Embracing The Reading While High Trend

Reading is a beloved pastime for many a stoner. But whether or not it's a good idea to combine your love for weed with a book isn't so clear. On the one hand, a gentle buzz from the right strain might help you relax and get lost in the imaginary world of a fascinating piece of fiction. At the same time, weed's intoxicating high might also make it hard to concentrate, leaving you to re-read every sentence countless times without retaining anything. Below, we explore the trend of reading while high and what you need to consider if you choose to light up while hitting the books!

How Does Cannabis Affect Focus and Comprehension

Cannabis seems to have contradictory effects on concentration. On the one hand, research has traditionally shown that people who regularly use cannabis tend to suffer from negative long-term cognitive effects^[1]—especially if they used cannabis at a young age while their brains were still developing.

Some of the negative effects of cannabis on cognition include:

• Brain fog
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lowered motivation
• Difficulty learning or retaining new information

At the same time, however, research from the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery program (MIND) at McLean Hospital has produced contrary findings, suggesting that medical cannabis^[2] can actually improve cognition in some cases. MIND conducts various cognitive assessments on medical cannabis patients before they start a cannabis-based treatment, as well as regular checkups every 3, 6, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months after their treatment begins.

In general, the patients perform better on these assessments as little as 3 months after starting treatment—most probably because their symptoms are under control, allowing them to think more clearly. At the same time, the patients also report improvements in their sleep, mood, and energy levels and a reduction in their use of conventional medicines—factors that likely also positively affect their cognition.

So, what does that mean for stoner bookworms? Will lighting up before you sit down to read help you concentrate or dull you out? Well, the answer isn't entirely clear and will depend on your personal reaction to cannabis. For some people, weed promotes relaxation, which may allow you to connect with what you're reading on a deeper level. For others, however, cannabis' intoxicating effect can be too distracting and curb their short-term memory, making it more challenging to concentrate and retain information.

Choosing The Right Cannabis Strain for Reading

If you’re interested in pairing cannabis and reading, it might help to consider the kind of strain you plan on taking.

Cannabis strains can deliver unique effects based on their chemical profiles. Strains that contain predominantly THC, for example, will provide an intense high, whereas strains with a mix of THC and CBD may produce a more balanced and mellow effect. Whether you light up a THC-bomb before you settle down to read or a strain with a more balanced mix of cannabinoids will boil down to your personal preferences.

Besides the amount of THC in a strain, you may want to consider its terpenes, as they may also play a crucial role in dictating its effects. Terpenes like limonene and pinene, for example, have been shown to elevate serotonin levels^[3] and reduce anxiety (respectively)^[4]. In turn, they may help boost your mood and improve your concentration levels. Alternatively, terpenes such as myrcene, terpinolene, and terpineol all produce more physically relaxing effects, which may help you settle down and get lost in a leisurely read.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach when picking a strain to enjoy while reading. Instead, focus on finding a strain that provides the kind of effect that you find beneficial when reading. For some, a heady buzz may improve levels of concentration or motivation, while others might prefer a more soothing physical sensation. Either way, if you’re new to reading and getting high, be adventurous and experiment with different strains to find the one that works best for you.

Understanding When and What to Read While High

Besides picking the right strain, knowing when and what to read while high is also important. In general, we recommend reading and smoking at times when you can relax. Before bed on a weeknight, on a lazy Sunday, or while on vacation are generally some good, relaxing times to light up and kick back.

In terms of material, we generally recommend light, leisurely reading, such as:

• Novels
• Magazines
• Comics
• Short stories

Meanwhile, heavier texts like nonfiction or autobiographies, for example, can be harder to digest while high. Finally, never read important work documents, academic papers, or studies while stoned—reading this kind of material usually calls for a heightened degree of concentration and is best done sober.

The same goes for studying. We generally do not recommend studying or reading study material while stoned. Even if you enjoy reading and hope that weed may accentuate that feeling, the intoxicating effects of cannabis may make it difficult to focus and retain information, which is definitely not what you want when studying. Learn more about the effects of cannabis on studying here.

Creating The Perfect Environment and Setting Yourself Up for Success

Besides picking the right strain, time, and reading material, another important part of reading while high is setting up the right space. Don’t expect an enjoyable reading experience in an environment filled with distractions. Instead, set yourself up for success by creating the right environment for your stoned reading experience.

Again, this is super personal. Some people like to read outdoors in the sun, while others prefer to get cosy on the couch or slip into a nice warm bath. Some people like music playing in the background as they read, while others prefer white noise or just silence. In general, we recommend turning your phone off and keeping some water and snacks handy as you read so you can stay hydrated and curb the munchies without getting up every few minutes.

Finally, in addition to the physical environment you create, make sure to foster a positive mental space. To do this, set realistic reading goals (this could be as simple as finishing a set number of pages or a single chapter), and don't be too hard on yourself if you don't meet them. Remember that reading while high should be fun, not stressful.

Balancing the Experience: When Reading High Works (and When It Doesn’t)

Remember—reading while high isn't universally "good" or "bad." Combining the right dose of weed with a good book can make for hours of super immersive fun for some people. For others, however, it might be a confusing and unproductive experience. Generally speaking, if you enjoy reading and getting high separately, bringing the two together might just be a question of finding the right combination of strain, dose, and reading material.

Also, pay attention to how you feel. If you notice that a particular book resonates with you after a few tokes of a specific strain, take note and try replicating that experience again later. At the same time, don't force anything. If you've tried reading and smoking multiple times without any positive effects, take it on the chin and save smoking for those moments when you know you'll enjoy it the most.

If you do decide to try reading and smoking, here are a few strains that might help you have an enjoyable experience:

• Northern Lights Auto: A classic indica with an autoflowering twist, Northern Lights Auto delivers a clear-headed effect that couples physical relaxation with light cerebral stimulus. Perfect for getting lost in a fantasy or giggling away at a comic!

Northern Light Auto

Northern Light Auto

	Northern Light x Ruderalis
	18 to 19 oz/m²
	3 to 4 feet
	6 - 8 weeks
	THC: 14%

	Sativa 0% Indica 80% Ruderalis 20%
	6 to 8 oz/plant
	4 to 5 feet
	10 - 12 weeks after sprouting
	Clear, Uplifting

Buy Northern Light Auto

• Stress Killer Automatic CBD: Packing 11% THC and high levels of CBD, Stress Killer Automatic CBD delivers a well-balanced, mildly intoxicating effect. It is ideal for bookworms interested in a subtle buzz.

Stress Killer Automatic CBD

Stress Killer Automatic CBD

	Lemon Shining Silver Haze x Juanita la Lagrimosa x Ruderalis
	16 to 19 oz/m²
	3 to 4 feet
	7 - 8 weeks
	THC: 11%

	Sativa 60% Indica 30% Ruderalis 10%
	4 to 5 oz/plant
	5 to 6 feet
	11 - 12 weeks after sprouting
	Clear, Focus

Buy Stress Killer Automatic CBD

• Power Flower: An uplifting sativa with sweet ‘n sour citrus notes, Power Flower is an excellent choice for bookworms looking for a boost in energy. Just remember to enjoy her in moderation. With 19% THC, Power Flower packs quite the punch!

Power Flower

Power Flower

	South African Sativas
	18 to 19 oz/m²
	3 to 4 feet
	9 - 10 weeks
	THC: 19%

	Sativa 88% Indica 12%
	18 to 19 oz/plant
	5 to 7 feet
	October
	Heavy

Buy Power Flower

Reading While High: A Balancing Act

Reading while high is a growing trend. And whether or not it's right for you will depend on your personal preferences and how you experience cannabis. If you already enjoy reading, elevating the experience with a few tokes of the right strain might help you foster a deeper connection to this pre-existing passion. For some, however, the high from cannabis might simply be too distracting to stay focused and retain information.

Remember, there is no right or wrong here. Pairing cannabis with reading is all about your personal preference, so be sure to experiment, listen to your body, and decide for yourself whether you’ll continue hitting the books while high in the future!