- As with any new experience, trying cannabis for the first time may give you new and surprising sensations that you’ll need to learn to handle.
- It may seem surprising, but it’s true: there are a few basic safety rules that must be followed when someone wants to try cannabis.
- In this article, we’ll share the best tips to ensure that your first steps into the world of cannabis are enjoyable—not the opposite.
Any new experience brings with it some doubts and anxiety about the unknown—all of which is completely natural, normal, and, above all, human. That’s why we think it’s important to share some tips that will help you be as prepared as possible for your first time using cannabis, whether for recreational or therapeutic purposes.
It’s important to ask yourself a few key questions to ensure you’re in the best possible frame of mind to enjoy yourself. Otherwise, you run the risk of having experiences that leave you with bad memories—often unfairly—due to certain key factors that weren’t properly considered.
That is why we believe it is important to provide you with a quick guide to using cannabis buds, while avoiding any risk of addiction and the consequences that might result.
There are simple things that don’t necessarily come to mind when someone isn’t familiar with the various aspects of our beloved plant. It may be wise to start by consuming strains with moderate THC levels (between 10 and 15%), and also to explore certain strains with varying THC-to-CBD ratios, including hybrids with different ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, etc.).
In any case, it will be beneficial, because even in small amounts, CBD can significantly reduce the potency of any strain.
It seems only natural and logical that growers who have spent long weeks of hard work cultivating their favorite varieties from high-quality seeds would have high expectations for the quality of their harvest.
This is perfectly understandable, as it requires the use and purchase of the necessary supplies, such as seeds, soil, fertilizer, pots, water, and various other tools. On top of that, there are high electricity costs if the plants are grown indoors.
It’s also important to appreciate all the work that goes into it over the course of several weeks, as well as the endless wait during flowering. This is followed by the drying period, which lasts about a month to ensure the buds are thoroughly dry, resulting in an optimal flavor profile and potency clearly demonstrated by a high THC content.
However, this perspective is entirely understandable when considering all the points mentioned above, even for a beginner grower; yet, if we look at a healthy person’s first pleasant and successful experience, things are quite different…
Is this the perfect time in your life to try cannabis?
It is essential to feel comfortable with yourself in order to have this kind of experience, especially for recreational use. When it comes to therapeutic use, the situation is different and more challenging, as you will naturally be concerned about your impaired health.
So let’s get back to the idea of trying cannabis for recreational purposes. If you feel like you’re going through a difficult time in your life, or if you’re worried about various issues, it’s best to put it off for now. The same goes if you’re feeling extremely tired or aren’t eating well at the moment.
It’s important to maintain a good overall balance to ensure a positive experience. Cannabis acts as an emotional amplifier for anyone of average constitution—no more, no less. That’s why it’s important to proceed gradually, step by step.
If you have important things to do during the day—whether in public, institutional, or professional settings, or simply in situations that call for a serious demeanor—it would be wise to avoid using cannabis. Let’s call a spade a spade: being high on cannabis—with red eyes and an altered, slowed-down perception of reality—will not help you in any way with your various tasks; quite the opposite, in fact.
You’ll only reinforce the stigma and the negative views held by those most resistant to cannabis. It would be like drinking alcohol before doing those same things—you’d give people you meet a negative impression of you, and rightly so. As they say, everything should be done at the right time.
This would only play into the hands of the plant’s many critics, as it would reinforce their preconceived notions about the risk of addiction and its overall health consequences. These people might mistakenly assume that you are unable to control your use.
We must realize that, in the eyes of the world—or at least of those who are unfamiliar with our industry—growing cannabis plants from high-quality seeds is viewed by the vast majority as something evil and criminal.
You might say that this is undoubtedly a cultural issue, and that is certainly true in our society; however, even though this is likely to change gradually and for the better in the coming years, the stigma surrounding this plant remains a very real reality around the world today.
Am I in the right place for my first time trying cannabis?
Another situation that is quite different but is also strongly discouraged is when you find yourself in an unfamiliar, anxiety-inducing environment—such as an unpleasant place where you don’t feel entirely at ease, surrounded by strangers. In such cases, it’s best to postpone your experience.
This is a situation that typically occurs among teenagers or young adults who overlook what seem to be minor details but which, in the end, are far from trivial. It’s worth remembering that the psychoactive effects of THC are a new experience for these first-time users, who may be unpleasantly surprised by the effects they feel in such an unsuitable environment.
This is what’s known as “set and settings” in English— the importance of one’s state of mind and the surrounding environment for this kind of experience. It’s an underlying factor that younger people are often unaware of.
Even though smoking some delicious buds from certain strains of weed in a good joint while you’re on the go, or heading off to work when you’re young, might seem “cool” or “fun”—like it’ll be a fantastic, hilarious experience—in reality, it’s not at all, and for many reasons.
You might think that way when you’re young, but the reality is quite different. First of all, if you show up to work “high,” you’ll give a bad impression of yourself. And then imagine that, without your knowing it, the company you’re working for at that moment—and perhaps for weeks to come—might offer you an interesting career opportunity because it’s in a booming industry and is growing steadily.
Do you honestly think you’d make the best impression on your superiors with an eye toward a potential job offer? Clearly not, and when you’re young, you don’t immediately think about these kinds of details, which can be of major importance. This could therefore directly hinder your future career advancement.
Second, not all jobs involve the same risks, because someone working in an office, sitting in a chair at a computer, will not be exposed to the same hazards as someone working in construction, for example.
Physical exposure is in no way comparable, as the consequences of an accident on a construction site could potentially be much more severe. Certain trades involve many proven hazards, so it is essential to exercise caution and act responsibly, even when you are young and carefree.
This may seem perfectly logical and common sense, but if you’re expecting a baby, for example, it stands to reason that you shouldn’t smoke cannabis until after you give birth. Everything that passes through your body during this time will have a direct impact on your baby’s health. Therefore, it would be better to postpone this new phase of exploration until a more appropriate time in your life.
As we mentioned earlier, there are very different types of consumers, but they also have varying levels of knowledge about the different varieties of “seeds” available on the market, and of course about the specific characteristics of each one. It doesn’t take a lot of research to realize and understand that the expectations of experienced growers are in no way comparable to those of someone who simply wants to try one or more cannabis products for the first time.
The expert in this field is truly passionate about his craft and pays close attention to every stage of cultivation—from germination through the growth phase and throughout the entire flowering period—before finally reaping the long-awaited harvest of heavy, resinous buds of the highest quality. It’s important to keep in mind that he goes to great lengths to achieve this goal, investing money and dedicating a significant amount of time to the task.
This connoisseur typically grows year-round, whether indoors or outdoors. He strives to cultivate using his own method, aiming for perfection at almost any cost. Generally speaking, these growers know the characteristics of each cannabis strain like the back of their hand. It therefore stands to reason that their ultimate expectations will vary.
The possibility of feeling no effects
The intensity of the effects produced by cannabis depends directly on your biochemical makeup. We are not all the same in this regard, and rigorous, in-depth scientific studies still need to be conducted on this topic.
That’s why the effects experienced can vary greatly from one person to another, and it’s even possible for someone to feel nothing at all when they use cannabis for the first time. Furthermore, this may seem strange, but it’s actually quite normal. Many more people than we realize frequently experience this situation. But be aware: in most cases, the effects become noticeable with subsequent uses.
Starting with a CBD joint rather than an Indica-dominant strain containing 30% THC is an excellent first step toward discovering the smell and taste of cannabis without experiencing any of its effects. At this stage, you’ll already get a taste of certain characteristics of the plants or strains that you might come to enjoy later on.
Avoid taking multiple drugs at the same time
We strongly recommend that you avoid mixing different drugs under any circumstances, as this could be a truly harmful combination for your body. On your first try, mixing different substances could simply lead to such a bad experience that you would never want to repeat it, to the point of (wrongly) turning you off cannabis.
Yet this is exactly what happens to many people, who immediately blame cannabis, when in fact it is their own lack of knowledge and misuse that are primarily responsible for this adverse reaction.
Although all cannabis products are considered full-fledged drugs—since they come from an illegal plant with psychoactive effects—their potential for physical and psychological dependence is actually quite low, and this is in no way comparable to what can happen with hard drugs (cocaine, heroin, crack, etc.).
If these cannabis products are used properly and in moderation, you will have wonderful, enjoyable experiences. Although the threshold for addiction to a substance varies drastically from one person to another—simply because we all have different biochemical makeup—this is a reality reflected in a general trend among populations around the world.
You must avoid mixing alcohol and cannabis at all costs. A very common bad experience is drinking a fair amount of alcohol and then using cannabis. In most cases, the result will be disastrous—you’ll experience nausea and vomiting, and you’ll want to lie down immediately.
What’s more, this doesn’t just happen to beginners; regular cannabis users are also affected. If you try the same thing with “harder” drugs or prescription medications, it will be even worse—so you should avoid it entirely.
Variable distortion of reality
Both alcohol and cannabis alter your perception of reality. This is something you shouldn’t overlook, because all your usual sensations will seem strange to you—and that’s perfectly normal. Your five senses will experience things very differently, whether it’s sight, hearing, taste, smell, or touch. Your perception of time and space is also altered, which is something to keep in mind.
When trying cannabis for the first time, we might feel as though we’re rediscovering a place we already know well, and the passage of time may seem much slower than usual. Of course, this should be taken with a grain of salt, as it depends on each user’s tolerance, their overall condition at the time, as well as the quality and quantity of the cannabis consumed.
Other temporary effects that also occur in many people include red eyes and short-term memory loss. The heightened sensory experience induced by cannabis manifests as the discovery of new and highly pleasurable sensations when we listen to music, watch a good movie, savor a delicious meal, or make love with our partner, for example.
The cannabis plant has the potential to significantly enhance all these sensations in humans. However, to remain completely objective, it is also necessary to point out that if all the indicators for the experience are not favorable, then the resulting experience can only logically be negative. It is for all these reasons that it is important to listen to both your body and your mind before engaging in this type of experience with any psychoactive substance, whatever it may be.
The results you're experiencing don't meet your expectations
You may notice that your friends have a fairly positive reaction when they use cannabis, but that doesn’t mean you’ll experience a similar effect. As we mentioned earlier, every user has a unique biochemical makeup that reacts quite differently.
This is something to keep in mind, regardless of how you’re feeling right now. It may simply be your natural disposition; it’s entirely possible that cannabis doesn’t have a beneficial effect on you, causing some physical lethargy but nothing more on a mental level.
Other people may also experience anxiety, paranoia, or even delirium in the most severe cases; in such instances, it is best to stop using cannabis—or any other psychoactive substance—immediately. The cause of the problem may be a temporary condition or may indicate a deeper underlying issue in the individual concerned.
In some cases, this is a warning sign that the individual should consult a healthcare professional specializing in this area. It could be a concrete underlying symptom of an obvious psychological or psychiatric disorder that has not yet been diagnosed in this person. This is a situation that requires a particularly responsive approach; otherwise, there is a risk that the behavior will persist over time.
Another useful tip for anyone wanting to try cannabis for the first time is to start with microdoses so you aren’t caught off guard by the intensity of the effects, or to experiment with a CBD strain. Using this method, you can always gradually increase the amount of cannabis you consume.
Learn to enjoy it by starting slowly
No matter which method you’ve chosen to take your first steps into the world of cannabis, the key is to do everything you can to make your experience as enjoyable as possible.
If you want to eat a cannabis-infused pastry, for example, start by eating a small piece and wait at least 45 minutes to an hour to allow the effects to gradually kick in before considering taking another dose. The most common mistake is to take another dose too soon after the first one, which can lead to an overly strong effect due to the cumulative effect.
When making a "spacecake" or cannabis cake, be careful not to use too much, as even a small amount can produce a strong effect. In this case, it is the concentration of active ingredients that poses a problem. Ingested cannabis always takes longer to be absorbed than smoked cannabis.
When you inhale cannabis , the effects kick in more quickly— on average, you’ll feel them within 5 to 15 minutes. Our advice here is exactly the same as for ingestion: take it slow when smoking, and allow enough time between puffs for the effects to take hold. Using a vaporizer is also an excellent way to ease into it.
At the same time, it’s important to have a sugary snack—such as a few cookies of your choice—within reach, in case you feel a drop in energy or start to feel unwell. Sugar is a great way to regain your focus and energy in those moments. Having a bottle of water nearby is also always a good idea to stay hydrated or cool off.
We strongly advise against using cannabis on an empty stomach. This can lead to a drop in blood pressure caused by hypoglycemia and/or orthostatic or postural hypotension. These conditions can result in severe fatigue and may even cause the person to faint.
Learning to listen to yourself to figure out what’s best for you
One concept—not necessarily the best, but inherently human—is the desire to follow our friends’ lead. When we’re young, we’re often vulnerable, inexperienced, and open to new experiences; and because our sense of self is still developing, this drives most of us to take actions that ultimately don’t bring us happiness, well-being, or the feelings that truly resonate with us. In most cases, we just go with the flow…
For these very reasons, it is essential for everyone to learn to observe and analyze their various cannabis experiences, so that you can determine for yourselves what brings you the most pleasure. This will help you get to know yourselves better and ultimately understand what is right for you. For example, it’s important to determine whether you’re more of a Sativa or Indica enthusiast, or perhaps both, depending on the occasion.
You may also prefer vaping over smoking cannabis or ingesting it. Everyone is free to enjoy cannabis at the time that suits them best. Depending on the individual, it is entirely possible that someone might prefer to use cannabis in the morning, as their personality, personal abilities, or schedule allow for it (a creative artist, for example).
Conversely, another person might hold a position of responsibility that requires intense concentration during the day and would appreciate the powerful effect of a good Indica strain in the evening to help them relax. Everyone is different and therefore has similar needs.
