An overdose happens when you consume the excessive drug for it to become toxic to you, though not necessarily fatal. An overdose effect depends on the quantity of the drug consumed and whether a person has combined marijuana with other drugs.
Cannabis accessibility and use in Canada among young adults is gaining popularity as the laws on its use and possession become more accommodating. Currently, cannabis dispensaries and online weed stores in Canada are rising as the cannabis industry grows.
Online dispensaries like Daily Marijuana are offering weed in larger quantities at discounted prices which may make irresponsible cannabis users consume even higher doses. So, can you overdose(OD) on weed, and how much is too much weed? Read on to learn more about cannabis overdose and what to do, just in case.
How Much is Too Much Weed?
The effect of marijuana, specifically tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient, on an individual varies. How weed affects you depends on dosage, tolerance, underlying health conditions, how often you use the drug, and the method of consumption.
When smoking or vaping marijuana, some THC is lost due to burning as it decarboxylates. However, edibles can increase the amounts of THC taken since they are made of concentrates. Conversion of ingested THC in the liver for uptake into the bloodstream is slower than inhaling, which can cause a person to exceed the limit.
Can You OD on Cannabis?
According to science, it is impossible to OD on cannabis. To overdose on weed, one must consume over 20,000 to 40,000 times the amount in one joint. Although consuming weed edibles and THC concentrates delivers higher levels of THC than the flowers, a consumer will fall asleep before consuming such quantities.
What Does it Feel Like to Take Too Much Marijuana?
Your state of mind and body will tell you if you have taken too much marijuana. But when not sure, the following signs and effects show that you are too high.
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Dry mouth
- Paranoia
- Dizziness
- Panic
- Excessive perspiration
- Confusion
- Instability
What to Do if You Smoke Too Much Weed?
On average, cannabis high peaks last from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The effects may linger long after the peak, and there are reports of people feeling high for much longer. Thankfully, you can use some ways to sober up when you are overwhelmed, uncomfortable, or feel too high after consuming weed.
Tips On What To Do If Smoke Too Much Weed
1. Don’t panic
Most of the symptoms mentioned above of consuming too much weed will not take long to reduce their intensity. Excess cannabis doesn’t have lasting effects. So, relax and wait for the feelings to wear out.
No history of death is reported from an OD of cannabis, so no matter the anomalies, you feel you won’t die because of excessive weed consumption.
2. Drink water and take a light snack
Keeping your body hydrated will help in sobering up. A cold beverage of water or juice (avoid caffeine) helps to moisten your dry mouth and attracts your focus on drinking the beverage.
Hydrating your body doesn’t mean taking alcohol. If you find yourself excessively high, avoid alcohol because it increases the level of THC in your blood.
3. Use cannabis according to your limit
The wise thing to do when consuming cannabis is to know your tolerance. Knowing your limit will help you to avoid crossing overboard and ensure you consume cannabis quantity that is within your comfort zone.
If consuming weed with friends, ensure they are people you trust and with whom you have shared a joint before. Never consume weed like your friends; everyone has a different tolerance level.
Making new friends is good, but when among strangers, your insecurity may make some feelings manifest more.
Edibles take some time before kicking in, and their effects last longer. If you are consuming edibles, take it slowly, 10 mg or half of it is enough when beginning, and give it at least one hour or two before the next dose. The same applies if you inhale; if your usual intake is a single hit on your vaporizer, avoid overindulging.
4. Sniff or chew black peppercorn if too high
Many users attest to this common cooking ingredient in its relief against anxiety and paranoia. Although not scientifically proven, Sniffing or chewing on black peppercorns does the trick. Black pepper has many terpenes also found in cannabis, which are thought to contribute to its effectiveness.
5. Find a good place to rest and maintain calmness
As mentioned earlier, the intense feelings of discomfort will pass with time. So, find a calm place where you can rest quietly without many distractions.
Sometimes taking a nap will help rejuvenate, but if unable, be calm and relax as you await the effects to wear off.
6. A shower or a bath
Although it’s not always practical, especially if you’re away from home at a friend’s party, a shower or bath may help to cool off some effects of smoking too much marijuana.
A cold shower relaxes your mind and body and helps to reduce depression. Showering will also help make you more alert due to increased neural impulses.
7. Find some form of distraction
Look for any activity that entertains you whenever you are high. Engaging in such activity will distract you as the effects subside.
Some of the activities you can engage in are:
- Watching your favourite funny cartoon
- Listening to music
- Playing a computer game
- Eating a delicious snack
- If in the company of friends, try talking
When choosing an activity, look for one that you enjoy and that gives positive feelings. The aim is to distract your brain and help you feel safe as you return to normal.
Other Ideas You Can Use to Reduce Too Much THC high
Using CBD
CBD helps reduce anxiety, and its use will help as an anti-anxiety remedy for too much THC. It works by lessening the signals produced by receptors inhabited by THC. CBD balances and reduces the intensity of too much weed.
Lemon juice
Lemon contains the terpene limonene, which is also found in cannabis. Studies show that terpene has effects of reducing anxiety. So, take a slice of lemon and suck on it to sober up.
Using ibuprofen
According to some studies, ibuprofen shows effectiveness in counteracting too much THC’s effects. Try taking a safe drug dose with water and a snack to reduce some effects.
If your level of anxiety is not subsiding, seek medical attention. Doctors will help you to come down and can’t initiate legal action even if weed is illegal in your jurisdiction.
We hope the above remedies will help if you have overindulged in THC. However, the best way to avoid getting too high is to know your limit slowly. After all, our body chemistry is different, and each person has a unique tolerance level.
On a final note, the best way to avoid any negative effects is to get your cannabis products from a trusted dispensary. At Daily Marijuana, you gain access to one of the best mail-order marijuana dispensaries in Canada.
References
Laureen, Y. (2022, June 13). How to Feel Better When You Get Too High. A guide for surviving too strong of a sesh. https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/what-to-do-when-you-get-too-high
Atlantic Cannabis (2023, March 5). Find Reliable Marijuana Dispensaries in Canada. Available at: https://atlanticcannabis.net/mail-order-marijuana/
LA Times (2018, April 20).A simple guide to pot, THC, and how much is too much. Available at: https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-weed-101-thc-calculator/
BestVapesCanada. (2023, March 5). Buy Nicotine Vapes Online in Canada. Available at: https://bestvapescanada.com/
Lisa, R. (2022, May 18). 8 ways to sober up from being too high. Leafly. Available at: https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/8-ways-to-counteract-a-too-intense-cannabis-high