Marijuana, or weed, is a psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis sativa plant. Typically, consuming marijuana makes you feel relaxed and in a dream-like state. Taking an extra hit when you’re smoking or eating an edible can prolong the high. It also causes a wide range of negative side effects. Suddenly, your heart is racing, your skin may feel like it’s crawling, and panic starts to creep in.
The feeling of being “too high” is uncomfortable. First, take a deep breath and understand you’re going to be okay. These sensations are only temporary. This guide will help explain how your body processes marijuana, eliminate some common myths about sobering up and explain what actually works.
How THC Is Processed in the Body
To understand how to come down from a weed high, it’s important to learn how your body processes THC. The main chemical compound in marijuana is Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When you smoke or consume marijuana, this compound binds with central nervous system receptors. This interaction is what causes the high you feel.
The length of time you’re high depends on the type of THC you use.
- Smoking or vaping. When you smoke or vape, THC enters your lungs and passes into your bloodstream. The high, which is one of the short-term health effects, starts around 30 to 60 minutes and lasts up to 24 hours.
- Edibles. Edibles are processed in your digestive system and liver, making them much more potent. It also takes much longer for the high from edibles to pass. The peak high starts around one to two hours after consuming the edible and lasts between 6 and 8 hours.
Regardless of how THC enters your bloodstream, it has to be processed by the liver before the effects lessen.
Common Myths: Coffee, Water, Food, Exercise
When panic sets in, you may be desperate to try holistic methods to relieve the symptoms. The internet is full of them. Unfortunately, most of these self-help cures are ineffective and can even make you feel worse.
- Coffee. Some people believe that if you drink a cup of strong, black coffee, it will give you energy and make you snap out of your cannabis haze. Caffeine does make you feel more alert, but it won’t lower or dilute the levels of THC in your bloodstream. Because caffeine is a stimulant, combining with THC when it’s already causing your heart and mind to race can make your anxiety worse.
- Water. Staying hydrated is always a good idea, especially since your mouth may feel dry after you’ve smoked weed. Drinking large quantities of water won’t flush the THC out of your body because it’s not a water-soluble substance. Instead, the body processes THC through fat stores.
- Food. Smoking marijuana may make you have the munchies, which can be a distraction from the high you’re experiencing. Just like water, food doesn’t absorb the THC from your bloodstream or speed up your metabolism, so it won’t lessen your high.
- Exercise. THC is stored in fat cells, so you may think you can exercise to burn THC from your body. Exercise releases the dormant THC into your bloodstream, causing a temporary spike in your system.
What Actually Helps
So, what do you do if you experience an active high? The following are proven ways to reduce the uncomfortable symptoms.
- Chewing black peppercorns. Black pepper contains a terpene called beta-caryophyllene that binds with the same central nervous system receptors as THC. Chewing on a few peppercorns produces a calming effect that can neutralize the symptoms.
- Take CBD. It may seem unreasonable to take more CBD to counteract the high feelings, but pure CBD reduces anxiety and helps reduce the high you feel after smoking weed.
- Distraction. Reduce the effects by removing yourself from your current situation and doing something to distract yourself, such as watching your favorite TV show, taking a hot bath and listening to your favorite music.
- Rest and sleep. The ultimate cure for an intense high is time. Try going to bed and sleeping it off.
When Being Too High Feels Like an Emergency
A bad high can quickly cross the line into panic. This is commonly referred to as greening out. It can make you feel dizzy, nauseous and convince you you’re in danger. Try to control the symptoms with psychological grounding or the 5-4-3-2-1 method. Name five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. This forces your brain to think about other things rather than the immediate panic.
If you’ve mixed weed with other substances and experience any pain or abnormal symptoms, it’s best to seek medical attention immediately.
The Difference Between Occasional Use and Cannabis Use Disorder
It’s perfectly normal to have an occasional bad experience with weed. If you constantly find yourself having bad trips but still continue to use, it might be a warning sign of cannabis use disorder or a broader drug addiction.
Symptoms include:
- Needing more weed to experience the same high
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms soon after your last high
- Giving up hobbies and activities you once loved to get high
- Inability to quit on your own
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FAQs
Reach Out to FHE Health for Help
Sobering up from a marijuana high takes time and patience. While there are a few things you can do to help ease the discomfort, the best thing is to give your body the time it needs to process the chemicals.
If smoking or consuming marijuana causes feelings of anxiety or has a negative impact on your daily life, you don’t have to face it alone. For more information on your available treatment options, contact FHE Health today.
