What is the Difference Between a Body High and a Head High
After consuming cannabis, you will feel both physical and psychoactive effects. That is stating the obvious, but there are various effects, which range in intensity. It just depends on how your body reacts to cannabinoids and terpenes.
Some strains of cannabis, for example, can produce a head high. People describe a head high as the absence of all emotional upset, stress, or concerns. If you are experiencing side effects of low mood, depressive feelings, or moderate to severe anxiety, a head high may provide some much-needed emotional relief.
Other strains of cannabis, however, may provide a less cerebral experience. Indica and Sativa plants can provide a body high that feels like an overall numbing effect. Why would you want to take a pure Indica strain (or Indica dominant hybrid) that numbs your body? It may be ideal for patients suffering from symptoms such as chronic pain, epileptic seizures, muscle spasms, cachexia, gastrointestinal upset (Crohn’s or IBS), and nausea.
If you have started using medical cannabis to help improve symptom management, one of the first things you should determine is your preference for either cerebral effects or a body high with soothing analgesic benefits. You can also identify strains of cannabis that may provide a combination of the two psychoactive and physiological therapeutic benefits.
Understanding the Cerebral Effects of Medical Marijuana
For many individuals grappling with moderate to severe anxiety or depression, the incessant barrage of intrusive thoughts can exacerbate everyday stressors. The cerebral high offered by certain cannabis strains can act as a temporary reprieve, akin to wiping a cluttered blackboard clean, allowing individuals to momentarily shed worrisome thoughts.
Taking a break from intrusive thoughts or upsetting emotions can help people who constantly cope with certain mental health symptoms. Individuals who have experienced trauma can have upsetting memories return (flashbacks), which can compound daily stressors. Wouldn’t it be nice to press the pause button on the overthinking, worrying, grief, or traumatic memories? For many people, that is exactly what cerebral cannabis strains accomplish.
Relief Without Excessive Drowsiness
Pure Indica strains may provide beneficial analgesic (pain relieving) effects, but often, cannabis Indica can also have negative effects on your cognitive abilities. The stereotype of cannabis users who are slow thinking, with an impaired cognitive and physical reaction time stems from high potency Indica experiences and the deep relaxation that follows.
Unlike the complete detachment experienced with other substances and feeling cognitively impaired, a cerebral high often retains a sense of alertness and awareness, offering a respite from stressors while allowing users to maintain a degree of mental clarity.
For people who dislike feeling “dumbed down” and groggy, many strains sourced from Sativa or Sativa-dominant hybrids can provide energizing effects while mitigating anxiety symptoms. Emotional relief without the couch crash.
Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of a Cerebral High
Beyond stress relief, cerebral strains harbor a multitude of therapeutic benefits. They can aid in pain management by reducing pain perception and increasing tolerance. Additionally, certain strains stimulate energy and appetite, making them particularly beneficial for individuals grappling with conditions that suppress appetite or induce fatigue.
Patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer can experience fatigue, nausea, and reduced appetite. Many prescription medications can disrupt the desire to eat. Sativa strains tend to be a good choice for patients who suffer from low energy, and some strains may also help stimulate appetite.
Cerebral highs can enhance focus and creativity, offering a welcome distraction for those navigating mental health conditions or undergoing stressful medical treatments. By fostering feelings of euphoria and uplifted mood, these strains may help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.
Relieving Pain: A New Take
You’ve probably heard about the age-old debate between Indica and Sativa strains of cannabis. People often discuss Indica strains as the go-to for numbing the body and easing chronic pain. But here’s the twist: those cerebral strains everyone’s buzzing about? They can be just as effective in dialing down the hurt.
How does it work? Well, these brainy strains don’t just distract you from pain; they dial down the volume of how intensely you feel it. It’s like turning down the pain knob in your brain. Thanks to cannabinoids, those nifty little compounds in cannabis, your brain’s pain receptors get a bit of a break. Plus, they help calm inflammation, like throwing some cool water on a fire.
Feeling Energized and Hungry
We all know that some heavy-duty Indicas can leave you feeling glued to the couch. It is great for bedtime but not for getting stuff done during the day. That’s where these cerebral strains swoop in to save the day. They’re like a shot of espresso for your brain, giving you a boost of energy and motivation without the crash later on.
And let’s not forget about the munchies. Yep, these strains can rev up your appetite, which is a real game-changer for folks dealing with treatments that zap your hunger. Plus, with THC and CBD teaming up, they can calm your stomach down and ease those waves of nausea.
Sharper Focus, More Creativity
Ever feel like your brain’s operating on dial-up speed? These cerebral strains can help with that. They dial up your focus and concentration, making it easier to tackle tasks without your mind wandering off. And when your pain’s under control, it’s amazing how much more you can get done.
But here’s the really cool part: they’re like a muse in a bottle. Need a creative boost? These strains can unlock your inner artist, whether you’re painting, writing, or jamming out on your guitar. They help clear away all the mental clutter (or creative blocks) so you can tap into your self-expression.
Boosting Your Mood and Keeping Cool
We all have those days when we’re feeling a bit down in the dumps. But these cerebral strains? They’re like a little pick-me-up for your brain. They flood you with feelings of happiness and euphoria, chasing away the gloom and leaving you with a smile on your face.
It’s not just about feeling good; it’s about keeping your emotions in check, too. Whether you’re dealing with anger, irritability, or grief, these strains can help you stay cool, calm, and collected. They’re like your own personal emotional lifeguard, keeping you afloat when life gets a bit choppy.
Banishing Stress and Anxiety
Living with chronic pain is stressful enough as it is. Add in all the other stuff life throws at you, and it can feel like you’re drowning in worry. But these cerebral strains? They’re like a life raft in a sea of stress. They help you kick back, relax, and let go of all that tension weighing you down.
Sure, they might not solve all your problems, but they can give you a few hours of peace and quiet, which is worth its weight in gold. So, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, why not give a cerebral strain a try? Your brain may thank you for it.
Getting Social and Feeling Good
Who doesn’t love chatting with friends? These strains are like social stimulants, making you feel chatty and outgoing. They’re perfect for those gatherings where you want to be the life of the party, not the wallflower in the corner.
And for folks dealing with chronic symptoms day in and day out, they’re a real lifesaver. Instead of feeling withdrawn because of debilitating symptoms, some strains can help you enjoy the company of others without being pain-focused for a period of time.
Popular Strains Known for Causing Head Highs
The availability of strains varies by region. If your local medical cannabis dispensary does not have these strains, have a conversation with your budtender and communicate the specific attributes you are looking for. The budtender will provide suggestions on comparable strains you can try.
Some of the most popular strains believed to provide a cerebral head high include:
- Amnesia Haze
- Blue Dream
- Durban Poison
- Ghost Train Haze
- Golden Goat
- Sour Diesel
- Strawberry Cough
- Super Lemon Haze
- Jack Herer
- Green Crack
Higher potency Sativa strains may not “work better” because there is more THC content. Higher potency cannabis Sativa can make symptoms of anxiety worse for some people. When trying a new strain, lean toward a lower potency until you understand how it will affect you.
Navigating the Landscape of Body Highs
Chronic pain is a difficult burden for patients that affects life in many different ways. First, there is the knowledge that they will be coping with pain symptoms for the rest of their lives. Second, patients must live with the unpredictable nature of chronic pain, never knowing how intense or manageable it will be when they wake up every day.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving hormones. Additionally, THC induces vasodilation, increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation while promoting muscle relaxation to alleviate tension and discomfort.
Identifying Strains for Comforting Body Highs
If you are looking for strains with a reputation for providing a body high for pain relief, there are many to choose from. Pain relief is the leading reason why patients use cannabis therapeutically, and a medical cannabis dispensary will have many strains that can provide body-numbing effects.
Some of the most popular strains that can provide a body high include:
- Blue Cheese
- Master Kush
- White Widow
- Purple Kush
- Northern Lights
- OG Kush
- Bubba Kush
- Granddaddy Purple
- Afghan Kush
- Blackberry Kush
New patients should be aware that Indica strains are notorious for causing drowsiness. They don’t call it “In Da Couch” for nothing. Ask your local medical dispensary for advice on strains that are appropriate for nighttime use (which can help you sleep better) and hybrid strains that have the potential to relieve pain without making you feel groggy.
Hybrid Strains May Provide The Best of Both
Some patients have multiple diagnoses and symptoms of chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. It is not uncommon for those symptoms to be related when you consider the impact that treatment-resistant pain (or other health conditions) has on quality of life.
Hybrid strains may be beneficial for patients who want pain relief (analgesic benefits) without feeling drowsy. Sativa-dominant strains with at least a 60:40 ratio may help reduce pain (Indica) effectively while boosting energy levels (Sativa).
Don’t forget to ask about strains that have higher than average cannabidiol (CBD) content. Clinical studies have shown that CBD is a powerful ally in the fight against chronic inflammation, and that can help make your symptoms more manageable.
Aaron Bloom, an experienced healthcare attorney, serves as the CEO, overseeing the mission and growth of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers since 2016. Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives comes from his experience in healthcare. For more than 20 years, Aaron has owned, operated, and represented traditional healthcare organizations. This experience created a passion for finding improved ways to relieve suffering. His goal as CEO is to work daily to provide relief to all patients who seek better health and wellness through the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis and evidence-based alternative medicines.