If you want to come down from a marijuana high, we’re here to help. Overdoing it can happen to anyone, but you can make the recovery process better–and sometimes faster–if you know how to take care of yourself. Here are five tips and tricks for coming down from a marijuana high. 

1. Don’t Panic 

First things first, remember that there’s no need to panic. You are going to be fine. You can’t overdose from marijuana. It’s not possible to die from THC. If you’re experiencing unpleasant side effects like nausea or anxiety, these feelings will pass with a bit of time. 

You may be wondering how long it takes to sober up from weed. This depends on your consumption method, dose, and personal tolerance. On average, it takes between 1 to 3 hours to sober up from vaping or smoking weed. When you eat or drink marijuana, sobering up can take much longer because you’re consuming weed through the digestive process. The high from weed edibles tends to peak at around 2 to 4 hours, then can linger for up to 12. 

Right now, you’re playing a waiting game. Sobering up may take anywhere from minutes to hours, but it will happen. While you wait for your high to wear off, there are things you can do to make yourself more comfortable and potentially even sober up more quickly. 

2. Hydrate 

Hydrating will help your body work its best as it clears THC from your system. The best way to hydrate right now is by drinking plenty of water and other caffeine-free drinks. You want to avoid caffeine because it can actually enhance psychoactive effects, which is probably the last thing you want at the moment. 

3. Consider Black Pepper, Lemon, or CBD 

If you want to ease negative side effects or sober up more quickly, there are a few remedies you can try at home:

• Black Pepper: Many people find that smelling or chewing on black peppercorns makes them feel more grounded when they’re too high. Research on cannabis terpenes, the aromatic compounds found in cannabis, may have found a reason for this. Black pepper is high in the terpene caryophyllene, which may help deliver the anti-anxiety effects of THC. So, if you’re feeling anxious, reaching for black pepper could help you feel a bit better.
• Lemon: Like black pepper, lemon is rich in terpenes. This citrus fruit is very high in the terpene limonene, which may have anti-inflammatory and calming effects. Limonene is most concentrated in lemon rind, but you can also consume it by squeezing lemon juice into water or another cold beverage. 
• CBD: When you’re too high, you don’t want to consume more THC–but you may want to try taking CBD. Some research suggests that CBD could reduce the effects of THC. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t work by binding with cannabinoid receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system. Instead, it appears to interact with them indirectly. A 2018 review found that CBD may reduce THC’s ability to interact with CB1 receptors, which may reduce its psychoactive effects. 

4. Distract Yourself 

While you wait for your high to wear off, distract yourself. Focusing on the fact that you’re high could worsen mental symptoms like anxiety, so find a way to direct your attention elsewhere. 

What’s distracting varies from person to person. Not sure what to do? Try one of these ideas: 

• Watch a relaxing TV show, movie, or YouTube video 
• Read a book 
• Do a puzzle 
• If your motor skills are up to it, do a gentle physical activity like yoga or taking a walk
• Take a warm bath or a cold shower
• Chat with a trusted friend
• Try a relaxation technique, like diaphragmatic breathing or guided meditation
• Listen to your favorite music 
• Color in a adult coloring book
• Cuddle with a pet or loved one

5. Sleep It Off 

Often, the best way to recover after getting too high is to simply sleep it off. Your body will keep working on flushing the THC while you’re asleep, so you may feel much better when you wake up. If you’re able to drift off, a nap or a good night’s sleep may be just the remedy you need. 

Final Thoughts 

While there’s no way to instantly come down from a high, there are ways to feel more comfortable as you wait things out. After you’ve sobered up, you can consider what factors led you to feeling too high and avoid them in the future. 

If you need advice on dosage, don’t hesitate to ask one of our dispensary team members. We’re always happy to answer your questions and provide guidance on how to use different products. We can also recommend products that create a less intense experience, like high-CBD strains and microdosing products. 

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