311 on a High Gone Wrong
Relax
This is easier said than done when you’ve overindulged. But a little R&R really will help tame the buzz. And trust us: You’re not dying. Really.
Find a quiet place to sit or lie back and try to relax. Breathing exercises or listening to music can help you chill. If you do decide to go for some music, consider something you know all the words to, and sing along. This can help you stay grounded in the present moment.
Eventually, the buzz will fade to a feeling of relaxation or even drowsiness. Go with it and let yourself fall asleep. Even a quick cat nap will do you good.
CBD
It seems counterintuitive, but according to Leafly, people use CBD to counteract the effects of too much THC.
Like THC, CBD is a type of cannabinoid found in cannabis. But unlike THC, which causes the high, CBD interacts with different receptors in your brain. Researchers don’t know exactly how yet, but several animal and human studies have shown benefits of CBD for different forms of anxiety.
Bonus: CBD helps some folks fall asleep. This can come in handy if you’re greening out.
Hydrate
No, this doesn’t mean knocking back a few brews. Stick to water and other nonalcoholic drinks.
Drinking water before, during, and after any kind of drug use is always a good approach. It can be particularly helpful when it comes to marijuana, which tends to leave you with dry mouth. It’s also an easy activity that gives you something to focus on.
Try black pepper
According to the internet and Neil Young, a taste or whiff or two of black pepper helps combat the paranoia and anxiety that a major high can bring on.
Just grab a container of black pepper and sniff, being sure not to inhale it. You can also pop two or three whole peppercorns in your mouth and chew on them.
It sounds too good to be true, but there’s actually some scienceTrusted Source behind it. Caryophyllene, a compound in peppercorn, is a potent selective CB2 antagonist. It increases the sedating effects of THC, which could calm you down.
Reach for a lemon
Like peppercorn, lemons also contain compounds, such as limonene, that have a calming effect.
Eating some lemon or squeezing some lemon juice into your water will counteract some of the psychoactive effects of THC and help you come down.
To get the most bang for your buck, zest the lemon peel into your water, or steep some lemon peel in hot water. The peel contains the highest concentration of limonene.
Eat pine nuts
Pine nuts may counteract the effects of THC, according to some researchTrusted Source. Pinene, a compound in pine nuts, is believed to have a calming effect and help improve clarity.
Interestingly, pinene is also one of the terpenes found in cannabis that gives weed smoke a pine-like aroma.
Skip this method if you have a tree nut allergy.
Focus on something else
Shifting your focus to something other than your high can stop you from fixating on it, which only makes it seem even worse than it is.
The key to making this tip work? Keep it simple. Steer clear of potentially anxiety-inducing video games or horror films.
Change your channel
Not sure where to direct your attention?
Here are a few ideas:
- Watch a show or YouTube video that’s sure to give you the warm and fuzzies and is interesting enough to keep your attention.
- Try mindful coloring.
- Read a book (if you’re one of those people who can read while stoned).
- Do a simple puzzle, such as a word search or a jigsaw puzzle.
- Find a simple organizational task, such as sorting your loose change or sorting your books by color.
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Cuddle a pet
Ideally, you’ll cuddle your own pet since snuggling random dogs and cats could get weird.
Spending time with pets has loads of proven health benefits, including stress and anxiety relief. Spending even just a few minutes with a pet can slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and increase feelings of happiness and relaxation.
No pet of your own? Pull up that one dog video you love.
Get some food in your belly
Not eating enough before using pretty much any drug is usually bad news. Getting some food in you may help you feel a bit more normal.
Some people swear by high fat or carb heavy foods, though there’s no evidence to back this up. Your best bet is to go with whatever’s nearby and easy.
Take a walk
Go for a short walk, even if it’s for only 10 or 15 minutes.
Some light movement can help:
⦁ distract you so you don’t fixate on your high
⦁ lower your blood pressure
⦁ relieve stress and anxiety
⦁ improve your mood
⦁ burn off some excess energy if you’re feeling jumpy
Talk to a friend
Your buddy can’t lower your blood THC levels, but hanging out with them could help calm you. The buddy system is also a good way to keep you from doing anything risky when you’re under the influence.
Call a trusted (and sober) friend, and have them hang with you till you’re feeling better.
The bottom line
You can’t always predict how cannabis will hit you, especially if you’re new to weed or using a new strain. If you find yourself dealing with a higher high than you expected, don’t freak out — it will pass.
How to Conquer a Weed Hangover
- Relief tips
- Other causes
- Research
- Prevention
- Seek help
Despite some debate over their validity, weed hangovers are likely real. While research on the subject is limited, anecdotal reports suggest that smoking marijuana can trigger next-day symptoms in some people.
Despite the similar names, weed hangovers aren’t quite the same as those brought on by alcohol. And for many, weed hangovers tend to be more tolerable than alcohol-related ones.
Common symptoms of a weed hangover include:
⦁ fatigue
⦁ lethargy
⦁ brain fog
⦁ dry eyes and mouth
⦁ headaches
⦁ mild nausea
Read on for tips on how to deal with these effects and to learn more about the debate within the medical community over whether weed hangovers are indeed a thing.
How do I get rid of it?
A weed hangover will typically go away on its own. There isn’t much you can do for an immediate fix, but these tips can offer relief:
- Stay hydrated. The most important thing you can do before, during, and after weed use is drink enough water. This will help relieve symptoms such as headaches, dry mouth, and dry eyes.
- Eat a nutritious breakfast. Opt for a healthy, balanced breakfast the morning after weed use. Try a small serving of whole-grain carbohydrates along with a lean source of protein and healthy fat.
- Take a shower. A shower can help you to feel refreshed and hydrated the morning after smoking weed. The steam from a hot shower can open your airways.
- Make some ginger tea. Ginger can help with digestive symptoms, such as nausea. Add a bit of grated ginger to hot water with lemon and honey to soothe an upset stomach.
- Drink caffeine. A cup of coffee or caffeinated tea can help you feel more alert.
- Try CBD. Some anecdotal reports suggest that cannabidiol (CBD) can counteract some of the symptoms associated with a weed hangover. Just steer clear of any preparations containing THC.
- Take a pain reliever. For a persistent headache, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
If you can, try to take it easy for the rest of the day. With a good night’s rest, you should wake up feeling like yourself again.
Made in Kentucky
How do I know if it’s a weed hangover?
If you’re feeling a little off after using weed, it may not necessarily be a hangover that you’re experiencing.
Here’s some other potential culprits:
- Drinking alcohol or using other drugs while using weed. If you tend to consume other substances while smoking marijuana, they might affect how you feel the next morning.
- Marijuana withdrawal. If you smoke weed on a regular basis, it’s possible to experience withdrawal symptoms when you aren’t smoking. Symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include changes in mood, insomnia, and difficulty focusing.
- Lingering effects of weed. How long a weed high lasts depends on factors such as dose, concentration, and delivery method, in addition to your own tolerance and metabolism. Most of the time, a marijuana high lasts between one and four hours.
If at least five hours have passed since you last used weed, and you haven’t had any alcohol or used other substances, you’re likely just experiencing the after effects of weed.
Is there any research about them?
There isn’t much evidence surrounding weed hangovers. Existing studies are often outdated or have major limitations.
Older studies
One well-known studyTrusted Source on weed hangovers dates back to 1985. In the study, 13 males participated in a series of sessions that involved smoking either a weed cigarette or a placebo cigarette and then completing a series of tests.
The tests included sorting cards and judging time intervals. When the tests were repeated the following morning, the group that smoked weed cigarettes judged time intervals to be 10 or 30 seconds longer than they actually were.
The authors concluded that, although the day-after effects of smoking weed may be subtle, they probably exist. However, this study’s small sample size and all-male participants are significant limitations.
A 1990 study had similar limitations. It involved 12 male marijuana users who smoked marijuana over one weekend and a placebo over another, then completed a series of subjective and behavioral tests. But these authors concluded that weed didn’t seem to have much of an effect the following morning.
The authors concluded that, although the day-after effects of smoking weed may be subtle, they probably exist. However, this study’s small sample size and all-male participants are significant limitations.
Recent research
More recently, a 2017 studyTrusted Source explored perspectives toward medical cannabis among people with chronic pain. One of the self-reported undesirable effects of marijuana was a hangover described as a foggy, non-alert feeling in the morning.
However, the authors of the study did not indicate how many participants reported this effect.
A 2015 reviewTrusted Source on the use of medical marijuana recommends that healthcare professionals teach patients about the hangover effect. It also recommends describing it as lasting at least one day after the last time marijuana was used.
more research is needed
There are, of course, numerous anecdotal reports of marijuana hangovers, suggesting they are possible. More research needs to be done to understand causes, symptoms, and risk factors associated with weed hangovers as well as recommended self-care.
In addition, most of the studies described above focused on the morning-after effects of smoking a small amount of marijuana. Research exploring the effects of overconsumption is also needed.
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In addition, most of the studies described above focused on the morning-after effects of smoking a small amount of marijuana. Research exploring the effects of overconsumption is also needed.
Are they preventable?
The only way to guarantee you won’t have a weed hangover is to avoid weed. Still, there are plenty of things you can due to minimize the negative effects of weed.
- Avoid smoking weed the night before an important activity. If you tend to experience weed hangovers, try to avoid using marijuana the night before something important, such as an exam or stressful day at work.
- Take days off. If possible, avoid using weed on a daily basis. Continuous weed use can build up your tolerance, which might eventually trigger withdrawal symptoms in the morning.
- Limit your use. You might be more likely to experience a weed hangover if you overconsume. Decide on an appropriate quantity before you get high, and stick with that.
- Try low-THC marijuana. THC is the active ingredient in weed. No one’s totally sure how THC affects weed hangover symptoms, but it’s worth trying low-THC strains to see if they help prevent morning-after symptoms.
- Use caution when trying a new product. You might find you react differently to weed depending on the dose, concentration, and method of delivery. When trying something for the first time, start with a low dose.
- Don’t mix it with other substances. The morning-after effects of weed might be more intense if you tend to smoke weed while also drinking or using other drugs.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about the effects of weed and medication. Remember that any over-the-counter or prescription medication you take can interact with weed. This could affect how you feel in the morning.
When to get help
Contrary to popular belief, weed can be addictive. The more often you use it, the more likely you are to become dependent on it.
If you regularly experience weed hangovers, they could be a sign that you’re overdoing it. If you’re having a hard time curbing your use, it may be time to reach out to your doctor for help.
Other potential signs of weed misuse include:
⦁ using it on a daily or near-daily basis
⦁ experiencing cravings for it
⦁ spending a lot of time thinking about it or obtaining it
⦁ using more over time
⦁ using more than you intended
⦁ continuing to use it despite negative consequences
⦁ keeping a constant supply
⦁ spending a lot of money on it, even when you can’t afford it
⦁ avoiding situations or places where you can’t use it
⦁ driving or operating machinery while high
⦁ trying and failing to stop using it
⦁ experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop