Cannabis Effects

Smoked Cannabis Time Course:
|     Type     |      Duration      |
|    Onset     |       0-10 Min.    |
|  Coming Up   |       5-10 Min.    |
|   Plateau    |      15-30 Min.    |
|  Coming Down |     45-190 Min.    |
| After Effects|     2-24 Hours.    |

Duration is affected by dose, tolerance, and individual reaction. Note that most cannabis smokers smoke multiple times in single session which extends the duration.

The effects of smoking Cannabis are usually lighter than those of many other recreational psychoactive substances. People are generally capable of carrying out normal actions and activities while high.

POSITIVE 
mood lift 
relaxation, stress reduction 
creative, philosophical or deep thinking: ideas flow more easily 
increased appreciation of music. More aware of, deeper connection to music. 
increased awareness of senses. (eating, drinking, smell) 
change in experience of muscle fatigue. Pleasant body feel. Increase in body/mind connection. 
pain relief (headaches, cramps) 
reduced nausea, increased appetite (used medically for this) 

NEUTRAL 
general change in consciousness (as with many psychoactives) 
increased appetite, snacky-ness 
slowness (slow driving, talking) 
tiredness 
blood shot eyes (more common with certain varieties of cannabis and inexperienced users) 
mouth dryness, sticky-mouth (varies with strain) 
interrupts linear memory. Difficulty following a train of thought. 
cheek, jaw, facial tension / numbness (less commonly reported) 
racing thoughts (especially at high doses) 

NEGATIVE 
nausea, especially in combination with alcohol, some pharmaceuticals, or other psychoactives 
coughing, asthma, upper respiratory problems 
difficulty with short term memory during effects and during periods of frequent use 
racing heart, agitation, feeling tense 
mild to severe anxiety 
panic attacks in sensitive users or with very high doses (oral use increases risk of getting too much) 
headaches 
dizziness, confusion 
paranoid & anxious thoughts more frequent 
possible psychological dependence on cannabis 
clumsiness, loss of coordination at high doses 
can precipitate or exacerbate latent or existing mental disorders 

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
mild to moderate, non life-threatening withdrawal symptoms occur after daily use in some users. These may last for 1-6 weeks after cessation of use and can include anxiety, anhedonia (reduced experience of pleasure), headaches, general unease/discomfort, difficulty sleeping, and a desire to smoke pot. Severity of symptoms is related to frequency of use and individual sensitivity. 
slight loss of appetite 
finding non-stoned life a bit dull, increased boredom 

Revised by Red on 12/23/03

    Source: geocities.com/reds420weed