Whether you’re a tattoo aficionado or prepping for your very first ink, you’ll no doubt feel a combination of sweaty nervousness and giddy excitement. There’s a lot of clashing of opinions when it comes to preparing yourself for your tattoo, especially regarding numbing creams and painkillers prior to the area getting inked. The jury’s still out on that decision, but what about smoking before you get your tattoo? Can being high while getting inked make that experience better or worse? Keep reading to find out if!
Why Getting High Before You Get Inked Can Be A Good Thing
Cannabis, specifically THC, has an extensive list of potential benefits, the most notable being that it can get you high! Hemp-derived THC is available in a variety of cannabinoids: Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, HHC, and THC-O are all great options. Getting high has several advantages if you’re nervous about getting your tattoo.
One of the benefits to getting high before your tattoo is that it might be a little less painful. THC has the unique ability to help you tolerate physical discomfort more easily. If the area of your planned tattoo is in sensitive areas like your back, ribs, hands, or any other areas with thin skin or sensitivity, THC might be able to make the process a little more bearable.
Another benefit of getting high prior to your ink session is that it can help you relax. Sometimes stress and nervousness can cause your muscles to tense up and have you focusing on that area with extreme trepidation. Rather than locking up and honing in on the tattoo in progress, THC can help you enjoy the dreamy euphoria; who knows, you may even enjoy yourself!
Lastly, getting high to help you relax may put your tattooer more at ease. If you’re not wincing, wriggling, groaning, or complaining, your tattoo artist can focus better and do the tattoo more effectively. Tattooing requires a great deal of concentration, focus, and creativity to do properly. The more comfortable you are around your tattooer, the more comfortably he can tattoo you!
Some Things To Consider About Getting High Before Your Tattoo
THC affects each user differently. What works for your peers may be too intense for you. If you’re getting a tattoo and have never gotten high or used a particular product type before, you should probably hold off until you’re comfortable with how your body reacts to THC.
If you tend to feel more uneasy or aware of your surroundings while high, THC may make your overall experience more stressful. THC has a potential side effect of slowing down your reaction time, meaning you may agonize over how long the process is taking, how uncomfortable your tattoo session feels, and stress over how much longer the tattoo will take.
It’s also important that you speak with your tattooer before coming in high. Some shops may have strict policies about being under the influence while getting inked; this mostly pertains to alcohol, but some shops may include THC as well. Above all, be open and respectful as you communicate your concerns to your tattoo artist. They have seen and put up with quite a bit before getting to you and your tattoo; they may have specific reasons for not wanting you to come in high as a kite.
Lastly, figure out how you plan on getting home! Many people prefer loved ones to be with them while they’re getting inked as a means of support. This can be especially helpful if you’ve driven to your appointment and are still high when the tattoo session finishes. If you don’t have anyone with you, be sure to have transportation pre-arranged to ensure you don’t run afoul of any law enforcement. DUI’s apply to driving high, so be sure to have a friend, ridesharing app, or public transportation prepared once your tattoo session is over.
Which Strain To Choose: Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid
The type of strain you choose can greatly affect how your overall tattoo session will be. It’s important to choose the strain well in advance so you have time to get comfortable with your body’s reactions. Sativa strains tend to make you feel more focused and alert, which may cause you to feel impatient and jumpy. Indica strains tend to make you feel more comfortably relaxed and somewhat drowsy, which may in turn knock you out while your tattoo progresses. Hybrid strains are an option as well; just make sure you know if it's more indica-dominant or sativa-dominant.
If you’re concerned about how your body may react the day of the tattoo, consider choosing a CBD heavy strain or keep some CBD on hand to help you feel less on edge. CBD will help you calm down and not feel overwhelmed in case the THC high becomes too intense.
Does One Product Work Better Than Another?
The type of product you choose to get high with can have a significant impact on your overall tattoo session. If you’re not sure which one to go with, try to take into consideration how long your tattoo session will take.
If it’s a large piece that will most likely take several hours, you might want to opt for edibles like gummies or softgels or sublinguals like oral strips or tinctures. Try to consume edibles or sublinguals about 45 minutes before your ink session starts. This ensures you’ll be comfortable enough to approve the artwork and any last minute adjustments. The drawback with edibles is that they take an extended period of time to kick in, but once they do, woohoo! You’ll be nice and high for the next several hours. Your session will be a dreamy euphoria that may help you better deal with any uneasiness or physical discomfort until the final line is drawn.
If it’s a small piece that’ll take an hour or so, you might be better off sticking with inhalables. Vape cartridges or disposable devices are easy to take with you and can fit discreetly in a purse or pocket. Right before your session is about to start, quickly excuse yourself and take a few puffs. By the time you get back in the chair, you may already feel the effects and the entire tattoo session will fly by in a blissful haze. If you start to feel the effects wearing off and your ink still isn’t complete, you can always ask your tattoo artist for a quick break. This allows you a chance to re-up and stretch your legs before completing the final touches.
Conclusion
Cannabis continues to help people in a variety of both mental and physical ways. It’s quite possible that cannabis can help your tattoo session be more enjoyable but there are several things to keep in mind. Lowering your overall discomfort and helping you relax are excellent uses for THC in regards to tattooing, but can also make you feel more uneasy or impatient if you consume too much. Make sure to choose the product type and strain beforehand, and arrange transportation after your tattoo session to avoid driving while high. Above all, speak with your tattoo artist to confirm you’re allowed to be high while getting your ink and any other concerns you may have.
Here at Native Extracts, we’re proud to offer our exquisite collection of hemp-derived compounds. Choose from Delta-8 THC, Farm Bill Compliant Delta-9 THC, HHC, and THC-O, all available in edibles like gummies and softgels, sublinguals (tinctures), and inhalables like disposable vapes and vape cartridges. All of our products have been carefully tested by third-party independent labs to ensure purity and potency. You can view the results by clicking on the embedded test results in the product’s description page or by scanning the QR code stamped on each product’s packaging. In our next article, we’ll be discussing whether or not THC can hinder or improve your overall working memory. We hope to see you there!