Why is it so polarizing?
Even people who used to smoke a lot just can t anymore, myself included: I used to exclusively smoke until my early 20s; Now even a couple tokes make me either feel self conscious or totally overwhelmed and „braindead“.
Others have the exact opposite effect, where it makes them super relaxed or even forget all their worries to a point that they need to stop to confront their problems.
In: Biology
I can’t tell you. I’m not even sure we know the hard science behind it. We’re still learning a lot about cannabis and the active cannabinoids involved in the high (and potentially even terpenes, as they seem to affect the high).
Some scientists will tell you there’s literally no difference between sativa and indica. In my experience they’re obviously missing something (maybe just talking about THC i think?) because there is a massive and noticeable difference.
Honestly it has so much to do with your personal brain chemistry and metabolism and mental habits and attitude. That’s the best answer I can give, it depends on you.
*Edit* i should perhaps elaborate more. I work in a recreational cannabis dispensary in Alaska. I try to get customers the best they can find for their needs, but it’s tough in an industry that is entirely recreational and non medical.
I don’t know if terpenes are actually part of the causation of the high, or if they’re just correlative (as in those specific terpenes are just more common in certain strains and the effects aren’t related to then directly).
But different strains *definitely* have a different effect, and while it’s not entirely consistent across all individuals, it’s decently consistent.
Indica dominant strains will make people feel relaxed, sleepy, drowsy, but some people will feel paranoid.
Sativa dominant strains often make people feel awake, energetic, creative, motivated, but can cause anxiety.
Terpenes are essentially just “smell molecules” as we currently understand them. Though terpene science and aroma therapy seem to suggest they do actually affect the people smelling them. (Most people agree lavender is relaxing, where as lemongrass is stimulating and makes you feel awake)
So the same seems to be true for terpenes in the cannabis. So it might be causative and the terpenes may be a part of what makes certain strains unique in their high, it might even be a part of what differentiates indica and sativa.
Ugh, I wish I was better at explaining things to 5 year olds, sorry.
The truth is I don’t think we really know yet. It’s only just starting to be legalized, and once it’s federally legal it will be a lot easier to get funding for reach and get larger sample groups for research.
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