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Being overwhelmed after smoking marijuana can be something both new and old smokers experience. If you are too high on weed, the level of intensity is dictated by one’s resistance to the high, the way the marijuana was consumed, and how potent it is. Unfortunately, there isn’t any magical button that one can push to sober up right away; however, the following steps can help one cope better while their body eliminates the THC from their system.
How Long a High Lasts
Stay Calm and Breathe
Anxiety and paranoia are the two main things that make a high overwhelming. If you feel too high on weed, deep breaths can help activate the body’s natural mechanism for relaxation and may reduce an elevated heart rate, which is usually what causes the high to be scary when really it’s not. Anxiety is temporary and will eventually subside. How to do it: breathe slowly in through your nose for four seconds, hold for a few seconds, then breathe out through your mouth for four to six seconds.
How to do it:
- Inhale slowly through your nose for four seconds.
- Hold your breath for a couple of seconds.
- Exhale through your mouth for four to six seconds.
- Repeat for a few minutes or until you feel more relaxed.
Hydrate with Water
The consumption of water will not speed up the process of detoxification of THC from the body or help you sober up immediately; THC is fat soluble and gets trapped into fat tissues, hence will not pass out of the body through water like alcohol. Water will aid in relieving the symptoms of dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, and general body discomfort. Avoid alcohol and caffeine; they might contribute to dehydration.
Tip: Keep a bottle of water handy whenever you consume cannabis. It helps with dry mouth and can keep your body in balance.
Chew on Some Black Peppercorns
Black pepper is a popular home remedy for cannabis anxiety, based on early research suggesting a terpene called beta-caryophyllene may interact with the body’s cannabinoid receptors. If you’re too high on weed, it may be something you choose to try, but it hasn’t been tested in clinical trials for reversing a THC high, so treat it as a low-risk, unproven option rather than a guaranteed fix. Chewing a few peppercorns or smelling them is harmless for most people to try.
How to do it:
- Simply chew on a couple of peppercorns.
- If you don’t want to chew, try sniffing them for a similar effect.
Eat Something
While eating cannot remove THC from your system, a light meal may help with nausea and will help regulate your blood sugar levels. It might also provide you with an alternative thing to think about. Do not go for heavy meals; choose foods that will be easy on your stomach.
Best foods to eat:
- Cheese
- Avocados
- Nuts
- Chocolate
- Yogurt
Even if it’s not high in fat, eating something can help distract you and make you feel more in control of your body.
Take a Walk or Get Some Fresh Air
Sometimes, changing your environment is all it takes to help you feel better. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stepping outside for fresh air can provide immediate relief. The change of scenery, coupled with a little light exercise like walking, can help clear your mind and reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.
How it helps:
- Walking promotes blood circulation and can help distribute the THC in your body more evenly.
- Fresh air can provide a mental reset and help with any feelings of claustrophobia or confinement.
Recommended Resources: CBD Oil Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide to Make CBD Oil at Home
Distract Yourself
When you’re too high, your mind can get stuck in a loop of worry or paranoia. One of the best ways to break free from this cycle is to distract yourself with a light, enjoyable activity. This could be listening to calming music, watching a familiar TV show, or doing something creative like drawing or coloring.
Ideas for distractions:
- Put on your favorite playlist with relaxing music.
- Watch a fun or comforting movie or show.
- Try a puzzle or play a simple game.
- Call or text a friend to have a light conversation.
Take a Cold Shower or Splash Your Face
It causes a very physical reaction that may help you sober up from anxious thoughts because it brings your attention back to your body. It will not affect the amount of THC in your system but sometimes the shock to the system is enough to stop the cycle of paranoia. Avoid this step if you feel dizzy.
Why it works:
- Cold water stimulates your body’s natural responses, helping to reduce any sense of detachment.
- The physical sensation shifts your focus from your mental state to your body.
Try CBD
Some people find that CBD takes the edge off an intense high, and early research suggests it may soften some of THC’s effects. The evidence is still limited and results vary from person to person, so treat it as something to try rather than a guaranteed fix. Avoid mixing it with alcohol or other substances.
How to use CBD:
- Take a few drops of CBD oil sublingually (under your tongue) for quick absorption.
- Try a CBD-infused edible, but be mindful that this might take longer to kick in.
Rest and Wait It Out
The passage of time will actually get you past this high. If you’re too high on weed, get into a comfortable place where you feel at home and relax for a while. The effect of the THC will wear off after some hours if you have taken it through smoking or vaporizing. Edibles take a little longer.
Tips:
- Create a peaceful, quiet space to relax.
- Listen to calming sounds or nature music to help you fall asleep or relax deeper.
Know When to Ask for Help
For the most part, an unpleasant high will pass on its own. It may also be helpful to speak with a more knowledgeable friend during this time. Seek professional assistance immediately if you or anyone around you feels chest pain, rapid heartbeat that cannot be calmed, difficulty breathing, repeated vomiting, confusion, difficulty staying awake, or suicidal thoughts. In the United States, you can contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for information, or 911 in an emergency situation.
Getting too high can be a disorienting and unsettling experience, but with the right methods, you can regain control and feel better. From staying hydrated to changing your environment or using CBD, these simple steps can help sober you up quickly and effectively. The key is to remain calm, distract yourself, and give your body the time it needs to process the THC. As always, moderation is key when it comes to cannabis consumption, and understanding your limits can help prevent these experiences in the future.
Myths vs. Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get out of a high?
Focus on slow breathing, drink water, eat a light snack, and find a calm, familiar space. Distracting yourself with music or a show can help too. There’s no way to end a high instantly, but these steps can make it feel more manageable within an hour or two.
How do I sober up from weed?
You can’t sober up from weed the way you might from alcohol. Instead, manage the symptoms: hydrate, eat something light, breathe slowly, and rest somewhere comfortable while your body processes the THC naturally over the next few hours.
How do I sober up from weed fast?
There’s no fast track to clearing THC from your system. What helps most is calming your body down quickly, slow breathing, cool water on your face, and a quiet space can ease symptoms within 15 to 30 minutes, even though the THC itself takes longer to wear off.
How do I sober up from weed fast, according to science?
Research hasn’t found a method that clears THC from the bloodstream quickly. What’s better supported is that calming techniques, like slow breathing and reducing stimulation, lower the anxiety that makes a high feel more intense, even while THC levels stay the same.
How do I stop being high?
You can’t stop high on command, but you can ease it. Hydrate, eat, breathe slowly, and rest somewhere familiar. Highs from smoking or vaping typically fade within a few hours; edibles take longer, often 6 hours or more.
