By T-Town Terps
A lot of people are cannabis curious but don’t know where to start and have some understandable apprehensions. Even worse, some newbies have bad experiences because they try it without any guidance or get bad advice from a seasoned toker. If you try something once or twice and have a bad experience, you’re most likely not going to want to try it again.
So, if you’re interested in trying cannabis or have tried it but had a bad time, let me give you a quick an easy guide to ensure you have a good time.
The Best Method for Cannabis Newbies
A lot of people are going to try to start newbies off on edibles. The logic is that smoking itself is a harsh, unhealthy habit that non-smokers are not eager to try, and that eating something tasty is easy and painless. Unfortunately, there’s a few problems with edibles for newbies. The first is that dosing is really hard to nail down on an individual basis. Digesting THC is a different metabolic process, so its effects can be heightened, making it easy for newbies to take too much. On the other hand, people with digestive conditions like IBS can have problems absorbing the THC and may not feel the effects. These variables simply don’t exist with inhalation. There are also inconsistencies in manufacturing standards and processes due to cannabis being a brand-new market. So, it’s hard to guarantee that each piece of that chocolate bar has the same amount of THC. And because you have to digest it, it takes a while to find out if it is getting you where you want to go.
Inhalation is the easiest, quickest, and surest way to get the desired effects of cannabis. The effects are almost instantaneous. It’s easy to tell when you’ve had enough. It’s easier to dose—one small hit at a time. It will also wear off quicker, which is good if you aren’t enjoying yourself.
Inhalation can mean smoking but doesn’t have to. Vaporizing is a healthier, better tasting, and more efficient way to enjoy cannabis. Vaping flower is the best way to consume cannabis, in my opinion, and absolutely the way I would recommend to newbies. Of course, if you don’t have a vaporizer for flower, a disposable vape cart would be my next recommendation. These carts, however, contain concentrate, so take 1 or 2 small puffs to start.
Anxiety When You Use Cannabis
There’s an interesting interaction between our brains, THC, and CBD that is a bit too complex for me to get into here. The long and short of it is that anxiety can be a side effect of cannabis particularly in new users. However, as the mind becomes more used to cannabis, those anxious effects subside and the relaxation that cannabis enthusiasts tot takes it place.
So, if you had bad time using cannabis your first time but want to try it again, you should just try to use less, and expect a little anxious energy. Talking yourself down when you get too high and anxious is a valuable skill. Tell yourself you’re okay, that you’re just high. Put on a favorite TV show or some music you love to focus on. It’s really all in your head. You can outthink it.
I know it sounds odd, but many medications and recreational substances are like this. There are unwanted effects we have to get used to before we can enjoy the benefits. I remember the first time I drank hard alcohol—I had too much and got sick. Or when I started my allergy medication, and it made me very sleepy for the first couple weeks.
Cannabis might not cause you any anxiety, but if it does, it’s not abnormal and it doesn’t mean you can’t ever enjoy cannabis. Just mind your dosage until you get used to it. You can also ask your budtender to recommend strains that will give you a more sedating effect than an uplifting effect (which is often associated with more anxiety).
Seeking Specific Effects with Cannabis
Cannabis can be used for recreational or medical purposes. If your doctor prescribes cannabis, it will be to treat specific conditions or symptoms. Because cannabis has a wide array of effects, it’s best to talk with your dispensary’s pharmacist or a licensed budtender about the effects you’re looking to experience. They may suggest a different strain for stimulating appetite than they would for pain or to aid with sleep.
It’s also important to remember that cannabis effects everyone differently. So, if the strain you’re given doesn’t do what you’re looking for, it’s okay to tell your dispensary that – they can help you find something that better suits your needs.
Cannabis Safe Use and Storage
Cannabis should be used in moderation. Take a puff or two and see how you feel.
Remember to keep your cannabis is a safe, secure location where children cannot access it. This is mandated by law and important to curb underage use. Several companies make smell-proof, lockable bags for storage.
Have a Sober or Experienced Friend
If you’re new to cannabis or it has been a while since you’ve used it, consider having a friend with you when you do it. Make sure the friend is either sober or at least an experienced cannabis user. It’s not only more fun to get high with friends, it will give you peace of mind to have someone with a clearer head around.
Use Cannabis Responsibly! T-Town Terps does not promote or endorse illicit or underage use of cannabis. Consult your local laws and ordinances to ensure you are using lawfully and be sure to always keep all cannabis products away from children.
