This is How Weed Actually Makes You Feel When You Smoke, Drink or Eat it

What I tried: Hexo Elixir CBD Peppermint Spray How long it took to activate: 30 minutes What I expected: Some pain relief How I actually felt: Almost pain-free What activities I did: Everything! Best thing about the experience: No digestive upset like CBD oils that I'd tried in the past. Worst thing: It can be expensive without a prescription Would I do it again: Yes Additional comments: Other than very occasionally smoking weed more than two decades ago, I didn’t have much of a relationship with THC or CBD. In 2019, after seeing two different rheumatologists for fibromyalgia and not having any success with pain relief, I started seeing a new rheumatologist who prescribed CBD oil for my pain. At that point, I had been dealing with fibromyalgia for 13 years, and was in the midst of a 14 month flare-up. The doctor first tried me on a CBD oil with a 25:1 CBD/THC ratio, and I found it very hard on my digestive system, so an oral spray was recommended. Three months into treatment on the Elixir CBD Peppermint Oil Spray from Hexo, and I have little to no pain. I use three sprays once per day in the evening before dinner. Added bonus: it’s helped with my anxiety and restless sleep! - Diana

What I tried: Drinking weed in tea How long it took to activate: about 15 minutes on an empty stomach What I expected: I expected it to make me feel heavy and tired, like experiences with different edibles. I also expected it to taste kind of herbal, but not in a good way. How I actually felt: The tea itself was kind of sweet and smelled like vanilla. I drank half of it on an empty stomach while making dinner and felt kind of body heavy. I ate dinner and drank the rest afterwards while watching Jeopardy. While I wasn't as sharp as I usually am, I did feel calmer and more relaxed both mentally and physically. What activities I did: Made dinner and watched Jeopardy. Best thing about the experience: I like the idea of getting the calmness of CBD without smoking. This way I can sip my tea and I feel like I can take it at my own pace. Also I don't have to go out on my patio in the rain like I do to smoke. Worst thing: Doing it on an empty stomach. I feel like it hit me hard at first. Would I do it again: Yes. - High Tea

What I tried: Smoking a joint with some herbal tip. How long it took to activate: Started feeling it as we burned down to the filter (less than 10 minutes) What I expected: To be less stoned than if I burned a full marijuana cigarette How I actually felt: Ouid 'Arouse' had me feeling pretty chill – combined with the classic bud. What activities I did: Headed right over by foot to my friend's place to bake cupcakes. While the sober bakers took on tasks, I supervised with a bag of chips — offering positive praise between crunchy bites. Best thing about the experience: For me, I enjoy being high and when your friends are distracted, you can just enjoy the vibe and not deeply engage. Worst thing: Having to talk to new people #StrangerDanger Would I do it again: Microdose my weed? Maybe. But personally, I love the taste of bud. Additional comments: The herbal tip is a great product for green, newbies. The weed itself was a hybrid organic with indica dominant. - High Times with The Gaysian

What I tried: A cannabis-infused "jelly bomb" (a jelly candy) with THC How long did it take to kick in? A little under an hour What I expected: Up until this point I had only ingested homemade edibles, so I thought the experience would be similar – comfortably stoned. How I actually felt: This Jelly Bomb was more powerful than I expected, and I probably ate more than I should have, either way I got very high. What activities I did: I had preplanned my activities and walked over to the local court and played some basketball with friends. Best thing about the experience: It was a sunny weekend, so being outside was really nice. Worst thing: The basketball court is located pretty centrally in a busy area of the city, and I started to get uncomfortable being so high in such a busy location. Would I do it again? Yeah. And I have, but overall I prefer to smoke cannabis than to ingest it, because I find the high lasts too long otherwise. - Emily

What I tried: CBD Oil Oral Spray How long it took to activate: After two spritzes, I felt a subtle sense of calm within 20 minutes. What I expected: Given that I had never tried a weed spray before, I didn't know how many spritzes to take, since there is no recommended dosage. So, I played it safe. I didn't expect to feel much of anything. How I actually felt: ​I felt more at ease, and less in my own head. It was nothing dramatic, but I definitely felt more relaxed, like the feeling you get after a restorative yoga class. What activities I did: ​I tried it on a Sunday night (the most anxiety-inducing night of the week, RIGHT?) I watched a bit of TV. And baked. And read a book in bed. #zenlife Best thing: The sense of calm. Also: I love the spray action! You can barely taste it. (It reminds me of Listerine's "Cool Mist Spray" – only it doesn't fix bad breath, but that doesn't really matter, because you're too relaxed to care). I'd tried CBD in tincture form, and was not a fan of swallowing the oil, as if it were echinacea​. No, thank you. This was a far better experience for me. Worst thing:​ Only positive experiences here! Although I wish I had a better sense of how many spritzes to take. Would I do it again: Yes, and in fact, it's quickly become a staple at home. - Perma-Zen

What I tried: Chocolate Square with THC. It cost $9. It was one of only two options available. How long it took to activate: It was kind of a slow and steady but then wouldn’t quit. What I expected: I asked for the most mellow experience from the guy in the store who walks around with the iPad. Out of the two available he suggested that one I bought. How I actually felt: I felt calm, cool and collected but really energized. What activities I did: I got myself settled in for a couple hours of chilling but at 11:30PM at night I was building shelves. Not what I anticipated. I just had this idea and I needed to execute it. Best thing about the experience: It was manageable. And it didn’t feel out of control. Worst thing: I couldn’t sleep for hours! Would I do it again: Maybe if I had a full day. Additional comments: Maybe it was the chocolate that made me not sleep. So, next time I would go for gummy bears or something without caffeine. - Sleepless in Weedville

What I tried: Half of a CBD gummy How long it took to activate: Under 1 hour What I expected: I very rarely use pot, and even when I do smoke or take edibles, I don’t always experience the same high my friends and family describe (for example, while I don’t feel anything, my partner experiences paranoia and anxiety). I had taken this gummy with a very specific purpose in mind: Following several days of extreme sciatic nerve back pain, I was looking for some relief without turning to pain medication. I expected that either I’d feel no affect or that the gummy would mellow me out just slightly and allow me to finally get some sleep. How I actually felt: ​At first I felt just a slightly bit giddy, but that might have been because my back pain did ease, and that in itself is a mood-booster for me (if you’ve ever had sciatic back pain, you know the deal…). What activities I did: I slept, just as I’d hoped. Best thing: It worked! The small, controlled portion provided just the bit of relief I needed without turning to pain medication. Worst thing:​ It didn’t completely eliminate my back pain, but I didn’t expect it to. Would I do it again: Yes, under similar circumstances, but not on an ongoing basis. If I needed to turn to this more consistently, I’d seek a medical professional’s advice for guidance when dealing with pain management for chronic or consistent health issues. - High Expectations

What I tried: Smoked How long it too to activate: Varied What I expected: To take the edge off and chill out a bit. How I actually felt: Terrible. Best thing: N/A Worst thing: It causes psychosis for me. Would I do it again: Hell, no! Additional comments: While marijuana is great/helpful for a lot of folks, it affects everyone differently (just like food, alcohol or prescription meds). For me, weed – even in small amounts – causes psychosis. And that psychosis has triggered years [SS11] of anxiety, panic attacks and more. Cannabis use can increase the risk of developing mental illness, so tread lightly, especially if you’re new to the drug or have a family history of mental illness.- Not For Everyone