We have all done it: lit the ideal joint, dabbed deliciously and skillfully, and munched on an artisanal edible. Then, all of a sudden, those pleasant sensations become prickly, your laughter changes to panting, and you start to wonder, "dude, am I dead?" It is simply the realization that "I am too high" that causes this.
Maybe it took that edible three hours to start working. Perhaps you held the bong rip a little too long in an effort to impress a group of friends. It is possible that you recently tried concentrates for the first time and were surprised by how potent they were. Or maybe you are just a low-tolerance consumer.
It can sneak up on you in a thousand different ways, but once it does, the experience that follows might make you uneasy; occasionally, it is enough to turn off even the most devoted cannabis enthusiast. Thankfully, cannabis is not a fatal drug, and its effects last only about a day. Follow these guidelines to prevent "greening out."
How long does it take to come down from a weed high?
The duration of your high after smoking marijuana is influenced by a number of variables, including your smoking technique, dosage, and specific individual characteristics like tolerance, age, and metabolic rate. The high will typically last longer, though it may not necessarily be more intense, the higher the potency of a cannabis product (read: THC% or milligram amount). The most potent cannabis products are concentrates, followed by edibles and flower.
This might imply that it would take longer to recover from dabs than it would from smoking a bowl, but your experience will also depend on the dosage, flower or wax quality, and the chemistry of your body. It’s also important to note that the everyday smoker with a higher weed tolerance will sober up a lot faster than the occasional consumer who hits the party joint a couple of times. According to recent research, there is a "window of impairment" for cannabis depending on how it is consumed that lasts between three and ten hours, but for the majority of people, it is closer to four hours.
According to anecdotal evidence, the typical high from cannabis can last for up to two hours at its most intense. Some highs have been known to last significantly longer than others, and you can still feel the effects for some time after. When excessive cannabis use leaves you feeling too high, overwhelmed, or uncomfortable, there are thankfully ways to help you come down and sober up.
Symptoms of being too high
If you are too high, you will know it. However, there are a few telltale signs to watch out for if you are unsure of how to determine where the line to cross is. Even though we all enjoy a good time, you might want to limit your intake if you experience any of the following:
anxiety
nausea
dizziness
panic
paranoia
confusion
excessive perspiration
What occurs when you overindulge?
Even though it might seem like you are dying, you are still very much alive. Remember that THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, interacts with the CB1 receptors of our endocannabinoid systems, the majority of which are located in our brains, to produce the high that you experience. In other words, most of it is in your head! THC does not affect the parts of the brain that could affect breathing, nor is it possible to consume enough of it to cause death.
The presence of THC in our bodies can cause feelings of relaxation, sleepiness, hunger, euphoria, and clumsiness, but because there are so many different strains and products available, it can be difficult to gauge when a high becomes excessive. You might experience nausea or vertigo in extremely rare circumstances, such as in people with cannabis hyperemesis syndrome. Fortunately, this too will pass.
How to quickly sober up after using marijuana
1. Don’t panic
The infinite wisdom of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is unfailingly wise.
DON’T PANIC. YOU ARE FINE AND EVERYTHING IS OKAY.
With the exception of a little grogginess and a possibly empty fridge, the majority of symptoms of "greening out" (using excessive cannabis) will go away within minutes to hours. We can assure you that these feelings will eventually pass if you give them some time.
Contrary to what you may have heard, there have never been any reported cannabis overdose deaths. As a result, no matter how queasy or freaked out you feel or how much sweating you experience, you will not die from excessive use.
Do not view that as a challenge; just keep in mind that if you unintentionally go overboard, you will recover.
2. Consume water and small snacks.
According to Derek Zoolander, hydration is the essence of sobering up, and water is the essence of both. Make sure you have a nice, cold beverage available (preferably caffeine-free), whether you prefer water or juice. This will assist you in avoiding dry mouth and enable you to concentrate on the straightforward and routine act of sipping and swallowing.
Remember that when we say to "hydrate," we do not mean to "down a few drinks." Avoid alcohol if you are experiencing your strain's effects a little too strongly because alcohol can make THC levels in the blood rise.
Does eating after smoking weed sober you up?
A small snack may help some people feel a little more grounded. Try munching on some cheese, nuts, or fruits to see if it makes it a little bit easier to connect your mind and body. According to some research, terpenes, which are abundant in both food and cannabis, may lessen the high experienced by users.
3. Know your limits before consuming
Try, if you can, to prepare for your cannabis session in accordance with your level of tolerance. Do not go outside of your comfort zone if you are aware that taking more than two puffs from a joint makes you anxious or that a 10mg gummy ties you to the couch. Once you have gone too far, this probably will not help, but it can spare you from having to deal with a bad situation again.
Consume with trusted friends who you have previously smoked with, and do not feel obligated to follow their tolerance guidelines. Making new friends is great, but being surrounded by strangers when you can not feel your face is uncomfortable at best and nerve-wracking at worst.
Take it easy, especially when eating edibles. We advise starting with a standard dosage of 10 mg (or even 5 mg out of a surplus of caution) and waiting at least an hour, if not two, before increasing your edibles dosage. The same is true for inhalation techniques: do not spend an hour in a smoking circle puffing and passing if you are only used to occasionally taking one hit off your personal vaporizer.
4. Chew black peppercorns when you’re too high
Black pepper, a common household item that can be found in kitchens and eateries all over the world, can be your savior if you find yourself battling paranoia and anxiety. Even Neil Young swears by the black pepper trick! There should be almost immediate relief if you simply sniff or chew on a few black peppercorns. Many of the terpenes found in black pepper are also found in many cannabis strains, although this has not been proven, and this may help explain why black pepper has a grounding effect.
5. Keep calm and rest
Find a calm, quiet place that is free of many distractions so that you can unwind and breathe deeply. Keep in mind that the severe discomfort you are experiencing will pass. Inhale deeply, and then exhale fully, through your nose. Just rest for a while, concentrating on the sound of your breath.
It is not always simple to turn your brain off, but sometimes sleeping it off can be the best alternative to stopping a strong high. Find a peaceful spot, then lie down and unwind. Take a quick nap if you are feeling sleepy or drowsy to refresh yourself. If you have trouble sleeping, just get comfortable until you have the energy to get back up.
6. Try taking a walk outside.
A change of scenery and some fresh air to get your blood flowing can sometimes help to energize you if you can not shut your brain off. We do not want you to wander off and get lost while you are feeling uneasy and paranoid, so just remember to stay close to your immediate surroundings and bring a friend! And avoid going for a walk if you feel too dizzy or lightheaded to stand; instead, we advise Option #5: lie down for a while.
7. Take a shower or bath
If you are at home, consider taking a relaxing bath or shower to help you unwind while you wait for the effects of too much marijuana to wear off. This may not always be possible if you are out and about or at a friend's house.
Will taking a shower take away my high?
Showering will probably lessen your high, according to anecdotal evidence and shower science, even though scientists have not yet published a study on the topic. Showers in general are calming for the body and mind, but taking a cold shower in particular seems to help with depression symptoms by reducing their intensity and boosting neural activity, which makes you feel more alert and anchored.
8. Get distracted!
All of the things that seem so entertaining and enjoyable when you are high are also fantastic ways to divert your attention while you try to come back to reality. You should consider:
Watch a funny cartoon
Listen to your favorite album
Play some video games
Speak with your friends (who, ideally, are standing by your side and reassuring you).
Curl up next to your significant other.
Try using coloring as a calming activity—adult coloring books are currently very popular.
savor a delicious meal
run a supervised errand
Make sure the distraction is a familiar one that makes you feel good, whatever kind of distractions you prefer. Hopefully, your brain will focus on the good emotions and gently remind you that everything is okay and safe.
Sobering up from edibles
We now understand that a person may experience a different high after consuming an edible compared to someone who smokes, vapes, or dabs. Since they are metabolized by different parts of our bodies, edible highs are the most durable of all consumption methods because THC passes through the liver while being digested, extending its half-life.
The techniques on this list might not all be applicable to edibles. We do advise trying to maintain your composure, drinking water, and finding some form of entertainment. You can also try eating a substantial meal to keep your metabolism active or taking some CBD edibles to help mitigate the effects of the edible. A nice, lengthy nap can also work the magic if you can manage it.
Sobering up from delta-8
Producers and consumers now have new opportunities to experiment with marijuana, including new opportunities for greening out, thanks to the discovery and subsequent popularization of delta-8 THC derived from hemp. Fortunately, because of the difference in their molecular structures, delta-8 is not even close to being as intoxicating as delta-9 per milligram.
Contributor Dante Jordan wrote about his personal experience with delta-8 edibles for Leafly last year, and he had a good time "blasting music, dancing around my Airbnb, and punching out sentences that writer's block had been stifling." Because most users find delta-8 to be significantly less intense and thus harder to overdo, it is frequently referred to as "diet weed."
Additional ideas to try to come down from a high:
Bonus suggestion #1: To combat the negative effects of excessive marijuana use, try taking CBD.
For many people, CBD can be used to balance out too much THC because it is a potent anxiety-relieving substance. Through modifying the THC-related receptor signaling, CBD's anti-anxiety mechanisms function. CBD can balance and lessen the intensity of the high because, unlike THC, it does not bind to the brain's CB1 receptors.
Bonus tip #2: Squeeze a lemon to help sober up
Perhaps after getting too high, you just need the tang of a lemon to bring you back to reality. Slice a lemon, inhale the citrusy aroma, and then pucker up!
Try sucking on a lemon slice or using the juice for a tart treat as studies have shown that the terpene limonene, which is present in citrus fruit and many cannabis strains, has been shown to have anxiety-reducing properties.
Bonus tip #3: Take some ibuprofen
Ibuprofen can counteract some of the effects of THC, according to one study. If you have access to an ibuprofen, you might try taking a small dose of it along with some water and food to help you come down from your high.
In the event that nothing else works and you continue to feel alarmingly uneasy, you can always go to the hospital and inform the staff that you are experiencing an anxiety attack brought on by cannabis. Even in states where cannabis use is prohibited, this choice is always available. From a medical standpoint, doctors want to make sure you are OK and will do whatever it takes to make that happen, even if that means helping you come down when you are too high. You cannot be detained or subjected to legal action because you are high as a kite.