Overindulged in some edibles? Took too hefty of a dab? One too many hits from the bong? We’ve all been there. While it can be scary to feel so high, we promise, it will fade. What’s most important to remember is that highs can vary in strength and length, but consumers will always, and we mean always, survive. If it’s all a bit too much, though (and it certainly can be), here are some tips for soothing a high.
Five Ways to Break Your High
Stay Calm
Easier said than done, we know. But rest and relaxation really will help most people break a not-so-great high.
If starting to panic, take a moment to focus on breathing. Light meditation is a great option for this.
Be sure to take conscious breaths and relax each part of the body. Remind oneself that there is nothing actually wrong! The substance consumed is what’s causing this effect.
A short nap can also go a long way.
This too shall pass.
Water
Staying hydrated is the key to cooling down after over-consumption of virtually anything.
When smoking cannabis, the THC travels through our bloodstream to the brain.
Flushing one’s body with water can help push out the THC, helping to calm down faster and break a high.
Not to mention, a glass of water will quench cottonmouth and give consumers something to focus on rather than being “too” high.
Showers are another viable option as cold water has been proven to make people alert and focused. According to Weedmaps, cold showers (30-90 seconds long and around 40 degrees) trigger deep breathing, which increases oxygen levels and cardiac function, improves circulation, and lowers blood pressure.
Black Pepper
Pepper, like cannabis, contains terpenes. One of which is beta-caryophyllene.
According to a study published in the Journal of Asian Natural Products Research, beta-caryophyllene produces an anxiety reducing effect that is reported to relieve depression and increase cognitive function.
On a chemical level, the terpenes counteract THC, eliciting a sort of calming effect.
This claim is backed by musician Neil Young, who shared the method with Howard Stern during an interview in 2014.
“Try black pepper balls if you get paranoid,” he stated. “Just chew two or three pieces. I just found this out myself.”
Distraction
One of the best ways to ease an overwhelming high is to find distractions. Shifting focus away from a high towards something more pleasant can quickly and easily change an experience.
Try going for a walk, talking to a friend, or watching a favorite television show. We’d recommend staying away from horror, but if that’s one’s cup of tea, go for it.
CBD
CBD is a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis that is often used to help reduce anxiety.
While it might seem counterintuitive to use cannabis itself to calm a high, research has shown that CBD can actually help to soften the psychoactive effects of THC.
In fact, a study in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that CBD is a negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid, CB1 receptor, meaning it decreases the receptor that THC binds to.
Thus, it’s always a good idea to keep some CBD around as a heavy consumer.
Tinctures are a great option for fast results as the capillaries in our mouths absorb the ingredients straight into the bloodstream.
Overall, these tricks are all great ways to help break a challenging high. However, none of them have the ability to stop a high in its track. The only way to do that, unfortunately, is to wait it out.
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Mike says
Wow, in our country we cannot learn this easy answer: “Please put some hemp on the weed” and GET BACK TO HOMEOSTASIS = POLYCULTURES of CBDs flowers + CBGs flowers to BRING DOWN the “high” 🙂
Hemp is BOSS 🙂
Warren Bobrow says
Lemon juice, freshly squeezed and the above mentioned peppercorns. The dynamic duo, coined by Neil Young and published in my Cannabis Cocktails book, it really works.