8 Ways to Increase Your Cannabis High

If you smoke weed regularly, chances are, at some point, the magic will begin to wear off and you’ll crave those first days when it was infinitely exciting. Well, you may never be able to get back to the honeymoon phase, but you can create a new relationship with cannabis that’s equally as fulfilling.

Below, find eight methods that can help to enhance and improve the experience of consuming cannabis. From selecting different strains to stopping your consumption, there’s quite the range to choose from!

1. Choose Strains Wisely

If you're wondering how to get higher, one of the easiest methods is to start out with the right strain! If you’re growing yourself, find a strain that is known to produce ample levels of THC (or THCA) when mature. But this is only the beginning, as there’s no guarantee that a plant will achieve its max potency—you have to provide optimal environmental conditions for it to do so! In theory, a strain with a lower average THC level could end up being more potent than a strain with higher THC levels, if the former is grown in optimal conditions and the latter in poor conditions.

When it comes to cannabis potency, it’s not just THC that plays a role. Certain terpenes skew the high in different directions, making for a range of different experiences. If you know you seek a more energised experience, for example, consider strains with high levels of invigorating terpenes like limonene. On the contrary, if you prefer your high soothing and laid-back, perhaps choose strains rich in myrcene and other stoning terpenes.

Need help selecting the right strain partner? You can use our Seedfinder tool, which will point you in the right direction and shave off many hours of fruitless searching. For help maximising terpene and THC expression, our growing guides provide a wealth of information.

2. Store Weed Well

Even the best weed will eventually lose potency if it is stored improperly. Especially if you’ve grown your own, you have to store your weed properly if you want it to retain THC and terpenes.

For this purpose, airtight glass or steel containers tend to be best. As constant air exchange can either dry out your buds or bring in too much moisture (and cause them to go mouldy), airtightness isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. For extra help maintaining the optimal balance of moisture and dryness, throw in some humidity packs (58–62% RH) as well. If you can’t get hold of any, then open your jars from time to time to let moisture out and fresh air in.

You should also store your buds in darkness, as light will degrade THC fairly quickly, leading to reduced effects. Moreover, cooler temperatures are best, as heat can also degrade THC. If you can ensure that your bud remains under room temperature, then you shouldn’t encounter many problems.

Extra tip: If you want to enhance the flavour of your weed, you can store it alongside peels from various fruits (orange and lemon are best), as the terpenes from these will add flavour to your weed.

3. Change Up Your Routine

Maybe you've got a good stash and you're taking care of it. So why is there still a sense of diminishing returns from your weed? By definition, taking anything in excess is bad. If you're smoking too much cannabis, that can spoil the treat of it. As your body adjusts to having more cannabinoids in its system, your cannabis tolerance improves.

Consider how you can change things up in terms of your cannabis use. Are you in the habit of smoking first thing in the morning? Try abstaining until evening, or at least 4:20pm. Smoke earlier in the day if you smoke too much at night. Don't smoke with every meal. Observe when you're smoking and see how you might catch your brain off-guard by changing up the schedule a bit.

4. Change Up Your Methods

Another thing you can adjust is the method by which you're getting high. Some people like to smoke, but will experience a different sensation when trying different methods. You may prefer the feeling of a high from vaping or a bong hit. This may also be something you dislike. It depends on the individual constitution of each person.

Avoid using your lungs altogether by experimenting with edibles. In general, edibles and dabs are considered two of the most high-potency cannabis products. Proceed with caution.

Using concentrates or edibles instead of flowers will also cause much more intense highs. Concentrates can have a THC content pushing 80% or more, and edibles have stronger, longer-lasting effects compared to inhaled THC. But bear in mind that though both options will achieve stronger results, they will cause the effects of smoked weed to diminish still further.

When choosing to use edibles or extracts, always start with low doses until you understand how you are affected.

5. Eat the Right Foods

There are a number of pleasant accompaniments to marijuana that will boost its potent impact. A simple cup of black or green tea contains catechin, an antioxidant that binds with your brain’s CB1 receptors. This will help the soothing effects of cannabinoids come on much more efficiently.

Dark chocolate has a similar effect when containing 72% or more cacao. This will not only act as an antioxidant, it will slow down the breakdown of anandamide, the brain chemical named after the Sanskrit word for “bliss”. This will sustain the length of your high.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids will also efficiently synthesise endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors. Also, look out for foods with terpenes in them, like THC-boosting myrcene or high-enhancing pinene. Pinene can be found in sage, thyme, and other herbs, while myrcene can be found in mangoes, broccoli, and nuts. If all else fails, a multivitamin is good for you anyway, and improves cellular absorption and the flow of the circulatory system. That will be very helpful for the flow of THC.

6. Exercise

You should be looking at how healthy your habits are in general. Your diet can be tweaked to improve the quality of your high. Body fat is where a lot of THC is absorbed and stored. Sometimes this can be slow to release, diminishing the quality of your high. So, a diet and exercise routine that reduces your overall amount of body fat is advisable.

It may mean switching from ice cream to aforementioned dark chocolate. The exercise component is also highly relevant. Not only is exercise good for your overall health, studies suggest it impacts the brain in similar ways to cannabis. It doesn't just elevate mood, it can actually trigger the release of THC from stored body fat. A 2013 study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that a cardio session raises blood-THC levels by 15%.

7. Take A Tolerance Break

If you have tried all of this and you're still not getting high, we feel for you. You've optimised your circumstances for intensifying that high and it's still not happening for you. You should start to consider why you're chasing the high. Cannabis can enhance our lives in many ways, but it won't resolve a deep-seated emotional issue. Be honest with yourself about your consumption levels. If you have been over-indulging, maybe over-exposure to cannabis is creating diminishing returns.

It is okay to decide to take a tolerance break from cannabis. See if you can last a month, or several, without any cannabis. The longer you leave it, the stronger your next high will hit you. It is estimated that a month is needed for cannabinoids to completely leave your system. If a tolerance break sounds unpleasant, you can find supports to get you through it. See what your life is like without cannabis. If there's still a responsible place for it in your life, get back in and feel a more powerful high than before.

8. Incorporate Natural Highs

You can use the environment around you to help enhance your high. Sometimes it’s not so much that you’re not high enough, but that the stimuli aren't right. So instead of consuming more, try one of the following activities alongside getting high, and you might find you don’t need anything extra.

• Gardening or being in nature: Getting out in nature is known to make people feel good, and you can use this to enhance your cannabis experience. Go into the garden or take a walk in the forest, and you will soon discover that your senses are enhanced and that the world takes on a beautiful quality.
• Breathing exercises and yoga: There are many forms of breathing exercises and yoga in the world—some soothe, others energise. Regardless, trying out these practices while consuming cannabis can take your high to a new level and really elevate your mind and soothe your body.
• Listening to music: The next time you're high, try listening to music rather than watching something. When we watch films or series, we tend to switch off a little and feel less. However, when we listen to music, it can be a much more active experience. Combined with cannabis, this can make for a very powerful experience in which both music and the effects of the weed are enhanced.

Enhancing Your High: There Are Many Possibilities

If you’re finding that weed isn’t really hitting the same spot anymore, there are many things you can do. Now, before trying to get more high, we’d always suggest taking a tolerance break, as this can benefit your health, and it may be the case that you’re just getting a little bored of your bud. So give it a rest for a few weeks.

After you’ve tried this, experiment with the above methods and see which work for you. And bear in mind that it might not be the high that’s the problem, but rather what you’re doing when high. If you’re just being lazy and expecting to have a good time, it’s no wonder it’s not very exciting. So try something new and you’ll fall in love with the experience all over again.

Promoting Responsible Cannabis UseRQS emphasizes the importance of responsible cannabis consumption.

While many individuals use cannabis frequently without complications, some may be susceptible to developing adverse behaviours. We believe the herb should enhance one’s life, not hinder it.

Responsible use involves limiting consumption to adults only, refusing to operate cars or machinery while under the influence, and making an effort to resist abuse.

Stay Cultivated.