8 ways to sober up from marijuana excesses

Even the most seasoned stoners will have a tale of overdoing it and struggling to figure out how to sober up from weed. While marijuana has many potential therapeutic uses, including reducing anxiety, any user can make the mistake of using too much and falling into a paranoid trip.

Smoking cannabis causes intense high and stone effects - they appear almost immediately and can last from one to three hours. If you consume cannabis in the form of edibles, the effects can last for six hours or more. Exceeding your individual dosage (usually 0.1-0.2g) can trigger side effects ranging from mild anxiety and nausea to full-blown panic attacks. However, there are a few quick ways to reduce the negative side effects of excess marijuana.

Chew some black pepper

This popular kitchen spice can help soothe a buzz. Black pepper works almost instantly, effectively reducing anxiety and paranoia attacks. Chew a few whole grains of black pepper or grind them and mix them into your food.

If you're wondering why pepper helps, it's all about the terpenes. A 2011 scientific article published in the British Journal of Pharmacology reports that cannabis and black pepper have similar chemical properties. The author of the publication, Dr. Ethan Russo, a neuroscientist and psychopharmacology researcher, wrote that terpenes such as beta-caryophyllene found in pepper help “tame the intoxicating effects of THC.”

Beta-caryophyllene and THC form a synergistic relationship and bind to the same cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. Thus, beta-caryophyllene blocks the receptor and prevents THC molecules from becoming attached, reducing the effects of cannabinoids.

Take a little CBD oil

A decade of research has shown that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, reduces THC-induced anxiety and paranoia. In a 1982 study published in Psychopharmacology, scientists concluded that CBD “may act as an antagonist of effects between the two cannabinoids.”

A more recent 2013 study published in Psychopharmacology also found that using CBD along with THC reduced the side effects of cannabis. Like beta-caryophyllene, CBD can bind to the same CB1 and CB2 receptors as THC and block its effects.

Drink water and have a snack

Plenty of clean drinking water will instantly make you feel better, drink regularly as excessive cannabis use usually causes severe dehydration in the body. If you feel dizzy, have a small snack, drink orange or other fruit juices. However, keep in mind that mangoes contain the terpenoid myrcene, which enhances and continues the effects of THC.

Flavorful pine nuts contain penene and limonene, also found in cannabis. Using them will help increase neurotransmitters important for your memory and cognitive functions.

We do not recommend consuming alcohol, coffee or tea. Alcohol can almost increase the concentration of THC in your blood. Coffee will help you become more attentive, but it will also increase your body's dehydration and psychoactive effects - on par with tea.

Ibuprofen

A number of common anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, have been shown to significantly reverse the effects of marijuana. In a 2013 animal study conducted by Louisiana State University's School of Medicine, it was found that certain types of anti-inflammatory drugs counteract the side effects of cannabis and reduce the negative effects on cognitive function.

Lemon water

Terpenes are the aromatic oils that give each cannabis plant its distinct aroma, flavor, and effect. Just as CBD and THC together create the multifaceted effects of cannabis, terpenes synergize with other cannabis compounds.

The citrus terpene limonene, found in citrus peels and some varieties of marijuana, has demonstrated the ability to reduce anxiety. A 2012 study published in the journal Brain Research found that limonene reduced anxiety and had anxiolytic effects.

Take a deep breath and get comfortable

Sometimes all you need to eliminate an unpleasant high from weed is a meditative approach in a comfortable (and, if possible, familiar) environment. If you feel palpitations or anxiety creeping in, lie down and take a few slow, deep breaths. Continue to drink water regularly and remind yourself that the main symptoms of a disaster-trip will not last more than two or three hours and will soon recede.

If you feel able, try to take a nap or fall asleep. If not, turn on your favorite music or TV show, pick up an engaging book, or listen to the sound of the wind and leaves outside your window. Light distractions will help shift your mind from chaotic thinking, and enjoyable activities will prevent anxiety and paranoia from setting in.

Get some exercise

While it's probably the last thing you want to do, fitness is one of the best ways to get sober from marijuana. Exercise releases endorphins in the brain and improves circulation, which helps the body absorb THC faster. It's also a great way to distract yourself and get some fresh air.

But you have to be very careful. Consuming too much marijuana can impair balance and motor function, so don't choose exercises that are too intense and require high coordination. Favor walking, yoga, or short workouts within the safe confines of your home. If you feel dizzy, be sure to stop and find a comfortable place to rest until the effects subside.

Take a shower or bath

When a hot shower can help you relax, nothing beats a cold shower to bring you back to reality. The cold water will refresh the sensation and take your mind off the tripe.

Conclusions

If you've taken too much marijuana, try applying the above tips to neutralize the side effects of THC.

While it won't help you sober up if you're already high, knowing your limits and taking the right dose can ensure that you don't make the same mistake twice. Cannabis varieties vary greatly in their effects, with certain strains being more potent than others, such as industry legends like Bruce Banner, Opium, Gorilla Glue or Critical Kush. Keep this in mind and always start with a small amount if trying a particular strain for the first time. Also, not everyone has the same tolerance level, and you won't need as much marijuana as an experienced stoner to experience the same effects.