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As it relates to cannabis consumption, being stoned or being high could feel like you are going through two different things. These are different experiences in their own way and you can choose either of them and still get a lot out of the experience. There are several things that separate someone from being stoned and being high after cannabis consumption.

Being High vs. Being Stoned: Measuring Marijuana Consumption. Man smelling a marijuana plant.
Being High vs. Being Stoned: Measuring Cannabis Consumption

The Current Situation

These days, cannabis has become widely accepted by many people and it also is widely used, but there are still questions surrounding the type of effects it has on the body. If you don't already know this, cannabis consumption has a psychoactive effect to the user that is consuming a strain with high level of THC. It will give the user an intoxicating feeling after being ingested. The words ‘stoned' and ‘high' are interchangeable and describe the result of consuming THC rich cannabis. Let us examine the distinctions between them to avoid arguing or debating about it.

The Various Cannabis Strains

There are different types of cannabis strains that users have to choose from to get their buzz or to get high. Every strain carries a different effect or reaction from the user. Each cannabis strain has its own smell, effect, quality, appearance and flavor. It is the same way that coffee beans and wine are different. For example, red wine and white wine are both from the same category, but they have differences.

In terms of cannabis, there are two dominant strains; namely indica and sativa. The indicas strain is widely used as treatment for muscle tension, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, chronic pain and restlessness. If you are seeking an uplifting effect, then you should consider the sativa strain, which will make you energetic and often giggly. In other words, indicas should be consumed when you want to stay in and sativas should be consumed when you want to go out. In addition to both, you could consider a hybrid strain that balances both.

The Buzz Effect

If you want to feel buzzed after cannabis consumption. The initial buzz might last for a few minutes prior to feeling that high. However, it is largely dependent on the THC potency and the type of strain that was consumed. The buzz is the first kick that you feel after you pull and inhale your cannabis joint. In other words, it leads up to the high where you might start to feel the giggles coming on and the euphoric feeling.

The High Effect

Being high is the next level that the user will reach after the buzz. It is the typical uptick in emotional uplifting and physical energy. This is the kind of feeling you will experience once you finish that joint. The level of high will depend on the method of cannabis consumption, smoking experience and the potency of the strain. With a high-grade strain, you will maintain a high for as long as four hours.

The Stoned Effect

Being high makes you feel like you are up and running. In comparison, being stoned makes you have a heavy feeling where you are drowsy and kind of ‘doped up.' When you are in a state of being high, it brings energy and excitement. When you are stoned, you feel heightened intoxication where you are lethargic and have a deep sense of relaxation. In many cases, when you are stoned, you feel very hungry.

As it stands today, cannabis consumption is helping military veterans in the United States and around the world with their medical conditions, which were initiated during wartime. There is one more issue to consider or clear up prior to engaging in a discussion about the extent to which cannabis consumption can help military veterans.

One of the major topics as it relates to the veterans is post traumatic stress disorder; also known as PTSD. This illness is one of the qualifying conditions for acquiring medical cannabis in most states across the United States that have legalized cannabis.

The Prescribed Option

To many military veterans, cannabis consumption is more appealing than prescribed drugs. For one, it does not cause addiction and there is no risk for dependency or overdose. In addition, there are no side effects to talk about in comparison to prescribed drugs. In fact, there are more benefits of cannabis consumption to military veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. For that reason, the U.S. government is thinking about putting more resources and finances into research.

No Disorder

PTSD is not really a disorder as many people might think. It is considered by experts to be a natural psychological response to harrowing events. If you have gone through anything traumatic in your life, you already know this to be true. And so, before you consider cannabis consumption to be the effective treatment, let us attempt to get the ‘disorder' mantra out of our minds and become aware of the side effects of a traumatic event is quite normal and nothing to be embarrassed about.

In addition to PTSD, veterans also suffer from depression, pain and anxiety and even though, it hasn't been researched whether cannabis consumption helps or not, there are many advocates who believe that it would result in a reduced rate of suicide, if veterans had increased access to cannabis.

The Obvious

It is obvious that the United States request so much from military veterans and so why would ethics be a part of something that could help them deal with their PTSD? When military veterans return to society, there are many that do not receive the welcome they deserve.

Even if we don't welcome them at their ports of entry, we could at least make cannabis available to help them handle the issues that plague them so that they can improve the quality of their life.

The Addiction

The most common choice for cannabis consumption is when a military veteran is feeling excruciating pain that is almost unbearable. The choice is sometimes made because prescribed drugs no longer work.

Yes, cannabis is already proven to work for many cannabis consumers; let alone military veterans. When the veteran has received pharmaceutical prescription for pain and gets addicted to it; meaning that the veteran cannot do without it, then it would become an addiction problem.

On the contrary, the veteran would not have the same addiction problem with cannabis consumption. There are a lot of opioid addiction issues in the United States right now and many of them are by military veterans who get to depend on these drugs to treat chronic pain and injuries from war.

Many military veterans also endure things like panic attacks, chronic depression and chronic anxiety. Cannabis consumption can also help with these chronic illnesses in a non-addictive way. In fact, this could aid veterans in dealing with or eliminating their opioid addiction.

Once a cannabis regimen has begun, the veterans will see considerable differences to their health issues. It would be great, if the feds could jump on board sooner rather than later.

Final Summary on Being High Vs Being Stoned

When you use various method of cannabis consumption, you will have varying effects too – of being stoned or being high. These methods might include consumption of edibles and vaporizing.

Though they can occasionally be used interchangeably, the terms “being high” and “being stoned” are frequently used to denote different states of cannabis consumption. In general:

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Being High: This is frequently linked to affects that are more energizing, cerebral, and energetic. Users may experience increased cerebral stimulation, creativity, and sociability. This condition is frequently associated with the usage of THC-rich sativa strains or products.


Being “stoned”: This phrase usually refers to a more potent, sedative effect. It's possible for users to feel extremely at ease, listless, or even couch-bound.

It's frequently linked to the usage of indica strains or CBD-rich products.
The particular experience may differ depending on the type of cannabis used, how it is used, the user's tolerance, and other personal characteristics.

Fred Hernandez - Cannabis industry expert writer
Fred Hernandez

Fred Hernandez is a highly accomplished and versatile writer, boasting an extensive background in the cannabis industry. With an in-depth understanding of various sectors including cultivators, processors, retailers, and brands, Fred's expertise spans across the entire cannabis landscape. As a prominent contributor to CTU, he consistently delivers insightful articles exploring the latest developments, news, and regulations shaping the cannabis industry. Whether it's delving into the intricacies of cannabis products, cannabis strain reviews, or providing comprehensive analyses of cannabis laws, or sharing expert insights on cannabis cultivation techniques, Fred's wealth of knowledge positions him as an invaluable writer and educator for all cannabis-related subjects.

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