How to Counteract and Avoid an Intense Cannabis-Induced High

When you use cannabis, whether medicinally or recreationally, chances are you’re looking for a relaxed and mellow experience. The feeling you don’t want—the feeling that can ruin the experience for you—is that of realizing that you’ve overdone it and that you’re higher than you’d like to be. Unfortunately, once you’ve reached that point, it’s too late to make any substantive changes. There’s nothing you can do except to stick it out and wait to come down.

Or is there?

Although conventional wisdom tells us that waiting out an intense high is the only thing you can do to ameliorate the experience, we’ve gathered several pieces of advice that might help you out if you ever find yourself in this uncomfortable situation.

Does CBD Help?

There are some who say that dosing with CBD, marijuana’s non-intoxicating sister, might counteract the effects of THC. After all, CBD is often used by those with chronic anxiety to help them calm down. It’s the perfect tool for that job because it provides a mellowing effect without the high. And if you’ve taken too much THC, that’s exactly the kind of thing you’re looking for—something to bring you down and not boost you back up.

But does it actually work in this situation?

The truth is that the jury’s still out. But there are encouraging signs. We do know that CBD interacts with THC in a way that tends to mute the buzz and the euphoria of getting high—a euphoria that can often manifest itself in a hyper-dysphoric way.

Results seem to differ between different people and vary depending on the kind of CBD product used. It’s a good idea to experiment with various CBD products, vape, oil, and edibles to find the one that works best for you. 

But as you’re conducting this experiment, make sure you know what’s in your CBD! There are plenty of strains out there that have THC as part of their makeup, and if you’re trying to counteract a high, more THC is not going to be your friend.

Other Ways to Counteract the High

If you don’t want to take CBD while you’re overly high, or if you don’t have any handy, there are several other things you can try to bring yourself down.

• Grab a Snack—and Hydrate. A drink of water is always good for you, and it can help to fight off dry-mouth. And having something nearby to snack on can help you focus on the simple motions of a repetitive task.
• Black Peppercorns. Did you know black pepper is famous for its ability to combat paranoia? It’s true! Chew up one of these bad boys—or even just sniff it—and you should be feeling more relaxed in no time.
• Rest. It sounds like a challenge when you’re high, but the truth is that rest can really help bring you back to yourself. For some, this might take the form of meditating. Excuse yourself from any social situation you might be in and go sit in a dark room and focus on your breathing for a while. For others, taking a nap might be the way to go. If sleep feels like it’s coming on, let it happen.
• Take a Warm Bath. Everyone knows a warm bath is a great way to relax, and that’s just as true when you’re suffering from an intense high. Throw some essential oils into the tub, grab a book you’ve read a hundred times before, and just relax in the warm water. 

The most important thing you can do to avoid this unpleasant experience is to know your limits. If your high is too intense every time you partake, chances are you’re having too much. Try scaling back, or consider microdosing as an alternative method of consumption.