When it comes to marijuana, there are many types of ‘high’ that it can make you feel. From energized, uplifted, and euphoric to relaxed, stoned, and sleepy.
As a psychotropic substance, that is sometimes called a hallucinogen too, marijuana/ weed/ cannabis can induce a wide range of effects on both your body and mind.
The primary culprit is THC, the main psychoactive compound in weed, followed by CBD, the counteracting medical agent.
As such, all the different types of ‘highs’ regardless of their characteristics boil down to one simple thing- the ratio of THC and CBD in your cannabis products. Or more broadly speaking, the source of the product, whether from an Indica or Sativa-oriented species.
To give you a quick distinction, Indica-dominant strains produce a more relaxing vibe due to the lower ratio of THC to CBD.
Whereas, Sativa-rich strains provide a more energetic and euphoric feel due to the higher amounts of THC than CBD.
Put simply, Indica and Sativa-dominant strains are directly proportional to the physical and psychological effects of weed due to the varied amounts of CBD and THC respectively.
Hence, the terms ‘body high’ and ‘head high’ with the major difference being the part of your system that is mostly affected by your weed.
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ToggleWhat is a Head High?
A Head high, or cerebral high is the main psychoactive quality of weed, especially THC, which is often referred to as its mind-altering effects.
In this stimulated mental state, a user is more likely to experience a heightened activity in the brain which leads to better creativity and focus.
With a clear state of mind, a person naturally tends to get more vigorous and energetic when the time comes.
A head high can be defined by various traits including the psychotropic effects of cannabis such as changes in mood, thoughts, behavior, feelings, and perception with an added punch of positive, uplifting, and creative energy.
Ever felt that state when everything feels so good and jolly that you couldn’t wait but appreciate or meditate upon it?
Yeah, that’s the head high talking!
So the next time you see one of your pot-consuming friends breaking down into endless laughter, be so kind as to realize that his mind must be in a higher state of perception.
Speaking of which, getting your head high with marijuana can certainly help you achieve a better state of mind and clarity, make logical connections, and find tons of happiness in simple things.
Properties such as these make head high rather suitable for daytime and recreational activities.
What is a Body High?
Body high or the physical high of marijuana refers to its physiological effects. Especially, the feeling of physical relaxation and the calm that it produces in the end.
This is mostly done by CBD or Cannabidiol, which is the key medical compound in cannabis.
Used for a wide array of health benefits, CBD causes your body to get high by inducing all kinds of therapeutic properties like pain tolerance, anti-inflammation, and muscle and nerve relaxation.
As a result, a body high is usually associated with physical relaxation, calmness, rest, sedation, and deep sleep making it perfect for the nighttime or when you’re just looking to chill or lay back after a pot session.
In either case, if you want a body high, then you might want to get a CBD-dominant product such as those obtained from Indica-dominant strains instead of THC-rich products that are usually derived from sativa strains.
On the other hand, if you want to do something recreational or physical, then choosing to go with the latter would be your best as it is a better source of THC and the much-needed head high.
Difference Between Head High and Body High
Head High and Body High are two of the major aspects of consuming marijuana that occur due to its wide range of chemicals, especially THC and CBD.
While the latter is purely medicinal-oriented; THC is the infamous psychoactive substance that stimulates our brains and causes a head high.
Being a greater source of THC, it is the Sativa-derived products that are most likely to give you a head high. Whereas, Indica-dominant strains have more to do with the body high as they carry higher amounts of CBD than THC.
It shouldn’t be surprising to say that a combination of both ends up giving you both a head high and body high to varying degrees depending on the quality and chemical composition of the product.
Better known as broad-spectrum and full-spectrum products, these are non-isolated forms of cannabis that maintain a higher amount of different cannabinoids.
That said, the major difference between a head high and a body high is the type of effects.
1. For starters, head high is synonymous with the psychological effects of weed. Whereas, body high has more to do with its physiological and therapeutic effects.
As such, head high is defined by traits such as creativity, imagination, productivity, and all things recreational.
On the other hand, body high is characterized by a great sense of physical relaxation, calmness, and sedation.
2. Head high is caused by THC and Sativa-dominant breeds; while body high, by CBD or Indica-dominant strains.
3. As a natural wake-promoting agent, THC with its strong mental benefits becomes a great alternative for the morning and daytime or when you are trying to accomplish a task. Whereas, CBD as an effective sleep inducer proves to be perfect for relaxation and nighttime.
In essence, head high comes with a lot of energy, focus, creativity, alertness, motivation, and euphoria.
Whereas, body high gives you a feeling of relaxation, calm, pain relief, sleep, improved appetite, and lack of day-to-day stress.
How to Choose Between a Head High and a Body High?
Choosing which type of high is going to be more suitable for you depends largely on your goals and lifestyle.
As an individual drug, marijuana works differently from person to person based on dosage, medical status, genetics, and individual mindset among other things.
In general though, here’s what you need to consider before opting for a head high or body high.
1. The time of the intake is perhaps the first thing you should take into account when choosing between a body high and a head high.
As a natural wake agent, THC or a Sativa-derived product is best for daytime or when you’re about to do a task or activity.
CBD-rich products or sativa-sourced products, on the other hand, are perfect for relaxation and sleep thus more suitable for evenings and nighttime.
2. Your lifestyle/mindset can significantly alter the effects of marijuana, especially its psychoactive aspect.
So if you are too active and anxious already, then going for a body high can be more helpful as it relaxes both your body and mind.
Similarly, those who are rather low on energy or suffer from some sort of depression might want to go with a head high as it motivates and energizes you in the end.
3. Goals and experience can also play a crucial role in making your decision as someone looking for a boost in their productivity can go with a head high or THC.
While someone with a physical ailment might want to choose CBD for its therapeutic effects or body high.
4. Health conditions (if any) should be taken into account too before choosing your poison. As we mentioned above, those looking to gain the medicinal effects of weed must always prefer CBD for a body high over THC for a head high.
5. Method of consumption whether smoking, vaping, eating, or drinking can also influence your overall experience.
So make sure to choose the right method depending on your goals and condition.
To give you a hint, smoked or vaped cannabis gives you a better head high due to the quick absorption of the cannabinoids through respiration or lungs.
On the contrary, eaten or ingested cannabis offers a stronger body high as the content is metabolized by the liver which filters out most of its psychoactive ingredients.
How to Achieve a Head High or Body High?
As evident enough, achieving a head high or body high has more to do with the ratio of THC and CBD than any other factor.
Since Indica strains contain more CBD than THC, they become a better source of body high and the therapeutic effects of weed.
Similarly, being relatively higher in THC, Sativa-dominant strains turn out to be more potent and promising for a head high or mental stimulation.
For casual users who smoke cannabis purely for fun, they might want to stick to broad and full-spectrum products though as they offer a balanced and mixed effect of both.
Conclusion
Body high and head high are two of the major consequences of consuming weed; albeit, both opposing in nature.
While body high has more to do with the physical effects of cannabis caused usually by higher amounts of CBD; head high refers to the psychoactive effects of weed that are produced by the notorious THC.
As such, body high is defined by traits such as a feeling of relaxation, calm, and serenity. In contrast, head high has to do with mental strength as in instilling energy, focus, and creativity. And hence, the term ‘recreational!’
That said, choosing your cup of tea shouldn’t be a challenge given you know your end goals and experience.
In short, if you want to improve productivity or get going with a challenging task, a couple of hits of THC for a sensational head high is enough to do the magic.
However, if you had a long day and just want to lay back, relax, or drift into dreams, then a body high with a sufficient dose of CBD will be the right choice.