What Happens When You Smoke Weed for the First Time (and Why Some Feel Nothing)

The first time you smoke weed, you might feel giggly, relaxed, a little paranoid or instantly stoned, or you might feel nothing at all, which happens to more first-timers than you'd think. How it goes depends on how much you smoke, whether you actually inhale, your expectations, the people around you and your own biology. Let's be honest: it's a strange experience at first.

Some people take their first hit and get the giggles, a wave of paranoia or an instant buzz; others are left wondering why they smoked and didn't get high. Everybody knows about tolerance (the more you're exposed to cannabis, the less it affects you), but feeling nothing the first few times you smoke is a thing too, and it happens to more people than you'd imagine.

If you've never smoked weed and you're thinking about trying it, you've probably got questions. So here are some common-sense strategies to keep in mind for your first time, so the experience is a good one you'll actually want to remember.

Why don't some people get high the first time?

According to a lot of people, if you want to experience weed properly, you first have to learn how. The idea is that people need repeated exposure until their body gets used to it and figures out what it's supposed to feel. Some experts call this a "sensitization period", but what happens during it? The theory goes that THC has to interact with your endocannabinoid system a few times to "switch it on" and produce the high.

It may take you a couple of sessions to understand what's going on and realize that, yes, you actually are high, instead of feeling what you thought you were supposed to feel.

Tips for what to do when you smoke weed for the first time

Beginners often run into another annoying problem at first: the smoking part itself. Some people take a hit but hold the smoke in their mouth instead of inhaling, so the THC never makes it into their bloodstream.

Keep in mind that your expectations, the people you're with and your biology all shape your first time smoking weed, so be patient and keep an open mind.

When you smoke a joint for the first time, go slow and stick with people you trust. Once you start, wait 20 to 30 minutes between hits and pay close attention to how you feel, so you get high but not too high.

Find the right product

First off, keep in mind that smoke of any kind can damage your throat and lungs. Cannabis smoke is different from a lot of other kinds, but smoking still carries some risks, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Still, many people see the potential risks of smoking weed for the first time as a trade-off for the immediate effects. So how should you smoke your first joint?

Vaporizers, for example, cut down on smoke to a degree. How much you get out of one depends on the quality of the vaporizer and on vaping the right stuff. Keep in mind that many vape liquids contain nasty additives, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can cause all kinds of health problems. If you want to vape, buy your materials (and all your cannabis products) from a licensed dispensary.

If you plan to keep vaping, a high-quality vaporizer loaded with well-grown cannabis flower and properly extracted hash is a must. And finally, pick a solid beginner-friendly strain.

Start low

Starting low and slow is the best way to reduce your chances of a bad high. Take one or two short puffs and then wait, longer than you think you need to.

Going low and slow is an easy safety strategy to avoid unpleasant side effects. You'll feel the effects of smoking cannabis pretty quickly, so you only have to wait a bit before deciding whether you want a little more.

Pick the right place

It's crucial to be in the right place, physically and mentally, so you feel comfortable during your first session. Your own home is the obvious and best choice. It also helps to be with trusted friends, especially if they're experienced smokers.

Clear your schedule

You can end up feeling really tired after smoking weed for the first time. So it's best not to smoke before work, driving or anything physically demanding.

What to expect when you smoke weed for the first time

Once you've decided to give weed a try, here's what you can expect from the experience:

Expect fast, intense effects

When you smoke or vape cannabis, the effects kick in much faster than with most other methods, so be ready, because it can hit hard. Inhaled cannabinoids pass through your lungs straight into your bloodstream and on to your brain. Tinctures and edibles, on the other hand, go through your liver first, so they take longer to kick in.

THC, the main cannabinoid behind the cannabis high, works together with a bunch of other cannabinoids and terpenoids to shape the plant's effects through what's known as the entourage effect. CBD helps "tone down" the THC high.

Strains high in both THC and CBD tend to produce a more "moderate" psychoactive effect. High-THC strains with little or no CBD produce a stronger high.

High-CBD, low-THC strains (or ones with equal amounts of both) are the ones users describe as calming, mellow and mood-lifting, and patients often use them for pain relief, but unlike with THC-heavy weed, you stay clear-headed and focused.