Was that edible more than you bargained for? Ever had a bong rip that pushed you over your limit? It could happen to anyone — stoners and rookies alike. Don’t let the anxiety of a green-out ruin your sesh. Here’s what’s really going on behind a bad high and what you can do to stop it.
Not all highs are created equal. Any cannabis connoisseur can tell you that the wrong dose makes for a nightmare of a trip. Paranoia, anxiety and confusion are just a few common consequences of getting too high.
“Unlike a lot of other drugs, marijuana pretty much binds all over the brain,” said Dr. Sari Izenwasser, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Miami. Her research focuses on the effects of drugs on the developing brain. “That’s why its effects are very widespread.”
When these effects start to become overwhelming, remember that an overdose of marijuana is shown to be virtually impossible. Despite being so pervasive in the brain, marijuana is unlikely to have any fatal effects on its own compared to other drugs.
“The side effects are, for the most part, more psychological than physiological,” Izenwasser said. “That doesn’t mean it can’t, at high doses, produce respiratory depression, but you’re not gonna get there as easily as you’re gonna get there with opioids.”
Calming yourself down is more than half the battle since most of marijuana’s effects are mental. Before jumping to a worst-case scenario, try to take steps to soothe your mind.
“The biggest thing is to hopefully not be alone and have people try to keep you calm,” Izenwasser said.
While easier said than done, there are few reliable, researched methods to manage a bad high. Almost all other advice is simply anecdotal.
Students who have experience with weed have their own tips and tricks for surviving their bad highs. Some are more conventional than others.
“My last ditch effort was to put an ice pack on my chest to stimulate the vagus nerve,” said Sophie LaPointe, a junior microbiology major at UM. “I have anxiety, so one of the things I’ve heard from therapists when you’re having a panic attack is to hold onto ice to chill you out.”
LaPointe used her knowledge of mental health and the body to help her out through her paranoia. Drinking water, stimulating her senses and sleeping on her side were her most effective strategies after a strong edible.
Edibles contain concentrates of THC — the main psychoactive component of cannabis — which can deliver a higher dose than expected to the user. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, edibles are an increasingly popular method of weed consumption, which poses a risk to all users. Across the board, THC levels have increased in marijuana products over the past few decades.
“Me and my roommate, we took an edible … and immediately died,” said Brittany Andres, a junior community and applied psychological studies major at UM. She shared how her experience with THC-concentrated edibles and vapes took a toll on her tolerance.
Andres calms herself down by going outside, eating and sleeping.
“Sitting on my balcony and getting some fresh air really does it for me,” Andres said. Of course, if you’re going to go outside while high, make sure you’re in a safe place to do so. “But sometimes I just wanna stay in and order some pizza.”
Getting “the munchies” is a pretty well-known side effect of being high. It turns out that giving in to your food cravings might actually be a viable option to curb the effects.
Foods like black pepper and lemons contain compounds that bring out the more therapeutic effects of cannabis, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine. These compounds, called terpenoids, are found naturally in cannabis and some foods as aromatic agents.
Drinking fluids is another good tactic to try. After smoking, it’s normal to feel extremely thirsty. A beverage like water or Gatorade might soothe you, although anything without caffeine or alcohol could work.
Getting more water and nutrients into your bloodstream helps to dilute the THC which lingers after consumption. While these remedies aren’t an immediate fix to making it disappear, they can slow down THC’s path through your body. This buys you time to naturally sober up.
When it comes to a bad high, the best practice is always to prepare before it happens. Knowing your tolerance and being with someone you know and trust is bound to decrease your risk of panic.
When it does happen — and inevitably, it might — your bad high won’t disappear at the snap of your fingers. Focusing on a clear, calm state of mind should be a priority. You’ll be grateful to have a friend nearby, to tell you you’re just freaking out, and bring you back down to earth.
words_jay moyer. illustration&design_andres alessandro.
This article was published in Distraction’s Fall 2024 print issue.
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