Cannabis is a lot of fun but too much of a good thing can lead to bad experiences.
If you’ve ever had too much cannabis and experienced being uncomfortably high, you know it’s not a good time. No matter if you have a high or low tolerance for cannabis, you can have too much but don’t worry – the feeling will pass and there are things you can do to help yourself.
The easiest method of coming down from an uncomfortable high is to wait until the feeling passes. But, there are other steps you can take to make the effects move through your system quicker.
How long will I be high for?
The length of your high will depend on what and how much you consumed. The effects of smoking or vaporizing cannabis will generally last between two and four hours, peaking around two hours after you get high. Eating cannabis takes longer to kick in, and the effects will also last for much longer. Higher potency cannabis products have stronger effects and can last longer, which is why it’s always better to start with lower amounts and go slow.
Some of the feelings of being too high can include anxiety, paranoia, dizziness, confusion, sweating and more. If you’re feeling this way, stop taking any more cannabis products for a bit until the effects lessen.
How can I make the effects pass?
The most important thing to keep in mind with cannabis is that the effects will go away eventually. It might be hard to remind yourself of this when you’re overly high or about to “green out,” but relaxing and knowing it will go away can keep you grounded while you wait. The effects can also lessen to a level you’re comfortable with again, so waiting and relaxing is always the best step to take.
Knowing how much you can handle and your limitations is key to enjoying experiences with cannabis too. If you’ve never tried cannabis in your entire life, jumping straight into extremely potent products like shatter or high THC flower isn’t likely to end with you having a good time. Preparation is vital and that comes down to picking the right products for your body and tolerance level.
Water and snacks
Along with waiting for an intense high to pass, having a drink of water or juice and a light snack will help you feel less high and more comfortable. A cold drink can help with the dry mouth feeling and give your body the hydration it needs to help with the effects you’re feeling. Eating a snack will also help combat any nausea while taking your mind off of the intensity of your high.
Black peppercorn
Another method you can use to bring your high down a bit is chewing black peppercorns. It might seem strange, but this common kitchen ingredient and cannabis share terpenes such as beta-caryophyllene that bind to the same cannabinoid receptors in our body. Chewing a few peppercorns can help reduce anxiety by blocking THC from attaching to our cannabinoid receptors.
CBD
You can also try taking something with CBD in it. Research shows this non-intoxicating cannabinoid can lessen some of the effects of THC by binding to the same receptors, similarly to chewing peppercorns. Using CBD oil, flower, or an edible can help balance your high to be less intoxicating, but make sure whatever you use with CBD doesn’t also have THC in it.