Last Updated on October 23, 2020 by Maxwell Harris
It happens all the time. Even the most seasoned cannabis smokers have experienced this scenario: overeating cannabis edibles. People eat a cannabis edible and sit there and wait for the first hour. It’s usually one or two doses in and they are not yet feeling high. Then, they keep eating and then it all hits them like a freight train—none of the long, slow build-up you get from smoking.
When consuming edibles containing CBD or THC, you won’t feel the effects immediately. This is because when a person ingests cannabis, they have to wait for the body to metabolize it. Some people lose their patience and next thing they know, they are WAY too high to do anything. Whatever the reason for needing to sober up from a THC high in a hurry, here are a few tips to help get sober fast.
CBD
CBD is nature’s antidote to the high THC can produce. It works by blocking THC from binding with the cannabinoid receptors in your brain, toning down the effects from THC. If you live in a country where cannabis is illegal, chances are that you can still order CBD products.
Get Moving
If you don’t have access to CBD products right away, exercise (or just being active) is another great way to sober up because it causes a release of endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that are released when a sudden trauma or stressful event occurs with the purpose of temporarily blocking pain signals. When endorphins flow, the stress of your excessive high will melt away, too (plus, it’ll help take your mind off of how high you are). Although when a person is stoned the last thing they may feel like doing is exercise, in a desperate situation when you need to sober up, give it a try.
Take A Nap
Sometimes, all you need is a quick nap to come down from an intense high. Set an alarm on your phone for 30 minutes to rest. This is important because if you sleep too long it may cause you to feel even more groggy. Find somewhere comfortable and away from distractions.
Get Something To Eat
Rumor has it that food will bring you down from a high. Many seasoned stoners may use this as a reason to avoid eating after consuming cannabis but it can come in handy for those who want to sober up. Although we’re still not certain why food helps people come down from a high, some suggest that, because fatty foods bind with cannabinoids, they will be metabolized faster. Others speculate that consuming food increases blood flow to the stomach while pulling it from the brain thus decreasing THC’s psychotropic tendencies. Bottom line? A burger and fries never hurt anyone.
Is It Possible To Overdose On Cannabis?
Check out this great informative video from Mashable which answers the question: Is it possible to overdose on cannabis?
The Bottom Line
It’s important to remember that you can’t really overdose on cannabis or THC. The result of consuming too much THC will be sleep. —It’s common for people to overdo it on edibles because of the amount of time it takes for the effects to set in. The time it takes to metabolize THC varies from person to person, but on average, it takes one to three hours after consumption before you feel anything.