The nuances of cannabis consumption are subtle, but distinct. You may have heard of people getting body high and head high, but what does that mean? Understanding the difference can be a key factor in choosing the right products that meet your preferences and goals. Let’s dive in and explore these concepts further, as well as examine what it is about cannabis that contributes to each.
What is a body high like?
A body high is an experience that you feel mainly in your body. Your muscles may feel relaxed, your limbs may feel light or heavy, and you may feel less tense than you were before consuming. Some people get very sleepy when experiencing a body high, while others simply mellow out into a relaxed state for a few hours.
A body high can be a good way to press pause if you’ve been running all over the place and need to carve out time to simply be. Body highs are more commonly associated with the munchies. If your eyes start to droop, your limbs get heavy, and your belly starts rumbling, you’ve got a body high.
A body high may be desirable for consumers managing pain, reducing stress, or addressing trouble sleeping.
[Interested in cannabis for sleep? Check out these products we recommend to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.]
Is sativa or indica better for a body high?
First, let’s clear up a quick misconception: while conventional wisdom may tell you that you need an indica strain to get a body high, there is more to it than that.
Sativa strains are often said to be more energizing, while indica is thought to be more sedating. While there is sometimes truth to that notion, sativa strains do not always cause a head high and indica strains do not always cause a body high.
Most strains on the market today are a hybrid of indica and sativa genetics, and just because a strain is indica dominant does not mean it will lock you “in da couch.” Hybrids can have surprising effects no matter what the dominant genetic lineage may be.
Whether the strain leans indica or sativa is not as important as the terpene content and the minor cannabinoids that are present. Pay attention to these compound profiles and take note of things like how much myrcene a strain or product contains and what its Cannabidiol (CBD) levels are to better gauge how it might affect you.
If you’re not sure how to analyze a cannabis product’s compound profile, simply ask one of our budtenders, who are familiar with all the products we carry at Queen City Dispensary. They’ll be able to break down the specifics so you have a better idea of what to expect from the product you’re considering.
Body High vs Head High: What’s the Difference?
Head High
A head head is an experience that feels localized to your head. You may feel uplifted, energized, or euphoric. A head high can make you feel alert and some people even report a spark of inspiration and a creative flow. A head-high experience is often described as relaxed and social, or energized without being tense. You may feel introspective or chatty.
Getting a head high experience can make mundane activities like folding laundry and sweeping the floor more fun and easier to focus on. It can also provide a boost to your workout, yoga session, or meditation.
Body High
A body high tends to be more relaxed and sedating than a head high. It won’t necessarily put you to sleep, but it can make it much easier to nod off during a movie or your favorite TV show. A body high can be characterized by feeling physically relaxed, chilled out, and comfy on the couch for hours on end.
Body highs also address aches and pains you may be feeling, either from health conditions or physical exercise. They can also make you feel more aware of your limbs or other parts of your body, altering the physical sensations you feel.
Comparing body highs and head highs
It can be hard for a new cannabis consumer to understand the differences between a head high and a body high, but you’ll know it when you experience it. At first, it may feel like all cannabis strains cause the same effects, but as you explore your preferences for consumption methods, THC potency, and terpene profiles, you’ll notice nuances in the experiences.
Head highs tend to be more energizing and best for getting things done and socializing, while a body high is a more chill, relaxing experience, better suited for the evenings or weekends. Consumers have described head highs as “energizing” or “slightly buzzy and electric” while body highs are more “warm and cozy.”
In many cases, you may experience a combination of both. Some strains may lean towards a body high and others a head high. Others still may deliver one experience over another. The best way to find what works for you is to try different strains and cannabis products and take note of your experience.
Which consumption methods are best for a body high?
Eating an edible, smoking cannabis flower, or enjoying cannabis concentrates are the best ways to get a body high experience. With the right strain, all three consumption methods can effectively deliver a body high; it really depends on your preference for consumption.
An edible will take longer to deliver the body high effects than smoking or concentrates. Usually, edibles take between one to two hours to take effect, while smoking or vaping takes only a few minutes. However, edibles will generally keep working for several hours, while the effects of inhaled cannabis tend to dissipate much more quickly.
Some people find edibles deliver a more consistent body high experience than smoking, while others are “edi-blocked” and won’t feel high at all. Cannabis produces an individualized experience, so what works for one consumer may not work in the same way for you — try different products to find the ones you like best.
Prime Picks for Optimal Body High Effects
Strain Types
- Banana Daddy: If you want a body-high experience that still delivers a giggle-inducing euphoria, reach for Banana Daddy. This myrcene-dominant, gassy strain delivers a warm and cozy experience while still giving you enough energy to get off the couch to get a drink – and you’ll want water standing by to combat the dry mouth that can come with laughing this hard. Buy it at Queen City
- Brownie Scout: Don’t let the sweet name fool you — Brownie Scout is a potent strain infamous for incredible states of relaxation. With high THC levels and myrcene, Brownie Scout is a munchies-inducing, couch-locked, classic indica strain. Buy it at Queen City
Edibles
- Oria Berry Bliss: Crafted with indica-dominant flower and enhanced with myrcene, these 10 mg gummies from Oria by Ario are artfully crafted to deliver a relaxing, body-high experience. The sweet taste of berries hides the classic “weed taste” and a short list of ingredients means no artificial colors or preservatives for you. Try a half gummy to start or jump into a whole one if you have a free Friday night. Buy it at Queen City
- Encore Milk Chocolate Indica: Decadent milk chocolate pieces hide 10 mg of relaxing THC, making these edibles a top choice for nighttime. You’ll feel the relaxation sinking in as your eyes start to get heavy. Aim for your bed and not the couch because once you sit down, you may not get back up. Buy it at Queen City
Concentrates
- Animal Face Live Resin: Animal Face is a hybrid strain that leans towards sedation and relaxation. Customer feedback on this strain highlights its ability to help you forget the stress of your day and simply sink into a state of blissful being. This Live Resin concentrate from Rythm delivers top-notch potency and flavor, and you won’t need much to feel the effects. Buy it at Queen City
- Slurricane XI Live Rosin: If you’re seeking a couch-locked state of bliss, lean into the Slurricane. This indica-dominant strain is known for intensely euphoric and relaxing effects and live rosin delivers these effects quickly. One small hit and you’ll feel the weight of the world lifting off your shoulders. Two hits, and you may not even feel your shoulders anymore! Buy it at Queen City
Which terpenes are best for a body high?
There are a few terpenes you want to look for if you want a body-high experience.
- Myrcene: One of the most common terpenes in cannabis, myrcene is highly sedating and often pointed to as the cause of “couch locking.” Myrcene-rich hops have been used as traditional sleep promoters, so it makes sense that strains high in this terpene could cause sleepiness. Myrcene is also known for its muscle relaxant and pain-relieving properties, which work hand-in-hand to help you sink into the couch.
- Humulene: Another terpene found in high quantities in hops, humulene has mild sedating properties that can increase the feeling of relaxation in a typical body high experience.
- Linalool: Beloved in aromatherapy for its relaxation-inducing properties, linalool can also facilitate the body-soothing sensations of a body high.
If you’re looking for a body-high experience, stay away from traditionally energizing terpenes like limonene and pinene.
Which THC and CBD levels are best for a body high?
Potent THC products are usually better for attaining a body high, so as a general rule of thumb, look for products that have 20% THC and more. However, the THC percentage is not the only factor in getting body-high; the strain type and terpene content in cannabis matters as well. Not every high-potency strain will result in a body high, but many will.
Unlike THC, CBD does not get you high but it can be a good addition to a cannabis product to help you achieve your desired state of body-high without a list of negative effects, like paranoia and racing thoughts. If high levels of THC tend to overwhelm you, look for products that also contain significant amounts of CBD.
Find Your Body High at Queen City
Whether you want to experience a body high, a head high, or both at once, you’ll find the best cannabis products at Queen City, your friendly neighborhood cannabis joint. Stop in today at our Plainfield, NJ dispensary and ask our budtenders about their favorite products for body highs. We’ll be happy to walk you through our inventory and find the best fit for your goals.
