12 tips to reduce cannabis intoxication

If you feel like you’ve consumed too much cannabis, there are some things you can do to help reduce intoxication, or the feeling of being “high.”

Continue reading to discover the best tips for reducing the symptoms of a cannabis high.

Tips to stop being high

Many of cannabis’s side effects are linked to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the intoxicating compound in cannabis. These side effects include:

• Dry mouth, aka “cottonmouth“
• Anxiety
• Low blood pressure
• Drowsiness

Cannabis products that are high in THC may be more likely to cause these side effects.

There’s no proven method to stop being high. However, according to some studies and anecdotal reports, the following tips may help ease common side effects of THC.

1. Stay hydrated

Cannabis can temporarily affect your blood pressure and cause symptoms like dizziness and increased heart rate.

Research shows that drinking water can help with low blood pressure and reduce the associated symptoms. Staying hydrated can also help with cottonmouth, a common side effect of cannabis.

2. Eat a snack

Cannabis isn’t known to lower your blood sugar. But some of its side effects can feel similar to having low blood sugar, such as dizziness, anxiety, and increased heart rate.

Eating a snack may help alleviate some of these symptoms. It can also help with the munchies, which is a sudden increase in appetite that can happen after consuming cannabis.

3. Take some CBD

Some early research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) can help counteract some of THC’s side effects, including anxiety and paranoia.

CBD is a nonintoxicating cannabis compound that may help promote calmness. A CBD oil tincture can offer effects in as little as 15 minutes.

Keep in mind that CBD has not been proven to reduce the side effects of THC. In fact, one small study found that ingesting a very high dose of CBD alongside THC actually made THC’s effects stronger.

4. Sniff black pepper

Some individuals swear by sniffing black pepper to ease the side effects of getting too high. While no studies have proven that this method works, the remedy may be related to the effects of beta-caryophyllene, a terpene found in high amounts in black pepper.

Terpenes are plant-based compounds that can affect how you feel, much like THC and CBD. An animal study found that beta-caryophyllene may help reduce anxiety. Researchers have also found that terpenes like beta-caryophyllene can alter how THC affects your brain.

5. Consume lemon

Another anecdotal remedy to get “unhigh” from cannabis is to consume lemon. While studies are lacking, many people who use cannabis report that drinking lemon-infused water helps with some common side effects like fatigue, confusion, and anxiety.

Again, this might have to do with the relationship between THC and terpenes. Lemon is high in limonene, a terpene that may help promote alertness, energy, and a sense of calm.

6. Grab some caffeine

Caffeine may help with THC side effects like confusion, drowsiness, and poor short-term memory.

THC interacts with a brain chemical called adenosine that can slow down:

• Memory
• Energy levels
• Alertness

Caffeine helps block the effects of adenosine, which may counteract some of THC’s side effects. Mixing caffeine and cannabis is also generally considered safe.

7. Take a cold shower

A cold shower won’t reduce the amount of THC in your system, but it may help you feel more alert and calm.

One review of studies reported that cold water exposure can help improve fatigue, and the effects of a cold shower may “crowd out” or reduce brain activity related to psychosis (disconnection from reality).

8. Focus on your breathing

Taking slow, deep breaths using your diaphragm has been shown to lower anxiety. If you’re feeling too high, it may be helpful to focus your attention on your breathing to promote calmness.

Diaphragmatic breathing is also called “belly breathing.” You can try it by taking a deep inhale, letting your belly expand fully, and slowly exhaling. Repeat this sequence a few times and monitor how you feel.

9. Lie down

If you’re feeling too intoxicated, consider finding a comfortable place to lie down while you wait for the effects to pass. It sounds simple, but lying down may help you with the dizziness, drowsiness, and poor coordination that can occur after using cannabis.

10. Distract yourself

If you’re experiencing anxiety after using cannabis, it might help to distract yourself with a movie, video game, or anything else that can occupy your mind until the side effects pass.

Research suggests that focused distractions can help alleviate anxiety.

11. Take a walk outside

If you’re up to it, try taking a walk outdoors. Walking may help distract you from any racing thoughts caused by THC’s anxiety-increasing effects.

In fact, exposure to nature may be especially helpful in reducing stress and improving mood, according to a research review.

12. Sleep it off

Drowsiness is a common side effect of cannabis. If you’re feeling overly intoxicated, try taking a nap. There’s a good chance that you’ll feel less high when you wake up.

How long does it take to stop being high?

No matter how you might feel after consuming cannabis, you can remind yourself that its effects are temporary.

Exactly how long the effects of cannabis last depends on:

• The strain of cannabis
• The dose amount
• Your tolerance to the plant’s effects
• The product type

This chart can give you an idea of how long the high may last, depending on your method of consumption.

The bottom line: There are several things you can try to lower the side effects of THC

You might experience certain side effects after consuming cannabis, especially if your product contains a high amount of THC.

While you might not be able to stop your high, there are ways to alleviate side effects like anxiety, drowsiness, or cottonmouth.

By monitoring your cannabis dosage and choosing the right products for your needs, you can lower the risk of experiencing these side effects. Schedule an appointment with a Leafwell telepharmacist to receive personalized cannabis guidance.

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Resources

• Adenisone-cannabinoid receptor interactions. Implications for striatal function. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2931547/
• Anxiety therapeutic interventions of β-Caryophyllene: A laboratory-based study. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1934578X20962229
• Assessment of orally administered δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol when coadministered with cannabidiol on δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in healthy adults: A randomized clinical trial. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2801352
• Associations between nature exposure and health: A review of the evidence. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8125471/
• Attention to phobic stimuli during exposure: The effect of distraction on anxiety reduction, self-efficacy and perceived control. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14975769/
• Caffeine and adenosine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20164566/
• Cannabidiol counteracts the psychotropic side-effects of δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in the ventral hippocampus through bidirectional control of erk1–2 phosphorylation. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6820200
• Doubling of water intake increases daytime blood pressure and reduces vertigo in healthy subjects. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20860537/
• Scientific evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on various systems of the body. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4049052/
• Taming THC: Potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3165946/
• The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5455070/ 

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