Do you know what ruins a first-time cannabis experience? Lack of knowledge in using it in the first place. You’re fairly confident you can handle your first weed only to find out you overestimated yourself.

Mistakes are common though, especially if you’re new to cannabis. But these are preventable if you know what to expect.

Below are the top five common mistakes cannabis users should avoid.

Unfamiliarity with the Types of Cannabis

Not knowing the difference between the two common types of cannabis definitely affects your cannabis experience. You expect to feel more energized. But instead, you’re curled up on your couch, trying to beat a couch lock

There are two major types of cannabis, Sativa and Indica. Sativa invigorates and energizes. It boosts creativity and social interaction. It makes you feel more alive and happy. Sativa makes the perfect companion for activities. It makes you enjoy them better.

Indica, on the other hand, relaxes and sedates. It produces more of a body high, compared to Sativa’s head-focused high. Some Indica strains induce a strong couch lock. They produce powerful muscle relaxing and potent sedating effects. One deep hit and you’re off looking for a nice couch to curl up in.

It’s important to know the differences between Sativa and Indica. This way, you can choose what works best for your medical condition. You’ll also know what to expect and how you can prepare for its effects.

Unfamiliarity with the Different Cannabis Strains

As if choosing between Sativa and Indica is not enough, you also have to choose among the different hybrid strains. These strains are a mix of Sativa and Indica, with one type more dominant than the other. Others are an equal mix of the two and produce a perfectly balanced high.

In addition to this, their cannabinoid content should also be considered. Some strains contain a high THC level like Godfather OG, while others contain a high CBD level like Ringo’s Gift. Others produce an equal amount of THC and CBD like Sweet and Sour Widow.

Local dispensaries and online cannabis shops offer a wide variety of hybrid strains. So before you go and purchase one, know your reasons why you’re going to use it in the first place.

Is it for medicinal purposes? Then choose a strain that contains a high CBD level. It helps relieve your symptoms without producing potent psychoactive effects.

Is it for recreational purposes? Then try a strain that contains a decent amount of THC. Don’t aim for those with high THC content, especially if you’re a newbie. Leave them to the experts. You’ll still get to enjoy cannabis even if it contains average THC levels.

So to get the most out of your first cannabis experience, you need to do your homework. Read up on the different strains and their effects.

Too Much, Too Soon

Most newbies commit this mistake. They smoke weed like they smoke a cigarette. One deep hit is quickly followed by another. But this isn’t how smoking weed goes though.

Some strains deliver their effects quickly. One or two hits and you’ll immediately feel its effects. But other strains don’t work this way. The effects of creeper strains like Blue Cheese and Grape Ape, for example, build slowly. If you’re a newbie, you’re most likely to take another deep toke to feel its effects faster. This is a big no-no and brings us to the next mistake most newbies make.

Overindulging and then Panicking

Too much, too soon and you’ll end up paying for your overindulgence. Cannabis produces psychoactive effects like paranoia and increased anxiety. If you’re a newbie to smoking weed, these effects could easily overwhelm you. A ruined experience can turn you off of cannabis for good.

To avoid these mistakes, you need to start low and go slow. This means taking a small hit first and then waiting for a few minutes for the effects to kick in. If the effects are too much, don’t freak out. Just stay calm and ride it out. Once its effects wear off, you’ll feel absolutely fine again.

Not Knowing and Preparing for the Side Effects

If you’re going to smoke cannabis for the first time, then do it around people you trust. Smoking cannabis not only produces psychoactive effects but it also affects your judgment and reasoning. It also affects your motor skills, balance, reflexes, and coordination. Should the side effects become too much for you, you want to be in a safe place with trusted people.

You want to enjoy your first cannabis experience, and the best way to prepare for that is to know what to expect.