Tips For Your First Time Smoking Weed

Tips For Your First Time Smoking Weed

Congratulations, you've decided that you're finally ready to try cannabis. Awesome! You've done your homework by watching The Big Lebowski, Jay and Silent Bob, or maybe Pineapple Express, and now you're ready to try out the wonderful herb. 

Let me be the first to welcome you into the family. But before we jump right in, I want to give you some advice that maybe you didn't get from the flicks. Why is that? Because there are a lot of things you should know before you start smoking pot.

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The Effects of smoking pot for the first time: How hard is it to get high?

If this is your first time smoking pot, don't be surprised if you don't get high.

Smoking pot is relatively easy, but you may need a few trial runs to get it right or to "feel right."

Keep in mind that this process is slightly different from smoking cigarettes, and I do not recommend using cigarettes as a tool to practice smoking marijuana. 

Depending on the equipment you use and just plain luck, you may end up wasting a small bit of flower experimenting with how to smoke. 

Before you start, just keep in mind that if you are not used to inhaling smoke, the process could be a little unusual and may make you cough or feel uncomfortable. Just be patient, relax, and take it slowly.

Safety tips for first-time smokers

Whether it's learning how to ride a bike, driving for the first time, parachuting out of a plane, or smoking marijuana for the first time, there are always some safety measures and best practices to consider. 

Ultimately, it's all about preparing your mind and body to soak in the unfamiliar and eye-opening experience. So here are our top tips for an enjoyable first time smoking cannabis. 

Credit for photo：healthline.com

Choose the best time of day.

When you first start smoking weed, you want to find a time that's best for you. Getting high is an expected outcome, so you may have to smoke at night after finishing everything on your to-do list. Don't bother trying to schedule any activities after smoking. If you're hit hard, chances are you won't get much done. 

Instead, take a moment to familiarize yourself with this feeling and how it affects your overall temperament. It may be like starting out in uncharted territory, but as you move forward, the journey will flow smoothly.

Choose the best environment.

When preparing for a date night, you'd pull out all the stops. You want to make sure it feels right, so choosing the right music, preparing the atmosphere with lighting, some delicious food, and of course, the right company is key. 

The same is true for the first time you smoke marijuana. Make it a comfortable, safe environment where you feel relaxed. Your environment will play an essential role in exploring the unknown for the first time.

Prepare some amazing snacks in advance.

It's a good idea to prepare some snacks in advance as chances are you will get the munchies later. 

A clear sign that the weed has kicked in is a considerable appetite boost. It's one of the tricks THC plays on your brain chemistry. So be prepared and plan ahead. 

Stick with what you like, healthy or unhealthy, and get them ready in advance, so you don't have to think or hassle with food prep later. There are no secret recipes for munchie foods. This is your first experience, putting your healthy voice to bed and enjoy whatever your body craves, chips, pizza, and candy are all common choices, but it doesn't have to be limited to these. Go with whatever you like, think of it as comfort food for your first cannabis adventure.

Don't forget to hydrate.

Don't forget the importance of water. One of the early signs that you're getting stoned is "cottonmouth," this is where your mouth will feel dry as if you stuck some balls of cotton in there.  

The best defense is to drink plenty of water. Drink water while smoking, drink water after smoking, just keep a glass/bottle of water within arm's reach. 

Make sure you drink water because you'll forget. 

Soda and sugary drinks can work well too. However, keep away from the alcohol, at least for the first time smoking weed. Adding alcohol into the mix could really put your head into a spin; you may get a headache or feel like vomiting. You don't want to be put off your first time, so skip the booze this time out. 

Selected a strain with a 1:1 THC to CBD ratio

Smoking a THC rich strain will give you the high euphoria you want. But, in order to not go too far down the rabbit hole, you might need some CBD to balance it out.

If you want a tremendous first-time buzz, go for a 1:1 THC: CBD ratio.

By finding the right balance, the high will be milder, and you'll get that great high without feeling like you've fallen into another dimension, which could be disorienting and worrying the first time. 

Smoke with a trusted friend

A big part of the environment is those with who you share it. The people around you can really affect your experience. You don't want someone with a negative attitude bringing down your high. 

Find a good friend, preferably one who is experienced enough to tell if you've hit your limit and who can show you the ropes and guide you through the new feelings and sensations.  

These are folks who can adjust the dose for you to make sure you don't smoke too much, and if you end up getting "too high," they can bring you back down again. 

After you've smoked several times, you'll know how your body responds, how much weed is the right amount, and be ready for a solo flight. 

Take your time

You don't have anywhere to be, so relax and take your time. A good smoking session isn't a race to get high as fast as you can. It is easy to think the weed isn't having any effect, but sometimes it takes time.

If you smoke a joint and don't feel anything wait 20 or 30 minutes before lighting up another one. 

 Depending on the strain's potency and your mood, as well as you're own expectations, it could take a while to feel the full effects, so go slow and pace yourself. 

Choose the right tool for smoking.

For beginners, I suggest smoking from a small spoon pipe or rolling a joint.

Then slowly advancing until you are ready for taking hits with a bong or a dab rig. 

Don't try to inhale too much at once, especially if you are not used to smoking. 

If the idea of smoking puts you off, then consider a vape or edibles, but be aware edibles take much longer for the effects to kick in. 

You might be high the next day.

Now, here's a little disclaimer: It's very likely that the day after your joint, you'll still feel a bit buzzed or "out of it." This could be caused by several things. For example, if you took edibles, then the whole experience may last 6 hours or more, depending on how much you ate.

But what do you do if you still feel excited the next day? Although the way you deal with it is entirely up to you, remember that this feeling won't last long. You'll drift back down to normal in a few hours -- don't worry.

What happens when you smoke marijuana?

Marijuana affects everyone differently, and different strains can cause different effects on people. Some cannabis strains may get you supercharged and active, while others will have the opposite effect. Some strains will give a strong euphoric feel and promote your creativity, while others just make you want to sleep. We all react differently, and you may have positive or adverse reactions to smoking cannabis. 

First, let's focus on the positives. 

You'll experience an uplifting, euphoric effect.

The slightest things may make you giggle or roll around laughing.

Food will taste richer and flavors more intense.

Say goodbye to tension as you relax both mentally and physically.

You'll feel you're bonding with those around you.

You may start to over-analyze things wandering down paths of complex thought, what's the meaning of life, the universe, and everything... 42? 

Audio and visual stimulation, like music or movies, will be enhanced.

Time will appear to slow down as you take in all your surroundings. 

But it is possible you are on the other end of the spectrum. Your heart may start racing, and you could become restless and anxious.

If this is the case, you can do the following:

Take deep breaths and try to relax.

Stay hydrated and eat something.

Distract yourself with conversation or relaxing media, a movie, music, or video games.

Lay on your side rather than on your back. 

Get some fresh air, open a window.

Make your surroundings more comfortable -dim the lights and play some soothing music, etc.

Try to sleep.

Relax - Remind yourself that you just high, and this will pass.

With the above info in mind, we hope you feel more informed and better prepared to enjoy your weed smoking sessions. Even seasoned stoners should keep this advice in mind, as everyone will have an unpleasant marijuana experience from time to time. Proceed slowly, in moderation, and let the good times roll.