Bad highs usually happen when first-timers smoke too much or are in a place that’s uncomfortable for them.

First experiences with marijuana can vary greatly. While some people have great memories of their first time smoking with friends, others remember a paranoid mess. Despite the fact that people have been getting high for hundreds of years, one could argue there’s still plenty about the drug and its effects that remain tough to pin down.

What is known is that a user’s mindset, body and the type of weed being consumed can all have an impact on the resulting high, leaving vastly different first impressions of the same substance from person to person. A consumer might get all relaxed and giggly, while another gets paranoid and anxious, having to wait for it all to go away.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common reactions a first-time user might expect, which range from the good to the bad or nothing at all.

The good

If everything goes correctly with a person’s first smoking session, people consuming the drug should feel at ease and like they’re having a blast. Giggle fits are common. The users’ bodies haven’t been exposed to cannabis, which means there’s no tolerance.

Those who experience a good first high typically report feeling happy and relaxed, as well as being very aware of their surroundings, which include noting colours, sensations and more.

This is why high people can have deep conversations about the state of their shoes. Also it’s likely why they eat so voraciously.

The bad

Bad highs usually happen when first-timers smoke too much or are in a place that’s uncomfortable for them, such as a crowded party.

Since they have no tolerance to the plant, a hit or two should be enough to push them past their threshold. If someone is naturally anxious, smoking weed might also increase their odds of having a bad time, and their lack of experience with the drug might make this easier, pushing them to worry over other people “knowing” that they’re high, experiencing dry mouth and thirst.

To try to prevent a bad high, it’s important to moderate how much weed is smoked. It’s also important for first-timers to surround themselves with people who they trust and won’t feel judged.

If a bad high occurs, remember that these are temporary, harmless and, most likely, quickly resolved by a nap.

The nothing

Another thing that is very likely is for first-timers to experience nothing after consuming marijuana. This has a scientific explanation: experts believe that THC must interact with some people’s bodies several times to activate their endocannabinoid system.

This is called a “sensitization period.” Once your body learns how to interact with THC, it’ll learn how to react accordingly.