You’ve probably heard plenty of people swear that holding in your hits gets you higher. Maybe you’ve been smoking for ages, and still aren’t sure. Or you may be a newer cannabis user who wants a definitive answer. While there are all sorts of opinions from all sorts of smokers, we’ve got the truth of it.
Does Holding in Smoke Get You Higher?
Let’s start off by clearing things up right now.
You may find yourself thinking you actually do feel higher when you hold in your smoke. And, you very well might. But, it’s not from the cannabis itself — it’s because you’re depriving your brain of oxygen, resulting in lightheadedness.
Which feels a lot like getting higher.
But, the reality is your lungs can only hold so much — 5-6 ml of oxygen per minute. And studies indicate the majority (95%) of the THC in cannabis is absorbed within the first few seconds after inhaling. So, whether you hold your hits for three or thirteen seconds, whether you breathe super deep or not, there’s only so much your lungs can take.
The limit does actually exist.
If you’re filling up your lungs with smoke, and not taking in oxygen for an extended time, you’re going to get lightheaded. Which makes you feel like holding in smoke gets you higher.
How You Get Stoned Matters
The way you get stoned is the most important factor when it comes to figuring out how long to hold in your hit. Cannabinoids are absorbed differently, and at different rates, depending on the consumption method.
This is because of the bioavailability.
Bioavailability is the process by which substances are absorbed into the body via tissues and organs, and determines how likely it is for the cannabinoid molecules to pass through the gastrointestinal tract and liver filtration, before they’re absorbed into the body.
When inhaled by way of smoking, cannabinoids are delivered at an average bioavailability rate of 30%, meaning 30% of the flower’s cannabinoid content will be absorbed into the bloodstream.
When you burn the flower, the cannabinoids are transported straight to your lungs, where they are absorbed within 3-5 seconds by its millions of alveoli. Once the cannabinoids are absorbed, it’s only a matter of seconds before they travel through the bloodstream and into your brain.
Anything beyond that five seconds would mean increasing absorption of tar and other lung-damaging compounds. In fact, the vast majority (think about 88%) of combusted smoke gases contain non-cannabinoid elements, most of which don’t do anything to enhance your high and can actually cause adverse health effects over time.
Does Holding in Smoke Get You Higher?
Smoking has a high bioavailability and produces a fast-acting effect that lasts for a short amount of time. The fact is, holding in smoke for a few seconds is plenty of time to get you high, and holding the smoke in longer does not get you higher.
Holding in big hits also stresses your lungs by producing more smoke than they can handle at once, forcing them to rapidly expel the smoke.
However, if you’re dabbing or vaping, you’re inhaling vapor that is cleaner and holds far less tar and fewer non-cannabis elements. In fact, the vast majority (about 95%) of cannabinoids are inhaled through vaporization. But, in terms of the rate of absorption and bioavailability, smoking and vaporizing are about the same.
You only need to hold in your hit for a few seconds. Just breathe deep.
What about you? How long do you hold in your hits?
Let us know in the comments below!
Disclaimer: Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of Marijuana. Marijuana, in any form, should not be used by individuals that are pregnant or breastfeeding. Marijuana is intended for use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. This product may be unlawful outside of Washington State
im starting to think the health effects of holding it in for a long time aren’t worth it. makes my sinus inflamed and it’s harder to sleep that way.
the right zone is around 3 seconds i reckon.
7-10 seconds been doing it since high school and I’m almost 40yrs old
Yeah I’ve always gone with the 5-8 second range. This article definitely made me look at smoking differently. Peace and Love
Glad it helped! Thanks for reading.
[…] results in a feeling of lightheadedness, which could make you feel higher. Research has shown that 95% of THC is absorbed within the first few seconds of inhaling. So don’t hold your breath because it won’t make much of a […]
[…] opinion —to not hold smoke in— has its third agreement article from August 23, 2019 in Does Holding in Smoke Get You Higher?: “The reality is your lungs can only hold so much — 5-6 ml of oxygen per minute. And […]
Good read! I’ve always felt this way and relay it to people that I think it’s not necessary to hold it in longer to get higher. I figured it would be too much on your lungs! everyone around me tells me I’m smoking wrong though and proceed to take big inhales and hold them forever ! glad to know I was right ! Their lungs will be upset with them later
I disagree. I can replicate it every day and holding smoke longer gets you higher. In this case, the more is better. It’s a great article, that is going help me convince my friends that holding smoke longer than 5 seconds is not only unnecessary but hurtful. I cannot physically or healthily hold smoke in my system for more than 3 seconds, anything after 5 seconds makes me throw up, I get swelling so I never hold it longer than three seconds and still get super high and where I want to be without coughing too much or hurting my lungs. Great article, cheers!
We’re glad you liked it. Thanks for sharing!
[…] results in a feeling of lightheadedness, which could make you feel higher. Research has shown that 95% of THC is absorbed within the first few seconds of inhaling. So don’t hold your breath because it won’t make much of a […]
[…] in a feeling of lightheadedness, which could make you feel higher. Research has shown that 95% of THC is absorbed within the first few seconds of inhaling. So don’t hold your breath because it won’t make much of a […]
[…] results in a feeling of lightheadedness, which could make you feel higher. Research has shown that 95% of THC is absorbed within the first few seconds of inhaling. So don’t hold your breath because it won’t make much of a […]
[…] in a feeling of lightheadedness, which could make you feel higher. Research has shown that 95% of THC is absorbed within the first few seconds of inhaling. So don’t hold your breath because it won’t make much of a […]
So, holding your hit in for longer DOES get you higher. If you count it out, 3-5 seconds is a pretty long time to hold a hit, say compared to cigarettes, wherein you hold a hit for zero seconds. With cigarettes, you just exhale after inhaling. With weed, you hold it in… for 3-5 seconds, which is a long time, especially with a big hit or dab. Any longer than that and you are either trying to ghost your hit for discretion, or trying to space-monkey yourself (deprive your brain of oxygen) which genuine weed smokers know about, and understand it’s a separate distinct high that you can compound with your weed high. But in doing so, we know it’s the lack of oxygen and not excess THC. So, hold that hit, for 3-5 seconds, count it, one mississippi… two mississippi… you get my drift.
BTW, funny photo caption.
I was hold it in for about five seconds now I don’t after reading this info.
I am a Quadriplegic and have been paralyzed for about 13 yrs now. I was always told or should I say chanted growing growing up “Hold It” or the saying “Gotta Cough To Get Off” . I am so glad to finally know the truth and my lungs are gonna feel soo much better. I normally Vape, Smoke Bud, or eat edibles. Any recommendations on something that could help relax me because I have bad muscle spasms due to wreck and also something to help me sleep cause I have trouble sleeping.. I know Indica but any recommendations on any certain brands or remedies you or anyone reading this knows of? Also I have been sober from all narcotic prescription medications for a little over a year now and that’s another reason I need some pretty strong stuff since my body is still adjusting from soo many years of taking the medications. Thanks in advance!!!
The Blue Roots Cannabis indica strains and those by the Lucky brand that we have are heavy hitters. Also, try combining that with a small indica dab on top to make it super heavy.