High vs. stoned: what's the difference and how do they work?

Do you sometimes get confused between the terms "high" and "stoned"? No wonder, many people use the two loosely and often as synonyms. But have you ever wondered what exactly the difference is? In this blog, we want to unravel exactly that for you - why the two states can be quite different, not only in terms of feeling, but also in terms of body and mind. So, grab a coffee (or whatever takes your fancy) and let's find out together what "high" and "stoned" are really all about. 🌿

What does it mean to be "high"?

Imagine this: You've just consumed a little something and suddenly you realise that everything somehow feels "fluffier". Your thoughts fly, everything becomes more intense and perhaps you feel like you can see the world a little bit more clearly. This is what is known as "high". It's that moment when you feel the "kick" that cannabis can give you - a feeling of euphoria, creativity and a kind of expanded consciousness. 🌿

When you are "high", a lot happens in your head: you can think faster, often become more sociable and are sometimes a bit philosophical. Think of that moment when you're sitting in a group after consuming something and suddenly feel like you understand the deepest secrets of the universe - everything feels meaningful. 😎

Being "high" is more of an "active" state. You usually feel more alert, sociable and somewhat euphoric. You may have the feeling that everything becomes more intense - music sounds deeper, colours shine brighter and your sense of humour gets an extra kick. But at its core, it's this quick, energising rush that lifts you to another level. 🚀

And yes, the effect doesn't last forever - after a while it wears off again and you feel a bit more grounded again. But in the meantime? You can enjoy the world a little more than usual.

What does it mean to be "stoned"?

Imagine you've just taken a train, but instead of the world becoming more exciting, everything suddenly feels slower and heavier. Your movements are sluggish, your thoughts drag like tough rubber bands and you somehow feel sucked into your couch or armchair as if the floor were made of soft marshmallow. 🍬 That's being "stoned".

In contrast to "high", this is not about the adrenaline rush or the creative explosion. When you're "stoned", you're in a more relaxed, calmer state. It feels as if time is passing more slowly and you suddenly feel more in touch with your body and what's going on around you, but without any great desire to do anything. 😌

The "stoned" state is like a cosy, serene moment where you like to bury yourself in your space and just accept everything around you. It's less of that "wow, everything is so alive" moment and more of a "I'm just enjoying the moment and don't want to think anymore" vibe. The world is now more like a cosy blanket that you snuggle up in.

And yes, while the "high" often comes with a quick kick, the "stoned" creeps up on you much more slowly, but also lingers longer. Your head may be less on overdrive, but you're also less in the mood to be stressed by anything. You just chill out. 🌙

Stoned vs. high - the differences in detail

Okay, now it's getting exciting - the big comparison between "high" and "stoned". If you've ever wondered what exactly the difference is, don't worry, you're not alone! Here's a short but sweet overview to help you tell the difference between the two states.

Feeling:

• High: Imagine you're on a small but wonderful adventure. Everything feels alive - the colours are brighter, your thoughts are flying from one topic to another and you suddenly have the urge to conquer the world. You might even get creative and find yourself building a work of art out of coffee cups in the kitchen. 🎨

• Stoned: Now it's more like the world is turning more slowly. You're super relaxed, almost weightless. The urge to conquer the world? Pff, not today. You've found the perfect spot on the couch and just want to stay and enjoy. 🍿

Physical effect:

• High: Your body feels light, as if you have wings. Maybe you are moving, dancing or walking with friends while you perceive everything more intensely.

• Stoned: Your body suddenly has a little more weight. You can feel every single cosy blanket you're lying on and your arms could easily grow out of the couch, you're so relaxed. A bit like a cat that just lies there and enjoys the moment. 🐱

Concentration and focus:

• High: Your head is racing with ideas. You're quick-witted, remember what you said two years ago at the last game night - and suddenly you come up with a solution to a problem you've been putting off for ages. 🧠

• Stoned: Your focus? Yes, it's somewhere, but not really with you. You're more the one sitting on the sofa and suddenly staring at the plant on the windowsill for several minutes because it looks interesting. 😅

Duration:

• High: It comes quickly and fades just as quickly. A bit like an exciting sprint - you're suddenly there, and then the effect wears off again. ⏳

• Stoned: You may not even realise it at first, but at some point you will: Wow, you've really been in this chilled state for a long time now. It feels longer, almost like a cosy afternoon that never really wants to end. 🕰️

Sociability:

• High: You are the talk of the evening. Everyone asks your opinion and you're super open-minded. Maybe you tell your best jokes and have the feeling that you're the funniest person in the room today. 🎉

• Stoned: You're more of a quiet observer. It's not that you don't enjoy company, but you're just not in the mood to engage in lengthy conversations. You listen, take everything in, but tend to stay quiet. 🤫

Emotional effect:

• High: It feels like the world is a little brighter, like anything can happen. You're cheerful, go through the day with positive energy and maybe even laugh at jokes that you don't normally find funny.

• Stoned: You are relaxed, almost meditative. No big swings up or down - it's more like a calming feeling of "everything is fine and I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be". 🌿

Stoned vs. high - What happens in the body?

So, let's be honest: you're probably wondering what's going on in your body when you're "high" or "stoned", right? No wonder, it's not like we're constantly peering into our own chemistry set. But if you take a closer look, it actually gets pretty interesting. And don't worry, we'll keep it light - I'm not going to try and blow an hour of biochemistry in your face 😉

The most important player in this story is the THC. This is the substance that makes you suddenly feel like you're in a different film. THC affects the so-called endocannabinoid system, which sounds pretty fancy, but ultimately simply makes our body feel in these special ways when we consume cannabis.

And then there's the CBD. This is more the quiet type in the room. It doesn't provide the "kick", but it does give you that chilled, relaxing effect that often goes hand in hand with the "stoned" state. It kind of has a calming hand on your body when THC tends to catapult you into euphoria.

What exactly does this mean for your body when you are "high" or "stoned"? I've summarised this for you in a table so that you can check it quickly:

So, to put it simply: when you're high, you feel like you're on a fast rollercoaster ride through your consciousness - full of energy, feeling like you could do anything. 🚀 When you're stoned, on the other hand, you take more time for the moment, feel your body and take things a little slower and more calmly. It's more like a relaxed walk where you simply enjoy the world around you without much excitement. 🌿

Stoned vs. high - Reddit opinions & discussions

I don't know if you've noticed, but Reddit is THE place where everything from A to Z is discussed - even when it comes to cannabis. If you search for "high vs. stoned", you'll find a lot of posts and personal experiences describing the two states. So what are people actually saying there?

In general, it seems like a lot of people are simply using the terms to describe their own experiences. There isn't necessarily a "right" answer to the question of what exactly the difference is, but users share their own personal experiences. And they vary quite a bit!

For example, a few typical answers and discussions that you will find again and again on Reddit are:

• "Being high is like a rush. Everything feels exciting and alive, you feel like you could tear out trees."
  Yes, that's the euphoria we were talking about. So here we have someone who describes being "high" as that instant kick - the quick high that catapults you into another dimension. 🌟

• "Being stoned feels more like a warm hug. You're relaxed, everything slows down, but you're also totally grounded."
  And there we have the classic description of being "stoned" as this gentle, cosy state. No stress, just come down and enjoy. 😌

Another point that comes up again and again in the Reddit threads is how the effect can vary depending on the strain and method of consumption. A few users report that they tend to get high with certain strains, while others feel more stoned. The Indica strains are often associated with a stoned feeling, while Sativa often produces more of a "high" - what you'd expect from an energetic, creative buzz. 🌱

And then there are these discussions that are just funny. People describe their first experiences with cannabis, and it's amazing how often they're not sure whether they're high or stoned. The whole thing is often described in such a way that it is not so easy for many people to recognise the difference themselves. Sometimes one state simply merges seamlessly into the other. Who would have thought that cannabis could be such a fluid experience? 😅

Stoned vs. baked vs. high - are there any more differences?

Okay, so far we've dealt with "high" and "stoned" - but now comes the next twist: baked. You've probably heard the term before and wondered, "Wait, isn't that just another word for 'stoned'?" Well, a bit, but there are actually a few subtle differences that are worth taking a closer look at.

So, what's the difference? And what does "baked" actually mean?

• High: So you are "high" when you feel this full euphoria - a feeling as if you are floating on a cloud and could just conquer the whole world. Your thoughts fly, everything feels more intense and you're suddenly super creative or talkative. It's this quick, energetic rush that catapults you into another world. You feel awake, alive and somehow unstoppable. 🚀
  Example: You're listening to music and it doesn't just sound good - it's the soundtrack of your life, energising the whole mood.

• Stoned: Now the opposite: being "stoned" is more of a cosy feeling. You're relaxed, maybe even a little sluggish, and the world around you slows down. You suddenly have time for everything - or for nothing at all. You like to put things off and are simply in this "chill" mode. It's as if you've flicked the switch to "relax" and it stays there for now. 😌
  Example: You're lying on the couch and the idea of getting up now somehow feels like a huge challenge. Instead, you just lie there watching videos of cats jumping around in boxes and it feels like the highlight of your day.

• Baked: Here's the kicker: "Baked" - it's a mixture of both. You're relaxed and chilled like when you're "stoned", but you still have that spark of euphoria and that good mood that comes with being "high". It's as if you have the best of both worlds - you're not overexcited, but you're also not so lethargic that you're stuck on the couch. You're "baked" when you're relaxed and content, but not really tired - that "all is well" feeling. 🍪
  Example: You're hanging out with friends, everything is kind of super relaxed, but there's still this positive, creative energy in the air, like you're suddenly having the best conversation ever that never ends.

  
  

So, "baked" is the golden mean between "high" and "stoned". You're neither totally psyched nor completely paralysed - you're just... somewhere in between, in a chilled sweet spot. 😎

Your own personal experience: high or stoned?

Okay, let's be honest: in the end, the whole topic of "high" vs. "stoned" is about how you feel and what you expect from the experience. The terms are more than just simple words - they describe what's going on inside you, how you see the world, and how you react to cannabis.

When you're high, you feel like you're on an energy kick - everything becomes more intense, colourful and exciting. You are the creative thinker who suddenly perceives the world around you in a completely different way. 🧠🌟
When you're stoned, you're more the chilled-out type who enjoys the moment and lets time pass a little more slowly. Your mind is relaxed, your body feels heavier and you're simply not stressed. 😌

And then there's the baked feeling - a mixture of both. You're chilled and relaxed, but still in a good mood, so you can enjoy the day in a relaxed mood. It's like the perfect mix of relaxation and good humour. 🍪

What it ultimately comes down to is how you feel in the moment. There is no right or wrong state, and everyone has their own vibe. Sometimes you want to conquer the world, sometimes you just want to hang out on the couch. It's all about what makes you feel good. And regardless of whether you feel "high", "stoned" or "baked" - what matters in the end is that you enjoy the experience and are mindful of yourself. 🌱