If you are new to smoking cannabis or eating edibles, you might eventually find yourself in a situation where you consume more than you can handle. We hope this never happens, but when it does, know that the feeling (though unpleasant) is temporary and will pass. First of all, know that there have been zero deaths related to a cannabis overdose, so there is no need to panic. There are also a few tips and tricks to help you recover, and we go over them in this article.
1) Hydrate and Rest
Ever experience dry-mouth? Cannabis can dehydrate you very quickly, and many of the negative symptoms after an overabundance of consumption are a lot like dehydration. Drink hydrating fluids like water or something with electrolytes. Resting can help as well, so lay back on the couch and binge some Netflix to distract you until you feel better.
2) Peppercorns
Yep, you read that right. Black peppercorns are perfect if your too-intense-high turns into a festival of anxiety and paranoia. Black pepper comes from the same family as cannabis and has chemical compounds that hit similar receptors in the brain. So chewing on a couple of black peppercorns should help alleviate those more intense feelings in just a few minutes (some have reported it helps almost instantly).
3) Have a Snack
A light snack high in protein or nutrients can help give you some energy and clear the mind a bit. Try some nutrient-dense foods like nuts, seeds, fruits, and veggies. Try to avoid alcohol or caffeine as these can increase the adverse effects of THC in the body and make things worse.
4) Try CBD
If you have a CBD vape pen or CBD heavy strains on hand, this is one popular option for counteracting an intense high. CBD’s can help modulate the receptor signaling of THC in the brain, which is what often gives it it’s anti-anxiety effects.
5) Take a Walk
If you’re feeling too dizzy or light-headed to stand, we don’t recommend this option. But if you’re up for it, moving around a bit and getting elevating, your heart rate slightly has been known to help people. If you don’t want to go outside due to paranoia or anxiety, try to turn on some misc and dance around a bit to “shake it off.”
These five tips should help get you back to feeling more like yourself. Of course, the first step is to take it slow when consuming concentrates or edibles. Learning your limits and sticking with them can help ensure that your cannabis imbibing experiences are beneficial and pleasant.