to those who drank excessively and looked like a sack full of stones.

RELATED: Cannabis 101: How long will you be this high?

While being high is like getting up, being stoned is a form of heaviness and fatigue response to cannabis use. When someone is high everything seems to be moving fast with excitement, but a good high makes the person feel like everything is slow.

Most people agree that a “high” turns into a “stone” within hours of the peak of intoxication. Despite being under the psychotropic effects of marijuana, stoned individuals feel quite hungry and lethargic while at the same time feeling relaxed.

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The manner in which marijuana is consumed also affects the person’s experience of being high or stoned. For example, if you dab potent THC concentrations in the 80+% range, you will likely experience a cerebral high. On the other hand, edibles take a long time to kick in, but you’ll experience a long-lasting stoned feeling when they finally kick in.

You’ll be couch-locked because of the terpenes in the cannabis plant. Terpenes release aromatic molecules, which is the key factor in how marijuana tastes and smells. Terpenes also influence the effects of cannabis on your body. For example, myrcene terpenes calm the human body and allow for restful sleep, while limonene terpenes are uplifting and energizing.

What it means to be baked

You’ll hear this term in your marijuana circles, and getting baked is the opposite of buzz. Reaching the Baked level means you’ve gone higher than being stoned or high. At this stage, your brain is cooked and you may barely function as a human.

Some cannabis users worry about reaching this state because they want to return to normal levels after ingesting cannabis. But for some others, the goal is to get baked. It’s easy to identify a baked person: you can’t help but notice their bloodshot eyes and loud laughter. You will always have a big grin on your face and cling to the snacks you present.

bottom line

You are now better equipped with information about the differences between the concept of being stoned and being high. However, if you’re wondering if you’re couch-locked or if you’re feeling energized the next time you enjoy a cigarette, consider the Chemovar classification in your chosen strain.

Keep in mind that there will be times when a slight buzz will suffice and other times when it will feel like you’ve been baked through; there are different times for these moments. As you continue your cannabis journey, you will eventually find out what is happening to you. When you get it, you will have an even more enjoyable marijuana moment.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.