How to Get Unhigh After Smoking or Eating Too Much Cannabis
It’s a familiar scenario for nearly all cannabis consumers: you’ve overdone it on THC and are uncomfortable. Whether it’s anxiety, lethargy, or racing thoughts, you may be wondering, “is there a way to get unhigh?”
First off, feeling “too high” from the effects of cannabis is nothing to be ashamed of. We’ve all been there, especially considering today’s high-THC strains and the humbling punch they tend to pack for those who don’t start low and go slow as recommended.
Whether you’re looking to soothe the intense buzz from one-too-many vape hits or aiming to escape the effects of eating your weight in edibles, it’s time to relax and read up on potential solutions. You’re not dying; in fact, the other side of sweet sobriety is well within reach. Allow us to guide you back to center with some tips on how to get unhigh a bit more quickly.
How long does being high last?
The experience of being high differs from person to person, and numerous factors are a play.
First off, it depends on how you use marijuana. Smoking weed is a vastly different consumption experience from eating edibles. While you’ll feel the effects of smoking almost instantly and will recover from your “high” within a few hours, edibles take a lot longer to hit, and they also take a lot longer to leave your digestive system.
How long you stay high will also depend on your tolerance level, the amount of cannabis you’ve consumed, and whether you’ve consumed anything else throughout the day. Someone buzzing off a few tequila shots is more likely to feel the effects of THC with intensity; similarly, someone who just snacked on some mango might be hit harder than their friend who’s allergic to the fruit.
All that being said, the most important thing to take note of when considering your own consumption limit is how THC interacts with the body. The smoking or vaping route requires THC to bond with your body’s endocannabinoid system, a quicker-hitting process that doesn’t last very long.
On the other hand, edibles interact with your digestive system, which means they stay in your body longer and have a much stronger effect. If you’ve consumed edibles, you will be in for a longer ride—a fact that still holds true for someone who smokes cannabis regularly.
How high is too high?
Cannabis is a powerful tool for wellness, designed to make users healthier, creative, relaxed, and comfortable in their skin. It’s also best when used in moderation and with a distinct purpose or intention behind it.
If you’ve consumed cannabis and experienced any of the following side effects, you’ve likely done too much at a time:
- Paranoia
- Feeling anxious
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Coughing or wheezing
- Lung pain or discomfort
- Cold sweats
- Dry mouth
- Low blood pressure
- Impaired memory
- Impaired vision
- Impaired motor function
Having any of these symptoms could be a strong indicator that you’ve either done too much or gone with a strain that doesn’t mesh well with your body’s chemistry. However, try not to be too concerned. All of these symptoms are temporary and relievable. And as uncomfortable as it is to feel “too high,” it will help you make better choices the next time around.
In the meantime, let’s explore some top tips when it comes to knowing how to get unhigh fast.
How to sober up from weed
In general, knowing how to recover from edibles or get “unhigh” fast is all about mind over matter. The experience will subside, and all of the worrying side effects you’re feeling will soon be a thing of the past. However, it can still be difficult to clear the hurdle of high feelings when you’re uncomfortable.
Thankfully, we’ve put together a list of tried-and-true tips that will help you reach the other side a little quicker—or at least feel a little more confident in the in-between.
Fresh air
Too much weed at a time can make you feel like you’re going crazy: your heart is racing, your palms are sweating, and you can’t wait for it all to be over. A great way to combat this harried, frantic sensation is to take some deep breaths. It sounds almost too simple, but sometimes the best solutions are.
Deep breathing is known for lowering blood pressure and reducing stress and anxiety, which you’re likely struggling through in your overly high state. It can also work wonders for your digestive system, which is important to remember if you’ve ingested edibles and are looking for a way out of your disorienting, long-term high. Edibles are a lot more extreme compared to smoked products—especially when it comes to how long they last—so this helpful tip is important to keep in mind if you opt for ingestion.
Staying hydrated
Another great way to fight being “too high” is drinking plenty of water—if only to quell the cottonmouth you’re likely experiencing. Drinking water gives you something to do; turning your attention from fighting against internal anxiety to focusing on taking satiating sips from your water bottle can work wonders for your mental state.
Lemon
While you’re at it, try throwing some lemon slices into the mix. Thanks to the calming terpene limonene, which lemons are particularly high in, sucking on the fruit might help reduce your anxiety or stress. Couple that with the water’s hydration and the heightened senses you get from consuming cannabis, and you’re in for a deliciously distracting treat.
Eat a filling meal
If fresh air or water hasn’t quite worked for you, you may want to try eating a nice, filling meal if you’re not enjoying a cannabis product. Putting some healthy calories into your body can stabilize your blood sugar, helping you feel a little less head-in-the-clouds.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep a little stash of snacks tucked away for your consumption sessions. Top hits among seasoned cannabis users include pine nuts, which are rich in pinene and known for reducing anxiety; fresh fruits like melon or oranges to feed your tummy while hydrating your dry mouth; or black peppercorns, which are particularly high in the anxiolytic terpene, beta-caryophyllene.
Try any of these, and you might just end the day falling asleep peacefully instead of tossing and turning in an overly-infused fit.
CBD
This 2013 study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology reported that, when taken with the cannabinoid THC, CBD appears to lessen the adverse effects of anxiety and paranoia that tend to go hand in hand with consuming too much cannabis at a time. However, it’s important to note that if the CBD is taken after the THC has been consumed, it might not be as effective.
That being said, this might be more of a preventative care idea: a protective product to pop before you go on a THC deep dive.
More research is needed to confirm how CBD and THC work together, but in the meantime, many cannabis users report that a little CBD oil or tincture before consuming a high-dose product might help balance the effects a little more evenly.
Cold showers
Another great way to get your mind off the high is to douse yourself in cold water. Cold water is recognized for its ability to decrease heart rate, reduce inflammation, instill calm, and ease your mind—all points you’re likely trying to address in the midst of your intoxicated state.
Listening to music
Listening to music can also help you get out of your own head. Cannabis is known for amplifying the effects of music for listeners; incidentally, allowing yourself to get lost in the music might be the best way for you to find your way back to reality.
Go to sleep
The last and easiest solution when it comes to knowing how to get unhigh? Get some rest!
If you’ve tried everything and you still feel like you’re crawling out of your own skin, try to combine as many of these comfortable tips as possible, like putting on some meditation music and grabbing a glass of post-shower lemon water. Then, tuck yourself in for the night. You’ve done all you can; tomorrow is a new day, and a new chance to make better choices that align with your mind and body.
How to sober up from weed fast according to science
A number of anecdotal studies show there are some natural ways to reduce the effects of cannabis. Unfortunately, there really isn’t a surefire science behind sobering up from weed. However, the industry has conducted a number of one-off studies to help consumers dose themselves with care and expertise.
The black pepper approach is backed by science, as seen in this 2011 review from the British Journal of Pharmacology. On the other hand, this 2015 study delves into the effects of alcohol when mixed with THC, which helps consumers understand that more alcohol means increased levels of THC in the bloodstream—a.k.a., if you know you have a low weed tolerance, you might want to avoid booze until the cannabis is out of your system.
There are a few more standalone studies to pay attention to, like this review on the impact of meditation and deep breathing or this CDC piece to help you navigate the world of edible dosing.
In general, we recommend building a solid toolbox of creature comforts for when you consume too much weed. Hopefully, you never find yourself in that position, but it’s always best to be prepared.
