When a person experiences a “high” from psychoactive substances, particularly cannabis, it is a temporary shift in their normal state. This altered state involves various changes in perception, mood, and bodily sensations. The experience is complex and highly subjective, varying significantly among individuals.
How Psychoactive Compounds Interact with the Brain
The primary psychoactive component in cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), acts by interacting with the body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system regulates numerous physiological and cognitive processes, including appetite, mood, sleep, and memory. The ECS contains cannabinoid receptors, notably CB1 and CB2, which are present throughout the brain and body.
THC resembles naturally produced endocannabinoids like anandamide. When THC enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain, it binds to CB1 receptors, primarily in areas responsible for memory, coordination, and learning. This binding disrupts typical communication pathways between neurons, leading to psychoactive effects. While CB1 receptors are abundant in the central nervous system, CB2 receptors are mainly found in peripheral tissues and immune cells, though some are also present in specific brain regions.
Immediate Physical Effects
Immediate physical changes occur upon consuming cannabis. A common sensation is dry mouth, known as “cottonmouth,” due to reduced saliva production. Eyes may become red or glassy as blood vessels expand.
Heart rate often increases by 20 to 50 beats per minute, persisting for up to three hours. Many experience enhanced appetite, known as “the munchies,” linked to THC’s interaction with CB1 receptors in the hypothalamus. Other effects include altered touch, dizziness, or lightheadedness, reflecting cannabinoids’ widespread influence.
Altered Mental and Emotional States
Beyond the physical changes, cannabis profoundly impacts mental and emotional states. Many users report euphoria and deep relaxation. Time perception can distort, with minutes feeling like hours, and sensory experiences like colors, sounds, and tastes may heighten.
Thought processes may alter, sometimes leading to increased introspection or creativity, while short-term memory and concentration may be impaired. However, higher doses or unfamiliar situations can lead to negative psychological effects like anxiety, paranoia, confusion, or panic.
What Shapes Your Experience
Cannabis effects are not uniform and are influenced by several factors. The type of cannabis, including its cannabinoid profile (THC to CBD ratio), and dosage play a significant role. Higher THC concentrations generally lead to more intense psychoactive effects.
Consumption method also dictates the experience; smoking or vaping typically results in quicker onset and shorter duration than edibles, which have a delayed but more prolonged effect. Tolerance, built through repeated use, means frequent users may need higher doses for similar effects due to CB1 receptor desensitization. Personal factors like mood and expectations (set), along with the environment (setting), also profoundly shape the experience.