Cannabis edibles can help those feeling depressed or anxious temporarily. But if you take too much, you could end up feeling worse.
If you’ve ever eaten edibles, then you know that the experience can be a lot different than smoking marijuana. Edibles can take a long time to kick in, and when they do, the high can be incredibly strong.
If you’re not careful, eating too many edibles can lead to an uncomfortable and even dangerous experience. Here are a few tips for recovering from edibles safely and quickly.
How Is Consuming Cannabis Edibles Different From Smoking Cannabis?
When you smoke marijuana, the THC enters your bloodstream through your lungs and you feel the effects almost immediately. On the other hand, edibles must be digested in order for the THC to be metabolized by the liver and become 11-OH-THC metabolite.
Because of its easier passage across the blood-brain barrier and greater presence in the blood, the 11-OH-THC metabolite is approximately four times more powerful than THC, making the edibles hit with a greater degree of power.
Because edibles take roughly 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in, it’s easy to eat too much before you start to feel anything. And when the high finally hits, it can be much more intense than when smoking cannabis.
What Are the Effects of Eating Too Much Cannabis?
When you consume cannabis edibles, it takes longer to reach your desired effect, so it’s easy to eat more before you realize that you’ve already had enough. This can lead to an uncomfortable experience.
The effects of THC overdose can range from uncomfortable to downright dangerous. Edibles can cause anxiety, paranoia, and even panic attacks in some people.
You could feel dizzy, lightheaded, have racing heartbeats, or be nauseous. You may even have hallucinations or delusions as a result of it.
Fortunately, these effects are usually temporary and will wear off after a few hours. However, if you’re feeling particularly uncomfortable, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process.
How to Recover From Edibles Quickly and Safely
Unlike marijuana smoking, getting over the negative effects of eating edibles takes a little more time and effort. It’s important to stay calm, try to relax, and breathe deeply. The best thing to do is to find a quiet, comfortable place to lie down and wait for the effects to pass.
Here are some more tips to help you recover safely and quickly:
Drink lots of fluids
Keeping hydrated can help your body process the THC more quickly.
Eat some black pepper
Chew on a few black peppercorns or add some ground black pepper to your food. Black pepper contains a compound called beta-caryophyllene that can help reduce the psychoactive effects of THC.
Get some fresh air
Step outside and take a few deep breaths. The fresh air and change of scenery can help clear your head and make you feel better.
Sleep it off
If you’re feeling especially uncomfortable, try to get some sleep. The THC will eventually work its way out of your system as you metabolize it and you’ll wake up feeling refreshed.
Eat light and healthy foods
To help your body recover more quickly, eat some nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. Avoid fatty or greasy foods that may make you feel even worse.
Take a hot shower or bath
Hot water can relax your muscles and soothe tense nerves, helping you feel more comfortable as you recover.
Be with friends or loved ones
Surrounding yourself with people you trust can help ease anxiety and make the experience more bearable.
Overall, recovering from edibles is mostly a waiting game. However, following these tips can help you feel better as you ride it out. Just remember to start with a low dose next time and be patient as the effects kick in. Soon enough, you’ll be back to your normal self.
What Is a Weed Hangover?
It’s not entirely clear, but there are some studies that link cannabis use with a feeling of tiredness or fatigue the day after using it.
Weed hangovers occur when you experience the side effects of smoking weed the day after smoking marijuana or eating weed edibles. Although weed hangovers aren’t as common as alcohol hangovers, you’re more susceptible to feeling cannabis hangover effects if you consume strong edibles with THC levels that are higher than your tolerance levels.
The most common symptoms of a weed hangover include fatigue, headaches, brain fog, dry mouth, dry eyes, memory problems, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Can smoking marijuana cause a cannabis hangover?
Yes, you can experience a weed hangover if you smoke marijuana heavily but since the effects of smoking weed last for a shorter time than the effects of consuming cannabis products, you’re not as likely to experience serious cannabis hangover symptoms.
How to Recover From Cannabis Hangovers
Although there’s no specific cure for a weed hangover, you can try some of these tips to help ease your symptoms:
Stay hydrated
Drinking lots of fluids can help ease many of the symptoms associated with a weed hangover, including dry mouth, dry eyes, and headaches.
Eat healthy foods
Eating nutritious foods can help replenish your body and boost your energy levels.
Get plenty of rest
Getting enough sleep can help you feel better, especially if you’re dealing with symptoms like fatigue.
Get moving
Exercise can help increase your energy levels and improve brain function. To increase oxygen in your body, you can also do some yoga practice or light stretching on a yoga mat.
Take a cool shower
A cool shower can help you feel more alert and awake. It also helps with hydration.
Avoid caffeine
Even though you may be tempted to reach for a cup of coffee, avoid caffeine as it can make dehydration and headaches worse.
Weed hangovers are not fun, but they’re also not dangerous. If you’re experiencing cannabis hangover symptoms, try some of the above tips to help you feel better.
Like an alcohol hangover, you may be tempted to consume marijuana again to feel better. However, this will only prolong the symptoms and make it harder to recover. It may be a good idea to take a break from consuming or smoking cannabis for a few days.
How to Prevent Cannabis Hangovers?
The best way to prevent a weed hangover is to consume cannabis products in moderation. Start with a low dose, especially if you’re new to consuming cannabis, and increase your dosage gradually as needed.
Avoid consuming edibles on an empty stomach as this can intensify the effects of THC. Eating a small meal before consuming cannabis can help reduce the intensity of the high.
It’s also important to be mindful of the THC content in the cannabis products you’re consuming. Higher THC levels can increase your risk of experiencing weed hangover symptoms.
Commercially-produced edibles typically have THC amounts listed on the package. Choose the cannabis edibles with lower THC levels to reduce the risk of experiencing a cannabis hangover.
However, you may not know how much THC is in a homemade cannabis cookie or chocolate bar, so start with a small portion of edibles and wait up to two hours for the effects to kick in before taking more.
Closing Thoughts
There are several things you can do to recover from edibles and help ease the symptoms of marijuana hangovers.
Remember to stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and eat healthy foods. You can also try taking a cool shower, exercising, or doing yoga to help increase oxygen in your body and improve brain function for the cannabis hangover.
It is preferable to address the reasons for your emotions rather than relying on substances like marijuana to raise your spirits. If you choose to have a little bit of marijuana, be mindful of the THC content in the cannabis products you’re consuming, and start with a low dose if you’re new to edibles. By following these tips, you can help prevent cannabis overdoses or hangovers!