Your first time smoking weed doesn’t have to be a frightening adventure. We are here to review some top advice for smoking weed, various ways to partake, and how to make the most of your cannabis experience. So, sit back and enjoy the ride as we discover the world of smoking weed.
Smoking Cannabis Doesn’t Have to Be Intimidating
Approaching a foreign substance such as marijuana can make anyone anxious without knowing what to expect, so let’s go over some of the basics together. The psychoactive compound in marijuana is THC.
When you smoke cannabis, the THC molecules pass through your bloodstream and into the brain’s endocannabinoid receptors. This process enhances the body’s natural endocannabinoid process, activating dopamine release and providing the sought-after “high” many people enjoy.
Are there Risks when Smoking Weed?
Yes, however, cannabis is a drug that has been used medicinally and recreationally for centuries with very few recordings of severe adverse effects. Today marijuana is sold as a pain reliever and an alternative to dangerous prescription medications like opioids. Marijuana has been used in various medical conditions, including depression, neuropathy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, and muscle spasms. Marijuana is also effective in treating symptoms caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. While cannabis has many therapeutic benefits, smoking has some risks.
The potential dangers of excessively smoking cannabis include the following:
- Adolescent tobacco use can cause a lowered IQ, while cannabis consumption has not been linked to long-term cognitive decline.
- Smoking tobacco is also the primary cause of lung cancer. Cannabis has not been associated with lung cancer when used moderately.
- A study on prenatal cannabis use found that cannabis was not associated with adverse birth outcomes, but mixing cannabis could cause low birth weight and pre-term delivery.
- Per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), cigarette smoking is associated with nearly 500,000 deaths yearly.
- The effects of tobacco have been studied significantly further in marijuana use. However, in the entire history of human cannabis consumption, there has been zero recorded death from cannabis intake.
- According to the American Lung Association, smoking tobacco is associated with adverse health effects, including increased risk of heart disease, lung disease, stroke, several cancers, and damage to blood vessels.
- Studies have indicated that the amounts of nicotine in blunts can lead to substance addiction.
Prepare Yourself & Your Space
It’s best to set up in a comfortable and clear-headed environment, so arriving sober is recommended when using weed for the first time. That way, you’ll be completely aware of your feelings and thoughts. Your safest bet for consumption is to go with a small glass bowl, a joint, or a pre-roll. This will allow you the most control, as you can light up and pull away as needed and better manage your dosage.
Which Cannabis Strain Should I Pick?
What are you looking for out of the experience? Is it anxiety or stress relief? Help managing chronic pain? Getting better sleep? Having more focus and creativity? These questions are essential when deciding on the best strain. A strain’s effects are more than just Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid.
The cannabinoids and terpenes produce desired effects and flavors. We suggest brushing up on those topics before making a decision. Hybrids are a good option for new users because they offer balanced effects.
Six Ways to Smoke Weed
If you’re wondering how to smoke weed for your first experience, here are six popular methods of consumption to consider.
Water Bong
People also consume marijuana through bongs and water pipes. The cannabis smoke is drawn through a water chamber before the smoker inhales it. The water filters out some harmful toxins in marijuana smoke and cools the smoke before inhaling it. Bongs are a popular way to consume marijuana because they produce a solid high. You can light it with a hemp wick for smoother smoke.
Dry Pipe
Dry pipes, also called a bowl, are one of the most straightforward ways to smoke weed. Pipes consist of a hollow bowl, a stem in a tube shape, and a mouthpiece to inhale the smoke. Some also feature a carb hole that you cover and uncover while inhaling to clear the pipe during your smoking experience.
Joint
Weed joint rolling paper is a cheap, fast, easy way for new users to dive into smoking cannabis. They are an excellent alternative for people who smoke cannabis flower without the risk of ingesting harmful chemicals. Many rolling papers will also come with a separate filter option for a clean, tobacco-free smoking session every time.
Blunts & Blunt Wrap
Blunts are tobacco cigars or cigar wrappers modified to contain ground weed, and there are various ways to make them. First, a cannabis user would purchase a cigar wrapper, cigar, or thinner cigarillo. The smokable tobacco on the inside is then removed by splitting the cigar open, using fingers, a knife, or a blunt splitter to cut an even, vertical line along the center of the cigar. Finally, the ground cannabis is added to the tobacco leaves, or paper rolled and resealed to create a blunt. From there, you can light it up and smoke it just like you would when cigar smoking or smoking cigarettes.
Dab
Dabbing is another way of inhaling cannabis concentrates to achieve an immediate, intense effect. Dabbing is done by heating a concentrate to high heat and inhaling the vapor. This method requires a much smaller dosage, as concentrates tend to be very potent.
Vape
A relatively new form of marijuana use is vaping. A vaporizer is a smoking device that heats recreational or medical marijuana buds or oil extracts to a specific temperature, causing the active compounds to evaporate into a vapor. The user inhales this marijuana-laced vapor rather than breathing in marijuana smoke. Vaping marijuana produces more substantial effects and uses marijuana bud or oil extract more efficiently without the weed smell.
Coughing & Dry Mouth: Are they normal?
If there’s one tidbit of knowledge to take away about smoking marijuana for the first time, it’s that coughing is regular and will happen sometimes. It can even accelerate the high. Start slow; if the smoke burns your throat a little and you feel smoke going down to your lungs, most likely, you got it right. If it’s feeling super harsh or the taste is off after a few hits, it may be best to seek guidance from a trusted friend or try again with caution.
A dry mouth, aka cottonmouth, is a common side effect of smoking weed. Having a cool glass or bottle of water nearby is a good idea to pre and rehydrate. Especially for your first time smoking weed, it’s wise to drink water before, during, and after consumption.
It’s crucial to remember that cottonmouth caused by cannabis is temporary and nothing to fret about. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors and signals saliva production to be shut off, which is why cottonmouth occurs. Once the THC effects have worn off, they will return to normal.
Expectations After You Smoke Weed
Thankfully, the cannabis comedown isn’t even as bad as an alcohol hangover. You might feel fatigued, so it’s best to smoke after work or before bed. It will wear off quickly either way. As mentioned above, drinking plenty of water between puffs will help keep you hydrated and feeling healthy.
Wrapping It Up
As a first-time cannabis smoker, the primary goal should be to keep it light, fun, and relaxed for the best experience and high. Remember to drink plenty of fluids and snack on standby if you get the munchies.
We recommend settling in with some of your favorite music or a light-hearted comedy to help ease your mind and set the mood. Whether with a friend, your designated smoking circle, or going at it alone, the essential advice we can give is to slow down, not panic, and enjoy the experience.
