With so many ways to consume weed these days, and with it affecting each person so differently, we are taking a quick snapshot of how smoking, vaping or spraying cannabis products made various users feel. If you’re thinking of trying a different strain, or a different mode of delivery, go slowly because it’s hard to know how each person will respond (as these different experiences suggest).
DISCLAIMER: This advice is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner. Always seek medical advice that is specific to you and your situation when considering the consumption of cannabis.

Unsplash
1 / 8
Tried CBD spray
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

Unsplash
2 / 8
Tried drinking weed in tea
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
Related: What your sleep style says about you.

Unsplash
3 / 8
Tried micro-dosing weed
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

Unsplash
4 / 8
Tried a THC gummy
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

Unsplash
5 / 8
Tried spraying CBD oil
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

Unsplash
6 / 8
Tried a chocolate edible
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

Unsplash
7 / 8
Tried eating half an edible
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

Unsplash
8 / 8
Tried smoking
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
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT