# Why can't I get stoned? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 25, 2001, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397 "2001-03-25T05:50:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mr.Svinlesha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/22d042/32.png) [@Mr.Svinlesha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Svinlesha)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/21 "2001-03-25T22:13:00Z")
No wonder I don’t know the rules concerning topics like drug use. I’ve been plowing through pages of posts and so far all I’ve come up with is: > [@](#): > > _originally posted by waterj2:_ > > \*\*01111. Advice on how to break the law. > > 1. Yes, that includes laws that you don’t like, like the ones about drugs or mp3s. \*\* He’s refering to things that he thinks _should_ be mentioned in a fax. I give up. ---
**Author:** ![le\_car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9a140/32.png) [@le\_car](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/le_car)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/22 "2001-03-25T22:24:42Z")
I have smoked pot some twenty times in my drug using career. Not once have I felt the least bit high. If anything I became quite lucid. It did however put me to sleep in a hurry. ---
**Author:** ![choosybeggar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@choosybeggar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choosybeggar)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/23 "2001-03-25T23:28:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by manhattan \* > \*\*I am officially fucking tired of having to edit posts in about 2/3 of threads that mention the topic of drugs. If you value your continued ability to discuss drugs in this forum, you will exercise some peer pressure to cut down on the incidence of people posting instructions and whatnot. > > Seriousfuckinly. \*\* Very sorry if I contributed to the problem. CB ---
**Author:** ![Jeremy\_s\_Evil\_Twin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Jeremy\_s\_Evil\_Twin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeremy_s_Evil_Twin)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/24 "2001-03-25T23:52:17Z")
In reference to **Surgoshan** ’s comment about “smoking yourself sober”, I’d like to point out that this is indeed possible. One time my roommate & I built a gravity bong and smoked and smoked about 1/2 ounce of weed in under 10 minutes. I went far beyond the regular “high” and entered a lucid, totally “clear” state of mind where all colors were of perfect hue and all textures were sharply defined. Ok, it wasn’t really “sober” but it was certainly different and more clear-headed than your typical “high”. Afterwards, I morphed into “Jeremy The Lizard” and kicked back watching TV while scratching my scaley crotch for the next few hours. I’d also like to point out that drug paraphenalia is in fact LEGAL in many places in the U.S., as you can buy pipes and bongs at any head shop. I’d assume this applies to home-built devices as well. They only become illegal after you use them and they become tainted with drug residue. Also, it is impossible to O.D. on marijuana (at least in any life-threatening way.) I defer to the mod’s discretion, but I must add: Geez, this ain’t like building a pipe bomb, fer cryin out loud. Although the intention is certainly to get yourself bombed. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![choosybeggar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@choosybeggar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choosybeggar)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2001, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/25 "2001-03-26T00:06:03Z")
::sheepishly surveys the area to see if Manny is still here:: OK **Svinlesha** , you asked for it! Well I asked for it. I definitely get a prize (at least) for my rectal linguistics in this thread. Here’s what I found (it’s a bit technical) > [@](#): > > - Neuropharmacology 2000 Jan 28;39(3):391-8 \* > > Effects of chronic delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol on rat midbrain dopamine neurons: an electrophysiological assessment. > > Wu X, French ED > > Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson 85724, USA. > > Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC), the principal psychoactive ingredient in marijuana elicits a variety of physiological effects in animals and humans, and **with repeated exposure tolerance develops to most of its effects. However, studies in humans found that tolerance did not occur to the pleasurable marijuana “high”.** Since ventral tegmental dopamine neurons play a pivotal role in drug reinforcement and reward, and possibly in the euphorigenic quality of marijuana, the present study sought to determine whether tolerance develops to the neurophysiological response elicited in these neurons by delta9-THC. Using single-unit extracellular recordings the activity of midbrain ventral tegmental (VTA) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) dopamine neurons was measured in animals that had received twice-daily injections of 5 mg/kg delta9-THC for 14 days. Cannabinoid-induced changes in body temperature, locomotion, and catalepsy were also assessed in the same animals. After 2 weeks tolerance had developed to delta9-THC-induced hypothermia, catalepsy and reduction in locomotor activity. In naive animals and in animals that had received twice-daily vehicle injections for 14 days, delta9-THC increased VTA neuronal firing by 52% and 46%, respectively, while SNpc neurons showed increases of 23% and 30%, respectively. **Following chronic cannabinoid treatment, however, SNpc neurons were significantly less responsive to delta9-THC with a maximum increase in rate of only 3%, while VTA neurons continued to show a robust increase in firing rate (+45%) when challenged with THC. These results suggest that VTA and SNpc dopamine neurons develop a differential response to delta9-THC following long-term cannabinoid exposure. This finding may be relevant to the observation that in humans tolerance occurs to many of marijuana’s physiological effects but not to its euphorigenic actions.** OK, so we develop tolerance to many of the effects of THC, but not to the euphorigenic effects. Yeah, but who smokes weed for the euphoria anyways? Personally, I do it for the THC induced hypothermia (Hey could someone shut that window?) Still haven’t dug anything up on reverse tolerance, though (ie less dope gets you high with experience). But the world of marijuana is so full of contradictions, I wouldn’t be surprized. ---
**Author:** ![Dani\_Filth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dani\_Filth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dani_Filth)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2001, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/26 "2001-03-26T04:44:42Z")
\ Wow. **Manhattan** , i’m very sorry that i got you so mad, i really had no idea. However, to avoid future errors in this vein i must ask this… Is it permissible to provide a link to a different website with instructions for things like gravity bongs and whatnot? I just don’t want do something against the rules again accidentally and have you think i did it on purpose. Again, sorry… \ -Dani ---
**Author:** ![Redboss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8baadc/32.png) [@Redboss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redboss)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2001, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/27 "2001-03-27T05:24:48Z")
Attention all Dopers (Straight kind) May I call your attention to the cases of **choosybeggar** and **Dani Filth**? They both went a little too far and annoyed **manhattan** who took action and made his feelings clear. What did they do? The unexpected. They apologised in a dignified way. These two are **GOOD BLOKES AND TRUE HEROES!!** They did **NOT** whinge and whine about it, they did **NOT** use the expression “get over it”, they did **NOT** complain that “the mods are bastards” and they did **NOT** go to another board and squeal on about it there. They just acknowledged the mistake, implied their willingness to stick around and keep to the rules, and I am sure will continue to post interestingly for a long while to come. These days, that kind of behaviour is heroic! They have my respect, and a small standing ovation in Australia. Please, Board Moderators, rejoice that sometimes people do behave like ladies and gentlemen. Thank you , now I’ll sit down Redboss ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2001, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/28 "2001-03-27T06:19:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dani Filth \* > \*\*\ > \*\*Manhattan[/BHowever, to avoid future errors in this vein i must ask this… Is it permissible to provide a link to a different website with instructions for things like gravity bongs and whatnot-Dani \*\* Don’t mean to play moderator but if you don’t mind Manny I’ll field this one. No. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2001, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/29 "2001-03-27T06:23:06Z")
It is my understanding that the policy of the SDMB is to permit discussions involving drugs and the like, even if it implies that you have done or are going to do something illegal. Where it draws the line is in the dissemination of instructions on how to do things which are illegal. Thus, I could comment on the idea of gravity bongs or different grades of marijuana (well, assuming I had knowledge of such things), but could not share methods for building a gravity bong or where to buy marijuana. I also recall threads on how to launder money falling under this general rule. Soon, there will be a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions list)that will attempt to provide more detail on matters such as this. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2001, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/30 "2001-03-27T06:32:02Z")
Actually, on thinking about it, I’d like to elaborate, because I like this board and I don’t want it to turn into something else. Look guys, use common sense. Don’t provide “how to’s” on illegal stuff; don’t provide links to “how to’s” on illegal stuff. This is a place to share info, mostly info that’s hard to come by ordinarily, for the purposes of fighting ignorance. There are plenty of drug oriented message boards, just do a search. Want to know how to make a gravity bong? do a search. Get _facts_ about drugs here. Get “how to’s” elsewhere. BTW, as to the OP, I am in agreement with those who said that 1st timers simply don’t know how or are afraid to take a full inhale. I seem to be one of the few people I’ve ever heard of who got whacked off his ass 1st time. ---
**Author:** ![Jeremy\_s\_Evil\_Twin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Jeremy\_s\_Evil\_Twin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeremy_s_Evil_Twin)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2001, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/31 "2001-03-27T06:40:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by waterj2 \* > **I also recall threads on how to launder money falling under this general rule.** So, if the subject came up, would it be against board policy to link to the film [_To Live and Die in L.A._](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0090180)? J.E.T. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2001, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/32 "2001-03-27T06:44:25Z")
I know, at least with myself, it is possible to develop a tolerance for the positive effects of marijuana and require larger than normal amounts to get high. That tolerance can go away pretty quick, but I don’t think you can ever get back to that low tolerance you had when you first started - back when I was a kid me and my friends would get so high that we could not stop laughing at times, we would think about and say the strangest fucking things, and it definitely noticeably effected our behavior. Even after quitting for months I don’t get anywhere near that level of highness when I start again, though I will get much higher than I can when I am smoking regularly. For me, going without for a week or so really lowers my tolerance for the first couple of times I smoke afterwards - I will laugh out loud at stuff I normally would find only mildly amusing, I am very happy and loving, I will sit down to do something and an hour will go buy without my noticing it. If I continue to smoke regularly in a week I am having to smoke more to get anything out of it. In a couple of weeks the best I can do is a pleasant but mild buzz that lasts about 30 minutes. The difference between one and two joints a day is pretty large when it comes to reducing tolerance, as well. Spacing it out more will let you keep your low tolerance longer. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2001, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/33 "2001-03-27T06:51:43Z")
[quote So, if the subject came up, would it be against board policy to link to the film To Live and Die in L.A.? [/quote] I’d predict that it would get locked, with only content actually spelling out how to do removed. A link to a movie would probably stand. ---
**Author:** ![Searching\_For\_Truth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@Searching\_For\_Truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Searching_For_Truth)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/34 "2001-04-26T23:08:45Z")
AFireInside, I’m ashamed. I happen to know exactly who you are, and you know that Dan has stopped selling, so why? Why? Brad already got caught, why bother risking it? As for me, I’m gonna wait till I’m old and wrinkly till I start my permanent happy haze of bud. Wouldn’t that be nice, being 98 and chillin on your back porch, smoking up with your cat on your lap and a bowl of Spaghetti-O’s? And isn’t it obvious that since use/possession/distribution of weed IS illegal that we’re not _supposed_ be discussing how to make any bongs!? Poor manhattan… And AFireInside…even your thread has the bitchy little ring that Travis accuses you of possessing. -beams at you- Aren’t I sweet? ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2001, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397/35 "2001-04-27T05:37:13Z")
This has gone beyond a GQ, so I’m closing it. Sorry, folks! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-stoned/59397.md?page=1)