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Lately, cannabis consumers have found themselves in a world of new consumption methods and formulas. Between the ever-evolving strains of high-potency flower that you can find in dispensaries and the mass selection of hemp-derived THC products (hello THC-O and Delta-8) that are accessible online, it's more possible than ever to accidentally overdo it.
“Greening out,” or getting way too high on THC, is never a pleasant experience. While overconsumption of THC won't typically result in any severe side effects, you’ll still want to know what helps to get rid of feeling high.
Fortunately, you may be able to do something about it so that you don't have to just wait for your high to wear off. If you've accidentally overindulged, here's how to stop being high more quickly:
Table of Contents
How Long Does It Take To Come Down From a Weed High?
What Happens When You Get Too High?
Tips to Help You Stop Being High Quickly
How Do You Sober Up From Edibles
Conclusion: How Do You Sober Up From Weed?
In general, the amount of time it takes to come down from your weed high can be hard to pinpoint and will depend on many different factors. For instance, the consumption method you use, your tolerance to THC, the type of product you ingest, and your unique metabolism will all factor into how quickly THC enters and exits your system.
THC’s half life is just around 30 minutes. That means that after 30 minutes around half of the THC is metabolized, leaving 50% of the original dose. The cycle continues like that, and after thirty more minutes approximately half of the remaining 50% is removed, leaving 25% of the original dose. This continues until all of the THC is gone.
As a general rule of thumb, the more cannabis you ingest, the longer it will take to come down. More significantly, the type of product you use will have a large impact. For instance, edibles will metabolize much more slowly than inhalation methods.
In short, there’s no way to know how long you may be high from your product of choice, but prepare for a THC high to last for about 1-6 hours. For most people, a high-quality THC dose will peak between 1 and 2 hours after dosing, and the effects will slowly wane down from there.
When you get too high, you may know pretty quickly. Or, if you’ve taken an edible, you may find out hours into your high that it’s gotten a bit too intense.
Either way, you’ll definitely be able to recognize the tell-tale discomforts of overindulging in THC. Some of the symptoms may include:
Keep in mind that THC plays a huge role in the neurological and cognitive portion of the Endocannabinoid System and has a much milder impact on our body and physical functions. In other words, you may feel like you’re dying, but its mostly all in your head.
In fact, THC has not been linked to any deaths, and overconsumption cannot cause you to stop breathing (although shallow breathing or “air hunger” is a side effect of anxiety or panic you may experience when you overindulge).
In the most extreme cases, people may suffer from cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, a condition that causes extreme nausea, vomiting, and dizziness after partaking in cannabis use. This condition is really rare and is usually only associated with long-term, chronic cannabis use. Still, these symptoms will also pass.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the things you can do to help calm yourself down and come down from your weed high more quickly:
Now, let’s dive into the answers you’re looking for. Here's how to stop feeling high fast:
The first step for how to get less high may sound too obvious, but just chill out! This is sometimes much easier said than done, but, like we said earlier, much what you are experiencing is all in your head. In fact, anxiety can even manifest physical symptoms, like an upset stomach or chest pains.
Taking some time to recenter yourself and remember that “this too shall pass” is a great first step from coming down from that overwhelming buzz you’re riding.
If you’re having trouble relaxing, you may try to lay down in a comfortable spot, play some soothing music, or do some deep breathing exercises to help.
According to a heavily cited study titled “Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects,” CBD may counteract the effects of THC. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in a manner that is essentially opposite from THC. Researchers don’t know exactly how this happens, but since CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive effects of its own, it’s definitely worth a shot.
Some research suggests that CBD may help to manage anxiety, so this may definitely be a beneficial route if you’re feeling a bit panicky after your THC dose.
THC can dehydrate you, which is why it makes you feel thirsty. Dehydration can make anxiety worse, and it can incite a few unenjoyable symptoms that may make your high feel worse, too. Drinking water before, during, and after using THC can help qualm any adverse symptoms, and it can definitely help avoid side effects like excessive hunger and headaches.
If you're wondering how to be less high (and want to prevent yourself from getting too high in the future), definitely consider your hydration levels.
If you don’t eat before consuming cannabis, you’re likely to get higher faster and stay higher longer.
While it’s hard to say whether eating during your high will make your high go away faster (that’s not usually how the metabolism works), having a small comfort meal can definitely make you feel more grounded. An empty stomach can also potentiate anxiety, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms that may come along with over indulging.
The trick is to not overindulge in food, either. A small, healthy snack will usually help to reframe your mind and make you feel a little more grounded and calm.
You may find this one a bit precarious, but smelling black pepper may actually help to calm a panic attack. This is because black pepper contains caryophyllene, a terpene that’s known to stimulate the CB2 receptor, which may help to “level you out.”
Smelling black pepper can bring on the benefits quickly, but may make you sneeze. If you wish, you can also swallow two or three peppercorns, but it may take a bit longer for the benefits to kick in.
One atypical tip for how to stop feeling high is to enjoy some fresh lemon. Lemons also contain terpenes than can help calm you down and change the high to help you relax. Try squeezing some lemon into your water. For a potent limonene dose, use the rind in a cup of tea.
According to the “Taming THC” study referenced above, pine nuts may also contain large amounts of the terpene pinene, a compound that’s also found in cannabis and is known to help improve clarity and provide a calming sensation. Just be aware that pine nuts are tree nuts if you happen to have an allergy.
It may seem like a difficult thing to do if you’re feeling panicky, but you should try to focus on something other than how high you feel.
Reading a book, watching a movie, cooking a meal, or partaking in another low-maintenance hobby may help you find a calm mental space to ride out your high. Avoid anything that could induce anxiety, of course, like horror movies. (Hint: Baby animal videos on YouTube usually do the trick!)
You may be surprised at how quickly you calm down once you cuddle up in your favorite spot. This is especially true if you usually sleep in the same space with familiar items, like your blanket or pillow, since your brain will relate this area with sleep.
If you can, curl up in bed with your comfort items and try to sleep off a bit of your high. Even if you can rest for 30 minutes, you may wake up on the downslide back towards sobriety.
Taking a short walk, even for 10 minutes, can be a great way to take yourself out of the uncomfortable space you’re in. Exercise, fresh air, sunlight, and reframing your mindset should all be a nourishing part of the experience. Plus, gentle exercise can help to relieve stress and anxiety and regulate your blood pressure, too.
Having someone to help keep you level can really help you enjoy your cannabis experience more, and it’s always a safe bet to let a friend know when you’re greening out. Even better if they can come over and help you make a snack or maybe take that walk with you!
Taking a shower, especially a cool (not cold) shower, is one of the most common tricks that people say they use to feel less high. Why? We assume its a combination of relaxation, reframing your mindset, and focusing on something else. According to research, a cool shower can help soothe depression and increase neural impulses to make you feel more centered and alert.
Just find a comfortable place to ride it out (which means a bath may do the trick, too!).
One study found that ibuprofen may counteract some effects of THC, although more research is needed to understand how this may work. If all else fails, try taking a safe dose of ibuprofen. Keep in mind that it is an NSAID, so you may need to be cautious if you have certain health conditions or take other medications.
How Do You Sober Up From Edibles?If you’ve ever taken weed edibles, you know that the experience is much different from the high you’ll get from smoking or vaping cannabis. In the gut, THC is metabolized and becomes 11-hydroxy-THC, which experts believe has more potent psychoactive effects. Its also metabolized more slowly, meaning that the high can last a lot longer than an inhalation high.
So, what do you do to come down from an edible high? Really, there’s no one good answer. The best advice we can give is to dose your edibles carefully, and start with a lower dose than you may think you need. Understanding how much edible THC you should take is the best way to ensure a positive experience.
If you ultimately get too high, any combination of the tips above may still help to calm you down and bring down your high. For sobering up from an edible high, we recommend eating a small snack, staying hydrated, and trying to take a nap or a shower.
Ultimately, there’s no one absolute way to help you come down from a weed high, rather you should focus on comfort, relaxation, and distraction. Keeping your mind busy can help prevent you from panicking, and a soothing bath, restful nap, or delicious snack can provide a sense of comfort when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
One thing is always true–when you’re feeling like you overdid it and you’re absolutely going to die, it’s usually all in your head.
If you want to try for a gentler THC experience, we recommend the mildly-psychoactive Delta-8-THC. Check out our Elev8 Collection to find low-dose edibles, tinctures, vapes, and more.
To come down from a high, try drinking water, eating a light snack, or taking a walk to help your body metabolize the THC. Some people find that deep breathing exercises, resting in a calm environment, or taking a shower can also help reduce the intensity of the high. CBD can counteract the effects of THC, so taking a small dose of CBD oil might also help.
When you're high, it's best to stay in a comfortable and familiar environment. Engage in relaxing activities like listening to music, watching a movie, or talking with friends. If you start feeling overwhelmed, focus on staying calm, breathe deeply, and remind yourself that the feeling is temporary.
To ease nervousness when high, try grounding techniques like focusing on your breath or the sensations around you. Stay hydrated, avoid caffeine, and consider taking a small dose of CBD to help balance the effects. Creating a peaceful environment and reassuring yourself that the effects will pass can also be helpful.
Worrying while high can happen due to the way THC interacts with your brain, potentially heightening anxiety and paranoia. This effect is more common at higher doses or if you're already prone to anxiety. Staying mindful of your dosage and setting can help reduce these feelings.
The number of joints considered "too many" varies based on your tolerance, experience, and the potency of the cannabis. For most people, one to two joints are enough to feel the effects. Smoking too much can lead to unwanted side effects like anxiety, paranoia, or an uncomfortable high.
The amount a stoner smokes in a day can vary widely, depending on their tolerance and personal preference. Some may only take a few hits, while others might smoke multiple joints or use other cannabis products throughout the day. Moderation is key to avoiding overconsumption and maintaining a positive experience.
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