Medical cannabis has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, thanks to its medical and therapeutic benefits. People can use medical cannabis for managing various health conditions. These include cancer, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, PTSD, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, and many more. Medical cannabis has been proven very effective in helping people manage these conditions. In fact, many people get an MMJ card renewal to continue using medical cannabis for their condition. A medical marijuana doctor can provide you an MMJ card for your medical condition. But smoking cannabis for the first time is a unique experience, and you should do everything to make it a good one.
Whether you are smoking cannabis for medical purposes or recreational purposes, the first experience is always special. Trust me, you will remember this moment for the rest of your life. And while you are planning to smoke it for the first time, you must be having many questions in mind like – “how will it affect me? What will happen afterward? Or how high will I get?” But you need to understand that cannabis affects everyone differently.
Chances are that you will not feel anything after your first smoke up session. And that is completely normal and very common with newbies. Or you may get completely stoned, or light-headed. Or you will just fall asleep. It all depends on various factors, such as your cannabis strain, dosage, your mood, and more. But, there are certain tips that can help you have a successful and good first-time smoking experience. Here is a list of the best tips for first-time smokers. So, let’s get into it.
Tip 1. Drink a lot of water
Everyone is familiar with the importance of water for the human body. But did you know that water can also help you with your cannabis smoking session? You should drink water before, during, and after your smoking session. One of the most common side effects of smoking cannabis is cottonmouth or dry mouth. And you can tackle it with the help of water and rehydrate yourself. Drinking water will help in keeping your mouth moist. Well, you will be smoking cannabis for the first time, so you will not smoke too much. Hence, you will not need a ton of water.
The side effects that appear after smoking cannabis, including dry mouth, are just temporary. These effects do not last longer than just a few hours. Dry mouth occurs when THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) interacts with cannabinoid receptors present in the submandibular glands. THC is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis, and is the main intoxicating compound that causes the “high.” The submandibular glands produce saliva in the mouth. When THC binds to those receptors, the glands stop producing saliva in the mouth. This is why people end up with a dry mouth. But as soon as the effects of THC in your system are worn off, everything will get back to normal.
Another benefit of drinking water, while you smoke cannabis, is that it helps in keeping everything smooth. You will not find it harsh on your throat while inhaling the smoke of cannabis and will be able to smoke comfortably.
Tip 2. Pick Your Piece Wisely
You may have seen your cannabis enthusiastic friends smoking blunts since day one. But when it’s your first time, it is advisable to ease into it. You should never jump ahead and start trying heavy bong rips, concentrates, and more.
It is important to take baby steps when it comes to smoking cannabis. You can start with a little bowl, which will give you an idea about how cannabis affects your body. And how you can consume. Then slowly work your way up the ladder. You have to be ready first to take on more advanced consumption methods, such as dab rip.
Tip 3. Do Not Smoke Alone
When it is your first time, you should not be smoking alone. It is never ideal to smoke this mind-altering herb alone when you do not have any experience with it. You are smoking cannabis for the first time, so you are not familiar with its effects on your body. But having someone sensible and trust-worthy can help you stay grounded even if you smoke too much. This person can help you stay calm if you start feeling overwhelmed by the effects. The person can also stop you from smoking too much in the first place. This will prevent you from overindulging.
Once you have gained some experience in smoking cannabis, you will understand how it affects your body. You will be aware of your tolerance level, which will make it more comfortable for you to smoke cannabis by yourself. Also, if you don’t know how to roll a joint, a friend of yours who knows can help you with that.
One more reason why you should not smoke alone is that smoking cannabis with friends is more enjoyable. You will agree with me on this that friends make everything more enjoyable and fun. And you can also discuss with them how you are feeling while smoking cannabis.
Tip 4. Music Can Help
If you are looking to truly enjoy your cannabis smoking session, you have to be in the right mood. If you fall asleep while smoking cannabis, you will miss out on the entire experience. Or you are feeling too stressed, then also, you will not be able to enjoy your cannabis. The main idea is to feel relaxed and enjoy your cannabis. And music can help you with that. Just play some music that you like in the background to get in the mood. Trust me, it does help a lot. I usually begin with some Pink Floyd or Porcupine Tree, but you can choose your own favorites. It will add a new dimension to your first experience with cannabis.
Music is known for producing an emotive response in people. So just choose some music that you like to hear that will help you have a great experience. If you take my advice, you should try listening to some music that is easy to listen to and is upbeat for your first cannabis smoking session. This will really help you, especially if you are smoking with your friends.
Tip 5. The Comedown
Well, smoking cannabis is different from drinking alcohol, and the same can be said for the comedown. It is not as bad as a hangover. I hate hangovers, and anyone who drinks alcohol would agree with me on that. But with cannabis come down, you might feel like you need a little bit of sleep. So, it is better to smoke cannabis in the evening before you go to bed.
It is also common to feel a bit tired, and it does wear off soon. You may also experience cottonmouth the following morning, depending on how much cannabis you consumed. But as I mentioned before, water can save you from this effect.