Being too high is far from fun and can leave you feeling uncomfortable, and more. In this article we share 9 simple tips for tackling a cannabis "overdose".
INTRODUCTION
No matter the reason you may use cannabis, chances are that one time or another you have over-indulged and become too stoned. Its extremely common, especially among more novice users, to take one hit too many and find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. The effects of over-indulging vary from mild to a little more extreme depending on how much you have, the amount of THC in your cannabis, and how often you are overdoing it. In this article, we will take a look at what these effects are, and nine tips for when you are too high.
THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THC
When too much cannabis is used, it's easy to find yourself spaced out, uncomfortable, and feeling uneasy. We have THC to thank for these effects and they are common when it is used in high concentrations, or when there are no other cannabinoids balancing it out. This isn't to say you will always experience these effects when using a high-THC strain, but it is possible.
Other side effects can include hunger and sleepiness when consuming high THC cannabis, as well as other cannabinoids. These effects can be seen as positives depending on your situation.
9 TIPS FOR WHEN YOU’RE TOO HIGH
1. RELAX
The first thing to do when you feel the onset of negative cannabis-induced effects is to remain calm.
Remember the age-old stoner argument that no one has ever died from a cannabis overdose? Repeat that to yourself and stay focused on the fact that whatever you’re experiencing will pass eventually.
This can be difficult to do when you feel like the world is spinning and everyone in the room is out to get you, but remembering that a cannabis overdose is only temporary is one of the most important steps to tackling that overwhelming feeling of being too high.
2. STAY HYDRATED
A common piece of advice for people who are too drunk is to keep hydrated, and we suggest you do the same when you’re too stoned.
We suggest drinking cold, filtered water or pure fruit juice, which may help to raise your blood sugar levels and temporarily curb the nasty effects of a cannabis overdose.
Whatever you do, stay away from alcohol and caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, or caffeinated sodas. Also, don’t suddenly pour 2 litres of water down your throat; instead, keep a big glass by your side and sip it slowly yet consistently.
Whenever it’s empty, either fill it up yourself or ask a friend or family member to do so for you.
3. SMELL/CHEW SOME BLACK PEPPER
Cannabis contains a variety of terpenes which serve as the backbone of its aromatic profile and also play an important role in how the substance affects our bodies.
Many of the terpenes found in cannabis are also found in a variety of other plants or fruits; limonene, for example, is found in citrus fruits; myrcene, on the other hand, is found in parsley, thyme, and hops.
Beta-caryophyllene is a terpene found in both cannabis and black pepper and activates the same receptors in the brain as THC. According to a scientific review published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, when combined, THC and beta-caryophyllene produce calming effects.[1]
Unfortunately, most cannabis varieties usually only contain trace amounts of beta-caryophyllene. So, if you’re feeling anxious, restless, or paranoid after consuming weed, try chewing or smelling some black peppercorns.
4. DRINK SOME LEMON JUICE
Remember how we said cannabis contains limonene? Well, according to Weed: The User’s Guide, a book about cannabis by David Schmader, this terpene has a similar ability to modulate the effects of THC on the brain like beta-caryophyllene.
So, if you don’t have any black peppercorns handy, try a concoction consisting of the juice of 1 lemon, a teaspoon of zest, and as much sugar or honey as necessary. Mix everything together, down it like a shot and you should feel a reduction of some of the unpleasant effects of a cannabis overdose.
5. GET SOME FRESH AIR
This is another one of those all-round tips for anyone who's consumed too much of something. Take long, deep breaths and consider going for a walk, or sitting by a window or balcony.
6. TRY SOME CBD
Cannabidiol, one of the main cannabinoids found in cannabis, is thought to balance out some of the more psychoactive effects of being too high. Smoking a high CBD strain, or even a pure CBD strain, can help bring things back to a level. Alternatively, CBD can be obtained as dedicated CBD oils that are easy to dose and have verifiable high-concentrations of CBD in, without any THC.
CBD oil also comes in a range of products and concentrations—from dropper bottles for under the tongue, to softgels that can be swallowed. The range in concentrations also means there tends to be something for everyone and all situations. The only problem is that in a lot of places, like with the cannabis market, CBD is unregulated making it hard to know what you are getting.
We have a range available in our CBD shop—with each product meeting our strict quality requirements and being third-party verified for complete peace of mind.
7. EAT
Eating is every stoners favourite pass time and can be a great way to alleviate some of the effects of feeling too high.
However, if you’re feeling under the weather due to too much cannabis, we suggest you stray away from any regular munchies (such as greasy fast-foods or snacks like potato chips, cookies, or anything else that comes straight out of a bag).
Instead, opt for some light, yet nutritious foods. Yogurt is a great option, as is fruit or any kind of watery vegetable (such as cucumber or celery sticks). A small bowl of muesli or healthy cereal is also a great option.
If it's cold and rainy outside, you might also want to try a mall bowl of homemade soup.
8. ENTERTAIN YOURSELF
Undoubtedly the best cure for a cannabis overdose is time. Hence, you’ll want to do your best to make time pass as quickly and enjoyable as possible.
A great way to do so is by entertaining yourself with some kind of activity. Don’t try anything too demanding (like sports or complicated boards games) as your body/mind probably won’t be able to keep up and you’ll probably just end up feeling worse.
Instead, try some simple distractions like watching a movie, listening to your favorite album, or playing a video game. Alternatively, try an adult colouring book or mandalas, or simply doodling in a notebook.
9. GET SOME REST
Like we said earlier, the best cure for a cannabis overdose is time. So, while all the tips we shared above are helpful in their own right, the only thing that’ll get you back to feeling 100% is the passing of the clock.
We find one of the best ways to make time pass quickly is to get some rest. Change into some comfortable clothes (like pyjamas or something similar), get cozy on your couch or bed and, if possible, try to take a nap.
If closing your eyes makes you feel nauseous/anxious or you’re simply too restless, try to entertain yourself by putting one a movie or your favourite album, or using any of the other forms of entertainment we listed in the last tip.
