The cannabis plant contains various active compounds. However, the compound that produces the “High” effect is known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When smoking marijuana, you introduce this compound into your system.
THC passes from the lungs into the bloodstream and then travels to the brain. THC produces a variety of psychoactive effects, depending on the user. One user may feel happy and relaxed, while another may feel nauseous and anxious. Some people often make the mistake of introducing too much THC into their system.
THC overdose can cause paranoia, dizziness, anxiety, and even panic attacks. Fortunately, there are several ways you can quickly get “un-high.” If you find yourself too high on THC, this article will show you how to get less high quickly.
How Long Does THC Stay In Your System?
THC is a highly fat-soluble compound that can quickly accumulate in the body’s fatty tissues for a considerable amount of time. This means that THC metabolites take a long time to leave your system. Also, this compound has a very long half-life.
The half-life is the period of time it takes half the THC metabolites to leave your system after being consumed. And hence, you can try thc detox. However, how long THC remains in your system largely depends on your marijuana use. THC remains detectable in urine for three days after a single use and up to 15 days after chronic or heavy use.
Additionally, THC can still be detected in the blood after 12 hours of single usage and up to 30 days following chronic or heavy use. Saliva testing has the shortest detection window, and THC only remains detectable on the same day of usage.
How Do You Know You Have Taken Too Much THC?
THC overdose occurs when you introduce too much of the compound into your system. Note that consuming even a small amount of THC can trigger negative side effects. Also, these side effects may be stronger and very scary for some users. Here are some unpleasant side effects of being too high on THC.
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Nausea and Dizziness
These negative effects aren’t quite uncommon when you are too high on THC. If you begin to feel nauseous and lightheaded after cannabis use, it’s a sign that you are greening out. Also, note that if you push yourself way above your limit, the dizziness can grow intolerably severe.
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Paranoia
Another common side effect of consuming too much THC is paranoia. Although being paranoid doesn’t necessarily mean you have overdone it, it’s also a sign that it’s time to stop smoking weed. For those unfamiliar, paranoia is the sensation that something is amiss, and this feeling can give rise to disturbing and intrusive thoughts.
You can become jittery and more sensitive to sounds or movement. Again, it’s common to experience some paranoia after using weed. However, you may have consumed too much cannabis if that feeling gets more extreme.
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Anxiety
Ask most cannabis consumers, and they’ll tell you they take weed to help with their anxiety. THC can help with cannabinoids which help anxiety in little and careful doses, but high doses can also make you feel anxious. It may be time to put your weed down if you begin to feel extremely anxious.
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Increased Heart Rate
Normal doses of THC can increase your heart rate. However, consuming too much THC can result in serious cardiovascular problems. If your cardiovascular system is okay, your heart rate will return to normal when the THC effects wear off. However, it may be best for you to avoid cannabis entirely if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, and other cardiovascular issues.
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Dry Mouth
THC prevents saliva from being produced, causing a “cottonmouth.” While dehydration might not be a major problem, going overboard might result in an extremely uncomfortable dry mouth or cottonmouth. This effect is likely the reason why heavy marijuana use might result in gum disease.
However, drinking water and staying hydrated can help keep your mouth from drying. Most of the adverse side effects of THC emerge when you consume only marijuana. However, using marijuana with other substances, such as opioids and alcohol, can significantly impact the effects.
It’s best to avoid mixing substances to avoid more dangerous outcomes. Other unpleasant effects of THC include drowsiness, hallucination, panic attacks, impaired coordination, and fear and distrust.
What To Do When You Consume Too Much Cannabis: 8 Ways To Sober Up
Most people consume cannabis to enjoy the euphoric sensations it produces. However, it isn’t uncommon to go overboard when consuming cannabis. If you find yourself in this situation, here are eight ways to sober up safely:
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Give Your Body Time
One of the best things to do when you get too high in THC is to give your body time. Put your weed down and give your body some time to absorb and process the herb. Generally, you can expect to regain yourself and feel normal after five to six hours of discontinuing use.
However, note that this duration largely depends on your consumption method. For example, if you smoked or inhaled the drug, you may begin to feel normal within two to three hours. However, if you consume cannabis edibles, you can expect to feel quite fuzzy for five to ten hours.
All highs eventually end, meaning you won’t be stuck in a horrible high forever. You might feel more at ease if you constantly remind yourself of this truth.
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Avoid Other Substances
Don’t follow your friends’ advice to try this and that substance. It’s a bad idea. When you are stuck in a horrible high, it’s best to avoid other substances like alcohol, opioids, ibuprofen, and other common anti-inflammatory drugs.
These substances may induce other adverse side effects and make matters worse. For example, stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine can cause delusions and hallucinations on their own. Cocaine, when consumed alongside THC, could make you more paranoid. Also, taking anti-inflammatory medication appeared to increase dizziness when taken alongside THC.
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Take Some CBD
Several studies have shown that taking CBD can reduce the effects of THC. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant. Studies show that consuming CBD alongside THC lessens the adverse effects of paranoia and anxiety.
Researchers in a 1982 Psychopharmacology study examined whether CBD could reduce anxiety induced by THC. According to the study, CBD “may be involved in the antagonistic effects between the two cannabinoids. Like THC, CBD binds to the cannabinoid receptors and blocks its effects.
Smoking some hemp flower or taking some CBD oil may help wear off THC’s intoxicating effects quickly. A good way to prevent becoming overly high in the first place is to choose products that have a good mix of THC and CBD.
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Eat Healthy Snacks and Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is good for your health. Plus, it is a great way to calm your body after getting overly stoned. Drink plenty of water to prevent your mouth from getting dry. Also, you can take some fruit-infused water, tea, fruit juice, citrus fruits, and watermelons.
However, exercise caution when selecting the flavor of your juice or drink. For example, mangoes contain the terpenoid myrcene, which is known to prolong and enhance the effects of THC. On a different note, eating some snacks may help with dizziness and light-headedness.
You may find relief by drinking some fruit juice and eating some snacks.
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Chew Some Black Pepper
Although most people will argue this is more “anecdotal evidence” than “scientific evidence,” chewing some black peppercorns can help you get sober quickly. Fortunately, black pepper is a simple household ingredient, so it shouldn’t be difficult to get your hands on it.
If you find yourself battling anxiety and paranoia, get some black pepper from your kitchen and chew. Doing this will provide almost instantaneous relief. While there is currently no scientific evidence to back this up, black pepper, like other plants, contains terpenes.
Many of the same terpenes found in most cannabis strains are also present in pepper, which may help explain why it has a grounding effect. For example, pepper contains beta-caryophyllene, a terpene present in most cannabis strains, which helps reduce anxiety. In fact, some researchers believe that this terpene may also help with depression and mood regulation.
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Distract Yourself
You can use tons of fun and entertaining activities to distract yourself and pass the time. You can watch a comedy show, listen to your favorite music, play video games, or eat something delicious. Also, you can go for a walk or try doing something creative like drawing or coloring a book.
You may also find it relaxing to engage in some deep breathing exercises. Whatever distraction you favor, ensure it is something you enjoy and makes you feel good. Hopefully, your brain will focus on the good feelings and gently remind you that you are safe and doing OK.
Any activity that relieves your sudden anxiousness caused by cannabis is welcomed. You can better ground yourself at the moment and allow the time to pass comfortably by focusing on something nice rather than how high you are.
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Take a Nap
Sometimes, the only thing you can do to recover from being stoned is to sleep it off. Try sleeping it off if none of the above remedies have worked. Take a deep breath, splash some cold water on your face and find a quiet place to nap.
Getting some rest, even if it’s only a nap, can help you relax and reset your mind. Additionally, you’ll likely feel better overall when you wake up because you’ll be more rested, revitalized, and focused. If you don’t want to stay in bed for long, give yourself a quick 15 to 30-minute power nap. Even a 15-minute nap can help clear your head and reduce your high.
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Contact a Professional for Assistance
People often experience severe side effects from cannabis and may require medical attention to manage their symptoms and return to a normal state. If you or a loved one exhibits unusual behavior, seek help from a physician or other health and wellness professionals.
The emergency hospital staff could help you throw up if you got high from eating edibles. Also, they could give you activated charcoal to manage your symptoms. Moreover, if you are acting aggressively or are overly anxious, your doctor may prescribe a sedative to keep you calm until you return to a normal state.
How Does CBD Help You Become Unhigh?
Nowadays, CBD is thought to act as an “antidote” to the high caused by THC. Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, reduces the psychoactive effects of THC by preventing it from binding with the cannabinoid receptors in your brain.
THC makes you feel high by turning on the CB1 receptor in your brain. However, CBD blocks this interaction and prevents THC from activating the CB1 receptor. Studies also show that CBD alters the receptor’s structure to ensure less THC binds to it. Additionally, this substance helps to slow CB1 receptor activation, which lowers THC’s intoxication effects.
CBD reduces the effects of THC once it hits the bloodstream. As a result, you can still benefit from THC without experiencing the same level of impairment.
Why Does Cannabis Affect Everyone Differently?
If you regularly use cannabis or have a lot of friends who do, you’ve probably heard that different people react differently to it. There are a vast number of cannabis strains available, and each strain produces different effects.
Even at the same dose, the effects of cannabis vary from person to person and from strain to strain. How can this be? Thankfully, research on cannabis’ effects has provided explanations for why users may experience different levels and types of effects.
For starters, it’s crucial to remember that despite being carefully produced, dosed, and administered, many pharmaceuticals can nonetheless have wildly disparate effects on various patients. Everyone reacts differently to medications, whether they be anti-inflammatory pills, psychiatric drugs, or sleep aids. The same goes for cannabis.
Cannabis strains have a wide range of effects on users, much like medications. You shouldn’t expect cannabis to act uniformly throughout our varied, intricate, highly complex systems. Now, here are the four main factors that influence how the body reacts to cannabis:
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Tolerance Level
Besides strain, one of the main factors that make cannabis produce different effects is your tolerance level. If you use cannabis regularly, you will respond to it differently than someone who uses it once in a while. The more you consume the herb, the more your body becomes used to and less sensitive to its effects.
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Genetics
Your genes also influence the type of experience you get from consuming cannabis. According to studies, certain genetic mutations make people more likely to experience the psychotic effects of cannabis, including feelings of anxiety and paranoia.
Studies also reveal that genetics is one of the main factors that cause people to have different levels of cognitive function while high. Specifically, your genetic makeup might make you more likely to experience cognitive impairment from cannabis than your smoking buddy.
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Gender
Cannabis affects men and women differently. Compared to women, men are much more prone to develop THC cravings. In general, women are more sensitive to the herb than men and typically experience more pain relief with the plant.
Men require higher doses to experience the same pain-relieving effects. On a related note, estrogen levels in women also influence the type of effects the herb produces. Note that THC and estrogen work very closely. Plus, a potential cannabis synergy in women is at its highest when estrogen levels have peaked and are about to decline.
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Health Conditions
Certain health conditions also affect the way cannabis reacts in the body. Your cannabis experience will be different from someone who has health issues. There’s a good probability that your biochemistry has been altered in some way if you have a medical problem.
Let’s say your buddy has fibromyalgia. Chances are his body chemistry has already been altered. Plus, he’s more likely to feel normal than off the rocker when he smokes weed. This condition and many other health issues are linked to abnormal changes in the endocannabinoid system. Cannabis consumption improves what’s known as the “endocannabinoid tone” of such patients.
These are some of the factors that influence the kind of effect cannabis produces. Other factors include body chemistry, age, how much cannabis you consume, and the potency of the strain.
Smoking Tips: How To Get High Safely
Although smoking cannabis can be fun, it’s quite easy to get carried away. If you are a first-time cannabis user, there are tons of ways you can safely enjoy a euphoric high. The following tips will guide you on how to make the most of your next smoking experience:
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Keep an Eye on the Dose and Potency
One of the first things you should check is the recommended dose and potency of the delta 8 vape pens cannabis strain. High potency doses increase your risk of getting too high and suffering unwanted effects. The best way to avoid this is not to get too high in the first place. As a result, we recommend legally purchasing your cannabis product from reputable brands.
Most reputable brands provide information on the type of strain, its potency, and the recommended dose. Therefore, ensure you check out this information before making your purchase. Also, ensure you stick to the dosage instructions for the cannabis products you plan to consume.
If you aren’t sure of the dosage, we recommend starting slow and taking a few puffs in the beginning. Take a single hit and wait 15 minutes before taking another shot to observe the effects better.Also, if you are legally purchasing cannabis online, we recommend using cannabis products with less than 0.3% THC content.
Note that the same instructions apply when consuming edibles. Edibles take a longer time to work and produce their effects. Therefore, it’s best to stay patient and wait for them to produce their results before taking the next dose.
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Eat Before You Smoke
You’ll definitely enjoy the effects of cannabis more when you consume it on a full stomach. Eat before you smoke or consume any THC edible. Note that THC causes a spike in your metabolic rate. What this means is that THC drops your blood sugar level, and the longer you smoke on an empty stomach, the higher you’ll get.
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Know and Use the Right Cannabis
To know about the right cannabis to use, first, you need to learn about the different types of cannabis strains. Knowing the types of cannabis strains available gives you an idea of the type of effects to expect. Plus, this allows you to choose based on your desired effects.
Examples of cannabis strains include blue dream, purple kush, sour diesel, afghan kush, and white widow. Also, note that different cannabis strains have different potency levels and produce different effects. For example, the blue dream strain is popular for its soothing and relaxing effects.
Also, the purple kush strain is great for inducing a blissful mood that makes you feel happy, relaxed, and sleepy. As a reminder, there’s no need to smoke all your cannabis at once. Take things slow and sample different strains.
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Be Careful With Edibles and Concentrates
Concentrates and edibles are potent. Even a small amount can get you high. Therefore, it’s best to be extra careful when consuming edibles and concentrates or avoid them completely. Concentrates hit fast and hard. It only takes about 15 minutes for the effects to kick in.
Plus, the cannabinoids from concentrates are easily absorbed by the cells and immediately begin to circulate in the blood. On the other hand, edibles take a longer time to work. They must pass through the digestive system and liver before entering the bloodstream.
Therefore, it takes longer to feel their effects (about 30-60 minutes). It’s easier to get overly stoned by edibles since their effects aren’t felt until after a while. Therefore, it’s best to avoid them completely or take them with extra caution.
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Start Low and Go Slow
Smoking cigarettes and smoking weed are two different things. You can take successive puffs when smoking cigarettes. However, this isn’t advisable when smoking weed. After a hit, you have to pause and wait for a little to assess your reaction before taking another.
Most first-time edible users make the mistake of taking another bite just after the first one. They usually think that one bite isn’t potent enough. But when the results begin to manifest, the potent THC’s effects leave them speechless. If you are using weed for the first time, starting slow and low is best. Introducing high amounts of THC into your system for the first time may trigger adverse side effects.
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Know Your Limits
Knowing your limits is another great way to prevent getting overly high. Know your tolerance level and how much cannabis you need to consume to go overboard. To do this, you can try a little experiment to determine which dosage produces the desired effects.
Once more, start small and gradually increase your dosage as your system becomes tolerant. This principle also applies to any other substance you might use. You can always consume more, but once the herb is in your system, you can’t take back that extra edible or that last joint you smoked.
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Indulge With the Right Crowd
Although most people don’t enjoy group sessions, having good smoking buddies can also help you enjoy cannabis safely. Smoking cannabis with strangers can be a bit uncomfortable and stressful. However, with the right group of friends, you’ll get high comfortably and enjoy your time, especially if you aren’t used to it.
We recommend smoking with friends who won’t judge you for falling asleep during a group session or behaving silly. Having a good relationship with your smoking companions will make your smoking experience more enjoyable and blissful.
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Use a Vaporizer, Joint, or Pipe
It is easier to manage your THC consumption using vaporizers, joints, and pipes. Edibles can sneak up on you like assassins, bongs can instantly knock you out, and dabs are best handled by experts only. On a different note, you don’t have to finish a joint while smoking one, so don’t feel pressured. You can put it out and save it for later.
Conclusion: How To Get Less High In A Few Minutes?
Smoking cannabis can be fun if you do things the right way. Consuming cannabis is known to benefit the body in several ways. These benefits include anxiety relief, pain relief, and improved sleep. However, this herb can trigger several side effects if consumed in excess. Thankfully, there have never been any fatal overdoses caused by cannabis use.
However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a risk that consuming too much will result in serious health consequences. If you overdose on cannabis, you can take certain steps to sober up quickly. These steps include drinking plenty of water, avoiding other substances, taking some CBD relief salve, eating healthy snacks, and even napping. You should be fine in a few hours if you follow all our advice.
Also, when consuming cannabis, ensure you eat before smoking and keep your eyes on the dose/potency. Plus, remember to take things slowly and know your limit. Taking these necessary steps will prevent you from going overboard in the first place.
On a side note, seek medical attention right away if you or a loved one exhibits unusual behaviors after consuming too much cannabis. A health professional can help you better manage your symptoms and return you to a normal state.
