New to marijuana? You need to know about the weed “awareness period”

The first time people smoke weed is usually a strange experience. While some may get paranoid, giggle, or get stoned right away, there is a large group of people who smoke weed and … feel nothing. Regardless of what we know about marijuana tolerance (in principle, the more you are exposed to cannabis, the less it affects you), this first-time feel-nothing phenomenon affects more people than you can imagine.

Experts have different theories as to why this is happening. But one of the most popular theories is that in order to properly experience weed, humans must first learn how to get it right. People have to be exposed to the drug repeatedly until their body understands what to feel. Experts call this an “awareness period” when THC interacts with the cannabinoids in your system a few times to activate them and create that high feeling.

It may take a few sessions before you smoke and know that you are actually high instead of feeling what you think you should be experiencing.

Photo by Matheus Ferrero via Unsplash

Beginners might also have a problem with smoking, perhaps inhaling cannabis but keeping the smoke in their mouth, which prevents the THC from getting into your bloodstream.

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Another important factor is how you view cannabis. Over the years we’ve all taken an approach to weed that works in binary files, between not high and very high states. With the vast amount of strains and cannabis consumption methods available, this limits the possibilities of cannabis and ignores a multitude of cannabis compounds that are not exclusively related to THC. Many people prefer CBD options that traditionally don’t make you feel high. It’s okay that there is a gray area when consuming weed if you don’t know if you’re high or not.

There is no definitive answer when it comes to cannabis and its effects on our bodies, but achieving a goal successfully the first time you try is almost always a challenge. Your expectations, the people you are with, and your biology will all play a role in your first weed experience, so it is important to be patient and open-minded.

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The first time you use marijuana, start slowly, surrounded by people you trust. Mute your phone to minimize additional sources of stress. When you start smoking, take 20 to 30 minutes of breaks between puffs and carefully monitor your feelings so you can make sure you get high but not too high. Because that is also annoying. If one method fails, try another; There has never been a better time to choose from a wide variety of cannabis products.