Does Coughing Make You Higher When Smoking Marijuana?

Does Coughing Make You Higher When Smoking Marijuana?

Marijuana has become increasingly mainstream in recent years, now legal for recreational use in many parts of the United States. Even where prohibited, cannabis remains the most commonly used illicit drug. When smoking marijuana, it’s very common to experience coughing fits, especially for new users. This can lead many to wonder: does coughing make you higher?

The short answer is no, coughing does not get you higher when smoking weed. However, there are several reasons why coughing frequently occurs and myths around it enhancing your high. Let’s explore the science behind marijuana’s effects and why smoking technique matters.

Why Does Smoking Weed Make You Cough?

Coughing after hitting a joint, bong rip, or pipe puff is a near universal experience, even for seasoned stoners. There are a few reasons cannabis smoke induces coughing:

• Irritation of the throat and lungs - Marijuana smoke contains toxins and tar that irritate mucous membranes.
• Heat from the smoke - Inhaled smoke can reach over 400°F, which the throat and lungs react to.
• Expansion of the lungs - Taking a large smoke hit rapidly expands the lungs, inducing coughing.
• Adjuvant effect - THC may loosen mucus and stimulate nerve endings that trigger coughing.

These factors provoke the body’s cough reflex, which functions to clear irritants and protect the airways. Habitual marijuana use can lead to long-term coughing, phlegm, and lung irritation, a condition known as "smoker's cough." However, occasional coughing is very common even in new cannabis users.

Does Coughing Get You Higher?

Many pot smokers insist that coughing after hitting the weed enhances your high. This is not true from a scientific standpoint. Here’s why coughing does not get you higher from marijuana:

• Coughing doesn’t substantially increase THC absorption - While a bigger hit or breath hold may, coughing does not.
• Coughing actually expels THC vapor from the lungs.
• The perceived boost is from oxygen deprivation to the brain during coughing fits.

When you cough forcefully after smoking, THC-rich smoke is ejected from the lungs. This means there is actually less time for your lungs to absorb the psychoactive components. In reality, coughing reduces intake rather than intensifies your high.

The sensation of feeling higher when coughing is caused by temporary oxygen deprivation to the brain during intense coughing fits. Once the coughing subsides and regular breathing resumes, the perceived intensified high dissipates.

Proper Inhalation Technique

While coughing doesn’t make you higher per se, there are ways to maximize absorption of THC from the lungs. Using proper smoking technique reduces coughing, allows you to comfortably take bigger hits, and leads to more efficient delivery of THC into your bloodstream.

Tips for effective inhalation when smoking marijuana include:

• Taking slow, steady draws to heat the material without combusting right away.
• Drawing smoke into your mouth first to cool slightly before inhaling.
• Inhaling smoke gently into the lungs rather than big, rapid hits.
• Holding smoke in your lungs 5-10 seconds before exhaling.
• Hydrating with water before and after smoking to soothe your throat.

Practice makes perfect when it comes to comfortable inhalation. Coughing during or after hitting weed is no cause for alarm. But following good smoking technique allows you to pull in more THC vapor and reduce lung irritation.

How Does Marijuana Get You High?

To truly understand whether coughing changes your marijuana high, it helps to first look at how cannabis exerts psychoactive effects overall. The primary intoxicating component is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC.

When marijuana is smoked, THC quickly enters the bloodstream through absorption by the lungs. From there it travels to the brain and binds with cannabinoid receptors. The stimulation of CB1 receptors is what induces the classic pot “high” and other effects.

Factors that influence the strength and duration of your marijuana high include:

• THC potency - Higher THC strains produce greater effects
• Amount consumed - Dosing impacts the extent of CB receptor activation
• Tolerance - Frequent users require more THC to get high
• Method of ingestion - Smoking, vaping, edibles all differ
• Individual body chemistry - Weed impacts everyone a little differently

A person’s response to marijuana depends on dose, tolerance, genetics, and delivery method. Let’s explore the unique effects and absorption process of smoking weed versus other consumption methods.

Smoking vs Edibles vs Vaping

Smoking remains the most popular way to use cannabis, but oral and vaporized methods are rising. Comparing smoking, edibles, and vaping highlights how THC enters the system differently:

• Smoking - Inhaled THC absorbs rapidly with effects felt within minutes. But toxins are also inhaled.
• Edibles - THC passes through the digestive system for slower, longer-lasting effects. Dosing can be tricky.
• Vaping - Inhales aerosolized THC oil quickly without smoke toxins. Still easy to over-consume.

When smoking weed, THC enters the bloodstream almost instantly through the lungs, allowing you to titrate your dose easily. However, both short-term lung irritation and long-term health consequences are concerns with combustion.

Vaping and edibles delay onset and absorption but avoid smoking-related respiratory effects. There are optimal scenarios for each method, which highlights the importance of personalized cannabis consumption.

How Long Does a Marijuana High Last?

Another factor in the experience of being high is simply the timeline of marijuana’s effects. THC stimulates CB1 receptors rapidly when smoked - taking just seconds to minutes to take hold. But how long do those effects last?

For the average recreational user, the cannabis high timelines are:

• Effects start within seconds (smoking) up to 2 hours (edibles)
• The peak high lasts 1-3 hours
• Total duration ranges from 3-5 hours
• Residual effects can linger 12+ hours for some people

As cannabis leaves the bloodstream, the high gradually fades over a period of a few hours. Taking bigger hits wouldn’t extend the timeline, just intensify the peak effects. Coughing after inhaling doesn’t prolong or enhance this process either.

However, your individual metabolism along with tolerance levels influence marijuana’s duration and intensity. Frequent users may only achieve a mild buzz that wears off quicker. But new users often experience potent, long-lasting effects from the same dose.

Risks and Benefits of Smoking Marijuana

Despite the harsh sensation in the throat and lungs, smoking remains a preferred method to consume weed. But what are the pros and cons from a health perspective?

Potential Benefits of Smoking Cannabis

When used responsibly, marijuana can offer certain therapeutic benefits, including:

• Chronic pain relief
• Reduced muscle spasms from conditions like multiple sclerosis
• Decreased nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
• Increased appetite and reduced weight loss in HIV patients
• Fewer seizures for forms of treatment-resistant epilepsy

The rapid onset of smoked or vaporized cannabis makes it ideal for acute symptoms. However, side effects like disorientation or drowsiness must be accounted for.

Risks of Smoking Marijuana

Despite some advantages, smoking weed has demonstrated risks:

• Lung irritation and damage - smoke contains carcinogens and tar
• Increased heart rate, blood pressure, artery constriction
• Reduced blood oxygen levels that can harm organs
• Decreased memory, learning, concentration, and coordination
• Anxiety, paranoia in some individuals

Research connects sustained cannabis smoking with bronchitis, airway inflammation, phlegm production, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It may also increase risks for cardiovascular disease and strokes.

Ways to Reduce Risks When Smoking Cannabis

If you choose to smoke marijuana, there are ways to potentially mitigate health risks:

• Use vaporizers or eat edibles instead when possible
• Avoid smoking heavily or daily over long periods
• Don’t smoke tobacco/cannabis mixed joints or blunts
• Opt for bongs, which filter some toxins via water diffusion
• Don’t hold smoke in lungs more than a few seconds
• Hydrate and support lung/immune health with diet and supplements

The frequency and degree of use matters greatly. Occasional, light consumption does not carry the same risks as chronic, heavy use - especially in teens and young adults with still-developing brains.

Avoiding Coughing and Maximizing Effects

While coughing after hitting weed doesn’t intensify your high, it can be an unpleasant experience. Here are some tips to minimize coughing and maximize marijuana’s effects.

Use Proper Inhalation Technique

As discussed earlier, smoking method has a big impact on comfort and absorption. Go slowly, draw vapor into the mouth first to cool, and inhale gently into the lungs.

Choose Higher Quality Cannabis

Poor quality marijuana contains more contaminants that induce coughing. Smoother hits come from organic, properly flushed and cured buds.

Use Water Filtration

Bubblers or bongs with percolators filter particulate matter and cool smoke for an easier inhale.

Change Up Ingestion Method

Try non-inhalation options like edibles, tinctures, or capsules for variety. This avoids respiratory irritation.

Use Throat Lozenges and Stay Hydrated

Keep the throat moisturized and soothed with cold water, herbal tea, lemon water, throat drops, or cough syrup.

Don’t Hold Smoke In

Long breath-holding doesn’t substantially increase THC absorption but expands lung irritation. A few seconds is sufficient.

The occasional cough won’t ruin your buzz when smoking weed. But following best practices leads to a smooth, pleasant toking experience and reduces side effects.

Other FAQs

Does weed make you cough up phlegm or mucus?

It’s common to cough up phlegm after smoking marijuana due to lung irritation. This stimulates increased mucus production. While gross, it helps clear toxins inhaled.

Why does bong smoke make you cough?

Despite water filtration, large bong hits deposit substantial hot smoke deep in the lungs, provoking coughing. Bongs get you higher with bigger hits but aren't necessarily smoother.

Does smoking weed affect coronavirus?

Early research indicates cannabis compounds like CBD may help reduce COVID-19 severity. However, smoke inhalation could harm the lungs’ ability to fight infection.

Can you be allergic to marijuana smoke?

Yes, cannabis allergies are possible, especially to raw flower. Symptoms like coughing, sneezing, hives, swelling indicates allergy. Edibles or isolated cannabinoids are potentially safer options.

The Bottom Line

While a common reaction, coughing after hitting weed doesn't actually get you higher as is often assumed. Proper smoking technique provides smoother hits without sacrificing effects. And knowing the mechanics behind marijuana intoxication allows you to maximize benefits safely and comfortably.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.