The Best Ways To Boost Your Cannabis High

Variety is the spice of life, and even for the most experienced cannabis connoisseurs, things can get a little stale from time to time. Highs feel low, and the overall experience can seem dulled. But what can you do about it? You might be surprised to learn that there are actions you can take to turn the tables back in your favour. With that in mind, we've listed our favourite ways to improve and boost your cannabis high—and none require much effort. So before you make a rash decision and throw away your vaporizer, edibles, or rolling papers, read on to find out what you can do.

Not all cannabis highs are the same

It might sound like an obvious statement to some, but not all cannabis highs are the same. Many elements factor into this, from the potency of your chosen strain, to your consumption method, to how your body reacts to cannabis. Everyone is different when it comes to experiencing weed. However, it's entirely possible to alter the intensity, duration, and overall feeling of your cannabis experience.

7 ways to intensify your high

Without further ado, let's examine several ways that you can intensify the effects of cannabis and rekindle that love affair with weed. Of course, you might find more success with some methods compared to others, but there's certainly no harm in trying out each one to see what works best for you. You won't regret it!

1. Try high-THC strains

There are several schools of thought when it comes to this particular tip. Of course, by selecting strains with higher THC levels than you normally smoke, you'll expose yourself to higher concentrations of the substance each time you take a hit. So, in the immediate present, it's a viable way to take your highs higher—sometimes even too high! THC levels in modern recreational cannabis strains tend to average at around 15–20% THC, though some contain less, and some much more.

However, on the flip side, note that once your body becomes accustomed to such high levels of THC, your highs will once again begin to dwindle. So perhaps opt for super-high-THC cultivars only as a special “treat” every once in a while, rather than as a daily smoke.

Some high-THC strains for your consideration include:

• Royal Gorilla (Royal Queen Seeds) — 27% THC
• Runtz (Zamnesia Seeds) — 27% THC
• Bruce Banner 3 (Original Sensible Seeds) — 30% THC

2. Vary your consumption method

Is your daily joint starting to become a drag? It may be time to think about trying a different consumption method to get more bang for your buck. Of course, bioavailability plays a massive role here. This is a term that describes the amount of a substance that reaches the systemic circulation (the bloodstream). Some consumption methods to consider are:

• Edibles
• Concentrates
• Vaping

Edibles are renowned for their potency compared to other methods of consumption, such as smoking. Though the bioavailability of edible cannabis is not very high, once THC is digested and metabolised by the liver, a large share of it turns into 11-hydroxy-THC—a metabolite with much greater psychoactive potential than conventional THC. As a result, the high from edibles tends to be much stronger and longer lasting compared to other methods.

Dabbing concentrates is also a viable option for those looking to switch up their regular routine. Typically, concentrates are around four times as potent as the average joint. But, of course, this is relative to the specific product. Cannabis concentrates, aka dabs, can contain anywhere from around 60–99% THC—so proceed with caution. Make sure that you know how to use dabs, and what materials you need to consume them (e.g. dab rig).

It's no secret that vaping is a massively popular option for cannabis enthusiasts. When operated at the appropriate temperatures, users can maximise the release of terpenes and cannabinoids in cannabis flower or concentrates. There is a wide range of vaporizer models and prices available, so make sure to do your research before choosing one.

3. Take your cannabis with the right food and drink

Not to be confused with getting the munchies, did you know that mixing cannabis with certain foods can help to elevate your high? However, it's not just down to chance; foods and drinks containing the terpene myrcene could potentially boost THC’s effects by assisting its transport into the brain. A 2021 review notes that limited research has shown that myrcene could increase THC’s ability to penetrate the blood–brain barrier, potentially resulting in elevated “psychoactive responses” (Surendran et al.).

However, it's not just myrcene that has the potential to improve your high. Certain foods contain other compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system, or associated systems, potentially altering the way THC and other cannabinoids interface with the body and brain, thereby enhancing the psychoactive experience as a result.

Here are some foods and drinks you should keep nearby if you feel that your joint isn't quite hitting the spot:

• Beer
• Broccoli
• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Kombucha
• Mango
• Nuts
• Sweet potatoes
• Tea

4. Consume cannabis at different times

Some may be resigned to thinking that consuming cannabis is solely an evening activity. While this is arguably the most popular time to light up—when all of your daily responsibilities are out of the way—you might be surprised to learn that changing up the timing of your sessions can substantially impact the high you experience. For instance, some stoners love to smoke first thing in the morning, as the lack of nutrients in the body at this point in the day is believed to make for a more powerful high. That being said, though you may get more stoned, be sensible about balancing your desire to wake-and-bake with the impact it will have on the rest of your day.

5. Get moving and exercise

If you find that your high is leaving you bored, consider getting off the couch and taking a few laps around the block. See, THC metabolites are stored in body fat. When you exercise, some of that fat gets used for energy, thereby releasing the trapped THC back into your bloodstream. Research supports this. One study found that THC blood plasma levels temporarily increased by 15% in regular smokers after they did some cardio exercise (Wong et al., 2013). This is why frequent stoners sometimes get high just by working out!

6. Store your weed correctly

One reason for your diminishing highs could be the way you store your buds. We're sure every stoner remembers stashing their bud in any container they could get their hands on. From plastic bags to Tupperware, more often than not, these solutions don't offer adequate protection. Such containers may not be airtight, or they allow harmful UV rays to come in that will degrade the potency and flavour of your buds over time. Your buds may become dry and crispy to the touch and harsh to smoke as well. Unsuitably stored cannabis can also fall victim to damp conditions, adversely affecting your stash and even causing the formation of mould such as mildew or Botrytis.

Give your cannabis the care it deserves; there are plenty of storage solutions available that will serve your bud well without breaking the bank—glass Mason jars are an easy example. Trust us; the difference is truly night and day. Just make sure to keep your storage containers in a cool, dark, and dry place to minimise degradation. Even quality containers won't protect your weed if kept in “hostile” conditions.

• Store in a cool, dark, and dry environment
• Protect your buds from UV rays
• Be careful of moisture
• Provide an airtight container for your weed
• Add humidity packs to your jars to keep your buds in prime shape

7. Take a tolerance break

We know, we know—this is the last thing we want to suggest, and you may not want to hear it, but it may be what's best… Once in a while, every pothead needs to take a tolerance break to reset their body. Tolerance breaks not only make your highs more intense once you start again, but it can make the whole experience more enjoyable.

If you're considering a tolerance break (t-break), think about taking CBD along for the ride. This cannabinoid can be a good substitute if you want to keep using cannabis while allowing your tolerance for THC to reset. Though you won't experience a high when using CBD, you can still enjoy the other potential benefits this cannabis constituent has to offer.

So get to grips with all you need to know about taking a cannabis tolerance break, and give it a try. Abstaining from weed for as little as two days, up to a few weeks, can help to reset your tolerance for THC. Exactly how long it takes depends on various factors, including your metabolism and frequency of use.

Getting the most out of your cannabis high

Those are some of the key ways to bring some life back to your cannabis high. As you can see, most of these suggestions are easy to achieve and involve minor tweaks to your regular routine. All it takes is a little shake-up, and you'll open the doors to a new level of appreciation for your favourite herb. So, whether you're looking to add a new strain to your line-up, change your consumption method, or just incorporate a little more mango into your diet, you might be surprised at what you'll get out of it!

Max Sargent

Max has been writing for over a decade, and has come into cannabis and psychedelic journalism in the last few years. Writing for companies such as Zamnesia, Royal Queen Seeds, Cannaconnection, Gorilla Seeds, MushMagic and more, he has experience in a broad spectrum of the industry.

Read full bio