Recent changes to policies and laws throughout the United States have started to make marijuana use more socially acceptable, and some would argue marijuana use is now viewed more like social drinking.
In many cities, it’s easy to find a dispensary, and products like vapes, dabs, and marijuana paraphernalia are readily available. Keep in mind that marijuana is still illegal in many states in the U.S.
Nonetheless, the growing acceptance of marijuana is viewed as a win for marijuana proponents, but the truth is marijuana, like other substances, can be habit-forming. It may surprise you that 10 percent of cannabis users will likely develop a cannabis use disorder (CUD). Three out of 10 people using marijuana have developed marijuana use disorder.
Marijuana, like alcohol, can be safe when consumed in moderation, and it can be very useful for medicinal purposes for those with chronic health conditions. But of the 48.2 million people in the U.S. who use marijuana, some users are at higher risk than others of developing an addiction.
Risk factors for developing an addiction include co-occurring disorders, such as mental health issues, and even starting to use marijuana at a young age. Frequent marijuana users with a chronic addiction can be susceptible to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
If these mental health conditions were already present, substance abuse may worsen these conditions.
Six Tips on How To Sober Up From Being High
1. Eat a Hearty Meal
People joke about stoners having the munchies after smoking weed and getting a marijuana high, but there’s actually science behind marijuana munchies. THC has an impact on the brain that stimulates receptors related to appetite.
If you’re trying to stop being high, eating a meal can help. In particular, foods with a higher fat content can assist in reducing some of the effects of THC. The consumption of fatty foods can affect cannabinoids and may even help speed up the metabolizing process.
Cannabinoids are compounds in marijuana that impact the nervous system and produce a feel-good effect, which is why it’s sometimes used for chronic pain. Cannabinoids regulate how cells send and receive messages, acting in a way that’s similar to opioids.
2. Use Black Peppercorn
Come down off the effects of weed by using black peppercorn. Black peppercorn is a flavorful herb found in most kitchens, but did you know it can act as a toning-down agent for the psychoactive effects of THC?
Try taking fresh black peppercorns and putting them into a grinder — add water and drink. Pro tip: you can also add black peppercorn to hot tea. Black peppercorns can help you come down from being too high.
3. Hydrate
Drinking water can combat symptoms of dry mouth, otherwise known as cottonmouth, while coming down from a marijuana high. When smoking weed, receptors in your mouth stop producing saliva temporarily.
Sipping on water, either plain or with lemon, will serve as a distraction and help your body to process the effects of marijuana and wet your whistle. Drink a glass of water to help sober up from being high.
4. Engage in Exercise
If you’re feeling nausea as a side effect from marijuana use and trying to come down off a high, skip this exercise tip for now and consider trying relaxation techniques instead. No nausea?
Consider getting in some cardio fitness, as this type of exercise increases endorphins and can help create a state of calm and help you sober up. Run, walk, or do yoga moves; get your blood pumping to sober up from being high.
5. Bathe or Shower
If you’re having trouble coming off your high and experiencing anxiety or even feelings of panic, consider the calming effects of a lukewarm bath. Sitting in a tub and soaking can be comforting — this can even be helpful for withdrawal symptoms.
Alternatively, you may find it helpful to take a cool or even a cold shower to help with sobering up. Taking a cold shower may also have other positive health benefits. Fill up your tub for a soak, or jump in the shower with cold water for a quick trick to help sober up and get past your high.
6. Sleep It Off
If you’ve smoked weed or over-indulged with edibles, feeling anxious, paranoid, or not well is common. Sleep may be the perfect way to unwind and sober up from being high.
Do you have trouble sleeping? If so, you can try resting in a quiet room with a cool temperature and try deep breathing techniques to calm your mind and body. Try doing this in silence or with calming music if you can. White noise can be helpful for some people who have trouble sleeping.
Did you know our body is designed to repair, heal, and regenerate when we sleep? Getting a good night’s sleep can do wonders for coming off of a high, and it does amazing things for your health in general.
Now that we’ve discussed some ways to sober up from being high, let’s discuss how THC metabolizes.
How Does THC Metabolize?
Cannabis products come in different forms and varying concentrates. For example, smoking marijuana and ingesting edibles are different methods people choose to get high, but did you know they metabolize differently in the body?
Smoking Marijuana
Cannabis smoke gets inhaled into the lungs, and the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) makes its way quickly to the brain. The feel-good effects start quickly, and the high begins wearing off over one-to-three hours. When it comes to ingesting edibles, metabolizing can look a bit different.
Ingesting Edibles
Generally speaking, a standard edible dose contains 10 milligrams of THC. The effects can last for a few hours after consuming an edible. When ingesting edibles, the absorption rate is slower than smoking weed. The process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.
For people who have not had edibles before, it can be confusing what amount is too much, and when the effects will kick in — and when they’ll wear off. It’s not uncommon for people to innocently consume more THC than they intended if they don’t have much experience with edibles. The effects can feel a bit like a hangover and can cause feelings of being sedated.
What Are the Symptoms of Getting Too High?
Getting too high can have similar effects as imbibing too much when drinking alcohol. Being too high can cause a variety of symptoms and negative side effects, and different people can react in different ways.
There are some signs to watch for if you or someone you love has gotten too high or experiencing a bad high.
Feelings anxious
Panic attacks
Extreme paranoia
Acting confused
Slowed heart rate
Noticeable sweating
Short-term memory issues
Abnormal blood pressure
Feeling lightheaded
Nausea or vomiting
How Long Does THC From Edibles Stay in Your System?
Some factors can impact how long THC stays in your system; these include the type of THC consumed, as well as the dose, the person’s metabolism, and even BMI can play a part. But overall, there are some general rules about how long THC will show up in your system from a drug testing perspective.
Here’s a quick guide:
Urine tests — three to seven days
Blood tests — three hours and up to two days
Saliva tests — one to three days maximum
How To Manage a Marijuana Dependency
If you’ve become dependent on marijuana and find it’s hindering areas of your life, affecting your work or school performance, your relationships, or even your health, it may be time to evaluate your relationship with weed.
Quitting marijuana is possible, and finding a great support system and a treatment plan is important for having a successful recovery from marijuana addiction.
About Sober Sidekick
Sober Sidekick is a sobriety app that was created to give support to people recovering from addiction. Whether you decided to quit marijuana today or tried quitting 50 times, Sober Sidekick is a welcoming group of people who have your back when it comes to beating addiction.
If you want support 24/7, that’s on-demand and conveniently located on your phone, download Sober Sidekick today!
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