How to recover from edibles: Do’s and Don’ts

So you’ve taken too many THC edibles and you need to come down. Not to worry I’ve got you! This article will provide you with tips, tricks, and advice to help you learn how to recover from edibles. Let’s get straight to the point here and talk about the immediate steps you can take to help you come down easy.

What should you do if you’ve taken too much THC?

If you take too many edibles or consume a very potent edible, it can be an uncomfortable experience. Don’t panic! There are several things you can do to help yourself come down from your high.

Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated

When ingesting THC, it is important to be mindful about staying hydrated. Water helps reduce the intensity of your high by speeding up the metabolism of THC in the body. You can never go wrong with drinking enough water, plus it’s way better than reaching for the soda when you’re high.

Get some fresh air

Taking some time outside in the sunshine and breathing in the fresh air be a great way to come down from your edible high. Exposure to sunlight has been shown to reduce, improve mood, and induce relaxation. Even if it’s nighttime, you can still get out and enjoy the fresh air to take your mind off of your bad experience.

Eat healthy foods

Eating a nutritious meal not only helps to distract from the feeling of being too high, but it also helps your body process the THC more quickly. If you plan on doing THC edibles, it’s a good idea to stock up on snacks to prepare for getting the munchies. Sure, ice cream and chips sound great when you’re high, but if you surround yourself with healthy snacks like apples, yogurt with fruit, or my personal favorite banans with peanut butter, you’ll be more likely to make a healthy choice when the munchies hit. For more ideas on healthy snacks check out this article from Healthline.

Take a nap

A short nap can help you come down from your high and recharge your batteries. THC edibles will most often make you feel tired anyway, so why not listen to what your body needs and get some rest? Just make sure you take the pizza out of the oven first bruh!

Focus on your breath

Taking deep breaths can help relax your body and calm your mind. Concentrating on your breathing can help to redirect focus away from any uncomfortable sensations caused by the high and give you some much-needed relief.

Talk to a friend

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious about your high, talking to someone who understands can help. Having a friend with you can also be helpful in case of an emergency or if you need any assistance.

Practice meditating

If you practice meditation and get good enough at separating your mind from your body and your feelings it can be a great tool to help you calm down when you’re too high. Working on increasing your focus through meditation can help you pull out of your panic state and into more of an observational, third-person point of view. From this perspective, you can retake control of your mind and talk yourself down into a more relaxed state.

Watch a funny movie or TV show

Distraction is the key here. If you get overwhelmed by your negative thoughts, distract yourself with comedy! I highly recommend watching something you’re familiar with so you don’t have to focus too hard on what’s actually happening in the movie/show. For example, Futurama is my go-to show for taking my mind off of a bad trip, because I’ve seen it a thousand times and it makes me laugh every time. What’s your favorite show? Turn it on now.

Listen to your favorite music

What better way to get into a good headspace than listening to your favorite music? This can be a great way to get out of your own spiraling thoughts and shift into a better state of mind. I recommend creating a chill vibes playlist so you don’t have to think about what songs to put on.

Exercise

One of the quickest ways to sober up is to increase your metabolism and get your brain focused on something else. This is where exercise comes in as a great way to take your mind off of any negative effects and to get your heart pumping. Do as many pushups, situps, and squats as you can and you could quickly see some sobering results.

What should you NOT do if you’ve taken too much THC?

Now that I’ve given you some valuable tools to use when your edibles high becomes too much, let’s talk bout what not to do. Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to do. After all, we don’t want to make the situation worse when we’re trying to recover from edibles.

Do NOT have a cup of coffee

Caffeinated beverages have been known to increase the effects of THC, so having a cup of coffee can have the opposite effect of calming you down. Take coffee shops in Amsterdam for example. They sell cannabis edibles alongside coffee due to the fact that caffeine can increase the psychoactive effects of THC.

Do NOT drink alcohol

Mixing cannabis edibles and alcohol is a recipe for disaster. Alcohol can increase your body’s absorption of Delta 9 THC which will intensify your high. Although some cannabis research has shown that ingesting THC before alcohol is better than drinking alcohol before consuming edibles, it’s best to play it safe and avoid alcohol while taking edibles.

Do NOT watch intense movies or TV shows

This one comes with a caveat. If you love scary movies or intense gory action scenes, and they make you feel relaxed, by all means, give it a try, but if that’s not you then scenes like these can increase your paranoia. Don’t get me wrong, I love both genres, but when I’m high I don’t want to watch anything that’s going to make me think there’s a killer lurking in my basement. You feel me?

Do NOT take THC edibles on an empty stomach

Taking edibles on an empty stomach, especially if you’re new to cannabis use, is a great way to feel terrible. If you don’t have any food in your stomach it could lead to feeling nauseous, increased intensity of your high, and ultimately hinder your edible recovery.

Do NOT use noise-canceling headphones

Noise-canceling headphones can make you less aware of your surroundings, and if you’re already paranoid about that noise you heard in the other room, the last thing you want to do is reduce your hearing ability. If you are listening to music to help you relax or fall asleep, you’ll most likely feel extra paranoid if you can’t hear the ambient noise around you.

What is the fastest way to sober up from edibles?

The best offense is a good defense. Prepping yourself before you take THC edibles can be the best way to combat the negative effects of taking too much. If you can, take edibles on a full stomach, get plenty of water, and start with a lower dose.

If you’re already past the point of preparing, your next best bet for a fast recovery is to continue to drink water, eat healthy foods, do some quick exercises, and throw on a familiar, funny TV show. Distraction and increasing your metabolism are your best friends.

What are THC edibles and how do they work?

THC edibles are food products that have been infused with the cannabinoid THC, which is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis. When ingested, the THC binds to receptors in your brain and body causing physical and mental effects including relaxation, euphoria, increased appetite, and altered senses. They can also induce paranoia and anxiety if you’ve taken too many edibles or if you’re brand new to consuming edibles.

The intensity of these effects depends on how much you’ve taken, your body composition and metabolism, as well as the potency of the edibles. Cannabis consumption should be taken slow, especially if you’re just starting to experiment with eating edibles.

Conclusion

Learning how to recover from edibles can be very helpful when you’ve taken too much. Everyone reacts to THC differently, so don’t panic if you feel like you’re the only one having a bad trip (most likely you’re not the only one, and you’re just stuck in your thoughts). Try to stay calm and remember to drink water, eat clean foods, distract yourself with funny TV shows, and any of the other methods mentioned above to help you recover from edibles.

If you are new to taking edible cannabis remember to start with a small amount (between 5 – 10mg of THC), wait at least two hours for the edibles to kick in, take them on a full stomach, and set up a comfortable, familiar environment for yourself. Follow these simple guidelines and you’re sure to have a great edible experience.

Even the best THC edibles can have negative effects if you’re not careful. As long as you take it slow and follow these guidelines you should be in good to go. When used responsibly, Delta 8, Delta 9, and other THC edibles can be a great way to improve your life especially when you’re using them as a sleep aid! Thank you for reading and have a great trip!