Were you surprised by the strength of the strain, or did you eat too many brownies? For the unprepared, consuming a larger amount of THC can be a very unpleasant experience. The good news is that serious health complications after cannabis consumption are extremely rare, and in the vast majority of cases the effects wear off on their own within a few dozen minutes or a few hours. The truth, however, is that the affected person may feel that this period lasts much longer than is comfortable. HiSeeds brings you a guide on how to handle being too high calmly and safely.
Although serious health complications after cannabis consumption are rare, in some cases it may be necessary to seek professional medical help. Increased caution should be exercised especially in situations where THC has been combined with alcohol, other addictive substances or medicines, or if the person concerned has known health problems.
The information provided in this article is for general informational and harm-reduction purposes only. It does not replace professional medical examination, diagnosis or treatment. The recommendations in the article are intended for managing common unpleasant effects of THC in adults without signs of acute medical danger.
Above all, stay calm
Above all, do not panic. However you got into this situation, you will not die. Seriously, believe us. Health problems after cannabis consumption are very rare, and according to experts, dying from a THC overdose is highly unlikely. By contrast, panic states and anxiety after THC consumption are completely common, especially among less experienced users. These symptoms usually pass on their own as the user begins to get used to the altered state of consciousness, or once the effects of THC start to wear off. When smoking or vaping, this can take several dozen minutes to a few hours. THC lasts somewhat longer when consumed in the form of food and edibles (brownies, chocolate, extracts, RSO). Depending on the amount consumed, it may take more than 12 hours for the effects to fully wear off.
| Method and THC dose | When effects appear / max. concentration in blood | How quickly THC declines in blood | Approximate duration of pronounced effects | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking / joint (~10–20 mg THC) | Effects within 2 minutes, peak after 6–10 minutes. Very high THC concentrations in blood. | After 30 min approximately 15–20% of the maximum, after 60 min 8–10%, after 3 hours only 2–3% of the maximum. | 1–3 hours of pronounced effects, tailing off over 4–6 hours. | Chayasirisobhon (2020) McGilveray (2005) Baglot (2021) |
| Vaping (~10–20 mg THC) | Onset within a few minutes, peak at approximately 10–15 minutes. | Very rapid decline in THC concentration, similar to smoking. | 1–3 hours of pronounced effects, tailing off within 4–6 hours. | Baglot (2021) Newmeyer (2016) Busardò (2021) |
| Edibles ~10 mg THC | Onset after 30–90 minutes, peak usually after 1–3 hours. | THC can be detected in blood for approximately 6–22 hours. | 3–8 hours of pronounced effects, sometimes longer. | Vandrey (2017) Poyatos (2020) McGilveray (2005) |
| Edibles 25–50 mg THC | Same onset (1–3 h), but significantly more intense effects due to THC and the metabolite 11-OH-THC. | THC and metabolites may be measurable for more than 22 hours. | 6–12 hours of pronounced effects, sometimes even longer. | Vandrey (2017) Poyatos (2020) Ewell (2021) Schlienz (2020) |
If you do not know how high the THC dose you consumed was, try to stay calm. Most unpleasant THC-related states do not stem from physical danger, but from the way the brain responds to altered perception of reality. Rather than fighting the effects, it is better to realise that this is a temporary state and not to become too upset. Reduce stimuli (noise, light, people), sit down and breathe calmly. If you feel like sleeping, a short nap will not hurt. You should wake up noticeably calmer than before you fell asleep.
Sugar, water, lemonade ... and a little pepper
During strong THC intoxication, the body often reacts with dry mouth, fatigue and changes in blood pressure. This may manifest as a feeling of weakness. Sugar is often a quick and easy relief, as it gives you a little energy. It is not an antidote to THC in the true sense, but a piece of chocolate or a sip of sweet lemonade often works wonders. If you feel dizzy, lie down and put your legs in a slightly elevated position.
Although it may sound like an old wives’ tale, studies suggest that black pepper may help suppress the effects of THC. Responsible for this effect is caryophyllene, a terpene with a distinctly pungent odour that acts as a strong selective antagonist of CB2 receptors and increases the sedative effects of THC. It is enough to smell it or chew a few peppercorns in the mouth, and the effect should appear almost immediately. Lemons also contain limonene and other calming terpenes. As a quick and healthy pick-me-up, you can try water with lemon and a little honey.
What is better to avoid, on the other hand, is coffee, tea or energy drinks. Caffeine may help some people “clear their head”, but in others the accelerated heartbeat may instead trigger anxiety. It is therefore better to avoid caffeinated drinks.
Breathing and calming exercises
Part of our nervous system is the sympathetic nervous system, which activates the body for a “fight or flight” response. In situations of fear or strain, this leads to an increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, dilation of the bronchi and the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline. This evolutionary mechanism helps us survive dangerous situations. When being too high, there is no real danger, but the nervous system may misinterpret the signals and trigger a panic attack.
The best way to calm the sympathetic system is through soothing breathing exercises. The so-called “box breathing” (4-4-6 method) is very effective, where you first inhale through the nose for four seconds, hold the breath for four seconds, and then exhale slowly through the mouth for six seconds. After five to ten minutes of this breathing, significant calming should set in. Perform breathing exercises only while lying down in a safe environment.
It is not unusual for cannabis to induce a strong introspective state that can be used for self-exploration and meditation. A wilder cannabis ride therefore need not be a cause for concern, but rather a means of self-knowledge. Let us not forget that cannabis has always been part of various religious and cultural traditions and has often inspired important figures.
CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that can affect the action of THC on the receptors of the endocannabinoid system in the body and alleviate some of its effects, such as anxiety or paranoia. The truth is that modern potent cannabis strains contain high concentrations of THC and only negligible amounts of CBD. For inexperienced users, it is therefore often better to try cannabis first in the form of strains with a balanced CBD:THC ratio, which do not have such pronounced psychoactive effects.
CBD has the fastest onset of action when vaped or smoked, when it starts to work almost immediately or within a few minutes. CBD in the form of oil or edibles will only take effect after dozens of minutes. It must be emphasised that the effect of CBD is individual and that it is only a supportive aid, not a universal “antiserum” for THC.
Advice for sitters – how to help another person
Has your friend, a close person or a random party guest found themselves in a tight spot? Do not be indifferent. The right approach and timely help can be of great assistance to others or save them from serious injury.
First of all, always try to find out whether the person has consumed only cannabis or also other addictive substances. If so, the person’s condition may be more serious than it first appears. Nevertheless, do not panic and assess the physical condition and behaviour.
If the person is unconscious, does not respond when spoken to, has difficulty breathing, has collapsed, has had a seizure, is repeatedly vomiting, is so disoriented that they are endangering themselves or those around them, or if you are unsure about the severity of their condition, call the emergency services on 155 (or 112). The operator will provide professional instructions and advise you on how to help until help arrives.
If the person is conscious and communicating, try to maintain a calm atmosphere. Speak slowly, use simple sentences and remind them that the unpleasant state is temporary and will soon pass. Offer water, something to eat and a quiet place to sit or lie down, and if possible stay close to the affected person until they feel better.
We hope these lines have helped you land safely and that after reading them you feel a little better and more reassured. For more tips for cannabis enthusiasts or information about strains and the history of this beautiful plant, visit our HiSeeds blog.
Sources:
Russo EB. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. Br J Pharmacol. 2011 Aug;163(7):1344-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x. PMID: 21749363; PMCID: PMC3165946.
Rock, K. L., Englund, A., Morley, S., Rice, K., & Copeland, C. (2022). Can cannabis kill? Characteristics of deaths following cannabis use in England (1998–2020). Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England), 36, 1362 - 1370.