The act of coughing after inhaling cannabis smoke can sometimes lead to feelings of intoxication or higher consciousness. This is often attributed to the release of carbon dioxide, which temporarily decreases blood pressure, and the inhalation of hot, moist air that may stimulate the lungs and nervous system. However, this elevated feeling is temporary and does not directly correlate with the potent effects of the drug.
Coughing disrupts the inhalation process, potentially reducing the concentration of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) reaching the bloodstream. A larger inhale, which may cause a cough, will lead to lower THC absorption.
The idea that coughing can intensify a high is rooted in personal anecdotes and the idea that coughing spreads out the smoke in the lungs, allowing more THC to reach more areas of the lung tissue. However, this is contradicted by science, which indicates that the main factor influencing THC absorption is the rapid direct transfer of the compound from the lung's vascularized tissue into the bloodstream, not the force of coughing.
Moreover, while coughing might deliver a momentary head rush due to a lack of oxygen, it does not inherently increase THC absorption, and larger inhales may result in a larger loss of the compounds responsible for the desired effects.
Ultimately, coughing is a physiological response initiated by the body to clear out foreign particles and irritants during the process of inhaling smoked substances. While it may produce a temporary sense of increased high due to a decrease in oxygen and increase in carbon dioxide during the coughing fit, it does not inherently make one feel higher or intensify the cannabis high.
