By Miguel Ordoñez

Questions & Answers

? What do cannabis highs do?
When cannabis enters the body, it catalyses a surge of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine, of course, is the hormone responsible for enabling us Earthlings to feel pleasure.
? How long does it take to kick in?
If you’re smoking cannabis, you’ll likely feel something within the first ten minutes. But if you eat it, you’ll need to let at least 30 minutes pass (two hours at most) before feeling anything.
⏱️ How long does a cannabis high last?
The high from smoking weed will last three hours max. However, you’ll feel the effects peak during the first 10–15 minutes of toking up.
? How long will it stay in your body?
According to studies, THC metabolites will leave your system in a matter of 4.9 days, depending on various factors.

So, you’ve decided to embark on your first herb-smoking voyage. You’ve done your research and had your healthy dose of Cheech & Chong movies to say to yourself, “Hey, why the heck not?”.

Now, let’s assume you’re doing this for recreational purposes, more than anything. Before you get yourself into that altered state for the first time, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind.


Top Safety Tips for First-Time Cannabis Smokers

Whether it’s learning how to ride a bike or completing a judo hip throw, or smoking weed for the first time, there are always safety measures and best practices to consider. Ultimately, it’s all about preparing your mind and body for a totally foreign yet eye-opening experience. Here are our top tips for an enjoyable inaugural cannabis high.

  • Choose the Best Time of Day

As a rookie entering the game, pick the best time of day for you. Impairment is a guarantee, so you’ll want to smoke up during the night after you’ve crossed out everything on your to-do list. And here’s a word to the wise: don’t try to schedule any sort of activity after you’ve smoked. You likely won’t get anything done, especially if you’ve been hit hard.

Instead, take this time to acquaint yourself with the feeling and how it affects your overall disposition. It may be like going into uncharted territory at first, but the ride will smoothen out as you go along.

  • Choose the Best Environment

When fixing up your place for a date night, you’d pull out all the stops. That includes picking the right music and preparing the mood lighting and delicacies you’ll indulge in.

Take a similar approach for your first time smoking weed. Make it a comfortable, safe setting for you to feel at ease. Your environment will play a huge role in this first exploration into the unknown.

Safety Tips for First-Time Cannabis Smokers
  • Keep Yourself Hydrated

One of the first physical signs of cannabis inebriation is “cottonmouth”. As the name suggests, the inside of your mouth will feel thick and dry, as if you stuck a ball of cotton in there. For some people, it could be a very uncomfortable, distressing feeling.

Your best bet against cottonmouth is to keep hydrated. Have a pitcher of water next to you for when the feeling kicks in. Sugary drinks like juices or soda work well too.

  • Prepare the Munchies Beforehand

You’ll know the weed’s kicked in when you suddenly have the urge to consume everything in your pantry. That, my friend, is a case of the munchies. In a nutshell, marijuana’s psychotropic chemical THC tricks your brain into making you feel like you need more food, causing a seemingly never-ending appetite boost (at least for the next hour or so).

Be prepared for when the munchies attack with a bag of your favorite potato chips or another easy snack. Eating can actually help mitigate some of the more uncomfortable side effects of the high. But like everything good in life, keep it in moderation.

  • Eat a Bit Before Starting

Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach will get you intoxicated a lot quicker. That’s because the food helps slow down the alcohol’s absorption when it passes through your small intestine.

You can apply that same theory to smoking weed. Have a cracker or two before diving right in, just to slow down the high a little bit. Ultimately, that allows you to make the most of the entire experience.

Safety Tips for First-Time Cannabis Smokers
  • Start Out With a Joint

Everyone has their own preferred method of smoking weed. But if you’re a newbie, go with a couple hits from a joint or blunt for your first dive.

Using a bong or pipe involves some skill that is likely alien to you, as opposed to hitting a joint, which is very similar to sipping from a straw. It also provides a more consistent flow of cannabis, often in lower individual doses than hitting a pipe every few minutes.

  • Pick a Strain With a 1:1 CBD:THC Ratio

Smoking a strain rich in THC will get you the high you’re looking for. But, to not drift off too far into space, you might want some cannabidiol (CBD) to balance things out.

So, if you’re looking for that perfect first-time buzz, go with a strain with a 1:1 CBD:THC ratio. By striking that balance right in the middle, the high will be milder and a lot easier to “control”. You’ll still feel that nice euphoric feeling, but it won’t send you to another dimension just yet.

  • Choose the Best Companions

Apart from the environment you’re in, the people around you will also influence the quality of your cannabis experience. If you’re with a Debbie Downer, don’t look forward to a nice time. If you’re vibing with someone in great spirits, however, you’ll feel that energy too.

Moral of the story: pick the ideal companions to smoke up with. Ideally, they’re someone you greatly trust, and whose company you enjoy.

Safety Tips for First-Time Cannabis Smokers
  • Don’t Smoke Alone

This point builds on the one above; while there’s nothing criminally wrong with smoking on your own, it’s definitely a lot more worthwhile to have trusted people around you your first few times. These are folks who will show you a great time, but will slap you back to sanity if necessary.

Just like how it is when learning to drive a car for the first time, you need a seasoned individual to help you learn the ropes. You’re dealing with an entirely different experience here, so save the solo flight for your fifth or sixth smoke.

  • Don’t Mix With Other Substances

Since you’re doing this for the first time, you’ll want a pure, unadulterated experience for your maiden voyage. So, if you were planning to warm yourself up with a few cocktails, don’t even think about it.

Adding alcohol into the mix will only aggravate the situation. It may cause your head and the world around to spin, leading to episodes of nausea and vomiting. Who wants that? You don't want alcohol to be the factor that puts you off cannabis.

Safety Tips for First-Time Cannabis Smokers
  • Don’t Smoke Too Much

We’ve all heard those stories about people trying to show off by smoking ridiculous amounts for their first time. As you’d expect, it didn’t end very well for them in terms of enjoying the experience.

Don’t be that guy. Take things slowly, savour the moment, and smoke in moderation. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

  • Don’t Get Up Too Fast

Let’s assume you were in a very comfortable spot as you were smoking. You could be sprawled out on the carpet of your living room or plopped right onto a La-Z-Boy, then you’re suddenly hit by the urge to take a leak.

Word of advice: don’t get up too quickly. That may cause your world to spin out of control, in turn causing some unnecessary and unwanted worry. Save yourself that trouble for your first time, yes?

  • Be Patient

All seasoned weed smokers know that one person who questions everything after that first hit. A Doubting Thomas, if you will. You’ll hear endless laments of, “Hey man, I’m not feeling anything. Is your stuff even legit?”.

Again, don’t be that person. Be patient and give it a little time. The high you’re looking for will hit you like a thief in the night when you least expect it. And when it does, you better be buckled up.

  • Learn From the Experience

Depending on the strain’s potency, the overall vibe, and your pre-smoking mood, the experience may vary between pleasantly memorable and very uncomfortable. However the ride turns out, it’s best to be as neutral as possible and try to learn from the experience.

Remember when you started drinking alcohol? It probably took some time to learn your limits. Do the same thing with your weed smoking. It may take a while (or not), but you’ll get there.

  • Don’t Even Think About Driving

Not even after an hour or two after smoking. There’s a good chance that your brain is still fried and you have yet to descend from the ether.

If you really need to be somewhere, have someone else drive for you. Do not do something stupid that could endanger yourself and others. Better yet, just stay put. You’ll thank yourself later for making such a decision.

Safety Tips for First-Time Cannabis Smokers
  • Taking Edibles Is a Totally Different Ballgame

It goes without saying that smoking and eating cannabis are two completely separate things. The herb enters your body differently, which ultimately leads to somewhat different experiences.

Edibles are around four times more psychotropic than smoked cannabis because the THC is turned into the highly potent 11-hydroxy-THC when digested. So, if you choose to go the edibles route, or it’s your only option, start very slow and consume small doses. It’ll kick you hard before you even know it.

  • You Might Feel High the Next Day

Now, here’s a little disclaimer: there’s a good chance you might still feel a little high or “out of it” the day after your first toke. That could be due to a few things. For example, if you take edibles, the entire experience can last eight hours or more, depending on how much you consume.

But what do you do if you still feel high the next day? Although the manner in which you deal with it will be entirely up to you, keep in mind that the feeling won’t last. You’ll eventually descend back to normalcy in a matter of hours—don’t worry about it.

Don't Worry Too Much About Weed Hangovers

Weed “hangovers” can make you feel lethargic and a little fried, but they are by and large more bearable than alcohol hangovers.

With that in mind, you can deal with a weed hangover by staying hydrated, resting, and perhaps taking some CBD to feel a little more balanced and “together”. Thanks to our innate endocannabinoid system, and the relative safety[1] of cannabis in general, weed is processed in a manner that doesn’t take too much of a toll on the body.

What Can Happen to You When Smoking Weed?

Cannabis affects everyone differently. That said, there are certain sensations experienced by a large share of users—both in the positive and negative sense. First, let’s focus on the positives. Here are some of the reasons weed is beloved by so many:

  • Uplifting, euphoric effects
  • Giggles—everything will be triply funny
  • You’ll feel a sense of bonding with your fellow smokers
  • Increased focus on a single topic/activity
  • Music and movies (sounds and visuals) will be enhanced
  • Food will taste extra good (you’ll gain five pounds at most if you give in to the munchies)
  • Prepare for profound or complex thoughts
  • Strong wave of relaxation—kiss tension goodbye, at least for a little bit
  • Slowed passage of time

But what if you’re on the other side of the spectrum and you’re instead met with a racing heart, uneasy feelings, and strong negative thoughts swirling around your head?

Here’s what you can do:

  • Take some deep breaths
  • Relax—remind yourself that you’re just high and everything will pass
  • Get some fresh air or open a window
  • Lay sideways on the sofa (as opposed to on your back)
  • Make your surroundings more comfortable—put on some soothing music, etc.
  • Try to sleep
  • Hydrate and have something to eat
  • Distract yourself with conversation or some form of relaxing media (stay off your phone)
  • Don’t keep yourself planted on one surface for too long—stretch out

Why You Might Not Feel High After Smoking Weed the First Time

While some first-time smokers get a little too baked, others don’t feel anything at all. As opposed to getting overwhelmed and ejected from their comfort zone, they experience anticlimactic disappointment.

After preparing your intentions, set, and setting for this special moment, feeling nothing at all really does suck. If your first time ended this way—or you’d like to avoid such an outcome altogether—explore the reasons why it happens below.

  • Poor-Quality Weed

Not everyone has the privilege of living in regions where cannabis is legal. While these lucky folks can waltz into a dispensary or coffeeshop to purchase expertly grown buds, those in prohibited regions encounter different circumstances.

Most novice smokers are faced with the latter scenario. They get curious about weed, their friend introduces them to the local dealer, and they end up with a bag of poorly grown cannabis filled with seeds, stems, and sometimes even mold.

This type of bud contains suboptimal levels of cannabinoids, tastes bad, and offers a generally poor first experience. Sometimes, these buds don’t even produce a psychotropic effect at all.

  • Bad Inhaling Technique

Learning how to properly inhale cannabis smoke can take some getting used to. Some beginners nail it within the first few hits, whereas others take days or weeks to get the technique right.

Many beginners find the sensation of smoke entering their mouth and lungs strange, even uncomfortable. Oftentimes, they simply keep the smoke in their mouth and exhale without drawing it into their lungs. While this method works when smoking cigars, it won’t get you high.

You’ll find yourself coughing the first time you smoke weed, as well as the 100th time. Any type of smoke irritates the lungs. To minimise coughing, inhale and exhale softly. Keep some water close by to help out if you experience a coughing fit.

  • Accidentally Picked Up a CBD Strain

Not all cannabinoids get you high. Whereas THC lights up the CB1 receptors of the endocannabinoid system and floods the brain with dopamine, CBD lacks this ability. Instead, this non-psychotropic cannabinoid produces a clear-headed and relaxing effect without a high.

Some cannabis users much prefer the effects of CBD. However, when looking to get high for the first time, you need a strain with at least some THC. If you didn’t feel any high at all during your first smoking experience, you may have accidentally picked up a strain high in CBD.

Some strains contain equal levels of THC and CBD. We recommended these balanced varieties for beginners. These flowers produce a noticeable high, yet CBD helps to take the edge off and reduce the chances of feeling panicked or overwhelmed.

Safety Tips for First-Time Cannabis Smokers
  • Not Smoking Enough

Beginner smokers should take things low and slow. Inhale one hit at a time and wait a couple of minutes to see where that gets you. This will help to prevent overdoing things. However, some first-time smokers are overly cautious.

Cannabis affects everyone differently. Some people may get blitzed after one or two hits, while others need double that amount to feel the same effect. Since the effects of smoked cannabis come on in minutes, you can cautiously take another toke every several minutes if you’re not feeling anything. Keep inhaling until you hit the sweet spot.

Remember, though, it’s arguably better to have an underwhelming first weed experience than an overwhelming one, so we’d always suggest you err on the side of caution.

  • Your Body Won’t Let You

It’s possible that the endocannabinoid system itself is at least partly behind your inability to get high for the first time. Some theorise it boils down to a lack of expression of CB1 receptors in the brain of novice users.

Once your brain gets used to the presence of THC, the nervous system begins to upregulate the amount of CB1 receptors (to a certain degree), allowing you to feel the full potential of the high.

That means, you might not feel much the first time you smoke, but your nervous system will quickly adapt and allow you to get truly blazed.

  • You’re Not in the Right Frame of Mind

Feeling nervous or overly excited might impact your high the first few times you smoke. A cocktail of adrenaline and cortisol can put a damper on the effects of THC. As you learn to kick back and relax, you’ll feel the effects of THC become more apparent.

Luckily, it doesn’t usually take many sessions for new users to enjoy the full THC experience, without anything getting in the way.

With our list above, we hope to have informed you a bit on the important safety measures and best practices to consider your first few times toking. Even experienced stoners would do well to keep this advice in mind, as everyone can have an unpleasant cannabis experience from time to time. Just proceed slowly, exercise moderation, and bask in the good vibes.

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.

External Resources:
  1. Marijuana Is Much Safer Than Alcohol And Tobacco, New Study Finds https://www.sciencealert.com
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: