Munching on delectable marijuana edibles – whether for leisure or medical purposes – is undoubtedly delightful. Perhaps a little too delightful for some. Time and time again, users are cautioned to go low and slow when dosing edibles as its effects tend to be delayed but more intense and long-lasting. However, sometimes, some people still overindulge, and when they do, it turns the otherwise pleasurable experience into a bad one.

What Does “Too High” Feels Like?

Despite its numerous benefits, marijuana edibles is in no way exempted from the fact that anything in excess can be detrimental. There hasn’t been any reported case of casualty due to marijuana overdose. Still, overindulging in edibles can cause unpleasant side effects such as headaches, dehydration, fatigue, and brain fog.

A guy high in marijuana edibles
A guy high in marijuana

However, the experience is not the same for everyone because different individuals react differently to weed. In general, though, frequent users and those with low THC tolerance are more susceptible to experiencing the following symptoms:

Physical Symptoms:

  • Headaches and lightheadedness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Dehydration and dry mouth
  • Lethargy
  • Increased heart rate
  • Irregular heartbeats
  • Impaired motor coordination

Cognitive Symptoms:

  • Cognitive impairment
  • Confusion and lack of focus
  • Hallucinations
  • Paranoia
  • Anxiety
  • Delusions
  • Panic attack

What To Do When You Get Too High

If you happen to consume marijuana edibles beyond the recommended dosage, worry not because there are many ways to ease the discomfort.

Cannabis Brownie
Freshly baked marijuana brownie

1. Take A Nap & Wait For The Effects To Dissipate

If you’re panicking due to the severity of the symptoms you are experiencing, take deep breaths and lie down somewhere comfortable. Taking a nap helps your body restore energy and vitality. However, it might

Do your best to stay rational, and keep in mind that no one has ever fatally overdosed on marijuana. For that to happen, you would have to consume about 1,260 mg of pure THC per kilogram of your bodyweight – all at once for it to be fatal. Given this impossibly large amount, it is virtually impossible to die from a marijuana overdose. Thus, the best thing to do in this situation is to stay calm and wait for the unpleasant effects to subside.

2. Practice Mindfulness & Breathing Exercises To Keep Yourself Calm

If it’s your first time having a bad trip due to overconsumption, it is perfectly natural to feel anxious. This might make you feel disoriented and cause muscle tension to build up, thereby making it hard to breathe.

The best way to calm down is to close your eyes, imagine a place where you feel most safe, and focus your attention on your breathing pattern. If your mind wanders, gently bring back your attention to the way your chest rises and falls every time you inhale and exhale. Do this until you feel your breathing returning back to a normal pace.

3. Stay Hydrated

Dry mouth and dehydration are among the most common side effects of THC overconsumption. To ease the discomfort, sip on some ice-cold water. Avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks such as sodas, coffee, or tea, as it may exacerbate some of the other symptoms. Watermelon and fruit juices are also excellent alternatives to water. Apart from refreshing, they also contain minerals and vitamins that can help expedite the flushing out of the toxins in the body.

4. Take A Steamy Shower

Taking a steamy shower is one of the best ways to invigorate your body back to life. Not only will this increase blood circulation, but it will also allow you to sweat out the toxins. For a more refreshed feeling, cap it off with a cold shower.

5. Don’t Consume Any More THC

Refrain from reaching for another bite, no matter how tempting it is. Remember that the discomfort you’re feeling is due to the excess THC you consumed. That said, it is only logical to refrain from taking in any more THC for the next 24 to 48 hours, be it through smoking, vaporization, or edibles. Let your body run its natural course and flush out the remaining THC in your system.

6. Do Light Exercises

If you feel that your motor coordination and breathing are not impaired, you could engage in physical activities such as walking, jogging in place, jumping jacks, and do any other light exercises at home. Doing so results in a cascade of endorphins that works wonders in making you feel good and happy. It also increases blood and oxygen flow to the brain, which helps clear the mind. Moreover, sweating also helps get rid of the toxins in the body.

Keep in mind, though, that such activities must not be done if you’re experiencing light headedness and shortness of breath.

7. Counterbalance With CBD

If all else fails, try vaping some pure CBD concentrates for fast-acting relief. This is is helpful because cannabidiol (CBD) – the non-psychoactive counterpart of THC – is known to counteract tetrahydrocannabinol’s adverse effects. Moreover, it has inherent anxiolytic properties, which may help ease stress and anxiety – thereby allowing you to get a better grip of yourself.

Remember, You Will Get Through This

With the promise of euphoria, symptom relief, and temptingly delectable flavors, it’s not hard to see why some people tend to overindulge in marijuana edibles. However, practicing restraint in consumption is always a good idea to avoid any unpleasant aftermath.

Man smoking and high in marijuana edibles
Man smoking and high in marijuana

Depending on how much THC you ingested, the ensuing discomfort may last for 6 to 10 hours. During this time, it is crucial to stay calm and keep your mind grounded only on one thought: you’ll get through this. The symptoms may feel overwhelmingly uncomfortable now, but without a doubt, it will pass soon, and you will definitely get through this.