What to do When you get too High?

Cannabis feels fantastic in the right doses however, any regular consumer will tell you that there’s one feeling no one enjoys – That moment when you realize, “I’m too high.” 

Whether you´ve overconsumed on a cannabis product like marijuana edibles, or maybe you´re using medical cannabis for the first time, whatever the circumstances, feeling too high is not the most pleasant of sensations.

The cannabis plant contains a number of psychoactive cannabinoids, the most famous of course, being THC. The effects of THC, while often therapeutic, can also prove to be quite intense, with some newcomers often feeling uncomfortable from the sometimes intense psychoactive effects on offer, with anxiety and paranoia two of the most commonly reported side-effects 

But what can you do when you ingest too much? And, how do you steer clear of making the same mistake in the future? Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind for your next cannabis session to ensure your cannabis experiences will be nothing but blissful. 

How can I tell if I’m too High?

All cannabis users know that moment when you realize you’ve consumed too much and an intense cannabis session can cause uncomfortable feelings for inexperienced users. Indeed, newcomers are more likely to feel paranoid, anxious, or even nauseous.

If you experience any of these unpleasant cannabis-related side-effects when you vape or smoke cannabis, you can implement ways to reduce the effects when you’re feeling uncomfortable or overwhelmed from excessive cannabis consumption. Below are several ways to alleviate some of those undesirable psychoactive effects.

Tip 1: Keep Calm and Carry on

The good news is, it’s all in your head: There has never been a death caused by a cannabis or cannabis product overdose. The cannabis plant is a remarkably non-toxic substance with a number of potential medical benefits, like reducing anxiety.  Although taking too much can temporarily spike your heart rate, sometimes actually causing anxiety and paranoia, cannabis won’t cause damage to your heart, liver, kidneys, or even your (adult) brain.

It is important to remind yourself that any uncomfortable feelings will eventually pass.  

The pressing thought about how high you are feeling will do nothing but make you feel paranoid. Try a few breathing exercises by taking deep breaths in through your nose and slowly exhaling out of your mouth, and know that this feeling will pass soon. The point is to calm your mind as much as possible and remind yourself that your body will quickly follow suit.

Tip 2: Try CBD

Although THC does have therapeutic effects and is found in many forms of medical marijuana, the anxiety-fighting compounds of CBD undo feeling of anxiety and the paranoia from psychoactive cannabinoids. CBD turns down the volume of THC activation not by reducing CB1 activation, but acting as a moderate 5-HT1A receptor agonist (serotonin), offering a calming effect, helping to minimize anxiety.

Tip 3: Eat Black Peppercorns

Black pepper contains a powerful terpene named beta-caryophyllene, which partly blocks your receptors from the effects of THC, and will help bring you back down to earth by providing a calming effect that is effective in reducing anxiety. Although distasteful, chewing on some black peppercorns or even carefully sniffing them could give you almost instant relief.

Tip 4: Drink lots of Water

Staying hydrated is the key to detoxifying the body. Not only does water carry nutrients to our cells, but it helps flush out whatever needs to go. Being dehydrated causes 80% of the body’s heat loss, perhaps a cold glass of water will keep you cool and help you relax.

Tip 5: No Googling

At times, Dr Google can be a big help when we need him. But, whatever you do, do not search, “help, I got too high”. The Internet is full of fear-mongering forums featuring stories that are less than helpful and most likely won’t make you feel better in the moment. Distract yourself, but not with search engines!

Tip 6: Take a Nap

With a nap, time might just feel like it’s going by a little faster. Naps are proven to help ease stress and can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety and paranoia, so taking one might make you wake up feeling like a whole new person.

Tip 7: Get Active

This may be the thing you feel like doing, but we’re not suggesting that you run a marathon by any means. Try to distract yourself by doing activities like stretching, getting some fresh air or even doing a DIY project. Activity causes endorphins to be released in the brain, and this can work wonders for the mind by helping to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress while the fresh air can help get your blood pumping, helping to invigorate and reduce those feelings of anxiety or tension.

and Finally…Know Your Tolerance Level – Start low and go Slow!

We know, being too high isn’t always fun, especially when in public or around strangers. But, one unpleasant experience with recreational marijuana or medical cannabis doesn’t mean you’re going to have more bad cannabis experiences. It just means you need to understand your tolerance level and moderate your dosage accordingly. 

Whether you smoke cannabis, enjoy marijuana edibles, use medical marijuana or indeed consume any type of cannabis product (particularly those offering psychoactive effects)  there’s one important mantra always to follow. “start low and go slow.”