Smoked Too Much Weed? Here are 5 Ways to Come Down from a Strong Cannabis High

We have all been there. Whether it is smoking too much weed or eating a few too many edibles without realising they take time to kick in, the ‘insanely high’ experience is something that every stoner has lived through. Well, the next time you find yourself in a situation like this – which, let us admit, is likely to happen – fear not. We have compiled this article, listing the best ways to get sober and come down from the weed high fast.

After all, getting stoned is something we all enjoy; sometimes, it is only natural to go overboard. In fact, it is to be expected initially as the marijuana industry in Thailand brings about a whole new world of strains and buds with incredibly high amounts of THC in it. Therefore, preparing yourself for the ‘in case I get too high’ scenario is better.

The sobering strategies mentioned here are the best of stoner wisdom, science, and personal experience. The reactions will vary from person to person; if one method does not work for you, do try another. Rest assured, there is something for everyone who has gotten too stoned and needs to come down.

Try Black Pepper, Lemon, or Pine Nuts

Black pepper is considered the antidote to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) weed high. This ancient wisdom has been backed by science (to some extent) and stoners worldwide. In fact, texts dating back to the first century have stated how consuming pepper can undo the mental high caused by THC.

The reasoning behind this is the presence of terpenes caryophyllene in peppercorns, which is known to reduce anxiety and promote calming, soothing effects. 

The caryophyllene in black pepper counters the psychoactive effects of high.

To be more precise, the entourage effect is at play here. In simple terms, terpenes and cannabinoids (like THC and cannabidiol) work together to create a superior cannabis experience.

Similarly, consuming lemon and pine nuts serve the same purpose. Lemon is rich in terpene limonene, while pine nuts contain pinene and limonene – known to provide anxiety and stress-relief benefits.

The bit about lemon also dates back to 10th century Persia, where a doctor stated that one should drink fresh water and ice or eat any acidic fruits to avoid the “harms of ingesting cannabis.”

To come down from your trip with these remedies, here is what you can try:

• Take a container of black pepper and sniff; alternately, you can also chew down on a few whole peppercorns
• Lemon peel contains the highest amount of limonene; in your lime water, you can add some lemon zest or steep some peel in warm water. You can also chew on some lemon rind
• You can also try snacking on some pine nuts or pistachios

Drink Water

Cottonmouth is a well-known effect of smoking weed, making you feel more uneasy. Therefore, keeping yourself hydrated when you are on a high is crucial.

Normal water is good; ice water is even better – as long as it is good old H2O, you are in the clear and well on your way to keeping yourself grounded.

While coffee may also seem like a good idea, it can make you more anxious. As for beer and alcohol, that is a big no-no as it can worsen your high.

Shower

If you find yourself hearing stars and seeing sounds, a cold water shower will quite nicely set you back to reality. Of course, the effect will not be immediate, but it will certainly help once you are done.

A hot water shower can also help but be mindful of the temperature. Since you are too stoned, you may not feel the burn immediately, which is not good.

You can also combine the bathing experience with some bath salts and relaxing music.

Take Some CBD

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is the non-psychoactive cousin of THC. Therefore, it does not cause paranoia or anxiety like THC does – while delivering the goodness of cannabis.

It also has a broad therapeutic profile with plenty of health benefits, which include easing anxiety and stress.

Cannabidiol can balance the buzz caused by potent weed as it targets the receptors in your endocannabinoid system differently than THC.

CBD oil works the best in this regard, while gummies, drinks, and edibles may help. You can check out the CBD products at Bloom and see which ones you like.

Keep Calm & Carry On

While this is easier said than done, it is essential to remember that the high will pass, and you will sober down in time. As some would say, “you need to ride it out.” While you wait for the trip to pass, you need to relax.

Remember – everything is fine, everything is good. As the Germans say, “Alles Gut.”

Whether you got too high by yourself or with someone else, here are a few more things that you can do:

• Go for a walk
• Talk to your friends
• Find something else to focus on; it can be television shows, movie, music painting, writing, playing video games reading – the sky is the limit! Do note to stay away from anxiety-inducing activities like watching horror movies
• Do some breathing exercises
• Try yoga
• Take a nap
• Get some fresh air

The idea here is to distract yourself from the paranoia induced by THC – which will not last for a long time – until you feel better. Find what works for you, and just do it.

Remember, give time to time, and it will all be okay. But, in the meantime, self-care will go a long way.

Things to Remember when you Consume Cannabis

The experience of having an excellent high versus getting too stoned depend on three things:

• How to consume the weed: joints, edibles, concentrates, vaping
• Dosage: How much weed you have smoked/eaten
• Potency: How much THC does the strain you are ingesting contain

The effects of smoking weed will fade away faster when compared to eating edibles. That is because when you ‘eat’ weed, it has to pass through your liver to be fully metabolised, which can take time.

The cannabis high can last anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours at its peak. Of course, you will still feel the effects afterwards, but the ‘bad trip’ will likely be over.

Symptoms of Being Too Stoned

If you are not sure that you are too high, the following are the few tell-tale signs that you can watch out for:

• Increased paranoia, anxiety, panic, confusion
• Nauea, dizziness, the feeling of ‘head spinning’
• Confusion
• Excessive perspiration
• Fear, distrust
• Impaired hand-eye coordination, poor judgement & decision making

If you are a first-time stoner, you may get a bit too high without even trying. But with time, as your body builds up tolerance and as you get used to the nuances and habits of consuming weed, you will be able to plan your highs better. The critical thing to remember is to know your limits and not go overboard.

In Summary

The ways listed above can help you come down from a weed high fast, but at the end of the day, it is just a matter of time and keeping your cool. If none of the remedies works, you may want to seek medical attention, although that is known to happen only in rare cases. With weed no longer decriminalised in Thailand, medical authorities are more open to accepting and treating such patients.

Remember to smoke and enjoy weed responsibly.