For some, the day doesn’t start until they’ve had a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee. That ritualistic AM caffeine fix is an integral part of many Americans’ morning routines. This kind of behavior doesn’t seem out of the ordinary, but what if we replaced the cup of joe with a few bong rips?
The wake and baker has been a staple in cannabis culture since people first started smoking weed. For the most part, the practice is stigmatized and parodied in mainstream culture, but is starting your day off with cannabis actually bad for you?
What Is a "Wake And Bake"?
For those who may be unfamiliar with the slang, a wake and bake refers to the act of consuming cannabis first thing in the morning. Typically, this is done using a strain with an intoxicating high THC content—hence the “baked” in wake and bake.
Some may make a habit of waking and baking on their day off, but others live a wake and bake lifestyle 24/7, committing to staying high during all their waking hours. Is this kind of routine healthy or a product of addiction?
Is Marijuana Addictive?
Typically, when we talk about addiction, we talk about the kind of life-threatening physical addiction that comes with opiates or alcohol. Because it’s impossible to overdose on cannabis, and potential withdrawal symptoms are far from fatal, it’s been said that marijuana isn’t physically addictive. However, this isn’t entirely true.
Perpetual cannabis use can lead to something called Marijuana Use Disorder, a condition characterized by a dependency on cannabis. People with Marijuana Use Disorder may want to decrease their daily dose of cannabis or quit entirely but find themselves unable to do so due to withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, or irritability.
Data suggests that almost 30% of cannabis users are affected by some degree of Marijuana Use Disorder. If you’re engaging in daily wake and bakes, you may be part of this 30%.
Pros Of Wake And Baking
There are some benefits to starting your day by lighting a bowl. For one, it can put users in a positive headspace that helps carry them through the drudgery of day-to-day life. A wake and bake makes your breakfast even more satisfying, and for some users, cannabis helps them stay focused on tasks.
Choosing to smoke in the mornings instead of the night may help feel you rested. While cannabis can be used as a sleep aid, going to sleep while high can reduce the amount of time spent in REM sleep, which may make you feel groggier in the mornings.
Cons Of Wake And Baking
Unfortunately, there are also some downsides to getting high first thing in the morning.
Cannabinoids affect everyone a little differently. So, for some, a little toke in the morning can make them feel sharper and more focused. However, for others, being high can be a distraction and make users feel lethargic.
Also, if you plan on using cannabis later on in the day, it may be less effective. Typically, the first time you consume marijuana will be the highest you’ll feel during the day, which may be worth considering if you’re planning on unwinding later on with more cannabis.
One of the biggest concerns for a habitual wake and baker is developing a higher tolerance and dependency. If you find yourself consuming cannabis every morning, requiring significantly more cannabis to achieve the same high, or always in a bad mood when you’re not stone, you may want to consider taking a tolerance break.
Wake And Baking With CBD
Alternatively, instead of starting your day by getting baked, you could use CBD. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t produce any intoxicating effects, which means having CBD in the morning is less likely to disrupt you throughout the day. It can be a great way to glean the therapeutic effects of cannabis without getting too blitzed to function.
