Marijuana Overdose: What if I take too much Cannabis?

If you are new cannabis consumer and need guidance finding the proper dosage so that you don’t accidentally over-consume, I suggest referring to my previous post. For others who may be wondering ‘what do I do if I’ve taken too much cannabis?’ or 'can I overdose on cannabis?' let us dive into some helpful tips to ensure the best outcome when you over-consume.

Where to Start?

A good place to start is taking a deep breath in. Repeat the mantra ‘This too shall pass’. When you over-consume, while it may seem uncomfortable and even worrisome, remember this: you are just TOO high, you are NOT dying! Save yourself from hitting the panic button and calling 911. In all recorded history, there have been zero overdoses on cannabis (no, you will not be the first). Within minutes to several hours, this uncomfortable feeling will dissipate.

Solutions if you Consume too much Cannabis

Hydrate

Sometimes an over-awareness of how dry your mouth is, or the fact that you haven’t drank enough water can be enough to make you feel dizzy and overwhelmed. Sometimes a simple solution like having a glass of water can alleviate those unwanted feelings.

Black Pepper

This remedy may sound weird, but it works. Without inhaling the pepper, sniff or even eat a couple of peppercorns. A terpene called beta-caryophyllene found in black pepper has been known to help alleviate anxiety and counteract the effects of THC.

CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) does not produce the psychoactive effects that THC does. CBD has been known to calm and reduce symptoms of anxiety. As Martin A. Lee mentions in his book, Smoke Signals: “Cannabidiol balances the buzz and softens the euphoria-or, in some cases, the dysphoria-induced by THC, which can make people feel very loopy and weird. CBD is the yin of THC’s yang.”

Get some Fresh Air

Changing your environment and getting some fresh air could be just the remedy you need to alleviate the side effects you might be feeling. While this may help, consider your outdoor surroundings. If you are in a high traffic area with lots of people and cars honking, the busyness can increase negative symptoms and do more harm than good.

Listen to Music

Listening to music is a great way to relax the body and mind. Sometimes your mind is racing from one thought to the other, and all it needs is one singular thing to focus on. Putting on your favorite song can bring your focus back to a place of comfort.

Put on a Movie

Similar to playing music, watching something is a great way to divert your attention. I recommend a comedy, but the choice is all yours.

Sleep it off

If all else fails, go to sleep. I’ve found this to be the best solution for me when I have over consumed. Get a nice sleep and wake up feeling the effects have worn off (you may still feel a little groggy, and that’s completely normal). If you have consumed during the day, even taking a 1-2 hour nap can help alleviate the intense high.

* Important Note *

Remember, when you consume cannabis you will become impaired. If you are consuming at a friend’s home, plan to stay the night. If that is not an option, make sure you have a safe way to get home. DO NOT get behind the wheel and drive home. Do not operate any type of machinery under the influence of cannabis. This is a time to relax, not to put yourself or others in harm’s way. Please be responsible.

In Conclusion…

Finding your dosing sweet spot may take a couple tries, but now you know some tricks to weather the storm. It's helpful to write down and note what dosage you had that gave you an undesired effect. The next time you consume, start with 50% of that dosage. This will become a good baseline of finding where your dosage of comfort lies. Remember to always wait at least 1.5-2 hours before having another serving of an edible. As there may be several unique variables determining your onset time such as sex, weight or metabolism. Giving yourself enough time to feel the full effects before consuming another edible is key to having a fun edible experience. Like everything in life, you live and you learn.

Happy and safe consuming friends!

-Jordan