Most cannabis users will agree that consuming marijuana is an enjoyable experience. But, sometimes, side effects occur.
The good news is that most side effects subside quickly.
The better news is that there are some simple things you can do to make them go away even faster.
Here are eight things you can do to decrease the side effects of marijuana the next time you use too much or feel too high.
Do Some Deep Breathing
One common side effect of too much marijuana use is an increased heart rate. It can be a weird feeling, and when you’re experiencing other side effects at the same time, it can be downright scary.
If your heart is beating faster than you’d like, do some deep breathing exercises. Deep breathing helps you relax and bring your heart rate down. This helps you feel calmer, which is key in helping side effects pass.
Drink Water
Dry mouth can be incredibly irritating, so rehydrate yourself after getting high by drinking plenty of water.
Note that we said water, not beer or booze. While marijuana and alcohol often go hand in hand in social situations, it’s best not to mix the two. Alcohol can intensify the effects of cannabis and cause side effects to worsen rather than diminish.
It’s also a good idea to drink water before and during each smoking session. In addition to relieving the feeling of dry mouth, drinking water stimulates saliva production. The more saliva you produce before consuming, the less likely you are to get dry mouth in the first place.
Find a Distraction
Using too much marijuana can alter your senses, and focusing on your altered state can make you feel even worse. One effective tool is to find a distraction to take the focus off your high.
A distraction can be just about anything, such as:
- Chatting with a friend
- Playing a video game
- Doing something creative
- Snuggling with your pet
- Doing a jigsaw puzzle
- Coloring
- Listening to music
Some people also find it helpful to tackle household chores, such as cleaning or organizing cabinets and drawers.
Take a Walk
Taking a walk can be a great distraction in itself, but it has an added bonus:
It also helps to lower your blood pressure and calm you down.
Spending time outdoors, in nature, also helps to reduce stress, which is key if you’re feeling anxious or paranoid after consuming cannabis.
Checkout this article to learn all the additional ways that spending time in nature can be beneficial to your mind and body.
Eat Something
It’s easy to give into the munchies, and eating anything can be an effective form of distraction that can help bring you out of your high. But you don’t have to devour cookies or down a bag of chips. There are specific foods you can eat that can actually counteract the effects of THC on the brain.
If your brain is feeling foggy, reach for pine nuts. You can eat them raw or toast them in the oven. When you’re feeling anxious, suck on a lemon or add some lemon juice to a glass of water. If you’re experiencing paranoia or confusion, chew on a few black peppercorns or sniff their scent to calm you down.
Take THCV
An easy way to decrease the side effects of marijuana is to take THCV. THCV is a cannabinoid found naturally in cannabis that reverses the effects of THC on the brain. No matter what side effects you’re feeling, a little THCV can bring you out of your high rather quickly.
BONUS: THCV is also an appetite suppressant, so it helps to fight off the munchies.
Take a Shower
A cold shower can help you feel more invigorated, more grounded, and more present in the moment. It won’t counteract every potential side effect of marijuana, but it’s a good way to bring yourself back to reality.
And when you’re feeling too high, a harsh dose of reality is sometimes all you need.
Sleep It Off
When in doubt, sleep it off. While marijuana use can have long-lasting effects, the immediate side effects that you feel from consuming it are temporary. A short nap is sometimes all it takes to feel “normal” again.
In Final Thoughts
No matter how much or how little marijuana you use, side effects are always a possibility. But you can minimize them if you keep your tolerance level in mind and smoke, dab, vape, or eat it responsibly.
And before you consume any cannabis product, make sure that it’s safe to use.
How do you do that?
By buying it from a licensed dispensary that controls what’s in (and what’s NOT in) the cannabis they sell.
