Most cannabis users have experienced a situation where they thought: “I am way too high.” This feeling can occur when taking an edible with a high dosage, smoking too many blunts, or taking too many dabs. Or maybe you are just new to using cannabis and mistakenly indulged too much. There are several things you can do to lessen the effect. Here’s what to do if you are too high.
How Long Does It Take to Sober Up from Weed?
The length of time it takes to sober up from cannabis use depends on the cannabis product you consumed. If you consumed concentrates, which are the most potent of cannabis products, it may take around 2-3 hours to sober up. If you just smoked a joint, it may typically take between 1-2 hours. Lastly, edibles tend to last longer in your system, and you may feel the effects for 5+ hours. Keep in mind that these are just estimates.
It also depends highly on whether you are a regular user of cannabis or just having the odd joint. Typically, people who use cannabis regularly have a higher tolerance than the newbie who may have little to no experience. Your body will be the main controlling factor when it comes to sobering up and this will vary significantly from person to person. We’ll provide excellent tips on what to do if you are too high.
Symptoms of Being Too High
If you think you are too high, there are several common symptoms:
- Feeling overly anxious
- Panicking easily
- Feeling paranoid
- Being overly confused
- Perspiring too much
- Dry mouth
- Feeling uncomfortable with people and the environment
Steps to Take if You Are Too High
If you find you are suffering from these symptoms, the good news is there are several steps you can take to lessen your high. Here is a list of the most common ways to lower your buzz.
1. Relax and Create a Safe Space
The first step you should take is to try to relax. Do some deep breathing exercises and if your environment is making you feel anxious, try going to a different room. Grab your blanket, get into comfy clothes and find out which room makes you more comfortable.
Also, try listening to relaxing music to help you chill out. If you find yourself becoming sleepy, go with your instincts and take a nap. By the time you wake up, you should have a noticeable difference in how high you are.
2. Use CBD
Like THC, CBD is another cannabinoid found in cannabis that interacts with different receptors in your brain. Studies have found that CBD helps with anxiety and can make you tired. If you have some on hand, take a dose, and if you feel like you can sleep, definitely do so. Sleeping it off is usually the best way to come down from a bad trip.
3. Drink Water & Eat Something
This advice may seem like a no-brainer, but you should fill your water bottle and keep drinking at a steady rate. It would be best if you also ate something. If you feel a little bit of nausea, try at least having a little snack like crackers or toast. If you do have an appetite, make a non-complicated meal that doesn’t involve a stove, as using it while high may be dangerous in your state.
4. Black Pepper
A 2011 study found that Caryophyllene, which is a compound in peppercorns, increases the sedating effects of THC. This compound may help you calm down by combating the paranoia and anxiety that occurs when you are too high. Take a pepper container and have a whiff (do not inhale it) or chew on two to three peppercorns. Neil Young claims this method works. Try it out for yourself, and let us know in the comments if it helped at all.
5. Try a Lemon
A study on Limonene demonstrated anti-anxiety properties. Some people make a tea with the lemon peel by grinding it up and adding it to your tea. Apparently, it is pretty tart. However, if you can handle the sour taste of raw lemon, take a bite. Some people even claim just sniffing the fruit can help. It’s worth a shot.
6. Eat Pine Nuts
Though you may not have these in your kitchen, pine nuts are believed to have a calming effect and help to improve clarity. This ability is due to the pinene found in pine nuts. Pinene is also a terpene found naturally in cannabis that creates a pine-like aroma when smoked.
Note: If you have a nut allergy, do not try this method.
7. Distract Yourself
There are several things you can do to distract yourself. Try one of these things from our list when you don’t know what to do if you are too high:
- Read a book
- Whip out your coloured pencils and colour
- Play a videogame
- Watch inspiring movies, shows, YouTube videos
- Exercise
- Meditate
- Listen to podcasts
- Listen to music
- Build a fort
- Reorganize your desk
- Clean
- Try to help others with a task
- Paint
- Dance
- Write
- Swim
- Just veg out
- Read this article about going green
8. Cuddle a Pet or Friend
One of the most relaxing things you can do is cuddle your fur baby, teddy bear, friend, or your partner. Focus on the way you feel. Try and send out good vibes to whomever or whatever you are hugging. Try to relax, listen to a heartbeat, and focus on trying to be content.
9. Take a Shower or Bath
Find your bubble bath gel and get ready for a luxurious bath. Try to focus on the present and allow yourself to feel the water and the loosening of your muscles. If you find yourself too sleepy, to be safe, try a shower instead. Use your loofah and give yourself a good scrub down. You will likely come out of the shower feeling more relaxed and cleaner.
10. Take a Walk and Get into Nature
If you feel like taking a walk, be sure to have a friend go with you. We don’t want you wandering off into the woods alone. Use your five senses as you explore a neighbourhood park, a trail, or even just your backyard. Look for coloured stones, smell some flowers, and just take in the sights. You never know what you and your friend may find.
11. Talk to Someone
One of the best ways to calm down is to talk it out with a friend. Laugh over old jokes. Explain to them how you feel, and they may provide you with another way to reduce your high. Use your phone, tablet, or computer, get online, and have a few chats with people on social media. You’ll be feeling better in no time.
12. Take Some Ibuprofen
One study discovered that Ibuprofen could help lessen the effects of THC. Before you do so, be sure to check with a medical professional or pharmacist to ensure you do not have any adverse effects. If you are on other medications, it may not be safe to take Ibuprofen. If you know it’s okay, try it out.
Know Your Limits
One of the most important things to do before ingesting cannabis is figuring out your tolerance. If you are new to cannabis use, you should start with small dosages like a 5 mg edible or a few puffs of a joint. Wait to see how you respond and if you feel like it’s not hitting you, slowly increase your dosage in increments.
Let us know if any of these remedies helped you in the comments, and follow us @cannalifenet for cannabis-related content.