The most important thing: DON'T PANIC. There are no documented cases of anyone dying from a THC overdose. Just stay calm. It happens to the best of us. Maybe you hit the bong or joint too often, ate too many edibles, or simply have a lower tolerance for cannabis. Every person reacts differently to different amounts.

A “high” usually peaks between 30 minutes and 2 hours after smoking and then gradually fades. With edibles, the onset can take much longer, and the high can last significantly longer as well. Everyone comes down at a different pace, but on average, it takes 3 to a maximum of 11 hours to feel sober again. Here are a few things you can do if you've overdone it:

Know Your Limit

The best thing is to avoid getting to this point at all. If you're new to cannabis and don’t yet know how it affects you, start slowly and work your way up to a dose that feels good and manageable for you. This can be particularly tricky with edibles, since it takes time for your digestive system to absorb the THC into the bloodstream.

We recommend taking it slow and consuming under similar conditions at first (Have you eaten? How are you feeling physically and mentally?). This reduces the chances of taking too much. And if it still happens, just move on to the next steps.

Relieve Stress Through Movement

If you start to feel anxious from a strong high, try to move around a bit to burn off stress hormones that your body might be releasing in response to the high THC levels. A walk or gentle movement can help. Try not to do intense cardio like jogging or push-ups, as it can raise your heart rate further.

Do something relaxing. Some people report that taking a shower helps during an overwhelming high. If that's an option for you, go for it and see if it brings you back down.

Distract Yourself from Physical Symptoms

You're probably hyper-aware of your bodily sensations right now, so it’s smart to distract your mind. As mentioned, nobody has ever died from too much cannabis. Put on your favorite show, play a round of Xbox—whatever works. The goal is to shift your focus away from what your body is doing. Watch a funny cartoon or color in some mandalas. Just stay distracted.

Eat Something Spicy

Grab some ginger if you like the taste and chew on it—the spiciness helps take your mind off things. Some people also swear by chewing black peppercorns. Give it a try and see if it works for you. Pepper contains the terpene beta-caryophyllene, which has anti-anxiety effects and can reduce the psychotropic effects of THC. It’s also naturally found in cannabis. Want to learn more about terpenes? Check out our article on that topic.

Retreat if It’s Too Much

If the stimulation is overwhelming, find a quiet spot to shelter yourself from sensory overload. That might be a quiet corner at a festival, or your bedroom at home. Curl up under a blanket and make yourself comfortable. Anything that helps you feel safe is good in that moment. If possible, try to take a short nap.

Drink Water and Have a Snack

Just like with alcohol, water can help your body sober up faster. We're made mostly of water, and besides its refreshing effect, staying hydrated supports your body in dealing with the high more efficiently.

Avoid coffee, though—it may increase your anxiety. A few snacks can also help by making you feel nourished and better equipped to get through the experience.

Take Some CBD

CBD is the non-psychoactive component of cannabis and acts as a natural counter to THC. If you're too high, a few drops of CBD oil under the tongue may help. Alternatively, you could vaporize or smoke CBD flowers or hash.

We hope these tips help you out and that your next cannabis experience goes a little smoother if this one got out of hand.