What To Do When You've Ingested Too Much Cannabis

You find yourself in a panic. You realize too late that you have ingested too much cannabis. Maybe you are new to edibles or there was no discernible dosage information on the packaging, if at all.

The effects of edibles often takes longer to realize than with other methods of cannabis consumption. As such, it is easy to consume too much since you may think that what you are consuming isn’t working.

However you find yourself in this predicament, there are two things to try and remember if at all possible: it will pass and leave you unharmed, and there is nothing that can be done to make you “un-high”.

During the time that you are experiencing the effect of cannabis, there is probably little consolation in knowing that no one dies from cannabis overdose and that in the end, you will be fine. Getting through the next several hours as calmly as possible is the best course of action.

This does not mean that you need to immediately resign yourself to several hours of unpleasantness, anxiety, and agitation. There are a few things worth trying to make the process of coming down more tolerable, even if it can’t be sped up.

Household Solutions

Water - Drink plenty of water slowly and deliberately. This will help combat your dry mouth and hopefully give you something to focus on to pass the time. Other liquids should be avoided, especially anything with caffeine or alcohol.

Peppercorns - Different people react differently to the smell and/or taste of peppercorns. They are credited by some to help alleviate anxiety. If you have never tried them, it is worth a shot. There are also black pepper essential oils available that can be used in conjunction or instead of the peppercorns.

Some people further suggest adding pepper to lemon water. This is thought to work as they share some of the same terpenes as cannabis.

Relax - This is probably much easier said than done and is likely more effective if someone is with you to remind you to relax, but deep breaths or other breathing exercises coupled with attempts at rest will help to make the situation more tolerable.

If you are lucky enough to fall asleep, this will only help to shorten the time of perceived discomfort. A shower or bath can help to relax you as well if you are unable to fall asleep.

Go for a Walk - This seems counter intuitive when coupled with the suggestion to relax, but if you cannot relax after trying the above, then taking a walk may be the best way for you to cope with it. This is another time that having a friend with you is a good idea so that you don’t have to do the navigating. The fresh air will be good for your head as well. Upon the return from your walk, you can then re-attempt any or all of the above.

Any other activity that you enjoy or think that you will enjoy is worth trying if it helps to take your mind off of your high.

Commercial Solutions

CBD - If you have access to cannabidiol it will help to counteract the anxiety and paranoia that too much THC can cause. A product on the market known as CannaRelief, sold by CannaSafety, in various strengths and formulations is a CBD product that has been designed to help reduce the discomfort associated with a cannabis overdose.

Ibuprofen - Some research suggests that taking ibuprofen can lessen the effects of an overdose. While it does not seem to work for all who use it, it may work for you—even if it's just as a placebo.

Anti-anxiety medications - Let me start this by saying no one should get their medical advice from anyone other than a licensed professional. The use of anti-anxiety medication coupled with an overdose of THC has mixed results. It may be prescribed in a medical setting to try and calm the individual down in a setting where heart and breathing rate can be monitored.

For other individuals, the combination can be dangerous, so the two should not be mixed without a full understanding of the particular drug interactions and side effects possible.