Oh, look! you exclaim. Edibles! I’ll just have one…or two, I’ll be fine…they’re just harmless brownies, right?
There there now. We’ve all been so excited that we’ve accidentally eaten one too many edibles, or had just one more dab at the party than we should have. And while most folks know that being too high won’t actually kill you, it can still be a supremely uncomfortable place to be in.
How do I get “unhigh”?
Luckily, if you ever smoke too much weed, there are a few things you can do to counteract that feeling of being too high. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite suggestions below for you to check out. Feel free to drink it all in—you never know when you’re going to need it.
Too High Tip #1: Consume CBD
CBD is the Superman of cannabis: just when you think things can’t get any worse, CBD flies in and saves the day.
Even though it can seem strange to counteract being too high with more cannabis, consuming CBD is one of the best ways to bring yourself back down to earth. This is due to the fact that CBD is a negative allosteric modulator, meaning it binds at the CB1 receptor found in our brains and changes its shape so that THC is less effective.
CBD has also been found to bind to other receptors in the body to produce other beneficial effects. These include binding at the serotonin receptor 5-HT1A, which provides anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects that can help alleviate your discomfort.
The fastest way to get CBD into your system is to smoke CBD flower. While we’ve got a few CBD options available one of our all-time favorites is Cascade High Organics’ “Cannatonic” cultivar, aka one of this year’s Cultivation Classic winners. At 12.7% CBD it has less than 1% of THC, making it an ideal flower for some fast acting CBD relief.
For those who prefer not to smoke, another option is a CBD tincture administered sublingually. Fight the urge to swallow it and hold the tincture under your tongue for 60-90 seconds for maximum effect.
Edibles are definitely another solid option. WYLD produce a line of CBD rich strawberry gummies that are conveniently divided into 10 pieces per package for easy dosing. You can also use Muru’s CBD cannamixers to let your body know help is on the way. Just mix the CBD syrup in with some water or ginger ale and drink it down. Depending on your metabolism, it’ll take anywhere from 30 min to 2 hours to kick in. Most folks tend to start feeling the effects of CBD around 15-20 mg, with doses of 50 mg and up tending to make people sleepy.
Too High Tip #2: Take A Deep Breath
What makes most users so uncomfortable when they’re too high isn’t the amount of cannabis they’ve consumed; it’s their reaction to how high they are.
Panic is usually the first sign you’re a little too high. It manifests in the form of sweating, heart palpitations or a dry mouth, and is the beginning of most disorienting experiences.
Fight panic by taking a few deep breaths in through your diaphragm. This is called diaphragmatic breathing, and it’s a technique that can help you manage anxiety. The goal is to use your diaphragm to pull air in and push air out from your lungs. Doing this helps lower blood pressure and improves the function of your vagus nerve, bringing about a feeling of calm.
You can always try to meditate, too, or do a little yoga if you’re up for it. Don’t know where to start? Find apps that will help guide you through meditations like the Calm or Headspace apps.
Too High Tip #3: Terpene Therapy
Limonene is a glorious terpene. Much like our good friend CBD, Limonene is an Anxiolytic, meaning it helps manage anxiety. It’s also an anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory, and is found in just about any kind of citrus fruit you can think of. Grab yourself a few lemons and make some fresh lemonade for a hint of relief.
Linalool is another great option in terms of terpenes. You can find Linalool in many essential oils, particularly lavender. Linalool helps the immune system fight the damaging effects of stress, so if you think you can handle it grab some lavender and try and sleep it off. All hail the powers of a good nap.
The terpene beta-caryophyllene is another terpene worth noting here. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, you can find beta-caryophyllene in black peppercorns. Chew on a few to help mediate some of the more extreme effects of being too high like heart palpitations.
Too High Tip #4: Stay Hydrated
Water is your friend. Consume lots of it to combat dry mouth and help your body get back to a better place. You should also definitely stay away from alcohol since it can increase THC concentrations in your bloodstream.
Too High Tip #5: Get Distracted
Put on some headphones and play your favorite album. Practice counting backwards in multiples of 4, or maybe try your hand at sketching. Take a bath with some Empower CBD infused bath salts, or maybe even try going for a walk. Having a nice, hot cup of tea can do wonders for you, too.
Got any helpful tips we didn’t include here? Tell us how you get less high in the comments below.