How to Sober Up from Weed: 11 Ways to Recover Quickly

Even experienced cannabis users sometimes consume too much cannabis. Whether you were trying a new product, you were not paying close attention to your dose, or your normal dose was just too much for you on a particular day, it’s quite easy to go a little overboard with your cannabis consumption.

However, sobering up after is no easy feat. If you’re scratching your head wondering how to overcome this hangover, here are 11 ways to sober up from weed without much hassle. Let’s get into them.

Flower vs. Edibles

It is important to note the distinction between a high from traditional flower and one from cannabis-infused edibles. The process of metabolizing THC varies greatly between ingesting and smoking.

When smoking weed, THC is absorbed by the lungs and carried directly into the brain, resulting in an immediate peak of effects, then a rapid decline over approximately 1-3 hours.

In contrast, absorption is a relatively slow process when consuming edibles. The THC is metabolized by the liver and converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, which is particularly effective at crossing the blood-brain barrier.

This process takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours, making dosing quite hard to get right. The standard edible dosage is 10 milligrams of THC, which delivers mild effects over several hours. Just remember, the golden rule of edibles is always to start with a small amount and be patient.

11 Ways to Sober Up from Weed

Taking in too much cannabis is not pleasant. Going over your limit can make you feel anxious, paranoid, nauseous, or just plain awful. So, what can you do when you need to sober up from cannabis?

Of course, you will have to wait and give some time to marijuana to waive off. If the effects persist, you can implement certain steps to mitigate them and feel light-headed, especially if you have to go to an important event.

Here are effective ways to sober up from weed fast:

Method 1: Black Peppercorn

If you are not ready for hard work, just eat some black peppercorn or sniff it. This is a traditional home remedy that reduces the effects of THC.

It may sound like a myth, but the black peppercorn method is actually backed by scientific research. According to a study, the terpenes in black pepper, like caryophyllene, can calm the body.

Both chewing on and smelling black peppercorns can provide almost instant relief. So, if you are feeling overwhelming psychoactive effects, you may want to try some black peppercorns.

Method 2: Counteract with CBD

Decades of research have shown that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, can reduce THC-induced anxiety and paranoia. CBD works by blocking THC from binding with your brain’s cannabinoid receptors, which reduces its psychoactive effects.

CBD is the second most abundant cannabinoid in marijuana and also comes from industrial hemp. CBD is currently being used by many as a treatment for psychosis and could be just what you need to come down from an intense high.

You can just take a small dose of CBD oil or other CBD-rich products to mellow down the high.

CBD comes in many different forms, so it’s recommended that you try a few other products to determine what works best for your specific needs.

More research is needed to reaffirm the synergistic effects of CBD and THC, but integrating some CBD oil or a high-CBD strain into your next smoke session could be adequate to avoid too strong of a high.

Method 3: Eat a Heavy Meal

Eating something could be your best bet if you fall victim to a particularly strong edible.

Prioritize foods rich in fatty acids, like nuts and avocado, to feel more grounded and reduce dizziness and lightheadedness.

Following assimilation via the bloodstream, THC seeks to bind and penetrate fatty tissue rapidly. Fat-rich food will cause cannabinoids to bind and metabolize faster, leaving you with a less intense high. This is also why consuming edibles on an empty stomach is never a good idea.

Method 4: Drink Water

Drinking water can help you feel calmer when you are too high. It can help you focus your racing mind on something simple and familiar, sipping and swallowing. Drinking water will also help you hydrate and flush out the THC from your system. It will also reduce the feeling of a dry mouth.

Some people might also consider drinking juice in this scenario; however, be cautious about what kind of juice or drink flavor you choose. Mangoes contain the terpenoid myrcene, which has shown the ability to enhance and prolong the effects of THC.

Method 5: Take a Dose of Ibuprofen

Taking a dose of ibuprofen may ease the unpleasant effects of using too much cannabis. The reason is that ibuprofen appears to reduce the adverse side effects of THC. Recent studies have found that some anti-inflammatory medications, including ibuprofen, seemed to counteract the adverse cognitive effects of THC.

Method 6: Limonene

The rinds of citrus fruits are rich in the fresh, citrusy terpene limonene. Studies have shown that limonene can have anti-anxiety effects. That means chewing on a lemon or an orange rind could help you calm down if you are feeling anxious after using too much cannabis.

Note that while some people say you should drink lemon juice or orange juice if you have used too much cannabis, there is very little limonene in these juices. The limonene in lemons and oranges is primarily in their rinds.

Eating a lemon or orange rind may not be exceptionally delicious, but it is perfectly safe. It is also healthy since lemon and orange peels contain limonene, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Alternatively, you could eat lemon or orange zest instead of the whole rind. You can put lemon or orange zest in water, tea, or juice or incorporate it into a meal.

Method 7: Stay Calm

Focus on staying calm and relaxing. Keep reminding yourself that the effects will ultimately wear off; otherwise, you will only feel more anxiety and stress, which will worsen the impact.

When you use too much cannabis, it is very common to start panicking and think that you will feel this way forever. But try to remind yourself that how you feel is only temporary. All you need to do is calm down, relax, take a deep breath, and wait things out. You are going to start feeling like your usual self again soon.

Method 8: Engage In Light Exercise

If your mind is racing, doing light exercise can be very helpful. Exercise releases endorphins, which should relax your body, boost your mood, and help calm your racing thoughts.

Do some light physical activity, like walking. The better you can boost your metabolism and increase circulation, the better you can process the THC.

While doing some light exercise is an excellent option for many people who have over-consumed and want to sober up from weed. Remember to listen to your body before you try this technique. If you feel too woozy or unwell, lying down and doing something less intense would be the better option.

Never attempt to do intensive exercises at once, as they might make you feel dizzy.

Method 9: Distract Yourself

Distracting yourself by doing something you enjoy is the best way to pass the time until your high begins to wear off. Consider doing an activity that will take your mind off of how you are feeling, which is accessible, engaging, and relaxing.

Some ideas of activities you can try include watching your favorite TV show, listening to your favorite album, playing video games, drawing, playing an instrument, or chatting with a trusted friend.

Indulge in any activity to take your mind off it. Deep breathing and meditation can also relax you. Get some fresh air to help clear your head.

Method 10: Take a Shower or a Bath

Taking a cold or refreshing shower in the morning will make you more alert and reduce grogginess and brain fog.

Research has shown that taking a cold shower (around 40 degrees) for 30 to 90 seconds triggers deep breathing. Deep breathing increases oxygen levels and cardiac function, which improves circulation and lowers blood pressure, helping you feel calmer.

Method 11: Sleep

Lastly, the best way to stay sober is to get some sleep and rest. The better you rest your body, the better you metabolize THC naturally, and you will wake up fresh and clear-headed.

Sleep is an excellent remedy because it lets your body work like a cleanup crew, repairing things and clearing things out. Also, it is a great way to skip through time until you are no longer high.

If sleeping is not easy for you, try focusing on resting at first while taking deep breaths. Then, if your body wants to fall asleep, let yourself drift off and take a nap. If you can’t seem to fall asleep, you can just rest if it feels relieving.

However, the only way to get sober is to wait up; the effect diminishes over a couple of hours, depending on your body’s tolerance and the dosage you have taken.

Conclusion

If you want to get sober after taking weed, you need a lot of time and patience. These 11 ways to sober up from weed will help you feel more in control and work to reduce the effect at the very least.

You will find relief if you get out for some fresh air or work on distracting your mind. But still, the best way about it is to use and not abuse! Always be in control of yourself, and only then you’ll be able to manage your experience with cannabis.