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High Vs. Stoned: How Does Weed Make You Feel?
If you’re a regular user, you likely already know that there are different types of highs and plenty of words used to describe how you feel: buzzed, high, stoned, baked, faded, fried or even zooted, just to name a few. If you’re not that experienced and feeling curious about the various effects of cannabis, Herbies has you covered. Here’s a breakdown of the distinguishing qualities between being high and stoned, what exactly those differences are, and which strains are great for achieving an ideal level of inebriation for your needs.
It All Starts With The Buzz
The buzz comes on quickly after your initial toke. It’s the light, tingly prelude to stronger sensations, usually felt within minutes depending on how strong your strain is and how you consumed it. Giggles, a rising sense of euphoria, and an upbeat mood often follow. Of course, how you experience the buzz depends on a few factors: smoking versus vaping, your tolerance level, and whether your strain leans Sativa or Indica. Sativa highs tend to be quicker and more cerebral, while an Indica-heavy edible may sneak up slower with heavier results.
What Does It Feel Like To Be High?
As the buzz builds, you’ll slide into what most people call “being high.” With quality flowers, this state can last three to four hours. A typical Sativa high is known for boosting mood, creativity, and energy — life suddenly feels more fun, and your mind might race with quirky or brilliant thoughts. Some people get more talkative, while others may feel anxious or overstimulated, especially with high-THC strains. Physically, telltale signs of being high often include cottonmouth, droopy eyelids, and red eyes — all classic giveaways of a proper session.
Sativa For A Head High
When you're after mental clarity, bursts of creativity, and that signature uplifted mood, a Sativa-dominant strain is your go-to. These energetic highs are ideal for daytime use, but it's worth noting that strong Sativas can sometimes trigger anxious thoughts, especially early on. Thankfully, those effects usually level out quickly. Below, we’ve listed three top-performing strains that are perfect for chasing that focused, euphoric head high.
Orange Sherbet Auto Is A Strain That Means Business
- Autoflowering
- Highly creative
- 500 - 650 g/m² indoors
60 - 300 g/plant outdoors
And by business, we mean that this cannabis strain offers an incredible cerebral high with electrifying energy spilling all over the place. Orange Sherbet Auto is a Sativa-dominant cannabis variety with a multi-hybrid history. With a THC level of 24%, you’re guaranteed to experience a long-lasting and euphoric high. Chances are you’ll be flying high in no time after just a few puffs of this fruity, zesty, and fragrant strain.
Bruce Banner #3 Boosts Your Imagination
- Photoperiod
- A good balance between high and stone
- 800 g/m² indoors
1000 g/plant outdoors
Bruce Banner #3 is another very strong cannabis strain with 28% THC. This Ghost OG x Strawberry Diesel x Auto Ghost OG hybrid is brought to you by Original Sensible Seeds. You can expect a fantastic Sativa effect from Bruce Banner #3 that’s balanced out by its 35% Indica content. This strain is perfect for extra alertness and getting those creative juices flowing – a great choice for recreational daytime smokers.
Super Lemon Haze: Award-Winning For A Reason
- Photoperiod
- 800 g/m² indoors
1200 g/plant outdoors - On wings of High
Green House Seeds has graced us with the wonderful citrusy strain, Super Lemon Haze. This is another active strain with hype-inducing and rejuvenating effects. Expect to feel particularly lively after enjoying some Super Lemon Haze, and don’t be surprised if you fall in love with the way it fills you with energy and ambition! The motivational effects are complemented by the lemony and hazy flavors, making this strain a perfect daytime treat.
How Will I Know If I’m Stoned?
You might be asking yourself, why is it called getting stoned? There’s no one clear answer, although this could be a reference to how heavy and ‘stone-like’ you can feel after smoking a strong Indica. If you’ve ever gotten really stoned before, chances are you’ve experienced the “couch lock” effect, when you become incredibly lethargic and either incapable (or deeply unwilling) to move. Stoned effects include feeling calm, relaxed, silly and hungry. Indica-dominant strains are ideal for stoney vibes. An Indica high feels like everything has slowed down, your body is extra-relaxed and your anxieties just melt away. Often enough, a high will develop into a stone after peak intoxication, so the term is not mutually exclusive between Sativas and Indicas.
Stoney Strains: Go For Indica
Ready to get stoned? Reach for an Indica or an Indica-dominant hybrid when you’re ready to dedicate some time to serious relaxation. Indicas are perfect for nighttime chilling on the couch, relaxing for both the body and mind. They’re also great for users who are prone to anxiety, as Indicas are generally balanced and not trippy.
Purple Punch: A Slice Of Heaven
- Photoperiod
- 600 - 700 g/m² indoors
1000 - 2000 g/plant outdoors - Epic relaxation
Developed by Barney’s Farm, Purple Punch is the first of our Indica recommendations. This cross between two legendary Californian families, Granddaddy Purple and Larry OG, will get you stoned in no time without a doubt. Effects include happiness, euphoria and deep relaxation. Make sure to have some snacks nearby for later; it’s certainly possible to experience a sleepy couch lock effect after indulging in some Purple Punch.
Kick Back With Glookies
- Photoperiod
- Begin your own mind trip
- 700 - 800 g/m² indoors
2000 - 3000 g/plant outdoors
Glookies is a feminized cannabis variety from Barney’s Farm that’s notorious for its strong stoney high following its initial rush of euphoria. Give in and let yourself be enveloped by a state of total relaxation that starts with a warm head high and travels into a dreamy, balanced body sensation. This strain is delicate and tranquil – perfect for those evenings when you just want to unwind. Glookies is well worth your time to lull you into a long-lasting stoned state, and can also be your ticket to blissful, restful sleep.
Powerful And Green: The Incredible Bulk
- Photoperiod
- Makes life easier and happier
- 600 - 1000 g/m² indoors
800 - 1500 g/plant outdoors
Just like its namesake, The Incredible Bulk is a total heavyweight and certainly provides a strong body high. Developed by Dr. Krippling Seeds, The Incredible Bulk is amazing for smokers with body aches and pains, whether it be chronic or after a particularly hard day. This strain is the perfect companion for some self-care, so get cuddled up, turn on your favorite show and surrender to a powerful stoney sensation that’s second to none.
Head High Vs. Body High
So, are you curious about how you can achieve a head high vs. a body high? As previously discussed, a head high is associated with Sativa-dominant strains and is characterized by euphoria, creativity and energy. Conversely, Indica strains are affiliated with the feeling of a body high and sensations such as total relaxation, anxiety reduction and general happiness.
The way you consume your cannabis also plays a vital role in how it will affect you. Aside from smoking, there’s also dabbing and edibles. Dabbing high-THC concentrates will usually deliver a quick and powerful cerebral high, while edibles take considerably longer to kick in and are accompanied by a heavy, long-lasting body stone.
How do you choose what you like? Head and body highs each come with their own distinct vibes, advantages and disadvantages. Experiment with different strains and methods to see what’s right for you! Consider what time of day you’ll be enjoying your cannabis as well as your mental condition. If Sativa strains make you feel too anxious but you’re interested in the creative spark, settling for a balanced hybrid can give you the desired effects.
Can I Get High And Stoned At The Same Time?
We’ve already discussed the difference between high and stoned, so you might now be wondering, can I get high and stoned at the same time? Simply put, absolutely! The two feelings are not mutually exclusive and often go hand-in-hand, especially considering that most strains these days are hybrids. Particularly with Sativa-dominant hybrids, what starts as a high can develop into a relaxing stone after peak inebriation. Meanwhile, you can usually expect a stoney body high accompanied by a clear-minded head high with Indica-dominant hybrids. The nice thing about balanced hybrids is that these effects are often well-balanced between high and stoned, without either being too overpowering. If you live in an area where you don’t have the opportunity to choose what strain you’ll be enjoying, chances are you’re smoking a hybrid.
Although these effects are determined by strain type, the time of harvest also plays an important role. Early harvests typically lead to buds that will have you feeling more high, while late harvest crops tend toward stonier vibes. Keep in mind that cannabis affects everyone differently, and specific results are never guaranteed!
Baked: Beyond High Or Stoned
We’re guilty of it too; sometimes, you consume just a little too much and get baked. Depending on the type and quantity of cannabis consumed, getting baked can have a very different meaning! It could be as simple as being extra giggly and hungry, or being totally couch locked by a strong Indica. In other cases, being baked could stem from a Sativa that surprises the user with a rather overwhelming, anxiety-inducing high. If you feel like you’re “too high,” there’s no need to worry. The effects will wane sooner than you think and you will feel better soon! Regardless, we understand what it’s like to be too baked, so here’s a tip for what you can do when you’re too high: chew on some black peppercorns or even just smell some pepper! Pepper contains terpenes that help reduce the psychoactive effects of cannabis.
Cannabis is a wonderful plant that hides a wide range of sensations behind its miraculous buds. Each experience is unique and sometimes can’t even be put into words. We at Herbies are interested in how weed makes you feel. Leave a comment below and tell us about your experiences being high, stoned and baked!
*All text and images on our website are for informative, entertainment or scientific purposes only. Herbies Seeds in no way condones, promotes or incites the use of illegal or controlled substances.
Herbies Head Shop expressly refuses to support the use, production, or supply of illegal substances. For more details read our Legal Disclaimer.
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