If you’re visiting this page, you’re likely trying to understand more about cannabis. Whether you have no experience with it or you’ve tried it once or twice, this article is meant to help you learn what to expect from consuming the drug.
Cannabis, known by many other names including weed, marijuana, and dank (we’re going to stop there because the list could go on forever), is a psychoactive drug made from the cannabis plant. There are two major species of the plant, cannabis sativa, and cannabis indica. The effects of consuming cannabis are brought on by compounds called cannabinoids, which bind to cannabinoid receptors throughout your body. Over 113 different cannabinoids have been isolated, the most notable of which are THC (a psychoactive compound) and CBD (known for its application in medicine).
Why do people use cannnabis?
There are two prominent groups of cannabis users – medical and recreational. Although the product and consumption methods used by both groups are the same, the reasons for use differ greatly.
Medical users seek cannabis to relieve problems such as insomnia, nausea, migraines, ADD/ADHD, arthritis, and more. Unlike common prescription drugs, which come with awful potential side effects, cannabis provides a relatively risk-free experience to people who need it. Users report that the drug helps stabilize mood, stimulates appetite, increases concentration and reduces stress, among other effects.
Recreational users, on the other hand, seek the “high” that the drug provides. They see cannabis as something that enhances their everyday routine, making boring things more fun and already fun things even more enjoyable. Whether you’re looking for a boost in creativity, a chance to relax, or just to enjoy whatever you’re about to do – cannabis is one of the best ways to get it. For these people, it can also act as a substitute for other substances such as alcohol and tobacco, and is enjoyable whether sitting in the comfort of their own home or going on a night out on the town.
What are the effects of cannabis?
When shopping for cannabis, you’ll see four different types of products for sale – sativa, indica, hybrid, and high-CBD. We’ve included a table below to help you distinguish which product you would be looking for:
Type | Best enjoyed when… | Prominent Effects |
Sativa | Doing physical activity, going out, creating | Stimulates mind and senses
Improves focus and concentration Increases energy levels Uplifts mood |
Indica | Relaxing, sleeping | Relaxes mind and body
Relieves pain and nausea Stimulates appetite Reduces feelings of anxiety |
Hybrid | Needing a balance of energy and relaxation | Mix of both sativa and indica effects (can be either sativa-dominant or indica-dominant)
Balance of euphoria and relaxation |
High-CBD | Looking for pain relief | Little to no “high”
Reduction of inflammation Alleviates chronic pain Helps recovery post-exercise
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