How does food affect your high?
There are many factors that influence your high, such as the set and setting, but also your food. Weed itself contains terpenes, these are substances that are known because they give cannabis the smell and taste. But they can also influence the effects. Terpenes are not only found in cannabis, but also in food. That's why what you eat can also influence your high.
What are terpenes?
When we talk about weed, most people immediately think of the cannabinoids it contains. The best known is of course THC, which causes the high. Furthermore, CBD, CBN and CBG known. But cannabis contains many more bioactive compounds that you shouldn't overlook, such as terpenes. Plants produce terpenes to attract or repel insects, for example. They give the plant a characteristic smell and taste.
They also do that in cannabis. But in combination with the cannabinoids they also cause a variety of effects, such as stoned, cheerful, euphoric, relaxed and high. The terpenes influence the effects of cannabinoids, they can strengthen or weaken them. This will be the called entourage effect. The ratio and combination of the different terpenes play a role here. That is why when choosing a particular cannabis strain, you can take into account which terpenes it contains (the terpene profile).
Take a look at Sour Diesel, for example. This cannabis has a somewhat sour smell and taste. This is caused by the terpene limonene. Citrus fruits such as lemon also contain limonene. Northern lights is another well-known cannabis strain. The taste is nice and spicy, with an earthy aroma. It is the terpene beta-caryophyllene that causes this. This is also found in, for example, oregano, cinnamon and black pepper. By paying attention to the terpenes, you can better choose the cannabis strain that suits you.
Food that affects your high
As mentioned, not only cannabis contains terpenes, but these substances are also found in certain types of food, such as fruit, tea and vegetables. And there are even more substances in food that can influence your high. Therefore, if you eat these herbal products before or while using cannabis, this will influence the effects of cannabis.
Broccoli
Broccoli is not only a tasty and healthy vegetable. This green vegetable (a cruciferous one) is rich in the terpene beta-caryophyllene, which affects your high. This is because this terpene binds to the CB2 receptors, which means that it takes up the space that the cannabinoids normally occupy.
Researchers assume that broccoli can cause you to experience a more relaxing high, which is also more powerful at the same time. If you like broccoli, you can use these effects in combination with cannabis.
Dark chocolate
Many people love chocolate. If you want to get more out of your high, go for dark chocolate, because it forms an excellent combination with cannabis. Perhaps that is why it is also popular in edibles. Chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid with a somewhat bitter taste. This does not concern terpenes, but another substance that ensures that your food can influence your high.
Theobromine, according to research, affects the levels of anandamide. This is a neurotransmitter that is also called the happiness molecule. And not without reason, this substance provides a pleasant, satisfied and cheerful feeling. If you eat chocolate in combination with weed, this can cause a very positive and heavenly high.
Mango
Did you know that mango has an effect on your high? This sweet, tropical fruit contains the terpene myrcene, a terpene also found in cannabis. Myrcene has a narcotic effect, but it is also suspected that eating mango before using cannabis causes the CB1 receptors to become saturated. This could potentially cause a stronger psychoactive high. To achieve this, you should eat a mango about an hour before lighting a joint.
Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds are also a type of food that has an influence it can have on your high. They are rich in fats (lipids) and cannabinoids such as THC and CBD can be dissolved in them. When you consume cannabinoids in combination with fats, these substances remain in the blood for longer and in higher concentrations. This also means the effects last longer! Go for nuts and seeds with lots of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, such as walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts. Flaxseed and chia seeds are also suitable.
Sweet potato
Sweet potato can also influence your high, but in a slightly different way than the food described above. Yet, sweet potato can have a positive effect. The vegetable contains substances that are necessary to produce the neurotransmitter serotonin. And serotonin is a substance that is very important for feeling good about yourself. Weed also affects the serotonin receptors. That's why the combination of sweet potato and cannabis can be very good for your mood.
Enjoy the benefits of food and its impact on your high
Of course, we still don't know everything about the influence that food can have on your high. But it is clear that certain types of food can have a powerful effect. Are you curious, and would you like to experiment? Be careful and use small amounts of mango or chocolate, for example, and see how you react.
