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Can you get too high from smoking weed? We get this question a lot at our Silver Therapeutics dispensaries. Customers seek out cannabis to enhance their lives, whether for pure enjoyment or the pursuit of various wellness goals. Yet, cannabis products can be potent and everyone has their limits and sensitivities. Therefore, it is important to know your limits and use cannabis or cannabis products properly to avoid the unpleasant effects of overconsumption.
Nevertheless, getting too high can happen. When things go beyond a point where someone is comfortable with their experience, knowing what to do can curb the unpleasant effects. Below is a closer look at why some people get too high and how to help someone who is too high from cannabis.
How Does Someone Get Too High?
Getting too high can happen when an individual consumes too much THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Everyone’s threshold with cannabis is different, and generally speaking, more experienced consumers have a higher tolerance. If someone with a low tolerance to THC or little experience smokes a high-THC strain, uses too much of a potent cannabis concentrate, or consumes too much of an edible, they can have a negative experience.
One of the most common reasons for overconsumption is not being cautious with high-THC edibles because they are slow-acting. Edibles can take up to an hour to fully kick in. Therefore, some people make the mistake of assuming the edible isn’t working, consume another serving, and end up feeling too intoxicated when all the THC kicks in. Therefore, when consuming edibles, check the dosage and heed budtender advice about portion sizes. If they recommend only taking a portion of the edible, follow their advice even if you assume the dose is not working.
What happens when you get too high?
You can’t necessarily overdose on weed, but you can consume too much and have an uncomfortable experience. In short, if you over-consume THC, the negative side effects can be more intense. Someone who gets too high may experience:
- Heightened anxiety or paranoia
- Feelings of dizziness
- Nausea
- Extremely dry mouth
- Confusion or difficulty speaking
- Heightened heart rate
What to Do When Someone Is Too High
If you are with a friend that has consumed too much cannabis, you can step in when you know how to help someone who is too high. Here are a few things that can be done to help.
Help them stay calm
Soothe your friend and let them know everything is OK. Make them comfortable, and stay with them to let them know they are not alone. Encourage proper breathing. Taking deep, steady breaths is a good way to slow down your heart rate and feel calmer in the face of anxiety.
Create a relaxing environment
Make sure your friend is in a relaxing, safe environment. If they’re not in a quiet, familiar place, take them home or somewhere that is calm and quiet like a secluded room where there is not a lot of noise or people. Commotion can heighten a sense of panic.
Keep them hydrated
Encourage your friend to drink plenty of water. Regular water intake throughout the experience can help with dry mouth and flushing the THC from their system.
Try CBD to counteract the THC effects
If you have CBD on hand, give your friend a large dose (around 50 to 200 mg). CBD may counteract some of the adverse effects of THC and balance things out. CBD works best if ingested before consuming cannabis but can also have a mildly positive effect if consumed afterward.
Try black peppercorns
Chewing two or three black peppercorns is thought to possibly help with THC over-consumption. In a study in the British Journal of Pharmacology by Dr. Ethan Russo, a synergy was outlined between pepper and cannabis. The terpenoids in the pepper and the THC in cannabis work together in the brain to create harmony, or in scientific words, a “phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effect.” Therefore, black peppercorns may help balance the effects of THC to some degree, even though this method is not well-studied.
Use distractions to help
When you feel too high and focus too intently on what you feel, it can make the situation seem worse. Use distraction to get your friend’s mind on something else. For example, watch some light-hearted TV or get outside for a walk if possible.
Seek medical care if necessary
Most people do not require medical care if they consume too much THC; the uncomfortable feelings simply gradually wear off with time and sleep. However, if your friend is panicking or has a pre-existing heart or health condition, it may be best to seek medical attention.
Need to Know More About What to Do When Someone Is Too High?
At Silver Therapeutics, our in-house budtenders work hard to make sure all customers understand how to use cannabis products for a positive experience and do not get too high. However, if you or a friend makes a mistake, we’re here to help when you need us. Head over to our frequently asked questions page or give us a call at 413-458-6244.
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