Pull with caution.
The science:
A new study found that when infrequent smokers vaped marijuana, they felt more high, anxious, paranoid, and distracted than they did after smoking it.
Expert insight:
Vaping delivers more THC to your system, says study author Ryan Vandrey, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. Smoking a joint or bowl involves burning the bud, which breaks down the THC molecules in ways that vaporization doesn’t.
Still, there are pros to pulling on a pen: Past studies suggest it’s easier on your lungs. Just be mindful of your dosage, Vandrey says. The study participants felt the negative effects after vaping 25 milligrams of THC.
The bottom line:
Start with a low dose of 10 milligrams or less, Vandrey says. The effects will be almost immediate, so wait five minutes before taking another pull.
Or, you could opt for edibles, Vandrey say. When eaten, THC is processed in the gut and slowly released into your bloodstream. Athletes with fast metabolisms will eliminate some of the dose before the drug takes effect.
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