We’ve all been there before: taking an edible with friends, not feeling the effects after some time, taking some more, then realizing how incredibly high you are right before having something really important to do. The great thing about weed is that it’s highly unlikely that you’ll die from ingesting too much of it, though it’s still good to know how to reduce the high in case you ever need it.
The high from smoking typically lasts up to two hours, while the high from taking edibles can last a lot longer. Like all foods or anything else you put in your body, the only way to truly get rid of the effects of weed is to wait for it to pass through your system. But if you can’t wait, here are some things you can try to hamper the effects for at least a little bit.
1. CBD
One of the most common reasons why people use CBD is to calm down and reduce feelings of anxiety. It may seem strange, but because CBD lacks the psychoactive effects that THC has, it could be a great way to balance out the anxiety you may be experiencing with being too high. While CBD binds to the same receptors as THC, the result of the binding is a counteractive measure of that of THC.
2. Peppercorns and Lemon Slices
Cannabis contains a type of aromatic oil called terpenes, which can increase or decrease the intensity at which you experience your high. Two common terpenes that you may already have at home include peppercorn and lemons, which both contain terpenes pinene and limonene respectively. Terpense can help create a relaxing effect that will help mitigate the unwanted high you may be experiencing.
3. Hydration
A common unwanted effect of smoking weed is “cottonmouth,” which is when your mouth gets really dry after ingesting weed. Water or any other cold drink could help you fight against cottonmouth, which could help you feel more comfortable when experiencing too strong of a high. As a rule of thumb though, drinks like coffee and beer should be avoided because they have the potential to intensify the negative effects of being high.
4. Relaxation measures
Like many other drugs, the effects of weed are largely mental and can be guided by your state of mind. In order to push your mind in the right direction, you can partake in certain relaxation methods like taking a nice shower or trying breathing exercises. You might be too high to count your breathing, so try taking deep and slow breaths while inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.
You can also try distracting yourself from the anxiety by doing some of your favorite things, like listening to your favorite playlist or taking a walk around the neighborhood. As you do these things, you’ll be able to pass the time quickly and ground yourself.
Conclusion
There isn’t a real shortcut to sobering up quickly after ingesting too much weed and the only surefire way to sober up is to wait for the THC to metabolize. In order to avoid future cases of being too high, you could take preventive measures by lowering your cannabis dosage or by creating a safety plan, which outlines what helped you sober up previously. However, if you’re having trouble breathing or if you or someone else gets seriously hurt while high, make sure to seek out professional assistance by calling 911. These instances are extremely rare, but it’s important to take the necessary steps in these rare occasions.
