In most cases, a marijuana overdose is about as severe as eating too many donuts in one sitting. You won’t want to move around too much or too fast for a little while, but otherwise you’ll be fine.
Other times, though, that extra edible or bong rip hits you harder than expected. And, suddenly you feel way too high. Maybe you feel sick, or become too anxious, or just can’t focus like you want.
Too much of a good thing—even a great thing like weed—isn’t always a good thing. And, you might need a little help relaxing or calming your stomach after a big joint.
The tips in this article have been used by smokers around the world to “come down” when they’re too high.
*NOTE: These tips won’t remove cannabinoids from your system. While they can help you feel more sober, they won’t actually make you sober.
1. Be Prepared: Set Yourself Up for a Comfortable Cannabis Experience
Be prepared is more than just the motto of the Boy Scouts and Mufasa’s brother, Scar. It’s an important part of coming down when you’re too high (and avoiding getting too high in the first place).
- Know how much weed you can normally handle.
- Are you taking bigger hits or doses than usual (using a bong instead of a bowl, for example)?
- Are there other reasons you might not feel well? If you haven’t eaten or slept enough—or if you’ve been drinking alcohol—cannabis may affect you more than it does on other days.
If you’re going out, make sure you have a designated driver or access to a ride in case you start feeling anxious or ill. Sometimes just having a plan can help you feel calmer and more relaxed.
Before indulging in cannabis, it’s crucial to have a plan for managing your high, especially if it becomes overwhelming. Ensure you’re in a safe, comfortable environment surrounded by trusted friends. Stock up on essentials like water, snacks, and CBD, and familiarize yourself with strategies to calm down if needed. Being prepared can make all the difference in maintaining control and enjoying your experience.
2. Take a Break: Pause and Give Your Body Time to Adjust
If you notice your anxiety rising, your head spinning, or your stomach churning, give yourself the time and space you need to feel better.
Don’t try to keep up with your friends just because they’re lighting up another joint or going back for another edible. A small discomfort can turn into nausea or panic if you keep smoking when you already feel high.
Step outside for a blast of cool air. Lay down and focus on your breathing. Head to the bathroom for a nice, long poop. Take a break the same way you would if you felt anxious or unwell while sober.
When you start to feel too high, the first and most important step is to stop consuming more cannabis. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, but taking a break allows your body to begin processing the THC that’s already in your system. By pausing, you give yourself a chance to adjust and let the high naturally taper off.
3. Go for a Walk: Clear Your Mind and Refresh Your Senses
If you feel physically fine but can’t shut your brain off, consider taking a walk around your neighborhood or apartment building. Getting your body moving and changing up the scenery can help you work through anxious thoughts and energy.
Getting up and taking a short walk can be a powerful way to clear your mind and reset your experience. The change in environment and the act of moving can help ground you, while fresh air and natural surroundings can provide a calming effect. Walking also promotes blood circulation, which can aid in metabolizing THC more effectively.
4. Take a Cold Shower: Snap Back to Reality with a Refreshing Jolt
Cold showers can wake you up when you’re couch-locked and clear the fog if your last dose hit a little too hard.
A cold shower can work wonders if you’re feeling overwhelmed by a strong high. The sudden chill can invigorate your senses and bring you back to the present moment. Cold water boosts circulation and can help you feel more alert, providing a quick way to regain control and reduce the intensity of your high.
5. Take a Hot Shower: Relax and Unwind in a Warm, Soothing Environment
Does the thought of a cold shower make you cringe and crawl under the covers? Are you more tense than foggy after your last dose? Take a hot shower! The hot water and steam can help relax your body, and the time in the shower can help you work through any pesky or anxious thoughts that are keeping you from enjoying your high.
Alternately, you can make taking a hot shower the entire point of getting high. Whatever your goal, it’s a delightful experience.
If a cold shower feels too harsh, a hot shower can be a comforting alternative. The warmth can help relax your muscles, ease tension, and create a calming atmosphere. The steam and heat can promote relaxation, making it easier to let go of any anxiety or discomfort associated with being too high.
6. Take a Nap: Let Your Body and Mind Reset Through Rest
For those times you feel too woozy or “spinny” to take a walk or hop in the shower, try taking a nap. Let yourself rest so you can work through any mental or physical discomfort.
Sometimes the best way to come down from an intense high is to simply sleep it off. Find a quiet, comfortable place to rest, close your eyes, and allow yourself to drift off for a short nap. Sleep gives your body time to naturally process the THC, and you’re likely to wake up feeling much more balanced and refreshed.
7. Drink Water: Stay Hydrated and Flush Out Excess THC
Marijuana has a way of dehydrating the body. Drinking plenty of water is an easy way to combat many discomforts (like dry mouth, headaches, and upset stomach) that can leave you feeling downright ill when they hit all at once.
Hydration is key when managing a high, especially if you’re feeling too elevated. Drinking water not only helps flush out toxins but also supports overall body function. Sipping on water can also serve as a distraction, giving you something simple to focus on. Stick to water, and avoid caffeinated or sugary drinks that might heighten anxiety.
8. Chew Black Pepper: Use This Simple Trick to Calm an Intense High
The folks at Leafly did a bit of research, and chewing black pepper may be more than just an old wives tale when it comes to dealing with marijuana -induced paranoia. They both bind to the same receptors in the brain, and the calming effect seems to be much more than just a placebo or a trick of distracting yourself. The next time you start feeling a wave of anxiety after a dose of cannabis, try chewing a peppercorn.
It may sound surprising, but chewing on a few black peppercorns can help alleviate a too-strong high. Black pepper contains beta-caryophyllene, a compound that interacts with your body’s cannabinoid receptors and can reduce the psychoactive effects of THC. The strong, familiar taste of pepper can also help ground you in the present moment.
9. Distract Yourself: Engage in Calming Activities to Shift Your Focus
Try throwing on your favorite show, playing a game on your phone, working on a puzzle, cooking… anything that keeps you distracted.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, one of the most effective strategies is to distract yourself with a simple, enjoyable activity. Whether it’s watching a lighthearted TV show, listening to soothing music, or doing a puzzle, keeping your mind occupied can help shift your focus away from uncomfortable sensations and make the experience more manageable.
10. Use CBD: Balance Your High with the Calming Effects of CBD
CBD is non-psychoactive, and it’s known for it’s powerful anxiety-fighting effects. Having a CBD edible, patch, oil, or strain on hand is an easy way to counteract the effects of THC if you’re feeling way too high (or if your high is causing anxiety instead of helping you relax).
CBD is known for its ability to counteract the intensity of a THC high. Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects and can help bring you back to a more balanced state. Whether you choose a CBD tincture, edible, or vape, a small dose can provide a calming influence, helping you regain control and feel more at ease.
Don’t Panic!
The next time you’re feeling a little too high (anxious, paranoid, couch-locked), stay calm and try one of the tips in this post.
Karing Kind is located just off of US-36, one mile north of Broadway, now open MON-SUN from 9am to 10pm.
While we carry a variety of strains, concentrates, edibles, salves and tinctures, inventory and stock levels fluctuate from week to week and month to month. Check our menu and follow us on Twitter for an up-to-date list of edibles, concentrates and buds available.