Cannabis, also known as marijuana, weed, pot, and grass, among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant.
Its origins aren’t clear, but it is believed to be native to Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Cannabis has been used for recreational and medicinal purposes for centuries, dating back to 2500 years ago.
It is the most used illegal and recreational drug worldwide, with statistics showing staggering numbers from the United States, United Kingdom, and Nigeria.
Marijuana is made up of numerous components known as cannabinoids, believed to be 120 in number and responsible for the cannabis effects.
It is still unclear what each of these does and its cannabis effects on the body, but experts have extensively researched about two, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Table of Contents
Cannabinoids responsible for cannabis effects
CBD.
This is the psychotropic, non-intoxicating, and non-euphoric cannabinoid. Being non-intoxicating means it won’t get you high cannabis effects.
It is, however, known to help reduce pain and inflammation. It also eases migraines, seizures, anxiety, and nausea.
It’s often used to help reduce inflammation and pain. It may also ease nausea, migraine, seizures, and anxiety.
There’s a medication known to contain CBD and treat some kinds of epilepsy. Not much is known about this cannabis component, but researchers are delving into its properties.
THC.
This is the main psychotropic compound in cannabis. This compound is responsible for the intoxicated, high cannabis effects that people associate with the use of marijuana.
A sense of calm and relaxation characterizes the high cannabis effects of THC and sometimes proactivity.
Different strains of cannabis contain both cannabinoids. Some have more of one and less of the other, but it is essential to know that both are always present and responsible for the cannabis effects.
Therefore, it is safe to say that strains containing more CBD are opted for medical reasons, while those with more THC are prioritized for recreational purposes.
Why weed gets you high.
Cannabis contains a compound called tetrahydrocannabinol, responsible for the high sensation consumers look for.
When a user consumes cannabis, this compound is absorbed into the bloodstream. This can happen immediately or after a while, depending on how a user consumes the cannabis.
If smoked or vaped, the THC can be absorbed within one to three minutes. If it is ingested through food, it takes relatively longer since digestion must occur first.
THC and other cannabinoid compounds in marijuana have a similar chemical structure to natural cannabinoids produced by the human brain.
The cannabinoids produced by the body, better known as anandamide, are like neurotransmitters, given they send messages between neurons in the nervous system.
They influence brain parts that deal with thinking, concentration, movement, balance, pleasure, memory, and sense of time.
THC can attach to these neurotransmitters because of the similarity in their chemical structure. And affect the mental and physical functions listed above.
THC can also alter the functioning of the parts of the human brain that help a person create new memories and control their focus and attention. It facilitates dopamine release at higher levels to respond to natural stimuli. Combining these effects creates the high feeling that recreational consumers look out for.
THC is lipophilic and always is absorbed by fatty tissue. When consumed in excess, it will be absorbed by the layers of fat under the skin and released over a while but in relatively small quantities.
For this reason, people with more body fat experience a less intense high than those with less body fat.
This also means that this compound will end up in all body organs since there’s body fat all over the human body, even the brain.
For chronic marijuana users, THC will remain in fat and can therefore be detected in body samples for up to 30 days. So yes, you can feel a more intense high and beat drug tests by doing a lot of exercises.
Cannabis effects of being high
The cannabis effects vary from person to person and are dependent on many factors. The main factor, however, is the strain of cannabis consumed.
There are mainly three strains of cannabis, Sativas, Indicas, and hybrids. Sativas induce physical cannabis effects and a very active high, while Indicas are associated with calm and relaxation.
Hybrid strains induce both depending on which of the two main strains is dominant.
The sensation of being high might vary between two users even when the same strain is used due to several factors. These include how cannabis is consumed, age, sex, and others.
General positive cannabis effects when high on marijuana.
- Creative
- Interactive and talkative
- Relaxed and calm
- Sensitive to light, sound, color, and smell
- Hyperactive
- Horny
- Hungry or the munchies
THC affects parts of the brain that control appetite or desire to eat. It is also known to increase ghrelin, a hormone that induces hunger. THC also enhances a user’s smell and taste, making him want to eat more and more.
Negative cannabis effects when high on cannabis
- Paranoia
- Delusions and hallucinations
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Panic
- Racing heartbeat
- Confusion
Why the red eyes?
Contrary to common belief, red eyes have no side effects after a hit. The compound causes them in cannabis, THC, which causes the high every stoner looks for.
This chemical reduces your blood pressure, and in response, the body widens blood vessels, even those within the eye, to enable blood to flow freely to all body parts.
The cannabis effect is therefore caused by the blood vessels in the eyes dilated to take in more blood. Eyes will appear red and sometimes teary. This can be dealt with by using eye drops to deal with allergies.
Why the cottonmouth?
This usually happens to users that consume cannabis by smoking. Some cannabinoids will attach themselves to parts of the brain that induce saliva production, slowing it down.
This, in turn, results in a shortage of saliva hence a very dry mouth.
This can be combated by always having a water bottle on you whenever you get high.