How to Stop Being High Fast: 12 Ways to Counteract THC Effects

Have you ever consumed cannabis and gotten a little too high for your liking? Have you ever needed to calm down a friend who consumed too much for their tolerance level? If so, we’ve got you covered. Although an overdose (taking more than what is medically recommended) of THC is not lethal, it can lead to severe intoxicating effects and discomfort—particularly if the person affected is not a regular consumer of cannabis. 

While some sources claim that eating high-carb foods or drinking water may help a person stop being high quickly, there haven’t been any in-depth studies proving either. The truth is that just like cannabis affects everyone differently, what works to counteract cannabis’ psychoactive effects is different for everyone.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some general consumption limits for different cannabis products, signs of overconsumption, and some tips for coming down from your high fast if you overconsume. 

1. How Long Does It Take to Stop Being High?
2. Know Your Limits Before Consumption
3. Different Ways to Counteract THC
4. Final Takeaway

How Long Does It Take to Stop Being High?

For most people, counteracting THC means simply waiting it out. But how long does it take our bodies to stop being high? This question’s answer really depends on the method you used to consume your cannabis.

If you smoke or vape, the effects come on pretty quickly—within 15 to 20 minutes—and are known to last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours on average. If you ate an edible, however, and find yourself on a rollercoaster 3 hours in, you are likely just at your peak and may have another 3 to 5 hours of side effects before they dwindle (typically around 6-10 hours post-consumption depending on the amount). 

A typical THC high will produce feelings of euphoria, introspection, relaxation, and often hunger. While a high may feel strong and sense-altering, a consumer shouldn’t feel scared, overwhelmed, or physically ill. Uncomfortable or mentally taxing effects are often signs of overconsumption and can include: 

• Anxiety
• Delusions
• Extreme confusion
• Fast heart rate
• Hallucinations
• Increased blood pressure
• Panic
• Paranoia
• Severe nausea
• Severe vomiting

Know Your Limits Before Consumption

As with anything you consume, it is important to know your limits before you dive in! Just like you need to know your drinking limits before consuming alcohol at the bar or how much pie you should be eating before heading to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving, it’s important to have a clear idea of how much cannabis you can handle to help you avoid overconsumption.

When it comes to inhalation, or smoking cannabis flower, a couple of puffs is a good start. If you don’t experience unwanted effects, you can work your way up from there. Most consumers who are new or first-time cannabis users can tolerate a few hits and, after consuming more regularly, are able to smoke a bowl or joint without the fear of overconsuming.

Consuming cannabis concentrates requires a bit more caution, as concentrates hold much higher amounts of THC than flower. As a concentrate newbie, look for products with low THC content (less than 80%). When using a vape pen, one of the mildest concentrate products, start with a puff and work your way up. Dab rigs or pens, on the other hand, produce a much more intense high and should be approached more carefully. When using a dab rig, start with the smallest amount of wax your dab tool will hold and allow your body time to process it before continuing. 

While edibles are the easiest of the cannabis products to consume, many new to cannabis worry about taking them due to their stronger and longer-lasting effects. Edibles tend to create very powerful highs because the THC within them is converted by our bodies to 11-hydroxy-THC—a chemical thought to be 2-4 times more potent than THC—during digestion. It’s also very easy to overconsume edibles due to their slow-onset effects. To avoid this, start with a 10-milligram dose and wait a full 2 hours for your body to process it before consuming any more.

Different Ways to Counteract THC

Now that you understand what a typical high looks like and the importance of knowing your tolerance before consumption, let’s take a closer look at some of the ways you can counteract the effects of THC. Nothing will be quite as effective as simply waiting for the THC to run its course, but there are many things you can do to calm the nerves and discomfort that come with overconsumption. 

First and foremost, it’s important to take a deep breath and perform some mental techniques to prevent yourself from freaking out—natural cannabis is not harmful to the human body, and most of what you’re experiencing is in your head. It’s also a good idea to keep some CBD on hand, as this non-intoxicating cannabinoid can actually diminish the negative psychological effects of THC. Finally, some basic self-care like hydrating, eating, and showering can make a world of difference. 

Here are 12 common methods cannabis consumers everywhere use to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC in the event of overconsumption:

1. Try to Relax

Don’t panic—it’s organic! Cannabis is an all-natural substance that carries absolutely no risk of fatality unless extreme amounts are consumed in a very short period of time (we’re talking thousands of milligrams of THC). That being said, anxiety and paranoia caused by THC can feel very real and scary. Try some relaxation practices such as yoga, meditation, or breathing exercises to relax and remind yourself that you’re safe. 

2. Focus on Something Else

Maybe yoga isn’t your thing, and that’s okay—any kind of recreational activity that takes your mind off of your current experience will do. For some, this might be painting, playing video games, or reading. For others, it might be sitting outside in nature or scrolling through memes. As long as you’re not driving or using dangerous tools, doing something you love is an effective and easy way to soothe your mind and make the high go by faster. 

3. Drink Water to Hydrate

While there’s no scientific evidence that hydrating reduces the effects of THC, it’s never a bad idea to drink a glass of water. Our bodies are primarily made up of water, and hydrating will help with the undesirable dry eyes and dry mouth that can come with THC ingestion. It is also essential to reach for non-alcoholic beverages while you’re high, as increased blood alcohol content (BAC) has been shown to actually enhance the effects of THC.

4. Eat a Snack

Many internet sources reference eating high-carb foods in order to weaken the effects of THC, but no evidence exists to support this. However, eating a snack like nuts, crackers, or a sandwich will raise your blood sugar levels and help you feel more level-headed. Avoid consuming any snacks that contain caffeine or sugar, as these are both known to amplify the effects of THC and contribute to negative bodily symptoms like anxiety, increased heart rate, and vomiting.

5. Try Black Pepper or Black Peppercorn

Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it! Black pepper contains terpenes—aromatic compounds found in cannabis and other plants—that can balance out the effects of THC. Specifically, pepper is full of the terpenes pinene and caryophyllene, which work to calm the anxiety caused by THC’s psychoactive properties. Simply chew on or breathe in the aroma of whole peppercorns or ground pepper to experience instant sedating effects. 

6. Take a Shower

Have you ever woken up so tired that you had to splash yourself in the face with cold water to snap out of it? The same principle applies to taking a cold shower, which will take your attention away from the intoxicating feelings. Conversely, a warm bath can help relax your body and mind. Although taking a shower won’t reduce the amount of THC in your blood, it will definitely divert your senses away from the THC’s effects and help clear your head. 

7. Go for a Walk

Who doesn’t love a good walk? As long as the weather is decent, a short walk can be very enjoyable and therapeutic. While a walk won’t necessarily have any effect on your high, it’s an easily accessible way to soothe your nerves, stretch your legs, and adjust your mindset. After all, movement is medicine. 

8. Talk to a Friend

Another great way to keep your mind off of things is to chat with loved ones. Being alone can amplify the feelings of paranoia that often arise with overconsumption, so give a trusted friend or family member a call. They’ll be able to give you some much-needed reassurance, and chances are you’ll both be giggling about the incident together years down the road. 

9. Take CBD

You might be wondering how ingesting more cannabis could possibly counteract the effects of cannabis. What many don’t know is that cannabidiol (CBD) has very different properties and functions than its cousin THC, so it holds the potential to balance out some of THC’s effects. When CBD and THC are ingested together, they work synergistically within our bodies’ endocannabinoid systems to reduce feelings of anxiety and fear that some users experience from THC alone. Simply take some CBD oil, capsules, or gummies and give your system time to settle. 

10. Drink Some Caffeine

You’re not crazy—in tip #4 we direct you away from consuming caffeine during a bad high. That’s because research on combining cannabis and caffeine is still limited, and the practice has been found to enhance highs for some while reducing them for others. While caffeine intake shouldn’t be your first step in battling a heavy high, its stimulating properties are a good option if you find yourself fatigued from the THC and in need of an energy boost. Just make sure to start with small amounts.

11. Take Ibuprofen  

A study published in the journal Cell concluded that common anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen have the ability to suppress the negative effects of cannabis on cognition as well as counteract the effects of THC. When taken as directed on the packaging, ibuprofen is safe for most people. If other techniques aren’t working to lessen your high, try a small dose of this pain-relieving drug. 

12. Sleep

If all else fails, take a nap! We mentioned earlier that time is the only guaranteed way to end your high, so sleeping will allow you to pass the time without experiencing your high full force. Research has found that the cannabinoids in cannabis help promote sleep, so you’ll likely have no problem hitting the hay in the middle of your high. Sleep will also help reset your system and leave you feeling better all-around when you wake up.

Final Takeaway

As you can see, there are many different ways that cannabis consumers can counteract the effects of overconsuming THC. What works effectively will be different for everyone, so some experimentation will help you nail down the best method. The #1 way to counteract the negative effects of THC, however, is to know your limits and avoid consuming too much in the first place.

What are your methods for bringing yourself back to Earth during an overwhelming THC high? Let us know in the comments!

This blog post was originally written by Kat Helgeson and published on 10/21/19. Updated 12/23/21.