Too Stoned? Best Ways to Sober Up Safely if You’re Too High

THC has quickly become a term known all over the nation. From obscure taboos to mainstream media, the journey of cannabis and its most prolific compounds has exploded into the limelight, and with it can come some pretty interesting situations. One that some people are looking more into is: How do you sober up if you’re too high?

Even before cannabis and cannabis products became more socially acceptable, pop culture was full of similar situations. Movies, music, and even video games have depicted or discussed the effects of being ‘too high.’

To clear the air and not leave it up to how we might interpret it from pop culture, we put together a comprehensive guide on what to do when you feel too stoned. The most important thing to remember, though? You’re going to be okay. We’ll get through this together!

7 Signs You’re Too High

While some people may be all too familiar with how it feels to be “too stoned,” others may be new to THC and might not be prepared for the effects. 

Not everyone will experience being too high the same. Different side effects can crop up if someone goes too hard, especially if they’re unfamiliar with the effects of THC. While some people experience multiple side effects simultaneously, others may only feel one or two things that seem ‘off.’ Below are some of the most common symptoms cannabis consumers may experience.

Difficulty Concentrating

It’s already a common trope that THC and its cousins can make it hard to think. That isn’t always the case for those who use it in moderation and keep their tolerance levels in mind. 

The inability to concentrate can be due to an overabundance of THC in your system and is usually a sign that you may need to take a break to collect your thoughts/calm down. 

Having difficulty concentrating can also lead to anxiety in some people, making it an unpleasant experience to go through. 

Rapid Heart Rate

This side effect is rather noticeable and causes the most panic for people who do not expect it. THC habitually may increase heart rate; not to an unhealthy amount, but definitely above normal resting speed. The change can become very noticeable to someone who is already too stoned and is focusing on how they feel and their body’s functions.

Altered Perception

When someone gets too stoned, they may notice a sudden and jarring change in how they perceive their surroundings. The change can range from colors and lights becoming more vivid to sound seeming to either mute or get extraordinarily loud. This sudden change in how someone perceives their surroundings can lead to feelings of unease and anxiety. 

Impaired Motor Function

The effects of cannabis on the body and its ability to coordinate are very well-known. “Couch-lock” is a common term that illustrates how impaired someone might feel with some strains. 

If you notice that normal moving and complex interactions like picking things up or opening a container are suddenly much more difficult to do, you may be too stoned. 

Anxious/Paranoid

Anxiety and paranoia may be some of the most recognizable side effects of becoming too stoned. One minute, everything feels fine, and the next, you are overcome with fear or suspicion. The anxiety can be a sudden concern for your well-being or even a sudden paranoia that you are going to be in huge trouble. No matter how it manifests, the sudden shift to a negative headspace can be quite jarring and turn the entire experience into a bad time. 

Dizzy or Faint

This side effect usually happens thanks to hyperventilation or just hitting your lungs too hard when smoking or coughing. Feeling too dizzy or like you are about to pass out can be overwhelming. In some cases, it may instigate an anxiety attack, furthering the bad feeling. But it will pass and simply indicates that you should probably slow down. 

How Do You Get “Too High”?

Just like anything else, there is such a thing as too much THC. But unlike other substances that become dangerous, THC usually just causes a short and unpleasant trip. Of course, short is a bit of a relative term here. Getting too high can generally lead to a longer-lasting high, but the average is only a few hours for very intense experiences. 

The feeling of being “too high” is due to an overabundance of THC in the brain, leaving the receptors clogged and overstimulated. 

The best way to avoid this sudden onset is to learn your personal tolerance limits and ensure that you don’t take something too strong for what you can handle. Low and slow is the best way to determine how far you can comfortably take it. Moderation has helped many avoid getting over-intoxicated.

How Long Does a High Typically Last?

The length of a high can vary depending on several factors. Things like how much THC and in what form can change the total high by multiple hours. A typical recommended dose is around 10-15 mg. This should only last about two to three hours if smoked/vaped but can last closer to eight if eaten in an edible.

Larger doses – 20mg or more – can last longer when smoked or vaped and can stretch as long as 24 hours when eaten. It depends on the exact dosage, tolerance levels, familiarity with cannabis, weight, age, and several other variables.

11 of the Best Ways to Sober Up Safely

While there’s no way to sober up instantly, you can do some things to drastically cut down the time you have to deal with it. 

1. Grab a Quick Snack

If the THC is hitting a little too hard, food might help. 

There is some evidence that specific compounds in foods can help offset the effects of THC in the endocannabinoid system. Certain foods may contain terpenes that help process THC and alleviate its overbearing effects.

If things have gotten out of hand, eat something and see if it helps. 

2. Hydrate

Hydrating is important for many reasons, and believe it or not, it can also help in situations like this. Proper hydration is a staple point for a brain to function at its best.

If someone is too high, lack of proper hydration can play a major factor. When the brain doesn’t have access to the resources it needs, it will slow down and fall behind on things like maintenance.

Drinking water, especially with important minerals and electrolytes, can help your brain fish out the backlog of molecules clogging up receptors.

3. Take a Shower

Showering can help with a few of the symptoms of being too high. While it might not directly help flush the THC from your body, a long, comfortable shower may help manage the effects. 

Things like anxiety and feeling less in control of your body are both known effects of being too high. A hot shower can help relax your muscles and drain out the tension that develops from anxiety, lessening the negative impact.

4. Try CBD (if Available)

CBD is another cannabinoid found in cannabis, and unlike its cousin THC, it doesn’t cause intoxicating effects. 

One of the best ways to introduce CBD to the brain quickly is by dabbing CBD oil under the tongue or taking CBD softgels. 

While the effects will not be instantaneous, CBD can help quicken the experience considerably and move you away from those negative feelings. 

5. Take an Anti-Inflammatory

A study conducted in 2013 shines a light on the relationship between THC and COX-2 inhibitors. Common over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications seem to calm some of the psychoactive effects of cannabis. 

If the effects are too strong, taking ibuprofen may lessen the overall impact of the high. 

6. Distract Yourself

In the moment, it might be hard to think that distraction could be of any real benefit. The effects of being too high can be all-encompassing, or at least feel that way. But these intense experiences aren’t dangerous, and a fair amount of the discomfort stems from being intensely focused on the effects. 

Sometimes, it can be beneficial to find something else to focus on. The distraction can lead your thoughts to something else and help the entire thing feel less overpowering. Watch a new show, get engrossed in a movie, read a book, listen to a podcast; whatever you have to do, distract yourself. 

When you have something more positive to focus on, the body can relax, and you may find yourself in a better place fairly quickly.

7. Try Aromatherapy

The concept of aromatherapy is very similar to how food works against THC. Certain terpenes can be found within cannabis, as well as other essential oils that have calming effects. 

Pinene, limonene, and caryophyllene are examples of these helpful terpenes. While they probably won’t immediately relieve symptoms, they may help curb the edge and slowly work against being too high. 

8. Talk to a Friend

If you are contending with an overpowering high, sometimes the best comfort can come from someone being there to reassure you. There is a common idea of a “trip sitter” for a reason. 

Having a calm and collected third party to talk to may help you reground yourself and make the experience much less daunting. The security of a friend on hand can make all the difference. 

9. Change Your Environment

Sitting in one place and getting stuck in thought about how bad you are feeling is not the best idea. Try going somewhere else, like a different room or even outside, onto the yard or deck. You can give your mind more room to think.

10. Take a Nap

The simplest answer is sometimes the best: just sleep it off. 

THC runs its course in a few hours; the solution can be just sleeping it away. Even if a nap doesn’t last long enough to clear the THC completely, it might just get you past the worst of it and into a mellower section of the trip. 

11. Most Importantly – Don’t Panic (Everything is Going to be Okay)

Seriously, everything is going to be okay. Stay in a safe location, relax, and remember that you will eventually be sober again. The feeling of being “too stoned” is temporary – for most, very temporary. It should pass within 20 minutes to two hours, in most cases.

Grab a friend or a blanket (or both), maybe sit back and watch your favorite TV show, and know there’s nothing to panic about. You’re going to be okay – you’ve got this!

And next time, maybe try a different cannabis product so you don’t overdo it.