A lab notebook for my experiments in applied biochemistry. Which is to say, my experiences with different cannabis products. Take particular note of each product's mood effects, ideal activity/media pairings, and interactions with tic drive. Where possible, try to describe the relationship between dose and effect. A good goal would be constructing a prompt-based guide matrix (e.g., “I want to…sleep/watch TV/do chores”).
Remember, it isn't science unless it's written down.
One thing I have noticed across different product types and source strains is that certain effects, particularly on my tic drive, seem to be dependent upon body orientation. Moving from an upright to a supine position, for example, can amplify the tics and shift my mood (typically laterally or downward). It's an interesting tendency, but I don't yet feel it's predictive. It could just as easily be a matter of habit — that is, I feel X in Y position, so I'm primed to feel that way each new time.
The major advantage of (vaping) flower over consuming edibles is the near-immediate onset of effects. It's much easier to find a sweet spot and stay there when you know exactly how high the last hit took you. Plus, it's fun to try out a bunch of strains and compare their effects.
That said, it's harder to accurately gauge dosages than with other methods. Flower strain and amount, vaporization temperature, draw times, bioavailability, and more all affect the absorbed cannabinoid dose. I also suspect that packing the flower too densely obstructs airflow and thus reduces inhaled vapor. These factors complicate direct strain-to-strain comparisons.
As a start, I should determine how much material will fit into my vaporizer when properly packed. Then I can at least calculate the total cannabinoid content and make educated guesstimates about actual dosage.
Blue Dream feels to me like a daytime strain—which in my case works to its detriment. I don't generally like being high during the day, even on weekends. Maybe that would change were I getting high with friends. At any rate, Blue Dream is a good strain for relaxing and watching TV (or just some bushes in a light breeze). That relaxation comes with neither couch lock nor drowsiness, hence the characterization of a daytime strain. Absolutely a good time, but not really a go-to for me now. We'll see how I feel about it if I get to share some with a cuddle buddy during an Adventure Time binge.
Oh, I'm not really sure where else to put this, but one time while on Blue Dream, I really wanted some Chinese food. I have no idea whether those two facts are related.
I vaped some Blue Dream during a minor panic attack. I'm not certain whether it directly helped or if focusing on preparing and vaping it simply distracted me, but either is a win. Such episodes might be an ideal use case.
This was the second flower strain I tried, and it was not as at all pleasant an experience as Point Break. Though soporific and relaxing, it could also convince me to dance a little—or whatever you call wiggling and squirming while lying in bed.
London Pound Cake had one huge drawback for me: it tended to make my mood unpleasantly malleable in a way that was difficult to tune. That's an effect I have no desire to court. I ended up handing over the remainder of mine to someone else.
Recommended as a similar option to Point Break.
Useful for a boost during chores.
This was the first flower I ever tried, and it is a huge favorite. It has a heavy body high that is wonderfully relaxing. With Point Break, any resting position is the comfiest possible position. Best of all, it seriously reduces my tic drive! Perfect for bedtime, especially on Friday evenings.
I look forward to comparing the flower's effects to those of a cartridge derived from Point Break.
This was recommended as a spacey strain, and it lived up to that expectation to a degree. My mind jumped from one idea to another without sticking on any single one. I had read that it hits first “between the eyes”, which I interpreted as a cerebral high. That description actually turned out to be pretty literal; the first sensations manifested as a pleasant tingling in my forehead.
I strongly dislike the flavor. Each and every hit yields a “blegh!” reaction from me. Unfortunately not my bag.
My local budtender suggested this strain when I requested something to spark some creativity. I can't say that it did, but I can say I discovered a new favorite. Sparkling Lime feels exactly like what its name suggests — a fizzy lime drink straight to the brain. It's absolutely amazing for stargazing from a hammock.
Unfortunately, information about Sparkling Lime is sparse online. Neither Leafly nor Weedmaps has an entry for it. The first batch I purchased was grown by Otis Garden, who describe it as a cross between Lime Skunk and White Nightmare bred by Sin City Seeds. That's all I've been able to find out.
There are plenty of strain names that don't make much sense to me (I'm looking at you, Cheetah Piss), but this is not one of them. This one, like its namesake, is ideal for sipping from a porch swing on a breezy summer day. When I first tried it, my earbuds died right as it was starting to ramp up. My disappointment as I removed them was immediately replaced by deep awe at extremely mundane details of my surroundings (e.g., how tiny hummingbirds' feet are). It was a wonderful experience.
Now, the reason I had chosen to try it that particular day was that Leafly described it as energizing, and I had some chores to do that day. That plan did not pan out as intended. I was not at all interested in emptying the dishwasher, but I did manage to bribe myself through it with the physical sensations of each dish. As soon as that was done, I went to find and pet the cat before sitting down to watch cartoons and play Minesweeper for several hours — honestly a typical afternoon for me, but it felt extra good. This would be an excellent strain to take camping or hiking.
The budtender who sold my first gram said it was an underrated strain, and they weren't at all wrong. Sweet Tea should be in regular rotation whenever available.
Leafly claims it's similar to Point Break. We'll see about that.
Some kind of four-way hybrid (each letter is from one of its parents). I can't find any information about it online, even from the breeder's page.
Ah yes, because I didn't have enough variability to test. Now I can consider manufacturer, distillate type, draw time, draw voltage, and strain all at once. Science!
Remember to take care to select carts that are free of additives, especially vitamin E acetate.
I have quite enjoyed these carts. They are bodily relaxing and put my mind into free-association mode for the duration of the high, though if that thought stream isn't reigned in a bit, it can be a short ride straight to horny city. The taste is enjoyable, the vapor is smooth, and my tic drive is suppressed. The effects pair well with highly textured music like Mogwai, Slowdive, and “Tadow”.
There is, however, one major drawback: the carts have a tendency to clog. The first one didn't clog until it was nearly empty, but the second stopped working with around half a gram left. Unless I can figure out how to unclog them (or prevent them from clogging in the first place), that's a deal breaker for me.
Some time later, I mistook this one for the Cement Shoes and only realized because it wasn't getting me as high as quickly as I had expected. So these might not be as effective for me anymore.
Tasty! It's a little slow to take effect, but once it does, it's a chill ride. Like with Blue Dream, I could binge watch static (or a firepit). It has a dampening effect on my tic drive—though not quite fully attenuated, I found the desire to perform tics easier to ignore. This cartridge is only half a gram (compared to a more typical full gram), and it's good to see that that amount can stretch a decent way for me.
If I ever doubted that oil could have different flavors, this cart ended that. After a few hits, the vapor starts to taste a bit sulfuric. It's not an awful flavor, just weird. Otherwise, I have no complaints; the high is pleasantly stony with some giggles for good measure. All things considered, it's a perfectly serviceable, middle-of-the-road cartridge: I would definitely purchase another, but it's not my first choice.
An aptly named strain if ever there was one. As usual when trying a new strain, I ended up taking too much in the first session (don't worry, it was a good time. I was just really high). To be fair to me, the early stages of this one are subtle. I feel clear-headed and mostly functional…until I don't, at which point I'm completely glued to the bed. Bodily tingles and occasional rushes of euphoria are common, and after enough hits, it can make me feel like my body is dissolving into its surroundings.
It's a wonderful way to cap off a Friday night. I must emphasize the Friday night part of that, despite the fact that I blew through my first cartridge in record time. The next morning tends to feel more sluggish than usual, so it's best reserved for weekend usage. Add this to the list of items to try during a cuddle session (however many decades away the next one of those is for me). Leafly's #1 effect for this strain is arousal, but I never felt that way. Maybe that would change with another body nearby.
Finally, I have to mention its most striking features: its aroma and flavor. The oil smells like flowers (violets?), and the vapor tastes like blueberry pancakes. It's wild how real those comparisons feel. Even the most sensitive nose in the house agrees. I would love to try this strain in flower for comparison on all fronts.
I'm not yet ready to try these out. My Pax can handle “waxy or solid concentrates”, which I have yet to map to more specific product types. Shatter? Budder? Badder? I could also get a dab pen and make some rosin with all this kief.
Between their long activation times and the higher potency of their metabolites, properly dosing edibles has proven to be a challenge. It is way too easy to overdose, but it can be just as easy to underdose.
Woo boy, I do not have a high enough tolerance for these. I've had one really nice ride and one really bad ride. That name is no joke.
My experiences with tinctures have been just as variable as with edibles. Sublingual administration should be faster and less potent than oral consumption, but I think I received most of the cannabinoids orally.
Everybody has these stories! You take a little bit of something, and then you're like, “ehh, I can take more of this.” And then it's bad. It's fucking bad.
https://youtu.be/X9nuwdP3j5g?t=800
If the above quote is true, then this is my mistake story. I was so high that I was seeing visions and “communing with the essence of humanity past, present, and future”. After a couple of twitchy hours, including a cathartic period of simultaneous weeping and laughing, an intense fear set in and wouldn't dissipate. I took the phone-a-friend option, which helped me calm down enough to fall back asleep.
Even in that terrified state, my stupid high brain thought it would be hilarious to use my ex for the calm-down call (at 4 AM her time). Luckily for her, I chose to call my mother instead (also at 4 AM her time).
I am quite pleased so far with Formline's aluminum jars. They feel quality-made and are aesthetically attractive. I would like to have one for each of my favorite strains and plan to affix to each a QR code including strain name, cannabinoid content, and dominant terpenes. For ease of reading, I may also include the strain name in English on the label.
All of my products, CBD oil included, are stored in a Vaultz lockable crate. It does a reasonable job of containing its contents' scents, and it has extra space for storing my associated tools. I'm not terribly impressed with its lock, but it is sufficient to keep underage hands out of my stash when I'm not around to watch it.
I keep my vaporizer and its accessories (sans cleaning supplies) in a cloth drawstring bag. I would not at all mind having a smell-proof bag for them instead. Again, Formline has some nice options.