Yo, what’s good my weed lovers? I’m Dan, and today we’re gonna talk about the difference between being high and being stoned. It’s a common question for those new to the game, or even those who’ve been blazing for a minute but never really knew the difference. And if you’re feeling buzzed, baked, or couch-locked, we’ll break down those terms too.
So, let’s dive into it. Weed is getting more accepted and enjoyed these days, and with that comes a lot of questions about its effects. We know that cannabis has psychotropic properties and can make you feel intoxicated, but is being high the same as being stoned? Are they distinct experiences?
Being Buzzed
Let’s start with being buzzed. This is the first feeling you’ll get after taking a hit from that bong or vaporizer. The name itself is pretty self-explanatory – it’s like an electric shock to your system as the herb enters your bloodstream. Slowly but surely, you’ll feel the changes creep in as you move into an altered state of consciousness. You’re not fully out of commission yet, but you’re already experiencing signs of the substance kicking in, such as giggles and euphoria.
Being High
Now we’ve entered level two – you’re high. This is defined by a classic uptick in energy and mood; that feeling you get after smoking a joint with your crew. The high depends on a few variables: method of consumption, potency of the strain, and one’s level of smoking experience.
When it comes to strain quality, high-grade weed can keep you high for about 3–4 hours. But what does it feel like to be high? Once the initial buzz has been taken up a notch, you may experience a range of sensations.
Some folks feel infectiously sociable and giggly while others experience paranoia and anxiety at this peak level of inebriation. And let’s not forget about the red eyes, low lids, and infamous cotton mouth associated with this stage.
Now there are two different states of being high; you have the cerebral high and the physical high. The former is defined by mental stimulation; you’ll feel alert, focused, creative, and in an overall better disposition. The latter experience focuses on physical sensations where you may not feel very productive or like doing anything at all. But that’s not always a bad thing! After experiencing a particularly heavy body high, one might even experience “couch-lock” – an intense desire to do nothing but recline on the comfiest piece of furniture available.
Why Do We Get High?
Let me get scientific for a sec. Short answer: it all lies in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). It’s an all-encompassing regulatory system that oversees numerous bodily functions to keep everything stable and balanced.
Given the existence and function of the ECS, our bodies naturally produce signaling molecules known as endocannabinoids. One of them is anandamide – which upon binding with CB1 receptors of the ECS – induces warm positive emotions which is how it got its label as the “bliss molecule.”
THC acts similarly in the body by mimicking anandamide and binding to CB1 receptors in the brain. Only THC’s effects are even stronger than those produced by endocannabinoids resulting in that classic cannabis high.
Your preferred method of consumption also plays a role here – but let’s focus on smoking. Shortly following that first toke, your high will start to kick into gear. Your body starts to feel lighter but at the same time activity in your mind ramps up; it’s almost like your brain is coming to life. It’s not until about 15-30 minutes later that you’ll reach the peak of your high where you’ll feel motivated and creative af!
Being Stoned
The origin of the term “stoned” dates back to biblical times when wrongdoers were bombarded with stones as punishment. The term took off around the 1920s and 30s to describe people who had too much to drink – who looked as if they were subject to a barrage of stones themselves.
Being stoned means feeling heavy, dopey, and drowsy sensations; everything appears to move slowly and in a relaxing manner compared to being high where everything appears to move rapidly and in an exciting manner.
Most individuals agree that a high morphs into a stone in the hours following peak intoxication; although still under psychotropic effects from cannabis, stoned individuals may feel extremely lethargic and hungry with a deep sense of physical relaxation.
Consumption method also influences how we perceive being high versus being stoned. When smoking high-THC concentrates like wax or shatter (in the 80%+ range), this experience produces an intense cerebral high that hits fast af! Edibles take longer to kick in but when they do – prepare yourself for one thorough long-lasting stone.
What Does It Mean To Be Baked?
This word gets thrown around all the time when talking about cannabis use. Being baked is like reaching beyond your limits of being high or stoned; your brain feels so cooked at this point that you’re hardly even functioning properly as a human being.
Some people are wary of reaching this state because they’re afraid they’ll never return from it; others are trying their damnedest to achieve this level every time they smoke up! You can spot baked folks from a mile away with their bloodshot eyes laughing like there’s no tomorrow!
Indica vs Sativa: Body vs Mind High
Many people think indica strains keep you couch-locked while sativas get you moving around all social-like – but let me tell ya: this isn’t always true!
When it comes down to terpenes (aromatic molecules found in cannabis), myrcene is found in higher concentrations in indicas which causes those sleep-inducing effects we love so much.
Sativas are more likely to have linalool as one of their primary terpenes according to research which exhibits relaxing/mood-boosting effects that could explain why we feel so euphoric after smoking them!
Final Thoughts
Well folks there ya have it! You now know what it means to be buzzed vs high vs stoned vs baked af! Cannabis affects us all differently so don’t worry if one person’s experience differs from yours! Just experiment with different consumption methods/