by Jeff Eckenrode, Chief Operations Officer

Have you, or someone you know, ever gotten too high? Like, really, really, high?

If so, then you know just how uncomfortable it can feel. Your heart can race, you start to feel dizzy or light headed, and before you know it, your mouth feels dry as high-grit sandpaper.

Like many palliative or medical products, cannabis too can spur some adverse reactions. But don’t panic! Many of the undesirable side effects of cannabis use only last a short while (minutes to a few hours, at most).

That said, cannabis dosing can seem almost unpredictable. Especially if you are using it for the first time.

So what does it mean to get “too high”? Why does it happen, and what can we do about it?

What Are The Symptoms Of Being “Too High”?

Most of the side effects of cannabis use are caused by THC. And although these effects can be uncomfortable and frightening for inexperienced users, especially the elderly, they can be managed or avoided altogether if they are approached with caution.

Some of the most common adverse side effects of cannabis include:

• Rapid heartbeat (or “tachycardia”) which often occurs in the first 15 minutes following inhalation when smoking or vaping cannabis.

• Dizziness or lightheadedness, which also typically occurs shortly after inhalation.

• Powerful bursts of coughing, which can be avoided by taking small inhalations or “sips” rather than deeply inhaling or holding one’s breath after inhaling.

• Dry mouth or eyes.

• Anxiety.

• Short-term memory loss.

• Sedation, lethargy or general sleepiness.

• Hunger (aka “The Munchies”).

What Should I Do If I Get “Too High”?

If you or someone you know experiences any of the above side effects, here’s what to do:

Stay Calm

Breathe deeply, and relax. While it may seem impossible at the moment, sitting or lying down in a comfortable position and taking a few deep breaths will help you to refocus and collect your thoughts.

Fun fact: There have been no reported cases of anyone dying from too much THC.

Unlike alcohol, heroin or opioids, in which higher doses increase the risk of death, our brainstems (which control organ functions) do not have THC receptors. So dying solely from THC is not physically possible.  

Stay Hydrated

Make sure to drink plenty of cold water or lemonade (which is a traditional North African remedy for dry mouth.) Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, as these tend to intensify many adverse effects (including, you guessed it, dry mouth).

Distract Yourself

Turn on your favorite show or a movie. Or listen to your favorite album, and read a book. Giving yourself something enjoyable to focus on other than the unpleasant side effects of being too high can help you stay grounded and move past your discomfort.

Take Some CBD

Research suggests that cannabidiol (or CBD) helps to ease the adverse effects caused by THC. Using products that are balanced in THC/CBD, or taking CBD at the same time as THC, can help to minimize the likelihood of adverse effects.

You can check out our CBD Almanac here to learn more about CBD and the wide variety of CBD products Hashtag Seattle, Hashtag Redmond, and Hashtag Everett carry!