First Time Smoking Weed: Tips, Tricks, and What To Expect

With new research coming out daily about the benefits of cannabis, canna-curiosity is at an all-time high, and more people than ever are experiencing their first time smoking weed. Here at Sesh, we know how intimidating that first time smoking can be. Where do you start? How will you feel? What do you even need in order to begin?

Since not everyone has a stoner pal in their life they can turn to, we’re taking on that role for you. Read on for everything you need to know for your first time smoking weed.

Tips and Tricks for First-Time Weed Smokers

Establish Your Goal

Before your first time smoking, think about what you want your experience to be. What type of high are you looking for? Are there any particular symptoms you’re looking to address or goals you’re looking to achieve with cannabis?

Different species of cannabis will give you different effects, as will different strains. Consider the differences between Sativa and Indica, but also know that when you’re starting out, an easygoing hybrid could be your best bet. There’s a good bit that goes into narrowing down your cannabis goals and finding the right flower for you, so we recommend you check out our blog on choosing the right cannabis product. 

Find Your Budtender

After narrowing down your goal and doing a little research, head to your local dispensary and talk to the experts, AKA “budtenders.” Their job is to help you choose the right flower for your best experience.

Be prepared to tell them it’s your first time smoking, and explain your goals and what you’re expecting to get out of your adventure. They’ll set you up with flower in no time, and they can also help you with the next step.

Gather Your Tools

With the perfect strain of flower picked, some knowledge under your belt, and an expert to back you up, you now need something to smoke with. There are different ways to smoke, so first you must decide which option is right for you and your goals. (Your budtender can help you here.)

Water pipes, like a bong, are an enticing option because the water cools down the smoke before it hits your lungs. That means they don’t hit as harshly as a bowl or joint. Bowls and joints have their own benefits, though. They’re more portable and can be easier to share. No matter which option you choose, you’ll also need a grinder to break up your flower, and a lighter in order to smoke it.

If you want something easier to start with, grab some of our pre-rolled cones. They’re great for first-time smokers because you don’t need to know how to roll a joint to use them. Simply stuff your pre-rolled cone with ground flower, light, and enjoy. 

Puff, Puff, Pass

When smoking with others, etiquette calls for each person to “puff, puff, pass.” This essentially means don’t hog the blunt/joint for too long. Take your two hits and pass it along. However, when it’s your first time smoking, one puff is likely all you’ll need. And it’s probably all you’ll need for a while until you build a tolerance. Remember, it’s easy to add to your high. It’s not so easy to take it away. Start out slowly, one puff at a time, knowing that you can always take another hit if need be.

Other helpful advice is to smoke somewhere you feel comfortable, with people you feel comfortable with. Grab a few good friends, lots of water, and your favorite snacks. Throw on a funny TV show. Do whatever you need to feel comfortable.

You Got Too High. Now What?

Let’s say you got overconfident, smoked a little more than you could handle, and now you’re too high. Don’t stress—it’s happened to all of us. Follow these tricks to make it easier to get through the uncomfortableness.

Try Lemon Juice or Black Peppercorn

Let’s talk terpenes. Terpenes are aromatic compounds that naturally occur in all plants. They give plants their taste and smell, and they also have therapeutic benefits for humans.

One of the most common terpenes is limonene, found in lemon and a ton of other plants. This terp has been studied for its potentially anxiety-reducing effects. Though more research is needed, evidence suggests that consuming it by either heating lemon peel in hot water or squeezing fresh lemon juice into a beverage may counteract some of the anxiety or paranoia that can result from overconsuming cannabis. 

Black pepper is also loaded with terpenes, particularly beta-caryophyllene. A popular trick to mellowing a high is to eat some peppercorns because beta-caryophyllene binds to the same receptors in your body as THC. In doing so, it physically blocks THC from attaching to your receptors, helping to reduce the anxiety and paranoia that too much THC can cause. 

Turn to CBD

Many people turn to CBD for a day-to-day mood boost, but it can also help you to relax when you’re too high. Research is still determining exactly what CBD can do to potentially mellow out a high, but what we do know is that THC and CBD bind to different receptors in the brain. This may play a part in the compound’s potential to reduce THC-induced paranoia.

It’s always a good idea to keep some on hand, and it can also be helpful to smoke a strain that contains CBD.

Distract Yourself

When you’re feeling too high, try going for a walk outside, watching your fave comfort TV show, or talking to a friend who knows what you’re going through. Focus on breathing and the task at hand, not on the fact that you overindulged. Remind yourself that you just smoked and that it won’t last forever. Everyone’s been there, and while it’s never fun, know you’ll get through it.

Go Forth and Get High