Weed Myth or Fact: Does Coughing Get You Higher?

It’s a familiar scene for many cannabis smokers: after taking a large hit, a coughing fit ensues, and shortly after, the smoker feels a rush of heightened effects. This has led to a popular myth in the cannabis community that coughing intensifies the high. While it’s true that coughing can lead to a short-term feeling of enhanced effects, this phenomenon is often misunderstood. In reality, while coughing temporarily accelerates the absorption of cannabinoids like THC into the bloodstream, this "enhancement" is brief and doesn’t significantly impact the overall high in the long run.

The Mechanism Behind Coughing and Its Effect on the High

When you smoke cannabis, the active compounds, particularly THC, enter your lungs and are absorbed into the bloodstream. From there, they are carried to the brain and other parts of the body, where they produce the characteristic euphoric or calming effects.

Coughing plays a role in how quickly these cannabinoids enter your bloodstream. When you cough, your body is expelling air with force, which in turn causes your lungs and heart to work harder. This increased cardiovascular activity can temporarily speed up the absorption of THC into the bloodstream. As a result, the effects of cannabis may feel more immediate and intense during or shortly after a coughing fit.

However, this enhanced sensation is short-lived. The heightened effects are not due to an increase in the amount of THC entering the body, but rather due to the body’s temporary increased circulation and respiratory rate. Once you stop coughing and your body returns to its normal state, the effects of the cannabis return to their usual pace, and the perceived "enhancement" fades.

Why Coughing Doesn’t Really Make You "Higher"

The myth that coughing makes you higher likely comes from the brief, intense feeling that occurs after a coughing fit. However, this doesn’t mean you’re getting more THC or that your high is any stronger in the long term. The sensation of being "higher" is simply a temporary result of your body’s increased effort during the coughing episode.

It’s important to note that the actual amount of THC absorbed by your body doesn’t increase significantly just because you cough. The body absorbs cannabinoids through the lungs, but coughing doesn’t necessarily facilitate a greater absorption of THC than simply inhaling the smoke. In fact, coughing may even reduce the efficiency of smoking by causing irritation to the airways, which could lead to a less enjoyable or less efficient smoking experience.

Furthermore, coughing can lead to discomfort and irritation in the throat and lungs, which may detract from the overall enjoyment of the experience. Instead of increasing the high, coughing might just make you feel uncomfortable or detract from the pleasant effects of cannabis.

The Bottom Line: More THC, Not More Coughing

While coughing may give you a fleeting sense of being more "high" because it increases your heart rate and lung activity temporarily, the actual intensity of your high is determined by how much THC you consume, not how much you cough. In other words, the cannabis itself, and the amount of THC it contains, has a much greater impact on your experience than the act of coughing.

To truly enhance your high, it’s more effective to focus on methods that optimize cannabinoid absorption, such as vaping or consuming edibles, both of which can offer a smoother experience and greater control over dosage. Ultimately, the best way to enjoy cannabis is to find the consumption method that suits you personally, rather than relying on myths about coughing and its impact on your high.

In conclusion, while coughing may provide a short-term feeling of enhanced effects due to increased circulation, it is not a reliable or sustainable way to intensify your cannabis experience. The idea that coughing makes you "higher" is a misconception, and smokers should focus on other methods for maximizing their high, such as proper dosing and finding a strain with the desired effects.