Does Hookah Get You High?

Hookah smoking has been around for centuries. It’s social, it’s ritualistic, and it often feels a little exotic if you didn’t grow up with it. But here’s the question people keep asking: Does hookah actually get you high?

The answer depends on what you put in the bowl. Traditional shisha tobacco, even flavored with molasses and glycerin, contains nicotine but not THC. That means it can give you a buzz—lightheadedness, relaxation, maybe a bit of dizziness—but not a cannabis-style “high.”

Now, add weed into the mix, and the story changes. That’s where the concept of Weesha comes in.

What Is Weesha?

“Weesha” is a popular slang term that combines weed + Shisha. It describes the practice of mixing cannabis with hookah tobacco.

Think of it this way: Shisha provides flavor, clouds, and a smooth nicotine buzz. Weed brings THC, the psychoactive compound that creates euphoria, altered perception, and the “stoned” feeling. Mix the two in a hookah bowl, and you’ve created Weesha.

Some smokers do this to stretch their weed. Others like the combination of Shisha’s fruity flavor and nicotine hit with cannabis’s high.

A few common setups people try:

Does Putting Weed in a Hookah Get You High?

Yes—but not always in the way you expect.

When you smoke cannabis in a joint, pipe, or vape, the plant material is heated quickly and directly. The THC vaporizes at the right temperature (around 315°F / 157°C), giving you strong effects.

In a hookah, the setup is different. Charcoal sits on foil above the bowl, heating the contents more slowly. Much of the weed may burn unevenly, or the water filtration may reduce potency. That means you’ll still feel the THC, but it will often be weaker compared to other smoking methods.

A few key points to keep in mind:

1. Hookah isn’t efficient for cannabis.
2. Weed in a joint or vape gives you stronger effects with less material. In a hookah, a lot of THC is lost in the process.
3. Mixing helps
4. Most people don’t pack a hookah with pure cannabis. Instead, they mix it with Shisha. The molasses keeps the bowl burning longer, producing more smoke and flavor.
5. You can get high—just differently.
6. Expect a slower onset, milder high, and more of a body buzz when using weed in a hookah.

The Hookah Buzz vs. The Weed High

To understand what happens when you smoke Weesha, it helps to break down the two effects separately.

The Hookah Buzz

Shisha contains nicotine, which is a stimulant but also brings relaxation at certain doses. The buzz can feel like:

• Lightheadedness
• Tingling in the face or hands
• A brief head rush
• Relaxation, sociability
• Sometimes dizziness or nausea if you overdo it

For many, it’s a short-lived experience—lasting 10 to 20 minutes. That’s why hookah is often more about the ritual and the social setting than chasing a buzz.

The Weed High

Cannabis works very differently. THC binds to receptors in your brain’s endocannabinoid system. Depending on the strain and dose, it may cause:

• Euphoria and laughter
• Enhanced sensory perception (music, taste, touch)
• Slower perception of time
• Relaxed body or couch-lock (indica-leaning strains)
• Mental uplift and creativity (sativa-leaning strains)

Unlike the nicotine buzz, cannabis effects can last hours.

Together: The Weesha Effect

When you combine the two, your body gets a double hit—nicotine rush + THC high. The result is usually:

• Faster onset of dizziness or head rush
• Stronger initial buzz
• But sometimes an uneven high: lightheaded from nicotine, spacey from weed

Some people love it. Others say it feels confusing or even overwhelming.

Risks of Mixing Weed and Shisha

While Weesha sounds like fun, it’s worth noting the downsides:

1. Inefficient THC delivery
2. You’ll likely burn through more cannabis for weaker results.
3. Nicotine and THC together
4. Both raise heart rate. For some, that combo can cause anxiety, nausea, or palpitations.
5. Smoke volume
6. Hookah sessions are extended. You’re inhaling far more smoke than a single joint—potentially more tar and carbon monoxide.
7. Harshness
8. Weed doesn’t burn as smoothly in a hookah. The flavor can get bitter, especially if you use strong strains.
9. Health risks
10. Long hookah sessions with charcoal increase carbon monoxide exposure. Studies show this can be harmful even without weed involved.

Strains and Terpenes Matter

The type of weed you use in a hookah also shapes the high.

• Sativa-dominant strains (like Sour Diesel, Jack Herer, Super Lemon Haze) bring an energetic, cerebral buzz. Combined with nicotine, this can feel intense.
• Indica strains (such as Northern Lights and Bubba Kush) are heavier, body-relaxing, and often sedating. In a hookah session, this may leave you too drowsy.
• Hybrids (like Blue Dream or Pineapple Express) offer a middle ground—uplifting but smoother.

Terpenes—the aromatic oils in cannabis—also play a role. Limonene can add an uplifting mood boost, while myrcene tends to be sedative. When mixed with shisha flavors (grape, mint, peach), the overall experience becomes layered and unique.

What to Expect from Your First Weesha Session

If you’ve never tried weed in a hookah before, here’s the usual journey:

1. First few pulls – You notice the fruity shisha flavor and thick smoke. Nicotine rushes in first.
2. 10–15 minutes in – The THC begins to creep up. You might feel your body relaxing, the music sounding better, and conversation flowing more easily.
3. 30–45 minutes in – Depending on how much weed you used, the high peaks. Some people feel dreamy, while others become giggly; a few experience anxiety.
4. After the session, A mellow comedown with lingering drowsiness. Sometimes, a headache may occur if you smoke too much or inhale excess carbon monoxide.

Tips for Safer Mixing

If you’re curious about trying Weesha, here are a few things experienced users recommend:

• Start small: Sprinkle a little weed over Shisha. Don’t pack a whole gram—it will be harsh and wasteful.
• Choose strains wisely: Go for hybrids or mild sativas if you’re new. Heavy indicas may knock you out.
• Control your setting: Hookah sessions are social. Try it at home with friends you trust, not at a crowded lounge.
• Stay hydrated: Both nicotine and THC can cause dry mouth and dehydration.
• Watch your body: If you feel dizzy or anxious, take a break. Fresh air helps.

Alternatives to Hookah for Weed

If your main goal is getting high efficiently, a hookah isn’t the best tool. Better options include:

• Vaporizers – Portable or desktop vapes (like the AirVape Legacy Pro 2) heat cannabis at precise temperatures, giving you maximum THC with smoother flavor.
• Joints or blunts – Classic, easy, and more efficient than hookah.
• Edibles – Strong, long-lasting effects, but slower onset.
• Bongs or pipes – Direct hits with stronger, immediate results.

Hookah remains more of a novelty for cannabis—fun for groups, but not practical if your goal is efficiency.

Final Thoughts

So, does hookah get you high? By itself—no, not in the way weed does. Shisha tobacco gives you a nicotine buzz, not a THC high. But when you mix cannabis with Shisha—Weesha—you can absolutely get high, though the experience is different: slower, less efficient, and often mixed with nicotine effects.

If you’re after flavor, clouds, and a long social ritual, Weesha might be worth a try. If you’re after a clean, potent cannabis high, you’re better off with a vape, joint, or bong.