Why Do We Get Deep Thoughts While High on Cannabis?

Numerous sensations can result from the use of cannabis. However, one of the most apparent effects of cannabis is how it alters our thoughts. It's no surprise that when we consume marijuana, our cognitive patterns change, which can result in all kinds of strange thoughts. Most stoners are aware of this, but why does it occur?

We examine why this phenomenon happens, what thoughts it can trigger, and how long it lasts.

What are "High Thoughts"?

High thoughts - how we think and feel when we are all high on cannabis, can catch us off guard with their abrupt shifts. High thoughts might be hilarious or ludicrous, innovative or seemingly creative, or simply gloomy and dangerous. While these various cognitive patterns might manifest in unpredictable ways for individuals. However, they are primarily due to how THC and other cannabis components affect the brain.

Why Do We Think Differently When We are High?

When we use cannabis, cannabinoids like THC and CBD activate our endocannabinoid receptors. This accounts for the majority of cannabis' many effects on one's body and psyche. THC, the major psychoactive component of cannabis, significantly impacts cerebral blood flow to some brain regions.

In a particular study, researchers discovered that after consuming THC, blood flow increased in numerous brain parts. They hypothesized that the mental and behavioral alterations caused by cannabis intoxication were caused by heightened cerebral blood flow and functional activity in specific brain areas.

Previous research by the same authors indicated that cerebral blood flow correlates more significantly with cannabis impairment than the level of cannabinoids in one's bloodstream.

The frontal region of the brain, responsible for some essential brain activities, demonstrated the greatest elevations in cerebral blood flow after THC use. Usually, the frontal lobes are thought to be in charge of our level of wakefulness and vital cognitive functions such as synthetic reasoning, abstract thought, organization of independent behaviour in space and time toward future objectives, cognition, sensory data processing, volition, and motor activity initiation.

Considering the frontal lobes are in charge of all these critical thinking processes, it's not surprising that increasing blood flow and functional activity to that portion of the brain would result in dramatically diverse thoughts. However, the frontal lobe is not the only portion of the brain that contributes to excessive thinking. The insula, involved in sensory impressions such as taste and flavour and moderating stress-induced cardiovascular responses, experienced significant increases in blood flow.

Researchers also discovered that the right hemisphere involved with emotion mediation was significantly more engaged than the left. The cingulate cortex, which again exhibited strong connections between increases in cerebral blood flow and self-reported THC impairment, is thought to mediate the interplay between sensory information, pain, and emotions.

One thing to remember is that while acute THC ingestion appears to be associated with increased cerebral blood supply and hence with changes in how we think, these alterations in brain function are only transient. On the other hand, preclinical research reveals that following prolonged THC ingestion, there may be lower blood flow and neuronal activity in some parts of the brain (particularly the ventral and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), and these alterations may be detrimental rather than beneficial.

What are Some Usual 'High Thoughts?'

When we get high, our thinking might change in various ways. The following were the most often reported alterations in the survey concerning how it feels to be high:

Being more calm and cheerful
Laughing more
Having different sensory experiences
Changes in perception of time,
Improved focus and memory,
Increased creativity, and deeper thinking

Additionally, people who ingested cannabis alone reported varying impacts. Solo users reported more soothing effects, whereas group users reported more exhilaration, laughter, and wakefulness.

However, some subjects did suffer undesirable side effects and experiences, such as:

Anxiety
Reduced focus and memory
Hallucinations

How Long after Using Marijuana Do You Usually Experience 'High Thoughts?'

In research on how cannabis affects mental functioning, most brain regions exhibited substantial alterations 60 minutes after consuming low doses of cannabis. However, for higher cannabis doses, there were alterations after 30 and 60 minutes, with the apex changes occurring at 30 minutes.

The level of influence varies from person to person, and some claim that it takes longer or shorter for them to feel the high.

The method of consumption can also influence timing, with vaporized or smoked cannabis and new rapid-acting edibles affecting people faster than traditional edibles.

How Long Do High Thoughts Last?

High thoughts can also differ among individuals, but the mode of consumption is the most crucial determinant of how long they last.

Traditional edibles, for instance, have a far longer shelf life than other methods, such as vaping or smoking. As a result, food things create a wider window for high ideas to arise. In most circumstances, high thoughts should fade after the maximum THC levels in the brain have passed. However, the residual impacts of edibles have been reported to persist for up to 12 hours or more.

According to anecdotal internet anecdotes, symptoms lasting 24 hours are rare. Still, they can occur, and it's commonly referred to as a "weed hangover." And while it is uncommon, it can happen, especially in persons with unique THC metabolism or following a high dose. However, once you're no longer inebriated, the high thoughts should disappear.

Cannabis has also been linked in rare cases to periods of psychosis that are more prolonged than the time of intoxication but tend to diminish if cannabis consumption is discontinued. Sadly, these episodes are linked to an increased risk of developing schizophrenia later in life. While scientists do not truly comprehend this connection, there is cause to be cautious if you have had similar experiences.

Depersonalization is a rare and poorly understood phenomenon that might occur in certain persons after taking THC. Any lasting change in the emotional state following consumption should be considered carefully, and the advice of a mental health expert is recommended.

Conclusion

It may take a few tries to find the right dosage where there is no tension or anxiety, but once you do, when the brain is really savoring the high, a lot of interesting things start happening. High thoughts might be hilarious or ludicrous, innovative or seemingly creative, or simply gloomy and dangerous. But the feeling is most pleasing when the dose is right.