eli5 What exactly happens to you when you smoke marijuana? What is it that causes you to feel “high”?

Question

Just like the title says I’m wondering what is happening to you when you get high on marijuana.

In: 7507

Answer 1

So, story time, cause it is a ride.

So, I only smoke occasionally, like cookies it is a sometimes thing. This makes it feel special, especially when I do it with friends or relatives.

Getting it ready is fun, it is like a ritual, pick out a pretty piece of glass or silicone or metal to use. Open the bag or container and smell the rich, woody, spicy aroma. Break it up, I like to use my hands but other people us a grinder. I enjoy the tactile sensation, like crumbling dry leaves between your fingers. Packing the bowl, or rolling a joint, there is a lot of very satisfying little tasks you set up and knock down before you even start!

So, then you hit the green, the best, freshest hit. The first hit is sweet, the smoke only tickles a little, unless you take a giant rip right out of the gate. The smell is strong, and you get excited knowing what is coming. Like smelling a pizza before taking a bite.

Also, remember that the first hit, if you are not destroying the bowl, is also a deep breath. Not all of it is smoke.

Ten seconds after you exhale, you feel it. It is a fuzzy feeling, euphoria is a weird term for it. My mom liked to say it made the sharp corners go round. Things feel good, water tastes better, sharing things feels better, playing games is harder but more interesting. Everything is more interesting, sometimes you hyper-focus on something, a feeling or thought or drawing. Sometimes you just watch something or listen to something, experiencing it in a different way. I like to read high, its a weird thing. I can picture it better, feeling good makes distractions less distracting, I guess?

The hunger is real, but so is the thirst, the interest, the friendliness. I know it is not everyone’s experience, but I get generous when I am high. I want everyone to have some water, maybe I’ll make some hot-coco. You know what, lets go for breakfast, I’m buyin!

Eventually, it evens out, and you just kinda feel tired, logy. But, you still get the discomfort pushed away, if you are in pain, or upset, it doesn’t stop but it kind of pushes it away, makes it quieter. Easier to forget about.