Why Holding Your Hits In is Pointless

Some people love cannabis for its soothing, relaxing effects. Some people love it for the giggles and belly laughs. And still others love it for the intensity. 

For this latter group, the stronger the effects, the better the experience — a goal that translates into trying to get the most out of every hit. So, when you ask this potency-seeking crowd, "Does holding a hit get you higher?" don't be surprised when they take a deep pull from their joint and answer with a resolute "Yes!" 

Holding in a breath of smoke to achieve stronger, more powerful effects is one of the longest-held cultural myths about cannabis. This theory suggests that when you inhale smoke following a hit, holding your breath traps the THC-infused air in your respiratory tract, subsequently giving your lungs more time to absorb the THC before a long exhale. 

And this theory doesn't stop there. It is also applied to vaping; the longer you can hold vapor in your lungs, the greater the effects. If you've ever been called out for coughing, the theory applies here, too. People assume coughs help to penetrate the psychoactive compounds deeper into your respiratory tract for more profound effects.

But, as we have come to find out, this notion has been debunked — and it's been that way for decades. Holding it in doesn't do anything. No matter what the old-timers say, scientific studies have long disproved it.

When your session partner asks, "Does holding in smoke get you higher?" you'll probably want to have the facts handy to make the case. So, let's start from the beginning: the inhale.

When smoked or vaped, the fun and beneficial compounds contained in the cannabis plant travel into the body on the inhale. The smoke or vapor moves directly through the mouth, the esophagus, and into the lungs, where millions of alveoli (tiny air sacs) provide an enormous surface area for absorption. 

The THC and other cannabinoids pass from these alveoli directly into the bloodstream within seconds of inhalation. It's so fast, in fact, that studies have been able to detect THC levels in blood within the first few seconds following the first puff. 

So, if THC hits the bloodstream so quickly, does it matter how long you hold in the smoke? Is longer actually better? Way back in 1989, scientists looked at this question and developed a controlled experiment around it. 

Working with people experienced with the effects of cannabis, researchers tested how different breath-holding times (0, 10, and 20 seconds) affected their physical and mental reactions. The study found similar effects regardless of how long the participants held the smoke before exhaling, which tells us that holding it longer doesn't make much of a difference.

Still don't believe it? There have been other studies exploring the same topic. In 1995, a study investigated the effects of puff volume and breath-hold duration on participants' behavioral and biological signals. 

In this experiment, increasing puff volume significantly raised THC levels in the blood and behavioral effects, while longer breath-holding slightly increased THC levels but did not enhance behavioral effects. This tells us that it's not the length of the breath but the size of the breath that matters.

The truth is, the longer you hold your hit, the longer you expose your lungs to the fine particulate matter in the smoke. 

What are the best ways to increase the potency and intensity of your next session? Since we now know that holding your breath isn't going to do it, we have to turn to other means to squeeze the very last drop out of all available THC.

Instead of a post-smoke snack, try a few synergistic foods beforehand. There are many foods that contain synergistic ingredients, which may improve THC's bioavailability and, ultimately, intensify the effects. 

For example, foods with omega-3, like avocados, salmon, and olive oil, may help your body absorb the cannabinoids, while mangoes, rich in the terpene myrcene, may increase cell permeability, potentially leading to faster THC absorption.

Traditionally, all conversations about THC have always been about delta-9-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). But the truth is there a several natural variations of THC, some of which are more intense than Delta-9. A few of the most popular are delta-8, delta-10, THCP, and a hydrogenated type: HHC.

Look for blended products with more than one type of THC to enhance and, depending on the individual, intensify the experience. If you are looking for the most powerful THC, check out THCP specifically, which research suggests has a bonding affinity that is 33 times stronger than conventional THC. 

Although this may sound controversial, it's also one of the most effective strategies for intensifying your next session. Instead of holding your breath and hoping to get more powerful effects, a better bet is to take a tolerance break.

Over time, daily cannabis consumption will cause your body to build up a tolerance, meaning you may need more THC to achieve the same effects. Taking a break, even for a few days, allows your cannabinoid receptors to reset and regain sensitivity. When you return, you may find the effects to be significantly more enjoyable, even with a lower serving size.