Becoming a vaper is one of the most innovative health and lifestyle decisions you’ll ever make. That’s especially if you have a history of cigarette smoking.
Vaping is widely touted as a healthier and safer alternative to potentially harmful herbal extracts delivery methods, particularly smoking. This has a lot to do with that vaporizers don’t produce smoke.
But as with any new vaper, there are several questions to settle even as you gradually embrace your new habit. For instance, does vaping get you high?
This article shall attempt to settle that question regarding one herbal compound known as THC.
What Is THC?
THC is an abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s one of the two most popular and most well-studied phytocannabinoids occurring naturally in the cannabis plant, the other one being cannabidiol (CBD). Note that marijuana produces at least 100 other cannabinoids besides tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol.
Another thing worth noting is that all cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol, abound in medicinal properties. THC is widely used for pain management. The compound mediates pain by binding to specific pain receptors spread throughout the endocannabinoid system.
THC might also help relieve anxiety and inflammation in addition to pain. Other common health benefits of tetrahydrocannabinol include treating nausea, enhancing mental focus, relieving fatigue, treating erectile dysfunction (ED), and promoting neurodegeneration.
But despite its numerous health benefits, tetrahydrocannabinol is most famed for its psychoactive properties. THC is the principal compound in marijuana that produces mind-altering effects, commonly known within the cannabis community as the “high.”
What Is A THC Vape Pen?
Vape devices are available in multiple shapes, sizes, and designs. Common vaporizer types include cigalikes, vape pens, vape mods, and box mods.
Vape pens are the most popular electronic cigarettes out there. These devices fall midway between simplistic, first-generation vaporizers like cigalikes and sophisticated, later-generation e-cigs like vape and box mods.
Vape pens typically come with a refillable or disposable e-liquid column known as a cartridge. The composition of the e-juice in this cartridge is a crucial factor determining the naming of vape pens.
For instance, vape pens whose cartridge contains e-liquid formulated with cannabidiol would be aptly called CBD vape pens. Based on that logic, it goes that THC vape pens are vape pens b used explicitly to vape tetrahydrocannabinol-based e-juices.
Will THC Vape Pens Get You High?
As we mentioned initially, one of the frequently asked vaping questions among new vapers is – will vaping get me high?
The best way to answer this question is by stating that vaping is merely a mechanical process that entails inhaling vapor generated by heating herbal compounds in a vaporizer. So, the vaping process has ZERO impact on your brain chemistry. The focus should be on the specific herbal extracts inhaled.
Now that we’ve established tetrahydrocannabinol can alter your state of mind, it goes that THC vape pens will get you high.
Why Do THC Vape Pens Get You High?
The psychoactive properties of THC-based e-juices are mainly attributed to tetrahydrocannabinol. THC primarily interacts with the body like all phytocannabinoids by impacting the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The endocannabinoid system is cell-modulatory, noted for its numerous roles in the body. Its functions include maintaining endocrine balance, transmitting pain signals, regulating mood, and controlling the sleep-wake cycle. This system contains endocannabinoid receptors and chemical neurotransmitters known as endocannabinoids.
The general location of endocannabinoid receptors determines whether a compound will get you high or not.
For instance, THC binds to receptors called CB1, which are typically widespread in the brain and within the central nervous system. By CB1’s location near the brain, consuming THC-based products like THC e-juices will get you high.
What Does Being High on THC Vape Pens Feels Like?
Signs of tetrahydrocannabinol high differ from one person to another. However, you’ll generally know that you’re high if you experience one or more of the following symptoms;
- Euphoria, usually evidenced by uncontrollable giggling and amusement
- Increased energy levels
- Increased appetite
- Enhanced mental concentration
- Enhanced mental creativity
- Bloodshot eyes
- Hallucinations, evidenced by a distorted sense of time and space
- Reduced hand-eye coordination
- Irritability
- Psychosis
As you’ve realized from the above symptoms, THC high can either be a positive or negative experience. It all depends on the amount of the compound you consume. And that underscores the importance of using THC vape pens in moderation.
What Determines The Intensity Of Effects?
We’ve just indicated that THC presents a range of symptoms. It’s also worth noting that the intensity of effects differs from one user to another.
For instance, tetrahydrocannabinol exists in three main isomers, namely delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, and delta-10 THC. These isomers differ fundamentally in their intensity of effects. Delta-9 is the most potent of all THC isomers. Therefore, THC vape pens formulated with this isomer will be more intense.
The following are other factors determining the intensity of THC high;
- THC potency/concentration in a product
- Doses consumed
- Frequency of consumption
- Body chemistry
Final Word
Tetrahydrocannabinol vape pens will get you high. But the nature and intensity of effects will depend on several factors.
One way to make the most of THC vape pens is to consider e-juices containing THC and CBD. Studies have shown that THC and CBD deliver better effects if used together than individually.
Most importantly, remember to use THC vape pens and other tetrahydrocannabinol-based products in moderation.