“Edibles” refers to recreational cannabis-infused products [1]. Most individuals use edibles as a smoke-free alternative. Taking about 30 to 120 minutes to kick in, but this delayed effect also makes it easy for people to accidentally consume too much. It could lead to hard-to-handle, strong, and lasting side effects that become uncomfortable to some.

This article will help you understand how to recover from edibles. You will learn why overconsumption occurs, highlight common symptoms you might experience, and provide 10 practical tips that can ease discomfort and ensure a safer experience.

What Are Edibles?

Edibles are foods or drinks infused with cannabis extracts. Unlike smoking, they are metabolized through the digestive system, helping avoid the harmful effects of smoke [2]. Edibles also deliver a longer-lasting experience, as THC is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC in the liver, resulting in effects that can last from 6 to 12 hours, compared to 1 to 3 hours for smoking.

Typical forms of edibles include chocolates, brownies, gummies, and beverages.

Can Edibles Cause a Weed Hangover?

Absolutely. Cannabis edibles can lead to a “weed hangover” arising from THC chemical compounds [3]. Although consuming high doses of it is not quite the same as an alcohol hangover, many still experience lingering side effects. This includes symptoms such as drowsiness, fatigue, and dry eyes that persist for more than a day. It can also affect the brain and cause a sense of mental sluggishness, with long episodes of brain fog and headaches.

Edibles break down into metabolites in the liver, and they can linger in your system for hours after consumption. Based on the dosage, you might also experience effects with varying intensity well into the next day. Though mostly, it depends on sensitivity to THC and one’s individual metabolism.

Why Do People Overconsume Cannabis Edibles?

There are many reasons, but the primary one is convenience compared to other cannabis products. To begin with, edibles, unlike smoking or vaping products like marijuana, do not irritate or affect the eyes. [4] While it does take anywhere from 30 minutes to 120 minutes to kick in, slower than smokable drugs, this delayed onset of effects can be beneficial in its own right. Additionally, some are combined with smokable products to enhance their lasting effect.

Whatever the case, overdosing from excessive usage, such as a combined impact, can be pretty overwhelming; for example, the inconsistency in dosing makes it challenging to accurately determine how much is actually consumed.

Symptoms of Overconsumption

For some, consuming too many edibles infused with cannabis extract can lead to intense symptoms and side effects. [5] This is known as “greening out” in local slang. These side effects can worsen for many individuals. Hence, the primary goal is to manage the situation until the effects subside. Overconsumption brings forth these symptoms:

Physical discomfort typically begins with symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and impaired coordination, but can worsen to include nausea and vomiting.

Cognitive impairment: For some, the typical effect is an onset of concentration issues; it can even worsen into short-term memory issues.

Psychological issues: After overconsumption, distress begins, such as feelings of anxiety, confusion, paranoia, and panic attacks. At higher doses, paranoia, panic attacks, and hallucinations become the norm.

What To Do After Eating Edibles – Long-Term Dangers

Cannabis edibles taken in high doses cause acute toxicity in the human body. It can become a long-term issue and lead to cannabis intoxication. While it rarely causes permanent harm,  it can still cause lasting damage to many cannabis users.

Ongoing consumption of high-THC edibles may have negative effects, with these long-term risks to consider [6]:

Mental health disorders can begin by increasing the risk of anxiety, worsen into depression-like issues, and, in rare cases, even psychosis. These effects are more likely in individuals with pre-existing mental health vulnerabilities.

Cognitive Decline: The constant alteration in brain chemicals that occurs with prolonged use can cause lasting memory issues and impaired decision-making abilities, and these effects can worsen over time.

Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD): Continuing to use cannabis despite experiencing worry about its effects will worsen and develop into dependence on the substance.

How to Recover From Edibles – 10 Helpful Strategies

While there’s no quick fix, a hangover can be managed in the short term until the symptoms subside. In the long term, it can be managed with strategies that support recovery. Here are 10 notable ways to recover from a hangover and avoid leaving cannabis edibles behind.

1. Hydrate

Staying hydrated is the most effective way to alleviate and manage discomfort. Regardless of the form in which cannabis is consumed, it can lead to dehydration. [7] This side effect intensifies when some overconsume it. Higher doses can also lead to dizziness and dry mouth in approximately 30 minutes for some individuals.

Staying hydrated is the best approach for managing these issues. It fosters stability by enabling the body to regulate its blood pressure and initiate the detoxification process in the liver.

It helps the function of the salivary glands in the mouth.

Cannabis can also impact fluid balance; water helps regain balance.

Kidney and liver function begin to metabolize THC with hydration.

2. Eat Something Nutritious

Eating something light can help calm your body down while giving your brain something else to focus on. The act of eating can distract your brain. Research shows that eating food slows down THC absorption in the body, enough to take the edge off. This gives them time to ground themselves if they feel overwhelmed.

Recommended foods are toast, fruit, or even a handful of nuts.

Eating crunchy or easy-to-digest foods may help settle the stomach.

Digestion is all you need to start settling down.

3. Light Exercise

A slow walk around the room will help you recover from edibles. THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis edibles, causes mental fog, which, in turn, brings your heart rate closer to high. [8] Moving your body and spending physical energy, while stretching your legs, gives your mind a chance to release nervous energy. The goal is simply to let your body remember to move around, without breaking a sweat.

Exercise to do after eating edibles:

Go for a walk: A slow walk helps refocus attention, helps relieve mental fog, and promotes detoxification by increasing oxygen flow

Do yoga: Yoga calms the body without strain.

4. Find a Calm, Quiet Space

If everything feels overwhelming and you’re desperately searching for how to recover from edibles, the first thing you need to do is step away and find a quiet spot to reset. Side effects from edibles, when people are too ‘high’, include sensations like sounds seeming louder and lights feeling brighter. This heightened psychological alertness is the brain rapidly responding to the change. Settling down in a calm place helps your brain slow down.

Remove yourself from chaos.

Close the blinds and other light sources.

Turn off your phone and turn your screen around.

5. Utilize CBD to Counteract THC

Taking CBD during a bad high can take some of the pressure off. CBD counteracts side effects, such as anxiety or paranoia. A CBD tincture or capsule helps bring you back down by influencing different brain pathways when things feel too intense [9].

It helps with racing thoughts.

CBD won’t get you high.

Look for products that are clean and lab-tested.

6. Seek Support from a Calm Presence

Recreational drugs can come with unexpected side effects and are more harmful when taken in isolation. If you get too ‘high,’ reaching out for help can make a difference. Leaning on someone you trust can be critical at the right time. Particularly, if it gets more serious, they can help you stay grounded and call for emergency services.

A friend can help monitor for nausea or assist if you become disoriented.

Having someone else with you who can identify if you’re unwell can be life-saving.

A friend can call emergency services for you if you are unable to yourself.

7. Use Black Pepper as a Calming Aid

Some people swear by chewing black pepper when they’re too high. It contains a compound called Beta-Caryophyllene, Found in black pepper, which provides a calming effect by activating CB2 receptors, similar to THC [10]. Most of the evidence is anecdotal, but many people report feeling better almost instantly. One can simply sniff powder made from it, chew a couple of peppercorns, or sprinkle some on food.

The sharp smell will serve as a distraction to prevent you from spiraling.

Strong smells can act like a pattern interrupt when you’re stuck in a panic loop.

Simply focusing on a simple task or chewing helps redirect anxious energy.

8. Engage in Gentle Distractions

Sometimes, distracting yourself is the best way to calm your brain down until the effects subside. When you’re too high, your thoughts can spiral quickly and develop into a mental fog. Distracting yourself with something low stakes gives your mind a new track to follow, which is helpful when someone is panicking. The main goal is not to do anything that adds more stimulation.

How long does it take to recover from an edible with distractions?

Soft or nostalgic shows tend to work better than thrillers or fast-paced edits.

Music with slow beats or ambient sounds can reset your vibe.

Doodling or even just organizing your stuff gives your hands something to do, and keeps your brain from running away.

9. Rest in a Safe Environment

If overwhelmed, staying still is the best response. It will make it easier to ride out the side effects, including dizziness or a rapid heartbeat. THC doesn’t last more than a day. The liver will break it down in 12 hours max. The less one stimulates their senses after eating edibles, the quicker their brain can stop panicking.

Here is how to recover from a “high” experience  by resting;

Fall asleep until one feels more grounded.

A quiet, dark space helps your mind switch off instead of spinning.

Even a short nap can help you feel normal again.

10. Allow Time to Pass

The most reliable way to recover is to let the high wear off. No matter how intense it feels, the effects of edibles will pass. Some edibles hit harder and last longer than most, but most effects still wear off between 6 and 12 hours. Letting your body rest and ride it out is the response.

Deep, slow breathing helps anchor your focus.

For most, discomfort decreases over time.

Lying still can help reduce the chance of triggering more anxiety.

How to Recover From Edibles | FAQs

How do you recover from an edible quickly?

You can’t rush it. Coming down from cannabis edibles requires your liver to break down THC until the effects subside. The most recommended approach is still to drink water, and using CBD can help smooth it out. Distractions are often the approach to calming down and regaining control.

How long does it take to return to normal after edibles?

Most people sober up within 6 to 12 hours. But it all depends on how much you took and in what form.

How to flush edibles out of a system? How to make edible high go away?

No, you can’t. While it may be the most natural response, the idea of flushing it down is ineffective. Drinking water and eating something can only help you feel better by slowing down your metabolism. The liver breaks down THC in 3 hours to 12 hours max.

Why do I still feel high 3 days after eating edibles?

Effects that last for multiple days are rare. It is caused by a combination of low tolerance and a strong dose. If you still feel bad after 72 hours, reach out to medical services.

How long do gummy edibles last?

They usually last between 6 and 12 hours, with the highest peak occurring around 3 to 5 hours after use.

Get Help With Mental Health and Addiction

If edibles are starting to interfere with your life and you feel like you’re no longer in control, it’s okay to ask for help. That’s not a weakness. That’s the first real step toward fixing it.

Alliance Recovery is a substance abuse and mental health treatment center with a team that has extensive experience in addiction treatment for people dealing with substance use, anxiety, and everything in between. Whether you are just starting to struggle or are already deep in it, our team knows what to do.

Contact us today for a confidential consultation to discuss your specific needs at 949-787-0722.

 

Sources

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S221479931830064X

[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6296858/

[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9940812/

[4]https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2689518/

[5]https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-06/CCSA-Cannabis-Inhaling-Ingesting-Risks-Infographic-2019-en_1.pdf

[6]https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/edibles

[7]https://www.cannamd.com/hydration-and-cannabis-the-importance-of-staying-hydrated-while-using-medical-marijuana/

[8] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3576702/

[9] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5719112/

[10] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34054510/