Feeling too high? Stay calm and follow these steps: find a comfortable space, stay hydrated, focus on deep breaths, and consider CBD to potentially counteract THC's effects. Remember, the feeling will pass.

Whether you’re brand new to cannabis or a bona fide connoisseur, there are any number of reasons why you might have accidentally gotten too high. Maybe your edible kicked in a little later than you thought, you inhaled a little too deeply one too many times, or maybe it was the first time trying an ultra-potent concentrate—whatever the reason you want to stop being high, don’t fret. There are a number of things you can do to help bring yourself back down to Planet Earth. Read on to discover what to do when you feel too high. 

Signs You Might Be Too High

Before we discuss how to fix the problem, let’s talk about how to know if you’ve actually gone too far. If you can’t tell if it’s the cannabis affecting you or something entirely different, there are a few standard symptoms that you can keep an eye out for. You may need to take it easy if you feel:

• anxious

• paranoid

• panicked 

• confused

• or like you’re sweating more than usual

Tips on How to Sober Up from Cannabis

Stay calm. 

If you find yourself feeling a little too lit, perhaps the most important thing you can do is just breathe and stay calm. If you start to panic, it will only make things worse. Most symptoms of “greening out” (aka consuming too much cannabis) will gradually disappear within minutes to hours, with virtually no long-lasting effects—you might just be a little groggy. So trust us, with just a little bit of time, you’ll be right as rain. 

Also, contrary to popular belief, it is highly unlikely that you will expire from consuming too much cannabis. So no matter how freaked out you might be or how sweaty your pits get, you’re going to be okay, kid. Just remember to take it slow next time. 

Hydrate and try light snacks. 

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate—water is your best friend right now. If you only have juice or some other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage on hand (caffeine may increase your jitters), they’ll get the job done as well. A cold drink will not only help you combat cotton mouth but also allow you to concentrate on the simple and familiar act of sipping and swallowing. 

Some consumers also say that light snack helps to make them feel a little better. Start by grazing on some fresh fruit, nuts, or cheese, and see if that helps. You may find that it’s a little easier to connect to your mind and body instead of floating out into space. 

Rest in a comfortable environment. 

Snuggle onto your bed or couch, turn down the lights, or whatever helps calm your mind. Then, just rest and breathe deeply until the discomfort starts to pass. Maybe even pull up a breathing meditation on your phone or simply focus on breathing through your nose and out through your mouth. Anything to help you feel at peace while giving you something to concentrate on.

And when all else fails, sometimes sleeping it off can be the best solution to stopping an overwhelming high. Once your brain has calmed down, take a little cat nap to revive yourself. If you’re not able to get some zzz's, just rest your eyes until you feel more like yourself again. 

Get some fresh air. 

Another alternative you can try is to step outside for a moment. Sometimes a simple change of scenery and some fresh air can help get your mind right. Just remember not to wander too far from familiar places—we don’t want you to feel disoriented on top of being anxious and paranoid. 

Take a soothing shower or bath. 

If you’re at a friend’s house or a party this might not be an option, but if you’re at home, a comforting, warm shower or bath might be just what you need. The steam and hot water may soothe your muscles and your mind until the high dissipates. 

Keep some black pepper handy. 

We know this might sound strange, but many cannabis consumers swear by this black pepper method when they’ve indulged a little too much. Something about the terpenes in black peppercorns seems to help ease anxiety and paranoia—at least, that’s what Neil Young says. Just sniff or chew on a few peppercorns and you may start to feel relief in moments. 

Try a CBD tincture. 

The calming properties of CBD may also help ease your woes if you happen to have some laying around. Either place a tincture right under your tongue for the soothing effects to kick in in about 20 minutes or stir it into your favorite beverage (non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated, of course) for relief in about an hour. 

Distract yourself. 

At the end of the day, do whatever you can that makes you happy, calms your mind, or whatever just plain old helps you forget the discomfort you’re experiencing. Some suggestions include:

• Have a funny movie marathon

• Play a video game

• Listen to some of your favorite jams

• Have your friends tell you a story or talk to you about something lighthearted

• Try coloring or painting to let your creative juices flow

Whatever distractions float your boat, make sure it’s a familiar activity that gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling all over. Hopefully, you’ll be able to focus on the positive feelings as a gentle reminder that you are safe and just fine.

Conclusion

We’ve all greened out at one point or another, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Just remember to relax, use these tips and you’ll be good as new in no time. For more tips, tricks, and recommendations, stay tuned for more JARS right here on our blog.