Why Does the Same Cannabis Strain Affect People Differently?

You can purchase the same cannabis strain, from the same batch, and both users can end up having a totally different experience. It could cause one user to feel completely relaxed; whereas, it causes a second user to feel energized; meanwhile, the third user becomes extremely anxious or uncomfortable. The reason behind this difference lies in how much of the strain the user consumes (the dose); how sensitive they are to THC; how fast their body metabolizes cannabinoids; what method of consumption they choose (smoke/vape/consume edible); and/or where/when they consumed the strain.

Would you like to learn more about cannabis and make more informed decisions? Join our Canna City Telegram channel for helpful tips and tricks, product information, and real-world advice related to strains, potency, and various cannabis products!

What Factors Can Change How Someone Experiences a Strain?

Tolerance Changes Your Ability to Sense THC

Individuals who regularly consume cannabis may consider a specific strain “mild”, yet to an infrequent consumer, the same strain could seem quite potent.

Likewise, tolerance can fluctuate over time. When a regular consumer hasn’t consumed cannabis in awhile, the next time they do they may notice that their previous comfortable level of THC now seems unusually high. Therefore, past experience with a specific strain does not always accurately indicate how that strain will affect them after many months.

Actual Amount of THC Received May Not Be Equal

When two consumers utilize the same strain, it doesn’t mean they receive equal amounts of THC.

A first individual may:

• inhale deeply;
• smoke more frequently;
• consume more of the product;
• or simply eat or drink more than the second individual.

Amount of THC Consumed Affects Type of Experience

Lower doses generally provide a more pleasant experience. Higher doses can lead to:

• anxiety/paranoia;
• dizziness;
• rapid heart rate;
• nausea;
• difficulty focusing.

Method of Cannabis Consumption

As mentioned earlier, how you consume cannabis impacts how quickly and for how long the cannabinoids enter into your system. Therefore, having a positive experience with a specific type of flower does NOT equate to having a similar experience with an edible containing a similar amount of THC.

What surrounds us affects how we feel about cannabis

Where we consume also plays a role. For example, the same strain that feels very calming at home might feel uncomfortable in a crowd or when you are somewhere new. In addition to stress, fatigue and our moods, what we expect will shape how we perceive the cannabis experience.

This concept is called “set and setting,” where:

• “set” relates to one’s state (mentally and physically)
• and “setting” relates to the environment one is consuming in.

Will I get the same product every time from a specific strain?

While strain names help us identify some of the characteristics of a particular product, there is no guaranteed chemical formula for each strain. Growing conditions; phenotype of the plant; time of harvesting; type of curing process used; storage methods; etc., can all contribute to variations in the product from one batch to another.

Thus, the label OG Kush, Gelato or Zkittlez could be applied to two products with varying levels of THC, CBD, terpenes, and aromas. Therefore, knowing details about the specific product being purchased including its batch number and type of cannabis (flower, vape cartridge, edible etc.) is much more valuable than simply looking for the strain name.

Explore the Canna City catalogue of cannabis strains and compare cannabis flower, vapes, edibles and other products by format, potency and cannabinoid profile.