What Is Cannabis?: The Science Behind the High

Whether you’re a first-time cannabis user or a seasoned expert, you may be wondering: how exactly does weed get you high? The science behind marijuana and the human brain is more interesting than you might think.

Understanding the scientific principles behind your favorite relaxation technique will help you get high more efficiently. Plus, you can use your knowledge to impress friends at parties!

Keep reading, and we’ll give you the essential weed facts: why weed gets you high, what weed gets you the highest, and how you can make sure your bud stays potent.

Cannabinoid Receptors

Let’s start with the basics. The weed plant (cannabis) contains compounds called cannabinoids. Your brain and body are both covered in cannabinoid receptors.

This means that your body knows how to process cannabinoids. These receptors are part of the reason that weed can get you high. Cannabis and the human body understand how to work together.

Cannabis contains multiple cannabinoid compounds. The most commonly known compounds are CBD and THC. As you may already know, only one of these compounds is responsible for making you feel high.

THC Content

The most important component of a marijuana high is THC. Basically, the greater the THC content in your weed, the more intense your high will be.

The most common strains of marijuana flower will be about 20-30% THC. If you aren’t an experienced smoker, you are likely to feel high from only a small amount of flower.

If you are a seasoned smoker, you may want to try concentrates. Cannabis concentrates can contain as much as 80% THC and will provide a fast-acting and intense high.

Different Cannabis Strains

You may have the experience that different strains of marijuana get you more or less high. This is partly because different strains have different levels of THC content.

However, this can also be due to the difference between Indica and Sativa dominant marijuana blends. Everyone’s body reacts to certain blends differently.

Most weed out there is a hybrid blend; this means it contains some Indica and some Sativa. However, an Indica-dominant blend may make you feel “higher” than a Sativa-dominant, or vice versa.

Keeping Weed Fresh

Not everyone knows that weed can go stale. Improperly stored bud will lose its potency, and you’ll miss out on some of the high that it might have provided for you.

Keeping your flower in an airtight container will help preserve its freshness and get you an optimal high.

Check out these Custom Stash Jars for weed-storage inspiration.