Smoking cannabis is the traditional way to get your buzz on, but more and more people are hip to the dangers of smoking and not everybody wants to go down that route. So what do you do if you want to get high without smoking? The good news is there’s plenty of ways to enjoy the benefits of THC without having to inhale combustible materials and put your precious lungs in jeopardy. Read on for our recommendations on how to get high without smoking.
What Does It Mean To Get High Without Smoking?
When we talk about how to get high without inhaling smoke, we’re exploring alternative routes of consumption of psychoactive cannabis compounds (primarily delta-9 THC) that bypass the traditional method of smoking dried plant material. Smoking weed is the most common means of ingestion, but throughout history there have been numerous ways to get high without smoking – including everything from edibles like pot brownies, drinks like Indian Bhang, as well as tinctures and oils. There are also other emerging technologies designed to deliver the benefits of THC without smoking.
Some people dislike the lung irritation or smell of smoking, or they might want a longer-lasting effect, a more “discreet” option, simply a different experience. The practical question becomes how to get high safely without lighting up?
How To Get High: Smoking vs Other Methods
A bit of science never goes amiss, as it helps understand the difference between smoking vs non-smoking routes. Bioavailability refers to the fraction of an administered dose of a drug (in this case THC) that reaches systemic circulation in an active form. With cannabis:
- For oral ingestion (edibles), bioavailability of THC is very low, often quoted as between 4-12% after ingesting a food product [1] as compared to 10-35% when inhaled. In other words, most of the ingested THC does not enter the bloodstream as a parent compound because of first-pass metabolism in the liver. [2]
- The onset time of effects is delayed (often 1-3 hours) compared to inhalation. [3]
- Effects tend to last longer when ingested orally [4]
- Because of the very low and variable bioavailability, dosing is trickier with non-smoking routes.
So when you think about how to get high via non-smoking methods, remember that the effect may come a lot slower, last a lot longer, and be more variable – oftentimes, more powerful. These three caveats specifically give rise to the golden rule of consuming THC edibles: start low, go slow (and do not talk about Fight Club).
Why Does Smoking Cannabis Work Differently From Other Methods?
When you smoke (or inhale), the lungs provide a large surface area, rapid uptake into the blodstream, and the liver’s “first pass” is mostly bypassed. By contrast, when you ingest, the THC must pass through the digestive tract, be absorbed (which can depend on food, fats, and enzymes), then go through the liver which can significantly transfrom it (for example to 11-hydroxy THC, a metabolite that itself is psychoactive). The lipid solubility of THC means that food-fat content can influence absorption.
Why Edibles Are The Classic Way To Get High Without Smoking
Ask pretty much any weed enthusiast how to get high without smoking, and edibles are almost always the first suggestion you’ll hear. That’s because they’re discreet, odourless, versatile, and (let’s be honest) delicious. From THC-infused gummies you keep in your pocket and pop in your mouth without anyone noticing, to brownies, cookies, and muffins you can lovingly bake and slather in chocolate, the edible route has near-limitless options. You could possibly even baste a turkey in cannabutter and get mildly roasted instead of baked.
Edibles are popular for more reasons than just flavour, though. The effects of cannabis edibles can keep you buzzing along for up to 8 hours or more without the need to re-dose. But while that duration is impressive, it can also be a double-edged sword. Sure, it offers an extended experience, but it also means dosing requires patience. So if you’re new to edibles, remember that mantra from earlier and start with a small amount – 2.5mg to 5mg – making sure to wait at least two hours before even thinking about taking more. This is not the stage for instant gratification. Overconsumption is the most common mistake with cannabis edibles, and it often leads the novice user to uncomfortable experiences like dizziness and anxiety. Recovering from cannabis edibles requires a solid action plan.
Related Article:How Long Do Edibles Last?
If you want to optimise absorption, consume edibles with a small amount of healthy fat – THC is fat-soluble, meaning your body absorbs it better when paired with a food like nuts or avocado (5). Think of it as science-backed snacking.
Vaping: How To Get High Without Smoke
Cannabis vaporisers have come a long way in the last twenty years or so – they're now more efficient, more discreet, and more available than ever. When it comes to discovering how to get high without traditional combustion, there are many benefits to vaporising your cannabis. This method offers a much cleaner path. Instead of burning cannabis, vaporisers heat the flower or oil to a temperature that releases cannabinoids as a fine mist, avoiding the harsher smoke of a traditional doobie that irritates the throat and lungs. This process allows THC to enter the bloodstream almost instantly, producing effects that are sometimes stronger than smoking. In fact, a study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that vaping cannabis produced significantly more intense short-term effects than smoking the same dose. You also bypass the harmful by-products associated with smoking - although vaping isn’t 100% risk-free.
Related Article:How To Make The Most Of Dry Herb Vaporisers
How To Get High with Sublingual Tinctures
If the thought of making or obtaining THC edibles is too much like hard work, sublingual tinctures are an excellent way to get high without smoking. Quicker and more controllable than edibles, these liquid extracts are placed under the tongue and held there for 30-60 seconds before swallowing. They work well because the mucous membranes in your mouth absorb THC directly into the bloodstream, bypassing much of the digestive process edibles have to go through before taking effect.
Compared to edibles, tinctures tend to kick in faster – within 15-45 minutes – and offer a gentler onset. Even better, as they’re in liquid form, you can precisely measure your dose (usually in millilitres), making them ideal for those who want to dose sensibly and consistenly. Tinctures also lack the smell of smoke, making them another discreet and socially-friendly means of how to get high. Sublingual absorption doesn’t have the same bioavailability as inhalation, but it’s greater than oral ingestion and offers a more predictable experience. Plus, tinctures can be mixed with other cannabinoids like CBD to balance the overall effect – somethng researchers are increasingly exploring in the context of therapeutic cannabis use [6]). If you’re feeling especially cosmopolitan, you can add a few drops to your coffee and see what happens.
How To Get High Using Topicals Or Transdermals
Okay, let’s address this upfront – technically, topical cannabis products such as lotions and balms don’t get you high at all. These are designed for localised relief – think sore muscles or joint pain (not that kind of joint) - and the cannabinoids don’t typically reach your bloodstream in high enough quantities to produce psychoactive effects. A 2023 review concluded that current topical formulations provide limited systemic absorption of THC, so you can rule out topicals as a means of how to get high.
Then there's transdermal patches – a newer delivery method for THC. They use enhancers or liposomes to help cannabinoids cross the skin barrier and enter the bloodstream. They’re still under study, but early research does suggest that transdermal (through the skin) THC could produce at least mild systemic effects. The problem is, the THC is slowly absorbed over hours, rather than all at once like other methods, so while they're great for medicinal patients looking for the therapeutic effects of THC, they're unlikely to send you off on a tour of the galaxy.
How To Get High With THC Capsules
THC capsules are one of the most precise ways to control how to get high. Each capsule contains a measured dose in oil or powder form, providing reliable consistency that’s hard to achieve by some more common means of consumption. After swallowing, THC is absorbed through the digestive tract and metabolised by the liver into 11-hydroxy-THC the same as edibles. And, like edibles, this takes time, meaning effects can take 1-3 hours to appear – but once it does, it can last up to eight hours. THC capsules are a discreet method of how to get high, creating a controlled, odour-free experience and, depending on dose, a lofty high.
Conclusion
No matter which method you choose, your set and setting – that's mindset and environment – play a big role in shaping your experience. This isn’t just philosophy; it’s neuroscience. THC affects not only your endocannabinoid system but also dopamine and serotonin signaling, which in turn influence mood, perception, and reward pathways. Studies suggest that expectation and environment can significantly alter the subjective experience of cannabis [8], so before you dose up, create a comfortable space. The goal isn’t just how to get high – it's how to enjoy it thoughtfully and safely. Being mindful about timing, dosage, and context transforms cannabis from a mere buzz into an intentional, enjoyable experience. If smoking isn't your bag, try the methods listed above as other ways to get high and see which works best for you.
--------------------------------------------------------------
References:
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6922062/
[2] https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/56/6/309
[3] https://www.thepermanentejournal.org/doi/10.7812/TPP/24.088
[4] https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/56/6/309
[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5890870/
[6] https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/56/6/309
