Cannabis

The high

The state of intoxication due to cannabis consumption is colloquially known as a “high”; it is the state where mental and physical facilities are noticeably altered due to the consumption of cannabis. Each user experiences a different high, and the nature of it may vary upon factors such as potency, dose, chemical composition, method of consumption and set and setting.

Effects

Positive

• mood lift, euphoria
• laughter
• relaxation, stress reduction
• creative, philosophical or deep thinking : ideas “flow” more easily
• increased appreciation of music. More aware of, deeper connection to music.
• increased awareness of senses. (eating, drinking, smell)
• change in experience of muscle fatigue. Pleasant body feel. Increase in body/mind connection.
• pain relief (headaches, cramps)
• reduced nausea, increased appetite (used medically for this)
• boring tasks or entertainment can become more interesting or amusing

Neutral

• general change in consciousness (as with many psychoactives)
• increased appetite
• slowness (slow driving, talking)
• change in vision such as sharpened colors or lights
• closed-eye visuals (somewhat uncommon)
• tiredness, sleepiness, lethargy
• stimulation, inability to sleep (less common)
• blood shot eyes (more common with certain varieties of cannabis and inexperienced users)
• mouth dryness, sticky-mouth (varies with strain)
• interrupts linear memory. Difficulty following a train of thought.
• cheek, jaw, facial tension / numbness (less commonly reported)
• racing thoughts (especially at high doses)
• increased emotional impact of music
• Time sense altered: cars seem like they are moving too fast, time dilation and compression are common at higher doses

Negative

• nausea, especially in combination with alcohol, some pharmaceuticals, or other psychoactives
• coughing, asthma, upper respiratory problems
• difficulty with short term memory during effects and during periods of frequent use (Ranganathan M, D’Souza DC, Psychopharmacology, 2006)
• racing heart, agitation, feeling tense
• mild to severe anxiety
• panic attacks in sensitive users or with very high doses (oral use increases risk of getting too much)
• headaches
• dizziness, confusion
• lightheadedness or fainting (in cases of lowered blood pressure)
• paranoid & anxious thoughts more frequent
• irritability, anger and aggressive behavior
• possible psychological dependence on cannabis
• clumsiness, loss of coordination at high doses
• can precipitate or exacerbate latent or existing mental disorders

Hunger

The “Munchies” is a term that is often used to describe the increased appetite that comes from using cannabis. Research performed by the National Institutes of Health claimed that cannabis increases food enjoyment and the number of times a person eats each day. Recently, scientists have claimed to be able to explain what causes the increase in appetite, concluding that “endocannabinoids in the hypothalamus activate cannabinoid receptors that are responsible for maintaining food intake.”