How to gently come down when you’re too high

Each of us has had at least one experience in our cannabis repertoire where we just got too high. Your sessions starts great and then the dreaded feeling of “I am TOO high” begins. Typically, getting high is an exhilarating and fun experience. Sometimes, we can take too much and that feeling quickly turns to panic. Knowing how to gently come down when you’re too high is helpful information to have when the feeling kicks in. Getting “green-faced” or “going green” are common terms for overindulging with cannabis and sometimes the feeling lives up to the name. Just remember-no one has ever died from smoking too much and you will certainly not be the first, no matter what your mind is trying to get you to believe. While the only true remedy is time, there are some things you can do to help ease some of the not-so-fun side effects of feeling this way.

Keep in mind that the duration of your high is based on a variety of factors. Consumption method, body chemistry, potency, and metabolism all play parts in how long the high will last. Smoking will produce an almost immediate and intense high that will generally last for about 30-60 minutes. The high comes on quickly and slowly fades away. Edibles take longer to kick in, usually about a half hour or so and will last upwards of 2 hours. We ALWAYS suggest going slow and low with cannabis until your desired high is reached.

The reasons we love cannabis

Any cannabis user can tell you there is A LOT to love about the plant. In addition to its various benefits and uses, there are a lot of fun and amazing effects on our body and mind that we look forward to at every session. We wouldn’t all be so invested in this culture if there weren’t so much to enjoy about being high. Each strain will produce a different effect and can be changed up depending on your desired feeling.

Those oh-so-good feelings we love:

•Relaxation

•Anxiety relief

•Euphoria

•Happiness and laughter

•Enhanced perception of sounds, visuals, and tastes

While the majority of seasoned smokers can keep themselves in a good place from experience, sometimes it is unavoidable. You could be taking in cannabis that has a higher THC content than you are used to or you might not have realized just how much you were smoking with your group of friends. One thing is for sure-we know pretty quickly that things are taking a bad turn. Some examples of over-consumption are:

•Paranoia/panic

•Anxiety

•Nausea

•Increased heart rate/blood pressure

•Hallucinations

•Dizziness/lightheaded

And it begins…

So you have started feeling the effects of greening out…what do we do now that we find ourselves in this unfortunate position? First off, as hard as it is, always try to keep in mind that this will pass and you will soon feel like your old self again.

1. Relax. While it may seem like an impossible task at the time, one of the most important things to do when you are greening out is to stay calm and relax. Getting upset or more anxious will only exacerbate the situation. Take deep calming breaths in through the nose and out the mouth. Pacing your breathing and slowing your heart rate can help alleviate some panic.
2. Take a short nap. If you are feeling too high, sometimes taking a little nap will help the feeling pass faster. If you can, find a quiet, comfortable space and close your eyes for some zzzs. If you can’t fall asleep, just closing your eyes and relaxing can do wonders.
3. Get some fresh air. Going outside and even taking a small walk in a well-known area can help ease the symptoms of over-consumption. Make sure you are taking a walk in an area you are familiar with and go with a friend. Being lost, alone, and too high is a recipe for a bad day.
4. Keep hydrated. Not only will drinking help prevent a cottonmouth, but the liquid will also help flush everything through your body. We advise that you stay away from alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, as they can make your current state worse. Water, tea, juice, or caffeine-free drinks are great options not only for when you’ve overdone it but as a good health practice.
5. Chew or sniff black peppercorns. May seem a little odd, but peppercorns contain caryophyllene, which is a CB2 antagonist and increases the sedating effect of THC and can calm down the panic/paranoid feeling.
6. Take a shower or bath, if possible. Not only will a warm bath or shower help with calming you, but the heat and steam will also help jump-start the flushing of your system.
7. Enjoy some snacks. Having some tasty options around is a great way to help balance your high. Snacks like fruit, nuts, and seeds contain some terpenes that will help ground you. We suggest a larger meal if you are experiencing being too high from edibles. Edibles are metabolized in the liver, so avoid fatty foods as they can slow down your metabolism and delay the sobering process.
8. Distract yourself. This is a great time to try to trick your brain with crafts, board games, or any activity that requires focus. When your brain is forced to focus on a certain task, it creates a distraction that will get your mind off of being too high.

While most of us know our tolerance and limits, sometimes things can go wrong for a variety of reasons. There are a few things you can do to avoid getting “green-faced” in the first place.

1. Know your limits and stay within them. If you generally smoke a bowl and are set for hours, make sure you keep that same limit when smoking with friends to not overdo it. It can be easy when hanging out with other smokers who do not realize how much you are consuming, but keep tabs as best you can. Avoid peer pressure to keep going when you know you have reached your threshold. Smoking with trusted friends is always a good idea so if you do have a problem, they can be there to help get you back to feeling like yourself.
2. Choose a strain with less THC and more CBD. The higher the THC percentage, the higher the chance you may green out. While you may want that super intense high from a strain with a high THC %, it may come back to bite you in the end. CBDs can also help reduce the feeling of greening out, so choosing a strain that contains CBD may help reduce your chances of a bad time.
3. Smoke on a full belly and while hydrated. Since dehydration and hunger can exacerbate the effects of THC, making sure you have a small meal or a full belly can help keep you grounded. Keeping hydrated not only helps with greening out, but it also helps with another not-so-fun side effect: cotton mouth. Avoid high-fat foods, as they can slow your metabolism and hinder the process of coming down.
4. Smoke with trusted friends. Make sure the people you are partaking with respect your boundaries and will be there to help you should anything go astray. Having good people around you can offer someone to keep a blind eye on you in case any unforeseen events arise.

While greening out is not a fun experience by any means, at least with the information above, you can have a little guideline to help you through the troubling times. If you do find yourself in an unfortunate position, just remember to be calm and this too, shall pass. As always, make sure to always stick with products, people, and places you trust when it’s time to get high.

Must be 21+. Please consume responsibly.