Whether you’re new to cannabis or have medicated for a long time, it’s not uncommon to overdo it. It can be a very stressful experience, but there are ways to sober up from a bad high.
Why overmedicating happens
Overmedicating is usually caused by consuming a higher dose than the functional limit of your body. Highs that do not immediately affect the brain are the main reason overmedicating happens. Edibles, for example, are hard to gauge due to the length of time it takes to take effect, and it is a high that hits all at once. Everybody processes cannabis differently, which means some people may have more of a tolerance to higher doses and therefore have a higher resistance to overmedicating.
Knowing when you’re too high
It’s pretty easy to tell when you’ve overmedicated. Patients may experience heightened paranoia, anxiety, elevated heart rate, movement or vision impairment, and more.
6 ways to reduce your high:
- Deep breathing: Taking slow deep breaths helps focus your attention on the present moment. There are plenty of deep and meditative breathing exercises that can be found online, or you can create your own.
- Establish a safe space: Find a quiet and calm place to sit down (or lie down if you’re more comfortable). Wrapping yourself in a blanket or holding onto something comforting might help, too.
- Eat something/hydrate: No one can function on an empty stomach, let alone when they’re dehydrated. Grab your favorite snack or fix yourself a meal and make sure to drink a lot of water.
- Self-affirmation: Verbally remind yourself that everything is fine. Your body is temporarily in a state of panic, but getting too high is not a medical emergency, and there have been no recorded deaths from a marijuana overdose.
- Chew black peppercorn: Historically, black pepper has been used to combat the psychoactive effects of cannabis thanks to its terpenes like caryophyllene that binds to our CB2 receptors. Try sniffing a container of black pepper (making sure not to inhale) or chewing on black peppercorns.
- Distract your brain: Watch a movie or hop on a videogame or app to engage your brain. Keeping your mind concentrated on something else will help alleviate some anxiety.
How to avoid overmedicating
While smoking cannabis makes it easier to moderate the high, some patients prefer edibles over any other method, making it more important to only consume the dosage that is right for them. Know how much your body and mind can handle, especially with products like edibles that are hard to gauge. If you are just starting, begin with a microdose and allow ample time to feel the effects before deciding to increase your intake. The amount considered to be a microdose is 2.5mg-5mg. As always, patients should medicate safely and in moderation!
To achieve consistent results. It’s important to purchase high-quality medical marijuana products. Shop Mango Cannabis online or in-store for thoroughly vetted, quality products and excellent patient assistance from our knowledgeable, caring staff.
