Marijuana is an amazing plant because it makes everyone who uses it feel differently. It is super complex! Everyone experiences different effects and has different preferences as to how they want to feel when they are consuming it.
If you ask all the marijuana consumers that you know what their favorite strain or format is, you will probably get a plethora of different answers. This is because there is not one right answer! There are so many different aspects to medical marijuana that will enhance or minimize the psychoactive effects aka the “high.”
Your preference will also differ depending on the medical condition that you are looking to treat. At West Virginia Marijuana Card, we can help you with this! If you have been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition, we are here to make it as easy as possible for you to get medical marijuana treatment.
Although personal preference is a big part of medical marijuana treatment, it also is only one part of it. There are many external factors that can impact how medical marijuana will affect you and your medical condition.
Read on for some of the most important factors that will affect your high!
Place:
Your set and setting is a super important factor in how medical cannabis will affect you. This actually should not be taken lightly! You could consume a product one day in a peaceful environment and love it. Then you can consume the same product the next day in a stressful environment and hate it. The environment that you are in is that powerful!
When you use medical marijuana and have a pleasant, enjoyable experience, ask yourself some questions. How were you feeling that day? What was your mood like? Did you have a good or bad day? Where were you? In nature? With a crowd of people? At home? What time of day was it?
Different situations can make the effects of marijuana feel different for you!
Keep in mind too your own personal comfort level when using medical marijuana. Everyone has situations that they know will make them feel a little anxious or stressed if they are consuming medical marijuana at the same time. These situations can give you an idea of what situations to not put yourself in when you are using your treatment.
Be hyper-aware of your environment, your set and setting, and how you were feeling that day to know the best ways for you to use your medical marijuana treatment.
Format:
There are several different formats that you can purchase medical marijuana in. There are topicals, capsules, tinctures, and even flower! There also is a legislature pending on allowing edibles too. Every format of medical marijuana can have different effects on a person.
Adding a tincture to your drink versus inhaling raw cannabis flower will give off two different effects. This is because the body processes marijuana differently based on the format that you choose and the consumption method.
There also is a difference in the duration of the effects based on the format you choose. With some formats it is easier to control your dosage than with others. All of these format factors play a vital role in how medical marijuana affects you and for how long.
So when thinking about formats, keep in mind your own personal limits with each method!
Dosage:
Proper dosing is just as important, if not more important, than the first two points!
If you are a beginner medical marijuana user, dosing properly can be tricky. This is especially so when consuming edible or trying a new strain or format. Just remember to start low and slow!
Too little of a dose may not treat your medical condition, therefore leaving you without the relief you’re looking for. Too much of a dose can insight anxiety, paranoia and an uncomfortable high which no one wants.
Silver lining is that there always is a sweet spot when using medical marijuana. The trick is always to start low and slow until you find the dosage that is right for you and your medical condition!
Profile:
The profile of the marijuana that you are consuming is typically the first thing that you can look at to gauge the effects a product will have on you.
Marijuana has a ratio or percentage of the CBD or THC that is in each product. Some people prefer to feel more of the psychoactive effects and will therefore look for a higher THC strain while others prefer higher CBD strains because the THC is a little too much for them.
The profile of marijuana is super diverse and can vary widely depending on the marijuana type you choose to consume. The profile is a tool for you to use in order to gauge which is best for you.
In order to figure out how CBD, THC, or even a blend of both affects you, you need to do a bit of experimenting. After trying different products, formats and strains, you will be aware of which ones you prefer, the effects they have on you and how well they treat your medical condition.
Terpenes:
Terpenes is a buzz word in the medical marijuana community that has been flying around a lot lately. Even if you don’t know what terpenes are, if you have used marijuana, you have experienced them.
Terpenes give marijuana the scent, flavor and taste that we all know and love. They can be lemony, berry-ish, pine flavored, sweet or even spicy. They play one of the most important parts into how a strain or product can affect you.
If you’re looking to do a deep dive on terpenes, head to our Terpenes 101 blog post which will give you everything you need to know!
Tolerance level:
We mentioned before that medical marijuana affects everyone differently since no two people are the same. This goes for individual tolerance levels too!
There are many factors that can influence a person's tolerance level. Some can be age, frequency of use, body chemistry and how long a person has been consuming marijuana. It is super important for a person to know their own tolerance levels. It will help you be aware of how much or how little you can consume.
Once you are able to get a hold on what your tolerance level is, you will be empowered to have the kind of medical marijuana treatment that you need!
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
West Virginia Marijuana Card’s mission is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at 877-303-8424, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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