11 Tips For Your First Time Smoking Weed

Your first time smoking weed can be both an exciting and daunting experience, especially if you don’t know what to expect. You may have heard a few horror stories from others about their first time, just as you may have heard about some great encounters. 

The truth is that if you understand smoking weed for the first time and what to expect, you’ll do just fine. You can skip an unfortunate mishap and look forward to this herbal relationship by keeping a few key points in mind.

Join us as we discuss what you can expect and some vital tips for smoking weed for the first time. We’ll also share our selection of the best strains for first-time weed smokers to ensure the best experience. 

Let’s get rollin’!

Can you get high the first time you smoke weed?

If you’ve never encountered this versatile herb, the common question is, do you get high your first time smoking weed? 

The answer to this question isn’t set in stone. While you can get high the first time you smoke weed, not everybody does. There’s no definitive explanation for this, but the most common theory comes down to experience—the joint wasn’t rolled tight enough, or it wasn’t inhaled correctly. 

The scientific explanation is that the brain’s cannabinoid receptors aren’t “trained” enough to fully experience the high when trying weed for the first time. If this is the case, it’ll take a few tries before you feel the effects. 

You won’t hear any objections from us on this approach. 

The final possibility is that first-time weed smokers do experience a high so mild that it goes undetected. Of course, if you don’t know what to expect from your first time smoking weed, you’d probably also miss the signs even if they’re subtle. 

It’s impossible to predict what you’ll experience when you smoke weed for the first time since it impacts people differently. We can provide all the information we have, though, so you’re prepared and have a better idea of what to expect. 

What happens when you smoke weed for the first time?

Before you embark on your first time smoking weed and the effects, you must understand how it works within your body. The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a network that regulates body functions like sleep, moods, appetite, and pain when bound with receptors. 

Since phytocannabinoids found in weed are similar to the ECS, mimicking its effects is effortless. When considering what happens when you smoke weed for the first time, it’s crucial to consider the enjoyable and adverse effects. 

First time smoking weed effects

When smoking weed for the first time, you may find that the THC activates the release of dopamine in your body—creating a “happy high” as love or sex do. If you’re looking for more of a physical effect, then you should choose a strain high in CBD. 

Smoking weed for the first time adverse effects

You may have heard many horror stories from others about their first time smoking weed and other myths. One of the most concerning questions stemming from these myths is “can you overdose on weed?”. Fortunately, you can’t.

While overdosing is impossible, you can experience adverse effects when smoking too much marijuana. Whether you’re a seasoned smoker or trying weed for the first time, there is such a thing as “too much”.

Some common side effects of too much cannabis are:

• Heightened anxiety, fear, or paranoia
• Drowsiness and lethargy
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe cottonmouth
• Dry or bloodshot eyes
• Increased heart rate 
• Decreased blood pressure
• Disorientation 

To prevent these unpleasant effects, remember that moderation is key. If it’s your first time smoking weed, start small and increase your intake slowly. 

How to smoke weed for the first time? 11 tips for first time smoking weed

We wish we could say that your first time smoking weed is just a matter of rolling and lighting up. Well, it could be, but we recommend that to get the most from your experience, you should take a few extra measures.

Here are our top tips for smoking weed for the first time:

1. Prepare yourself 

When preparing for your first time smoking weed, you should consider the marijuana law in your state. Some states have strict consumption laws, so ensure that you know what is allowed to avoid any trouble. 

Next, you should look at what happens when you smoke weed for the first time. Understand the possible side effects and how to manage them. 

2. Control your surroundings

Since the experiences when smoking marijuana for the first time may vary, you should ensure that you are in a safe environment. Avoid shady spots where you could receive dodgy weed. 

3. Clear your calendar

With the very real possibility that your first time smoking weed could leave you couch-locked or passed out, don’t plan on completing any tasks afterward. Until you’re more comfortable with cannabis and the effects it’ll have on you, rather opt for a clear schedule. 

4. Don’t smoke alone

Surround yourself with friends that you can trust since you don’t know what’ll happen when you smoke weed for the first time. This adds to the safety precautions in case you pass out. 

Of course, some strains can give you an energy boost, so best to have friends around in case you decide to go for a walk. 

5. Drink a lot of water

Cotton mouth weed is a real possibility when smoking marijuana for the first time. Ensuring that you stay well hydrated is a great step in managing dry eyes, dehydration, while soothing headaches and fatigue. Another benefit is that it can help ease the inevitable cough you’ll have. 

6. Make sure you have food ready

Whether you’re smoking weed for the first time or a seasoned partaker, munchies are an unavoidable side effect. Stocking up on snacks beforehand means that you can relax and enjoy the high, it’ll also stop you from impulse buying.

7. Put some music on

If you think music affects you when you’re sober, imagine what it’ll do when you’re high!

When gearing up for your first time smoking weed and the effects, load up your playlist with your favorite tunes. 

If you’re more of a visual person, now’s the time to start binge-watching your favorite TV shows. 

8. Inhale properly

A common mistake amongst first-time weed smokers is that they don’t inhale correctly. Remember that if you ain’t taking it in, you ain’t getting high.

One of our most important tips for smoking weed for the first time is to inhale as deep as you can. Fill your lungs with the glorious smoke to get the full effects of your chosen strain. After all, you wouldn’t want to waste good weed by half-assing it. Would you?

9. Know your limits

There’s no clear-cut way to know what to expect for your first time smoking weed—you could be halfway to the moon after a single puff or stone-cold sober after a full joint.

The only way to know your limits is to start slow and note any changes you feel. If you generally have a low tolerance for medication or alcohol, it’s safe to assume that would be the case with weed too. 

10. Learn from the experience

As mentioned, if it’s your first time smoking weed, you should start slow and pay close attention to any changes you experience. This information will help you prevent repeating a bad experience. 

Learning from your experiences can help you learn how to sober up from weed the next time you have something unexpected to tend to.

11. Be prepared for a new relationship

Smoking weed for the first time could be the start of a beautiful relationship—if it starts on the right foot that is. The benefits of consuming weed are undeniable, and for recreational use, it’s all about enjoyment. 

Follow these tips for smoking weed for the first time and you’ll be on the road to a lifelong herb relationship. Who knows? You may even find yourself ready to grow your own crops!

Different ways to smoke weed for the first time

When understanding how to smoke weed for the first time, you also need to look at the different methods to do so. Remember that each technique provides different physiological and mental effects as the intensity varies. 

Let’s look at some of the options for smoking weed for the first time:

• Joints are a typical choice for first-time weed smokers. Simply roll your ground-up weed of choice in smoking paper and light it up. The potency all depends on the strain you use. 
• Blunts are similar to joints but use tobacco leaves instead of rolling paper and are larger. The tobacco typically adds to the buzz.
• Spliffs are a cigarette/joint hybrid. If you choose this for your first time smoking weed, the effects would be a combination of the materials. Tobacco causes the initial head-rush, and cannabis provides the physiological and mental high. 
• Pipes refer to smoking paraphernalia made from glass, metal, wood, silicone, or clay. Of course, you can also use household items like water bottles, cans, or fruit—ever heard of a fruit bong? Go ahead and add a little apple flavor to your first time smoking weed.
• Bongs are probably the most popular smoking paraphernalia, providing a smoother experience for your first time smoking weed. The designs and materials may have an extensive variety, but it offers little discretion—so play it safe and smoke your bong indoors. 
• Vaporizers produce vapor from plant matter or oils, providing a healthier option than smoking. Proceed with caution if using this method for your first time smoking weed as it can have more potent effects.
• Dab/oil rigs are similar to vaping, heating the oil or concentrate to release vapors. As with vaping, dabbing is a healthier option but is highly potent and not recommended for first-time weed smokers.

3 best strains for first-time marijuana users

Choosing the correct strain for your first time smoking weed is as crucial as the environment you do it in. If you take something that’s too potent, you won’t enjoy the experience, and it just might put you off trying it again. 

Here’s our list of the top three strains suitable for first-time weed smokers. To see the long version of this list, check our article about “best weed for beginners“.

1.CBD Super Lemon Haze (1:1) Feminized

For a well-balanced experience when trying weed for the first time, you can’t go wrong with CBD Super Lemon Haze (1:1) Feminized. As the name suggests, this enticing strain has a CBD:THC ratio of 1:1 at 10%. 

Along with its deliciously sweet and zesty flavors, you’ll experience a wave of relaxation that’ll also provide an energy boost. 

2.CBD White Widow Autoflower

Another impressive strain to try for your first time smoking weed is CBD White Widow Autoflower. While the CBD:THC ratio isn’t balanced, its effects are. 

At 8% CBD and 5% THC, you’ll experience deep physical relaxation. Don’t let this fool you though, the fresh, floral scents are enough to spark all your senses.

3.CBD Harlequin

The CBD Harlequin has an impressive CBD:THC ratio that’ll leave you feeling like you’re snuggled up in a fluffy cloud. With CBD levels around 18%, you’ll experience blissfully deep relaxation. The THC levels at 1% are just low enough to provide a mental high without catapulting you through the stratosphere. 

This is a fantastic strain for your first time smoking weed as it provides just enough kick without being overwhelming. 

FAQs related to smoking weed for the first time

As with any first-time experience, you probably have a million burning questions. Hopefully, we’ve managed to answer most of them in this guide. Here are a few of our commonly asked questions from other first-time weed smokers as a bonus. 

Why don’t you get high the first time smoking weed?

Indeed, not everyone gets high when smoking weed for the first time. There’s no definitive explanation as to why, but we have a few theories:

• Poor smoking practice—not inhaling correctly or not rolling the joint tight enough.
• The body needs time to adjust its cannabinoid receptors.
• Low-quality weed.
• The effects were too mild to notice. 

How long does it take to recover from weed?

The high from your first time smoking weed could last anywhere from 2–10 hours. The time frame depends on the strain you’ve chosen and how much you consume. Of course, if you’re one of those lucky people with a fast metabolism, it’d lean closer to 2 hours. 

What do you do when you’re high for the first time?

There’s only one thing to do when you get high for the first time—enjoy it! Follow the tips we’ve provided, and you’ll find yourself having a memorable experience smoking weed for the first time. 

If you have your music, TV shows, snacks, and water ready, all that’s left to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the trip.

Get down to business

Now that you’re armed with our best tips for smoking weed for the first time, you’re ready to light it up! 

Remember to choose your strain, ensure that you have a safe environment with friends you can trust, and have your supplies ready. Don’t let myths and misinformation scare you away from what could be a fun and beneficial relationship. 

If you are still unsure, join our community of growers and smokers. If you think you’re ready to start growing your own supply, browse the extensive variety of seeds we sell at Homegrown Cannabis Co.

Get rolling, you never know what you’re missing until you try it.