Admit it – it’s something many of us have had to deal with, at least once. You over-indulge a bit; before you know it, “pleasantly baked” is a dot in the rear-view mirror. You may have places to be and things to do and need to sober up. Maybe it’s worse than that - if the room starts to feel like it’s spinning, you’re possibly greening out.
Either way, taking some basic steps to regain control is best. If you don’t know how to stop being high, read this article – or have a friend read it and save you from tipping over the edge.
How Did You End Up Here?
It was most likely simple over-indulgence. A good high THC cannabis and one too many puffs will get the better of most of us at some point. Maybe your first edible didn’t work, so you doubled up the next dose, only to find yourself severely compromised an hour later. Hey, don’t be too hard on yourself - even a seasoned stoner has to tap out eventually. After all, a session with the great Willie Nelson once proved to be too much for no less a stoner than Snoop Dogg.
THC – the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant – binds to the CB1 receptor in the neurons in your brain, altering the way neurotransmitters fire. As a result, ingestion means your perception will almost certainly be altered – and that includes your perception not just of basic reality but of finer things like music, the taste of food, and your thoughts.
Much can change when THC hits the endocannabinoid system and begins its merry dance. You may feel more sociable, creative, a tad peckish, or lost in your thoughts. These changes, and more, take place and result in you feeling ‘high’ – depending on the strain you’ve used, how much you’ve ingested and other factors. But there’s good high, and not-so-good high. Overcook it, and chances are you’ll feel major impairment that can disrupt your comfort level in a incapacitating way.
You’ll have to take some action.
How to Stop Being High – Where to Begin
First things first – you know you’re high and need to square yourself up. This is good because recognising it is the first step, and common sense is still behind the wheel. You can do a series of things to right the ship, all with different levels of effectiveness.
Keep Calm and...
Don’t panic. You’re high, and you know it. If you panic over it, you’ll send yourself into a spin and make things worse. Paranoia and fear team up to make your experience worse. Acknowledge your circumstances, keep chill, and don’t lose the head. Get your breathing under control and prepare to take steps to reduce your high. Know it’ll take a few minutes, and be prepared to wait. You’ll be fine. Don’t make any rash decisions at this stage – now is not the time to drive, for example. If you’re at a party, find a quiet spot to sort yourself out away from the hustle and bustle, and take a friend to watch you. Better yet, put them to task getting the things you need to square up.
Step Away from the Cannabis
I repeat - step away. This one’s a no-brainer, admittedly, but know your limits and know when to tap out. Now is not the time for heroism or the time to give in to peer pressure. And that’s the thing – trying to dampen your high is a bit easier if you’re on your own, but if you’re in a social circle (a party, for example), there’s a chance you’re surrounded by people who are equally – if not more - buzzed. Now is the time to fix what’s wrong, and accepting another pass isn’t going to help. Stop right there, and make sobering up your priority.
Rehydration may Help you Stop Being High Faster
Hydration is never bad, and since cannabis can cause cottonmouth at the best of times, it’s a good early step to rehydrate. Choose water, juice, or a non-caffeinated beverage. A lot of people go straight for the black coffee when trying to sober up, but it’s not necessarily the best way to rehydrate, given its diuretic properties.
Resist the temptation to down a beer or anything else with an alcoholic content – this is especially likely if you’re at a party, and someone hands you a cup of indeterminate liquid and tells you to knock it back. Adding alcohol to the mix will mess you up even further. It’s called crossfading, and to do it correctly (so you’ve balanced the high of cannabis with the buzz of alcohol) without a series of unpleasant side-effects is a fine balancing act. Stick to water if you can, and sip – don’t chug. Throwing hiccups into the equation is the last thing you want.
Eat Something if you Feel High
Chances are good you’ll have killer munchies at this stage anyway, and getting some food in your belly is already high on the agenda – but wait. What you eat can make or break you in this situation. There’s at least anecdotal evidence that smoking cannabis can lower your blood sugar, and feeling hungry is a cunning trick your brain and body play to remind you to eat. Therefore, you’re more likely to crave something sugary or carby at this point, and these types of foods may go a little toward taking the edge off your high. Now is not the time to whip up a leafy salad and you certainly don’t want to scoff some Mango – which is said to increase the feeling of being high due to its myrcene content.
Note: If you’re diabetic, be very careful here; knowing how to manage your food intake in this situation is crucial. If someone hands you a Twinkie, JUST SAY NO.
Try CBD
If you’re lucky enough to have access to CBD products, take some. Consuming some CBD can work to balance out the effects of THC, so a couple of squares of CBD chocolate or a couple of drops of CBD oil under the tongue might just be your saviour.
CBD binds to a different site on the CB1 receptor than THC, causing less receptor activation than THC alone. The ratio of CBD to THC is essential here, though, and as some CBD products may contain amounts of THC, you need something that doesn’t include THC for it to reduce your high effectively. If you don’t have any CBD products to hand, consider this a lesson learned and get some in case you ever find yourself in this situation again.
Take Some Ibuprofen
A 2013 study carried out at the University of Louisiana suggests that the answer to this problem could, in fact, be......more drugs. Certain types of anti-inflammatory medications may counteract the buzz from cannabis and reduce the negative effects on cognitive function at the same time. If you can tolerate Ibuprofen, take a standard dose and see if it helps – but remember, Ibuprofen should not be taken on an empty stomach, so this step is for after you’ve had some food.
If you’re Feeling Brave, Chew Black Peppercorn
There’s a reason this solution is last on the list – it’s unlikely your go-to solution would be a mouthful of acrid seasoning. Don’t rule it out, though. Black peppercorn can reduce the feeling of being high; there’s even some tasty science to back this up. It’s the only aspect of this that can be described as tasty.
Peppercorn contains Beta—caryophyllene, a selective CB2 antagonist. This means it can bind to cannabinoid receptors and prevent them from being activated by cannabinoids. Think of it as an anticannabinoid, which can block or partially mute the effects of THC – a useful thing if you’re trying to eliminate a high. To quote Dr Ethan Russo’s 2011 review, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, this can “tame the intoxicating effects of THC”. Not delicious by any manner of means, but there’s evidence that it’s effective. Better yet, peppercorn also contains the terpene alpha-pinene, which is known to positively affect alertness. It’s been suggested that even just a sniff of black peppercorn can positively affect these circumstances (can a sneezing fit help you square up quickly? Proceed with caution when inhaling anything).
It’s a mixed bag of potential solutions, but the good news is that most of these will likely be within reach when the high feeling takes hold. The notable exception is CBD products, but due to their ability to help fairly quickly in this situation, it’s worthwhile picking some up for future sessions just in case you – or anyone else – end up greening out.
Of course, prevention is the best cure and knowing your tolerance is the best way to keep yourself on the right side of the buzz. Exercising moderation can be hard, but sensible use is the way to go if you don’t want to feel too high for too long.
On the other hand, why not switch up your strains? We have a selection of fabulous lower-THC strains and high CBD strains that are just the trick if you want the uplifting, relaxing effects without too much psychoactivity. Here are 3 of the best to consider:
Doctor Seedsman CBD 30:1
Doctor Seedsman CBD 30:1 is an aromatic, mostly-sativa strain with notes of pine and ginger in the taste profile. With high CBD content around 20%, and THC below 1%, this strain provides the feel-good factor without the psychoactive effects.
Peyote Wi-Fi CBD 2:1
Peyote Wi-Fi CBD 2:1 is an indica-sativa hybrid that offers CBD in the 12-14% range with THC around the 6-8% mark, providing pleasant benefits without the heavy after-effects. With notes of spice and lemon, the taste alone could keep you alert!
Purple Kush CBD 1:1 Auto
A balanced effect in autoflowering form, Purple Kush CBD 1:1 Auto is an indica-dominant medicinal strain with pleasant earthy, fruity tastes. It has a CBD content of 8% with a THC content of 7%, offering a relaxing effect without the risk of anxiety.
Or, browse our low-THC cannabis seeds below to see the full range:
