Too High? 7 Ways To Sober Up From Weed
Imagine you're at a vibrant party, immersed in laughter and great vibes. The music’s just right, and the atmosphere is electric. You decide to enjoy some cannabis to elevate the experience, but suddenly, you're soaring higher than expected, and panic looms. An experience like this can have you dazed and confused, stress-googling “how to get unhigh” rather quickly. Even experienced cannabis consumers occasionally experience the symptoms of being too high.
In this guide, we'll help you navigate overwhelming highs to ensure your experience remains enjoyable. We'll provide practical tips on how to sober up from weed, what happens if you get too high, as well as how long it typically takes to stop being high. Follow along so you can savor the magic of cannabis without the fear of going too high.
Typical Effects Of Cannabis Highs
To understand how to sober up from weed when you’re too high, it’s important to first understand the effects of the “typical” high. Cannabis contains two main cannabinoids: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the primary compound responsible for the psychoactive effects, or the high, associated with cannabis use. Of course, compounds like these affect everyone differently depending on variables like age, tolerance level and dosage. The most common symptoms of cannabis effects are:
- Relaxation
- Euphoric feelings
- Enhanced perceptions of sounds, colors, or touch
- Changed perception of time (going either very slowly or quickly)
- Increased hunger
Sativa vs Indica High
While the feelings above outline cannabis’s general effects, the specific subspecies of cannabis being consumed- sativa or indica- plays a pivotal role in shaping the high. Sativa strains are associated with uplifting, cerebral effects, and providing feelings of increased energy. Indica strains are known for their relaxing, and sedating effects, offering a more body-focused high.
Inhalation vs Ingestion High
Another aspect to consider when talking about the effects of cannabis is the method of consumption. There’s inhalation via smoking raw flower, or using devices like vape cartridges and disposable vapes. Alternatively, these compounds can be consumed orally by ingesting cannabis infused food, or edibles. The high from consuming edibles tends to be more intense. This is important to know so you can manage your expectations when figuring out how to sober up from weed. If you’re deciding which route to go, check out our guide on Smoking vs Edibles.
How Long Does It Take To Stop Being High
Now that you have a better idea of the effects of cannabis, how long does it take to stop being high? Knowing this is essential when learning how to sober up from weed. The duration of a high can vary depending on several factors, including the method of consumption, the strain used, and individual tolerance.
Earlier we mentioned how inhaling from ingesting cannabis can have different effects. Smoking or vaping often results in a quicker onset of the high, lasting 2-3 hours. On the other hand, edibles take longer to kick in, but once they’re digested, the high can last 4 to 6 hours. Timeframes will vary depending on the other factors we mentioned before. On average, a cannabis high can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours.
What Happens If You Get Too High? Signs & Symptoms
Now that we know the common effects of a cannabis high, how do you know when you’ve flown too close to the sun and have gotten too high? Additionally, what exactly happens if you get too high? Some indicators that you may have reached your limits are symptoms including:
- Rapid heart rate
- Paranoia and anxiety
- Nausea
- Time distortion
- Hallucinations
- Racing thoughts
How To Sober Up From Weed
While there are people who use cannabis for the potential benefits, other individuals consume cannabis for the psychoactive effects. Either way, there are cases where the effects may become overwhelming and if it happens to you, you’ll want to know how to sober up from weed. Here are some things that could help.
1. Stay Hydrated
The first thing to do when learning how to get unhigh is stay hydrated. Drinking water will not only soothe a dry mouth, but also help your body process the cannabis. Stay away from caffeine and alcohol, as these have their own side effects that could make your symptoms worse.
2. Wait It Out / Distract Yourself
A common tactic when it comes to how to sober up from weed is to ride the wave and wait it out. After all, time is a natural way for the high to subside. Fixating on the effects could lead to more panic and end up making you feel worse. Contrary to how you may feel in the moment, the high will not last forever. In the meantime, try distracting yourself with relaxing music or go for a walk. You could also watch a movie to pass the time. We recommend something lighthearted like a comedy or any genre you typically find relaxing.
3. Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing exercises can be incredibly helpful when you’re too high. They’re a great way to reduce anxiety and ward off panic attacks. First find somewhere comfortable, and either sit or lay down flat on your back. Take slow, deep breaths in through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and then slowly breath out through your mouth. Focus on the sensation of your breath and try to clear your mind. This can help you relax and ride out the high more comfortably.
4. Chew Some Peppercorns
On the quest to discover how to sober up from weed, you may have heard that chewing on peppercorns helps. It may sound unusual, but it's a surprisingly effective way to alleviate the discomfort of being too high. How does it help? Like cannabis, many plants contain terpenes, aromatic compounds. Terpenes interact with cannabinoids like THC and CBD to modulate the effects. Peppercorns contain the terpenes pinene and caryophyllene. Caryophyllene is a particularly interesting terpene because as Leafly puts it,“it is the only one that has the ability to directly activate a cannabinoid receptor, especially CB2 receptors”. These terpenes are known to dampen THC's psychoactive effects to create a more calming, therapeutic effect. Even simply smelling a few peppercorns could be enough to ease the effects.
You can also try using lemon to counteract the high. Like peppercorns, lemons have terpenes, like limonene, that have therapeutic effects. You can squeeze some lemon juice into your water or steep some lemon peel in hot water, as the peel has the highest concentration of limonene.
5. Take A Shower
If you’re home, a shower is an ideal way to calm down while you’re waiting for the effects of cannabis to wear off. While a shower won’t necessarily wash away the high, studies indicate that cold showers can increase alertness, decrease anxiety, and lower your heart rate, all side effects of getting too high.
6. Take CBD as a Counterbalance
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the main cannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp plants. While THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects, CBD is non-psychoactive. When wondering how to sober up from weed, you may have heard that CBD can balance out a high. The good news is that it’s not an urban myth. CBD’s anti-anxiety effects can actually counteract the effects of THC. According to this study, “CBD is demonstrated to antagonise some undesirable effects of THC including intoxication, sedation and tachycardia, while contributing analgesic, anti-emetic, and anti-carcinogenic properties in its own right.” Consuming high quality CBD can help balance out the high and make it less overwhelming.
7. Sleep It Off
While you can’t exactly speed up the process of getting sober, getting some shut eye can certainly improve your experience. Sleeping will allow time to pass, giving the THC effects a chance to wear off. Set up a cozy area with dim lighting, a comfortable mattress, and soothing sounds if needed. Be cautious about using over-the-counter sleep aids, as they can have unpredictable interactions with cannabis. If you’re struggling with the anxious effects of being too high, it may be difficult to relax enough to fall asleep. In that case, try the other suggestions mentioned above to relax before trying to sleep.
Final Thoughts
On a final note, it’s important to be aware of your limits when it comes to cannabis use to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience. Understanding how long it takes to stop being high and what happens if you get too high is part of this awareness. Knowing how to sober up from weed includes a combination of time, relaxation techniques and distraction methods. These include staying hydrated, performing breathing exercises, chewing peppercorns and using CBD to counteract THC’s psychoactive effects. Remember, cannabis effects are temporary. With the right strategies, you can navigate overwhelming highs with confidence.
If you’re looking for a premium, consistent cannabinoid experience, Mellow Fellow offers a range of products from disposable vapes, cartridges, edibles and more. Mellow Fellow caters to your individual preferences, providing delta 8, Delta 10, HHC, and premium blends for an even more fine-tuned experience. Have you ever had an experience where you felt too high? If so, let us know which technique helped you while sobering up in the comments below. Stay Mellow.
Have you ever had an experience where you felt too high? If so, let us know which technique helped you while sobering up in the comments below. Stay Mellow.
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I’m so glad this is here! Thank you so much!! I’m really glad I read this. I always thought it was considered a bad trip but it was just me getting too high
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