Feeling Too High?

How to Calm your Mind (and avoid it from happening again).

No matter how much you enjoy cannabis, feeling too high is never a great experience.  Even the fear of this happening can prevent people from trying cannabis in the first place. I get it. The first time I ate a THC edible, I was glued to my bed for hours.  With so many “the first time I…” stories, cannabis can start to sound intimidating.  Older generations may feel hesitant to integrate cannabis back into their lives out of fear that it is stronger or more potent than the bud they smoked in college.  All valid concerns.  But I have some good news.  The cannabis industry has grown significantly over the last decade.  There are so many wonderful new ways of dosing, consuming, and enjoying cannabis. Don’t like smoking?  You may want to try something like midose. Melts - these quickly dissolve under your tongue to give you a lovely (less smokey) experience. One of the best things about the cannabis world today is the amount of research and resources there are to help you navigate your relationship with cannabis, so you can enjoy the full extent of its therapeutic properties. 

But...if you do get too high, don’t worry. We’ve got some helpful tips on how to bring you back down to earth - like having your favorite CBD products on hand.

Choose Products Carefully

Let’s start at the beginning. Choose THC products that fit your needs.  Why are you drawn to cannabis? What effect are you looking for?  Do you need pain relief? Are you struggling with anxiety?  Knowing why you’re turning to Mother Nature’s remedies will help you pick the best product for your body.  

Historically, cannabis products were mostly bud-based.  Most people smoked cannabis flowers out of pipes or rolled joints.  The importance of knowing the difference between Sativa and Indica flowers was part of finding your favorite strains.  Sativa traditionally has a more stimulating effect and India is generally more relaxing. Now, with so many different ways to consume THC (vape pens, melts, tinctures), the strain of the plant isn’t always available or important.  Most product labels will now state the amount of THC per dose or a ratio of THC to CBD.  Depending on the product, “dose” can mean a 3-second draw on a vape pen, one full dropper, or one edible mint. This makes it way easier to avoid accidentally taking too much THC. 

Arguably, what’s more important now is to make sure you know the source and type of THC.  Does a product contain whole-plant cannabis, or is it synthetically derived in a lab?  Why does this matter? 

The more natural, the better.  Whole plant cannabis products not only have the therapeutic effects of THC, you’re also getting a broad spectrum of healing properties from natural terpenes. It’s the synergetic relationship between, THC, CBD, and terpenes that give you the full entourage effect. 

Terpenes are organic compounds that impact how a plant or flower smells.  It’s the terpenes that make different cannabis buds smell floral, spicy, or earthy.  Terpenes are also connected to plants’ therapeutic properties.  Ever heard of aromatherapy?  It all comes back to terpenes and how they impact your body.  

How Do You Cannabis? Inhaling Vs. Ingesting

There are so many wonderful ways you can consume THC.  Finding the method that works best for your body can make a big difference.  THC can feel different depending on how it’s absorbed by your body. Inhaling THC with a joint or vape pen sends THC into your lungs, directly into your bloodstream and up to your brain receptors.  You’ll feel the effect of inhaling THC within moments.  Whereas, when you ingest THC, it has to travel through your stomach and liver, before entering your bloodstream.  This is why it takes longer to feel the impact of an edible. Your liver also metabolizes THC, turning it into 11-hydroxy-THC - a much stronger compound that lasts longer than THC.  Most people experience a much stronger body high when they ingest THC. 

Microdosing Helps You Get Your Perfect High

There’s nothing worse than accidentally taking more THC than you were prepared for. Luckily for us, there are now products for both inhaling and eating that help you control how much THC you're consuming. 

Microdosing products are gaining momentum as people become more educated on the science and therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant.  Microdosing allows you to control your high and take small baby steps toward the perfect level of THC that works for your body.  

Midose. creates products that are specifically formulated to be fast-acting with precisely measured doses, so you know exactly how much THC you’re consuming without worrying about accidentally getting too high. 

Okay, But...What if I Still Get Too High? 

If you find yourself in a moment where you’ve bitten off more THC than you can chew, there’s good news. Here are some things you can do to bring yourself back down to earth. 

Take CBD

Cannabinol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabis cannabinoid,  has long been heralded as a good way to reduce feelings of anxiety or paranoia that can come from consuming too much THC.  Not only can CBD be an amazing way to help navigate things like anxiety, chronic pain and sleep. It can also come in handy when you want to balance out the effect of THC. 

Why?  Well, studies seem to point to the ability of CBD to limit the ability of THC cannabinoids to bind to your endocannabinoid receptors. This is why cannabis products with a higher CBD to THC ratio, generally give you a more mellow “high.”  So it may be time to stock up on some quality CBD.  

As always, remember that everyone’s body interacts with THC and CBD differently. So, taking CBD may not work as well for you as it does for me.  But don’t worry...here are some more ideas.

Try Limonene

Limonene is the main terpene found in citrus - citrus rinds to be exact. Limonene gives citrus that refreshing scent, it also helps calm the mind - helping you feel more grounded and clear-headed. Some smaller studies even suggest that Limonene has anxiety-reducing effects and can help relieve feelings of depression. 

Black Pepper Corn

Yes, you read that correctly. Your dinner table pepper grinder can also help rescue you from an intense high. You can chew a couple of whole black peppercorns or if that’s too intense, try grinding a few peppercorns on a piece of toast.  The cannabinoid profile of black peppercorn effectively helps block THC from locking into your ESC receptors - reducing the effect of THC in the body. 

Need More Ideas?

Go outside. Taking a walk can help calm the mind and distract you from a thought spiral.  Many people also swear by a shower. Why? Showering feels good and can help turn a bad experience into a good one. 

Cannabis has so much to offer.  If you are just starting your journey with cannabis, start slow. Try a microdosing product that makes it easy to track and measure how your body feels after each dose.  Find products that have been tested for quality and that are curated to give you an optimal experience.  Write down how you feel and make sure to give yourself time to experience the moment. 

*If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns, make sure you speak to your doctor for advice.