You may have encountered the term “smoker’s cough” concerning tobacco smokers. But did you know that marijuana users also experience a similar phenomenon known as the “cannabis cough”?
After inhaling marijuana, many users often find themselves with a tickle in the back of their throat, leading to bouts of coughing.
Interestingly, a longstanding debate persists within the marijuana community regarding whether coughing while smoking cannabis can actually enhance the high.
In this article, “Cannabis Cough: Does it Really Get You Higher?” let’s delve into this topic and explore the facts behind it.
The Cannabis Cough: A Common Experience
For those familiar with smoking marijuana, the sensation of a tickle in the throat and subsequent coughing is quite common. With this, you’ll surely wonder if experiencing a cannabis cough, does it really get you higher.
When you inhale cannabis smoke, it can irritate the delicate tissues in your throat, triggering a reflexive response to expel the irritants.
However, a study shows that smoking, regardless of the substance, can irritate your lungs and trigger the need to cough.
The cough can range from mild to intense, depending on factors such as the potency of the strain, the temperature of the smoke, and individual susceptibility.
Moreover, heat and lung capacity play a role in a cannabis cough.
The lungs are sensitive to heat as well as particulate irritants, which may compound the effect of smoking-related coughing fits. Water-based inhalation systems, like bongs, can mitigate these effects.
Additionally, inhaling too much smoke at once will result in extensive coughing as your lungs try to expel the excess.
Why Does Coughing Feel Like It Enhances the High?
Now, the question still remains: if cannabis causes coughs, does it really get you higher?
The answer is not as straightforward as one might think.
While some individuals believe that coughing leads to a more potent experience, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. The act of coughing itself does not directly impact the level of psychoactive compounds absorbed by your body.
Instead, the intensity of the high primarily depends on the strain’s potency, consumption method, and individual factors such as tolerance and metabolism.
How Does It Work?
There is a theory suggesting that the process of preparing to cough actually plays a role in potentially heightening the high. The idea is that the sharp inhale before a cough allows for a greater intake of smoke, exposing the lungs to more cannabinoids and THC.
Moreover, it’s possible that the coughing fit, with its sputtering and lung compression, creates a lack of oxygen to the brain, simulating some of the sensations experienced while high. This lack of oxygen can result in a drop in blood pressure, dizziness, and lightheadedness, accentuating the feelings associated with marijuana use.
If you have excessive coughing fits while smoking, it’s a signal to slow down or take a break. The most effective way to enhance your high is by consulting with a doctor to discuss strain options, smoking methods, and appropriate dosages.
At MedWell Health & Wellness Centers, our medical professionals can help determine the best strain and dosage of medical cannabis for your specific needs.
Also, we strongly recommend purchasing cannabis from licensed dispensaries for your safety and peace of mind. If you have a medical marijuana card, you’ll enjoy additional benefits, especially in states like Massachusetts,
Plus, having a medical card grants you VIP service at the dispensary, along with these savings.
With so many qualifying conditions, it makes sense to get a Medical Marijuana Card.
Jackie Rothman serves as the Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the growth and operations of DocMJ. Jackie’s commitment to improving patients’ lives comes from her background in health care and her enthusiasm for a happier and healthier life for everyone.
Jackie has worked in the medical field for over 20 years. Her experiences with multiple states give her a unique view of medical cannabis and her passion for this rapidly growing industry.