Why it's Important to Start Low and Go Slow When it Comes to Cannabis
If you are a cannabis newbie, the best advice I am going to give you is to Start Low and Go Slow. The number one reason a person will never touch cannabis again is if they "green out," meaning they have consumed too much. If you green out, you may experience paranoia, nausea, vomitting, dizziness, etc. I want to ensure this never happens to you and you always have the best experience possible when consuming your plant medicine.
When it comes to dosage, it is important to understand that every body is unique. Therefore, it does take some experimentation to find your sweet spot. It's much better to err on the side of caution and not feel much of an effect the first time around.
Edibles (gummies, chocolates, drinks) are the number one consumption method that causes a person to green out. The biggest mistake made when it comes to edibles is to consume one and then an hour later take another one because no effect is felt. It is important to understand that some people may take up to four hours to feel the effects of an edible. This will depend on factors such as metabolism, digestion, bod weight, etc.
When cannabis first became legal in Canada, you could only get edibles with a total of 10mg THC package. This is a very safe dose for beginners. Now, you can find up to 100mg of THC in a package of edibles on the legal market. While this may be a dosage needed for those who suffer from chronic pain, it is a lot if you are new too cannabis. Talk to your budtender if you are concerned about consuming too much.
If you are consuming a homemade edible, it can be hard to know the exact dosage of THC. In this case, I recommend having a quarter of a piece and waiting four hours to see if you experience any effects. If you didn't feel much of a buzz, you can take another quarter of a piece, or take a half next time and see if this is more your jam.
*If you enjoy making edibles at home, check out some easy ways to calculate the potency, if you don't want to experiment.
It's important to note that if you consume THC regularly, your body will develop a tolerance. All this means is that you will need to consume more to get the same buzz you did a week ago. If you are concerned your tolerance is getting too high, simply don't consume any cannabis for a week or longer. This will reset your THC tolerance. When you consume cannabis for the first time after a break, start low and go slow. You will need much less than what you were consuming before you went on the break.
If you are consuming a cannabis drink, they generally take effect faster. However, I would still wait up to four hours. Also, if you are consuming anything with nano particles, they tend to act faster as well because they are more easily absorbed by the body. Activation methods will vary widely from product to product, so make sure you are aware of what you are consuming. Don't be afraid to talk to your local budtender if you have any questions about a product you are purchasing.
If you are smoking cannabis for the first time, I recommend having one puff. When smoking, you will feel the full effects within 5 minutes. If you are a newbie, one puff may be all you need to get sufficiently buzzed. If you want more elevation, take two more puffs and wait 5 minutes and see where your high is at. The same goes for vaping.
This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
People with a personal or family history of psychosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder should avoid cannabis use.
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