Got too Stoned: How to Come Down from a Cannabis High

Sometimes, consuming weed can feel like playing Russian roulette. There are times when the high will be pleasant and lovely, and there are moments when you want the trip to be over.

This intense high may happen due to many reasons. Perhaps, you ate a lot of brownies, and it all kicked in hours later. Maybe, you had super potent THC oil for the first time and took a lot of it. Or maybe, you treated yourself to that high-THC, trichome-rich, skunky strain for your birthday.

It is possible to get too stoned. If you use cannabis regularly, it will happen from time to time. The important thing to remember is it will pass in a few hours.

Weed Review presents 7 ways to get sober from a high.

Coming down from a weed high: How to get sober

More than anything else, it is all about time. While you wait for the weed to pass through your system, there are a few things you could be doing.

Drink water

Nothing does the job as well as water when it comes to getting ‘unhigh.’ Drink water during and after getting stoned to keep yourself grounded in reality. It is also a good recipe for dry mouth caused by consuming weed. In fact, the colder the water, the more ‘sobering’ it will be. It will also help you come down fast.

You may also take other non-alcoholic drinks like juices and smoothies but do not go for caffeine, sodas, and alcohol as they may raise your heartbeat and make it difficult to get sober.

Keep calm and focus on something else

Here is a fun fact: it is impossible to die from a THC overdose. Unlike alcohol or other drugs, where taking too much can be fatal, it is definitely not the case with weed.

So whatever it is that you are thinking in your head, it is just your overactive mind firing on all cylinders. You need to distract yourself and shift your focus instead of panicking. Some of the things you can try are:

• Watch a TV show/movie
• Listen to music
• Read
• Write
• Draw
• Play a game
• Do house chores (laundry, cleaning, dishes)
• Lie down for a while

There is no limit to things you could be doing while stoned – as long as they keep your mind off the bad trip.

Try peppercorns

Peppercorns/black pepper are rich in terpenes called caryophyllene, which promotes the calming effects of THC. The same terpene is also present in many marijuana strains – known particularly for sedating and calming experiences.

Just biting on a few peppercorns or taking a strong sniff of them is enough to remind you that everything is all right.

Eat pine nuts & lemon

Like peppercorns, pine nuts and lemons are also rich in relaxation-promoting terpenes called pinene and limonene.

Snacking on pine nuts or adding lemon zest or lemon juice to a glass of water is a good way to reduce THC’s euphoric effects. Of course, you may want to skip pine nuts if you have a nut allergy.

Try CBD

Research has shown that CBD can cancel the undesirable effects of THC. It does so by blocking the receptors in your brain, thus preventing THC from accessing them.

Even though CBD and THC are naturally-occurring compounds in cannabis plants, they are quite the opposite. CBD is non-intoxicating and does not get you high. It is added to cannabis-infused medications precisely to negate the mental effects of THC (among promoting other health benefits).

There are plenty of CBD products to try, but cannabidiol extracts of different concentrations are ideal as they are potent and fast acting.

Take a shower

If drinking water can sober you, imagine taking a nice long shower. It may not be possible if you are outside or at your friend’s place, but if you get the chance to take a bath, do it.

Cold showers are particularly effective as they help you become sober and divert your attention. A good bathing experience will certainly mellow you out.

Take a walk

If you live close to nature, go for a stroll. Fresh air, green surroundings, and the lovely sound of nature can help eliminate that excess energy you got from the sativa strain. It can also help you relax, lower your blood pressure, and improve your mood.

You can take a friend with you or talk to a friend on the phone while you are out there to ensure you don’t get lost in the woods.

How to know you are too high

If you find yourself reading this article right now, chances are you got a bit too high and are looking for ways to get unhigh.

Jokes aside, there are a few classic symptoms which occur when you smoke or eat a lot of weed:

• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Increased heartbeat
• Hallucinations
• Panic
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Headaches

In short, you will know you are on a bad trip when you feel uneasy and do not like the sensation of being stoned.

Remember that not every cannabis user will show these symptoms – especially if they use marijuana regularly. Newcomers may be more prone to showing these signs, but this may not always be true. It generally depends on:

• Previous cannabis use & tolerance
• Use of other substances/alcohol: Mixing drugs with weed may not go well
• Your surroundings: Unfamiliar settings or smoking with new people may negatively impact the high
• Metabolism: How quickly your body processes the weed
• The potency of weed: How strong the cannabis is, how much THC it contains
• Form of consumption: Edibles hit the hardest, while tinctures & THC oils are the most potent forms of weed
• The amount of weed taken

If you get too stoned, remember that it is all in your head. The THC targets the receptors in your brain, thus causing these emotions. Give it some time, and you will be fine.

How long does it take to come down from a weed high

As a rule of thumb, the high will last anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the factors mentioned above. If you have taken edibles, it will take longer as your digestive system must first process THC.

During this time, you will experience the peak of cannabis experience – which can be a wild range of emotions and sensations.

You will start sobering after the peak but still feel the weed in your system. You may be lazy, slow, chill, relaxed, and a bit lost in thoughts – but the high is passing, and you will return to normal.

It may take 4 to 6 hours to get sober when you consume weed. For some people, it can be up to 12 hours, while for others, it can be much less.

Weed Review recommends smoking weed responsibly to ensure such instances don’t happen often. And if it does, do not stress yourself – IT SHALL PASS.

You should also ensure that you are consuming a quality cannabis product – like the ones listed on the site – to ensure your high comes from cannabis and nothing else.