All cannabis strains are not created equal. Some strains are best suited for end-of-day relaxation and helping you quiet a busy mind while others are more energizing and invigorating than a shot of espresso. If you’re looking for uplifting cannabis strains, you’ll likely experience a head high. What is a head high and what does it feel like? Let’s explore.
What is a head high?
A head high also called a cerebral high, is a cannabis experience that is primarily mental. Head highs are often described as being invigorating, stimulating, energizing, blissful, and euphoric. You may have more energy in your physical body or you may experience the desire to focus on a specific task.
Many cannabis consumers look for a head-high experience to stimulate creativity, work on an art project, dive into a complex task, or get a burst of inspiration to move through their household to-do list. With head highs, you may reflect on big, existential questions or you may feel dialed in on practical tasks — exactly which depends on the type of cannabis product you choose.
Mental effects of a head-high
Most of the effects of a head high take place (where else?) in your brain. Products that create a head high may feel like a burst of energy or inspiration delivered directly to your brain. A head high can help you shift your mood and reframe your mindset.
Euphoria is common with head highs, and it can be the perfect reset to a day gone off tracks. If you find yourself falling into a cycle of stress or anxiety, a head high may help you to reframe and remember the positive things. Finding the right dose is important for achieving a functional and positive head high: too much THC can turn euphoria into anxiety.
Many people report an increase in introspection during a head high, which can make it the perfect companion for meditation or journaling.
Physical sensations
Unlike a body high, a head high does not manifest as noticeably in physical sensations. You may feel physically lighter or energized, but you’re less likely to feel the physical sensations associated with a body high. The world may look more vibrant, colors may seem brighter. Getting a “head high” before a workout or meditation can help you get in a mindset of focus and enjoyment.
How do sativa and indica impact a head high?
Indica and Sativa designations are not the most important part of finding cannabis products that deliver a head high. While there is some truth that Indica strains tend to be sedating and better for body highs, while Sativas tend to be energizing and better for head highs, modern cannabis strains are mostly hybrids that contain both Indica and sativa genetics. These hybrid strains can have surprising effects that don’t fall neatly along the indica/sativa divide.
Take note of whether a product leans indica or sativa, and then go beyond that. What terpenes are in the flower or added to the concentrates? Are there other cannabinoids beyond THC present in your products? These factors also play a large role in determining whether your experience is a head or body high.
If you’re not sure how to analyze a cannabis product’s cannabinoids and terpenes, ask for help. The budtenders at Queen City are familiar with all of our products (and have tried most of them) so they can help you decipher which products are best suited for your goals.
Head High vs Body High: What’s The Difference?
Head high characteristics
A head high is, as the name suggests, localized to your head. Head highs are generally uplifting and mentally stimulating, perfect for socializing, diving into a new project, or getting pumped before a workout.
Head highs are often considered more functional than body highs because of the energizing effects and the desire many people feel to focus their attention somewhere. It may be as simple as folding laundry or as complex as starting a drawing, going for a run, or diving into a good book.
Body high characteristics
With a body high, you feel the sensations throughout your body. You may feel sleepy or relaxed. Your limbs may feel heavy and the couch or your bed may begin to call your name. A body high is the opposite of a head high, ideal for when you want to stop getting things done and start getting seriously relaxed.
Comparing head highs and body highs
If you’re new to cannabis, the distinction between a head and body high may sound confusing, but you’ll know it when you experience it. Start low and go slow to become familiar with the difference in sensations between a head and a body high.
Many cannabis consumers aim for strains and products that deliver a head high during the daytime because it’s a great way to stay productive and save the body high experience for after the day is done.
Which consumption methods are best for a head high?
Smoking and vaping the right strain of cannabis is the fastest way to tap into those energizing head-high effects and is the traditional way of finding a head-high. If you’re new to cannabis consumption, starting with a bowl or a vape makes it easy to take a small hit and get rapid feedback in your body about how it’s affecting you. Remember, the dose you choose is an important factor in a head high, so start with a toke or two and let it sink in before reaching for more.
Edibles deliver a much longer experience than inhalation. While some edibles deliver a head-high experience, most are crafted for relaxation, so be sure to find an edible with the right dosage and terpenes for an uplifting, rather than sedating, experience.
Certain concentrates can deliver a head-high experience, but the potency of these products means that it’s easy to enjoy a large dose that moves you from energized to scatter-brained, making concentrates best suited for experienced cannabis consumers looking for a head-high.
Cannabis strains and products that fuel creativity and focus
Strains
- White Durban. A cross between legendary sativa strain Durban Poison and White OG, White Durban delivers uplifting and euphoric effects in just a few aromatic puffs. The potency of this strain means a small dose may be more uplifting than a large one. Keep a sketchbook or journal nearby for when inspiration inevitably strikes. Buy it at Queen City.
- Super Lemon Haze. This lemon-forward strain is notable for two reasons: it is a child of Super Silver Haze, a legendary Sativa strain, and it is terpinolene dominant, a less-common terpene that provides an invigorating mental boost. Buy Super Lemon Haze at Queen City.
Edibles
- Oria Bahama Breeze. When your mind needs a tropical vacation, reach for these Bahama Breeze gummies by Oria. Crafted with hybrid cannabis flower and enhanced with energizing terpenes like limonene, these 10 mg gummies offer you a getaway without ever leaving your house. Combined with a delicious taste and a short list of ingredients, these gummies are the mental vacation you’ve been looking for. Buy it at Queen City.
- 1906 Go Tin. When you need a plant-powered pick-me-up, you need Go 1906. These small capsules are dosed with 5 mg of THC, and 5 mg of CBD, and enhanced with caffeine and energizing plant medicines. These tablets are fast-acting and low-dose for the perfect way to start your day, without the coffee jitters or crash. Buy it at Queen City.
Vapes
- Super Sour Diesel. A cross between two beloved sativa strains, Super Sour Diesel was bred to be energizing. Customer feedback commonly includes the delicious scent of this strain and the strength of its effects. This vape cartridge from Ozone makes it easy to get a hit of Super Sour Diesel any time you need an energizing boost. Buy it at Queen City.
- Mac n Jack. As an offshoot of the beloved sativa strain Jack Herer, Mac n Jack retains the energizing and focusing effects of Jack Herer and combines it with the blissful qualities of MAC1 in a deliciously aromatic live resin cartridge, perfect for taking a toke any time of day. Buy it at Queen City.
Best terpenes for a head-high
- Limonene. This terpene is beloved in the cannabis and aromatherapy communities for its mental effects, providing a mood boost, euphoria, and energy. It’s thought to be primarily responsible for cerebral and euphoric effects in cannabis and is also known for helping to relieve stress.
- Pinene. Pinene is the most abundant terpene in nature, found in pines and conifer trees across the globe. This terpene is a bronchodilator, widening airways to allow for easier breathing and increasing the flow of oxygen to the brain. Pinene is known for boosting energy and providing mental focus (which is why you feel so good after a walk in the woods!)
- Terpinolene. Terpinolene is a less common terpene in cannabis strains but is thought to be heavily responsible for the uplifting and euphoric effects of Jack Herer. Strains high in terpinolene are thought to be stimulating and invigorating.
Elevate your mind with head high products at Queen City
If cannabis products that promote a head high sound like the right choice for you, Queen City has got you covered. If you’re not sure where to start, stop by our dispensary in Plainfield, NJ to discuss your goals and preferences with one of our expert budtenders. We’ll help you explore our extensive inventory and find the best possible choice for you. So, come in and get the royal treatment you deserve at Queen City.
