Head High Vs. Body High: What’s The Difference?

By Author: Stephen Rogard
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Ordering weed online in Canada can be a complicated business. Most people know what they’re looking for in a high: some might be hoping for all-out blissful relaxation, while others want to feel euphoric and energetic.

Most people divide cannabis strains into three categories: indicas, sativas, and hybrids. Those looking for the blissful “body high” might choose an indica, while sativas are preferred for energizing head highs.

But in reality, it isn’t that simple. Once you start exploring the science, it turns out that these categories aren’t very helpful at all for predicting the type of high you’ll experience. There are loads of other things that affect whether you experience a head or body high. So it’s not surprising that some people end up unhappy with what they get when ordering weed online in Canada.

But you can avoid a disappointing (or even anxiety-inducing) high by understanding more about what causes different experiences of getting high. That way, you’ll be sure that the bud that arrives at your door offers the high you’re looking for. So here’s everything you ...
... need to know about head high, body highs, and how to find the strain you’re looking for.

What Does a “Head High” Feel Like?

A “head high” has mostly psychoactive effects. It often leaves you feeling energized, euphoric and sometimes even more creative. People often report feeling more able to focus and more optimistic. This makes strains that offer head highs suitable for day-time use, socializing, and other activities. They can also be good for treating depression - but can increase feelings of anxiety, so should be avoided if you’re prone to anxiety.

What Does a “Body High” Feel Like?

A “body high”, as you might expect, mostly affects the body. It leaves you feeling blissed out, relaxed, and calm. If you’ve ever felt glued to the couch after smoking a joint, you’ve experienced a typical body high. Body highs are a great way to relax after a long day, and are also good for treating pain - but steer clear if you’ve got lots to do, as chances are you won’t feel like doing it any longer!

The Different Factors That Affect Your High
Before we go any further, it’s worth saying that there are lots of different things that affect the high you feel when you use cannabis. They include:

The strain of cannabis you’re using
How you’re using e.g. smoking, vaping, edibles, conceyuutyntrates etc.
Your own body chemistry
How much you’re using

The best way to find out what works for you is to experiment. Everyone will experience different strains differently, so you can’t rely on other people’s opinions and experiences. Over time, you’ll work out what you like and find it easier to pick new strains that you love.

Indica vs. Sativa

Okay, so let’s bust some myths. Like we said, most people think of indicas as sedative, calming strains, while sativas are energizing and “buzzy”. Hybrid strains, as you’d expect, are somewhere in the middle. When they are ordering weed online in Canada, it’s these labels they are working off of.

But the terms “indica” and “sativa” actually refer to the properties of cannabis plants when they’re growing. Indica plants are shorter, with broader leaves. Sativas are taller with narrower leaves. To make it even more confusing, they’re actually both subspecies of the Cannabis indica plant. The Cannabis sativa plant is non-intoxicating and is more commonly known as hemp. It’s no wonder we’re all a bit confused!

As you’d expect, the shape of the leaves isn’t the best predictor of the high you’ll get from a particular plant. And besides, most cannabis strains now are hybrids, which makes things more complicated.

So what does affect the high a strain offers?

THC, CBD, and Cannabinoid Profiles.

Cannabis gets you high because it contains cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and dozens of other similar molecules. They interact with our endocannabinoid system to produce a range of effects, from a buzz of euphoria to a relaxed, almost sedated state.

THC is the cannabinoid that makes us feel high. It interacts with receptors in our brain which are responsible for making us feel bliss. CBD, meanwhile, interacts mostly with receptors in our bodies, alleviating pain, anxiety, and inflammation.

So you might think that THC gives us a head high, and CBD offers a body high.

But once again, life isn’t that simple! CBD actually doesn’t get you high at all - lots of people use it to treat pain without any psychoactive effects at all. Plus, most strains contain various other cannabinoids in addition to THC and CBD. Each of those has unique effects too, even if they’re only present in small amounts.

So there must be something else going on….

The Latest Theories: Terpenes and the Entourage Effect

Research on different strains of cannabis is pretty rare. But two relatively new ideas may shed some light on this complicated situation.

The first is terpenes. Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in most plants. They’re responsible for the smell of lemon, lavender, and pine - and, of course cannabis. It seems like terpenes have an important role to play in the effects of different strains. Although it’s not well understood yet, the unique terpene profile of a strain, along with its cannabinoid profile, could be a good predictor of the high you’ll experience.

The second is the entourage effect. This theory suggests that it isn’t just the amount of THC, CBD, or other cannabinoids in a strain that influences the high. It’s what happens when they interact with each other. That could be why each strain seems so unique - and why it’s hard to predict a high from just the THC content alone. It will take a lot more research to understand how the dozens of cannabinoids interact with each other in our favourite strains.

Head Highs Vs. Body Highs: Find the Right Strain for You
As you can see, understanding head highs and body highs is a tricky business. Ordering weed online in Canada maybe isn’t as simple as you once thought.

Hopefully, we’ll see more research in the future. But for now, the best way to find your perfect strain is to explore. There’s loads of information about different strains available wherever you order your weed online. In Canada, we’re lucky that marijuana is now legal, making it easier to find reputable information and reliable sources for your weed.

But don’t just rely on other people. Try different strains without preconceptions, and see how they make you feel. And remember, different ways of consuming will affect your high too. Take note of the cannabinoid profile and terpenes in each strain. As you become more experienced, you’ll learn what you like and what gives you the head high, or body high, that you’re looking for.

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