How to Recover from Edibles

Written By QuickMedCards. Last Updated February 16, 2024 

Overdid it on those cannabis edibles? This blog post will help you ride out the experience smoothly.

By the end of this page, you will have the answers to these questions:

  • How do I recover from edibles quickly?
  • How do I properly eat edibles?
  • What are the effects of edibles on the body?

Here are a few tips on how to get ‘unhigh’ after taking an edible:

  • Stay calm and reassured
  • Find a comfortable space
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol
  • Find a distraction
  • Try to sleep

Read on to get a more comprehensive look at how to sober up after consuming an edible. Also included is information on everything you need to know about edibles including, the side effects of edibles and tips on how to eat edibles the right way. 

Marijuana edibles and cannabis buds

Strategies to Recover from Edibles

Getting rid of an edible high is not a walk in the park. So please, as a first precaution, do not eat edibles on an empty stomach! 

If you find yourself experiencing discomfort or anxiety after consuming edibles, consider the following immediate solutions:

  • Stay Calm and Reassured: Remind yourself that the effects are temporary and will diminish over time.
  • Find a Comfortable Space: Have a solitary environment protected from harm or stress.
  • Eat Light Snacks: Consuming small, healthy snacks can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and alleviate discomfort.
  • Hydration: Drink lots of water as it can improve the body’s metabolism of THC and prevent dry mouth.
  • Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol: These can worsen anxieties and dehydration.
  • Have some CBD: Consider taking CBD, as it may counteract some of the psychoactive effects of THC.
  • Distract Yourself: Redirect by listening to soothing music, watching a show you enjoy, or participating in a mild activity like reading.
  • Sleep: Rest is often the best cure to help wear off the intoxicating effects.

For long-term recuperation, it is crucial to approach edible consumption with greater caution. This entails starting with a lower dosage, reviewing the effects, and increasing the dosage once you know what your body’s tolerance level is.

Long-term Recovery Strategies

Long-term recovery methods can help people who have experienced overconsumption or those who plan on managing their cannabis use with their regular intake. Having a strategy is good and healthy, making cases for a more satisfying and safe way to enjoy cannabis edibles.

  • Understanding Personal Limits: Monitor how your body reacts to these products to know your limits.
  • Educating Yourself: Learn the different forms of edibles and their potency to choose the best option. Stay informed about the industry for discoveries to raise awareness.
  • Mindful Consumption: Consider what you need to consume. Indulge in these edibles in a safe and comfortable environment because this will make a difference in how you enjoy the process.
  • Seeking Professional Guidance: If you find it difficult to control your intake, consult a healthcare professional for guidance.
  • Regular Breaks: Temporarily stop taking edibles to desensitize and prevent dependency. 

How to Eat Edibles the Right Way

With edibles, safety, and moderation are two big factors to better and more responsible consumption. Below are some more realistic and achievable approaches:

  • Have Something to Eat: You shouldn’t eat edibles on an empty stomach since the effects may kick in quicker and be more intense. Having something in your tummy can slow absorption and lead to a delayed onset of effects. 
  • Start Low and Go Slow: Begin with a low dose, especially if you are new to edibles or trying a new product. That is the reason why you should wait at least two hours to maximize the perceived outcome before deciding whether to add the next dose.
  • Read the Label: Every time you pick an edible, make sure you check the THC content in milligrams so that you understand how potent it is. This will help with getting the dosage right.
  • Store Safely: Make sure to keep edibles away from small children and pets.
  • Avoid Mixing: Edibles are consumed alone and should not be mixed with alcohol or other substances as this may bring unexpected results.
  • Stay Hydrated: Sufficient intake of water is necessary so as not to get dehydrated; at the same time, avoid alcohol and caffeine.
  • Know Your Environment: It is best to consume edibles in a friendly atmosphere where one feels relaxed, especially for first-time or infrequent users.
  • Understand Delayed Effects: Keep in mind that edibles do not work quickly, so give them time to take an effect on your body. Remember that edibles act slower than smoking or vaping. So, be patient.

How to Identify Quality Edibles

Recognizing quality edibles is vital for safety and effectiveness as well as for a pleasurable experience. When choosing edibles, take into account the following factors:

  • Reputable Source: Buy edibles from a reliable dispensary or an authorized seller. You need assurance that the product passed the safety standards test.
  • Lab Testing: Choose lab-tested products that have been examined for their THC and CBD concentration levels. Lab testing will also show that there are no harmful toxins present in the cannabis product.
  • Clear Labeling: Check the products for proper labeling with the THC and CBD content, dosage, serving size, and the list of ingredients.
  • Packaging: Inspect the items well, as the child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging are indicators of a quality product.
  • Brand Reputation: Research the feedback about the brand. Evaluate other consumers’ recommendations and reviews.

Can You Develop Tolerance?

Building tolerance is a part of using marijuana regularly, especially for those who consume it through chocolate or pastries. With each dose, tolerance lowers the effects of cannabis, forcing people to take more doses in a desperate attempt to get the same effects.

Over time, the human body may gradually become less sensitive to cannabinoid receptors as a result of repeated THC consumption. The rate and degree of tolerance development depend on several factors related to the use, such as the quantity consumed, potency, and individual physiology.

To control tolerance levels, one should also be conscious of the quantity and number of servings of consumable items. You don’t need to exercise extreme caution, but you should always be aware of the consequences of your actions and take appropriate action if your habits start to wane.

What are Edibles?

Edibles are part of a wide-ranging group of popular cannabis products. Unlike traditional methods like smoking or vaping, where you inhale marijuana smoke through a cigarette or vaporizer, edibles are more like baked goods or drinks infused with cannabis. Think brownies, cookies, candies, gummies, smoothies, and even savory snacks. Moreover, cannabis-infused drinks are a growing segment in this industry, offering a more manageable experience compared to solid edibles.

CBD drinks like Delta 9 drinks provide a unique experience that may help people control the dose and intense effects of THC. Numerous studies suggest that CBD could buffer off some of the negative effects of THC, for instance, anxiety and paranoia. So, consuming CBD-infused beverages, instead of eating edibles could balance the overwhelming effects of THC.

The important component in almost all edibles is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, which brings the high. Metabolism in oral ingestion, however, is a different process than the inhalation of THC. Due to their intensity and delayed onset, people frequently overindulge in edibles because they believe they haven’t consumed enough. However, in reality, the effects sometimes take longer and are stronger than they had anticipated.

Effects of Edibles on the Body

When you consume THC through edibles, it enters your body differently compared to smoking or vaping. After ingestion, THC is absorbed by the digestive system and metabolized by the liver. This process converts THC into 11-hydroxy-THC, a potent compound that easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. As a result, the effects of edibles are more intense and longer-lasting than inhalation.

Edibles are associated with numerous benefits. Some people might feel a wonderful sense of euphoria and relaxation. Plus, they’re often used for their medicinal properties too. For instance, research published in the Journal of Pain suggests that cannabis may be useful for reducing pain and inflammation. Others use cannabis for anxiety management or to get some good sleep. 

No matter how powerful edibles are, their impact depends on many variables, including the individual’s metabolism and the dose or THC content of the drug. Keep in mind that edibles are stronger than inhaled cannabis. It can also take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, or even longer, for the effects to kick in.

Side Effects of Edibles

If you’re using cannabis edibles, it’s crucial to know how to recognize the signs of consuming too much. This way, you can take action to counteract any potential side effects. Overconsumption often occurs due to the delayed onset of effects, leading individuals to consume more than their bodies can tolerate.

As the symptoms may range from mild to severe, the frequency of panic attacks may differ depending on a person’s use and sensitivity to the cannabis components. Some indicators may include: 

  • Anxiety and Paranoia: Commonly reported in patients who have consumed excessive THC.
  • Impaired Motor Skills: Motor coordination is affected along with motor functioning, which accurately justifies why it is harmful to drive or operate any heavy machinery soon after eating cannabis edibles.
  • Extreme Sedation: If large doses of the edibles are taken, then it can result in either severe fatigue or sleepiness.
  • Altered Perception: This may also include visual and auditory changes 
  • Increased Heart Rate: This may sound alarming, however, for those who have heart conditions.
  • Nausea and Vomiting: It is not uncommon for consumers to feel nauseated after consuming edibles in excess.
  • Edible hangover: An edible hangover refers to the lingering effects experienced after the high from consuming cannabis-infused edibles has worn off. These effects can include fatigue, grogginess, dehydration, and mild cognitive impairment.

Several studies have shown these effects do happen. For instance, the consequences of high THC levels in some people led to the development of fear and panic anxiety episodes as well as paranoid thoughts. Research from the American Journal of Emergency Medicine presented cases related to acute psychotic episodes secondary to the consumption of edible cannabis. Recognizing these symptoms may help in emergencies that require an alert response. 

Potential Long-term Impact

Consuming large quantities of THC cannabis products, both as edibles and in other forms, has been linked to numerous long-term effects. 

Research is still on-going, but preliminary indicators include: 

  • Tolerance Development: Some individuals develop a tolerance for cannabis because of daily ingestions, which could lead to more consumption to produce the desired effects. Thus, higher doses may be taken to achieve small results.
  • Cognitive Impairment: Many studies have indicated that prolonged, high intake of THC affects cognitive functions. The research on these assumptions continues.
  • Mental Health Concerns: The growing body of evidence shows that chronic cannabis use, especially at high doses, may be linked to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and, in some cases, psychotic disorders.

Still, it is essential to emphasize that the implications might differ significantly from one person to another as experts continue to study the capabilities of edibles. 

Key Takeaways

  • Immediate steps to take to recover from edibles include:
    • Stay calm and reassured.
    • Find a comfortable space.
    • Eat light snacks.
    • Hydrate well; avoid caffeine and alcohol.
    • Consider taking CBD.
    • Distract yourself.
    • Try to sleep.
  • When consuming edibles, start with a low dose and then increase it slowly.
  • Avoid mixing edibles with alcohol and other substances.
  • Side effects of edibles may include anxiety, impaired motor skills, extreme sedation, altered perception, increased heart rate, nausea, and edible hangovers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing how to recover from edibles is essential for anyone exploring the world of cannabis-infused treats. By applying the techniques mentioned, like staying hydrated, resting, consuming light snacks, and practicing relaxation techniques, you can navigate the after-effects with ease. Remember, the key to a positive experience with edibles lies in moderation, understanding your tolerance, and knowing how to manage any unexpected effects.

Get Your Medical Marijuana Card

Same-day appointments available for online medical marijuana evaluation.
Get your certification now!