It happens to the best of us: You were enjoying a much-deserved cannabis break after a long, hard week on the job. Weed is an excellent stress reliever, especially when used sparingly, and because it doesn’t have the same negative effects as alcohol, it is a safe option for those looking to relax and have fun while maintaining overall health and wellness. However, in the midst of your smoke session, you suddenly realize that you have forgotten some engagement or another — and you need to sober up fast.
Cannabis can linger in the bloodstream for hours, even days, but there are a few tricks for turning down its psychoactive effects in a pinch. Here’s what you need to prepare ahead of time if you want to be able to sober up on command:
Take an Over-the-counter NSAID
NSAID stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. If you don’t recognize that name, you almost certainly recognize the drugs it categorizes: ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin — or at least their brand names: Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, Bayer. Though you can get prescriptions for high-strength versions of these drugs from your healthcare provider, for the most part, they are available over the counter for relatively cheap. In fact, you almost certainly have at least one NSAID in your medicine cabinet right now.
One study has suggested that NSAIDs have the power to reduce the effectiveness of cannabinoids. This could be thanks to the blood thinning effect of NSAIDs, or it could be something else entirely. Regardless, if you want to protect yourself against getting too high or pull the reins on a stoner session that is getting out of hand, you should take an NSAID or two. You shouldn’t take more than two, or you risk suffering negative effects from NSAIDs, as well.
Chew Black Peppercorns and Sniff Lemons
Terpenes are the compounds responsible for the various aromas of cannabis, from its famous earthy skunk to different strains’ subtle notes of citrus, berry, sugar, vanilla, lavender and more. However, terpenes aren’t only found in weed; they are present in all sorts of plants and even some insects. What’s more, researchers believe that terpene compounds do more than produce smell — that they can have physical and psychological effects on people.
Some research has suggested that two terpenes in particular, limonene and pinene, can temper the effects of THC. You can check your Massachusetts dispensary for strains with these terpenes, which will likely help keep your high under control, but if you need to sober up, you might try consuming other plants with these terpenes — namely, lemons and black peppercorns.
Have Pure CBD on Standby
Notoriously, CBD does not get you high. While there are dozens of benefits of taking CBD, like stress and pain relief, CBD on its own isn’t usually what you are after when you want to get stoned. Still, having some pure CBD in your home isn’t a bad idea if you need to be able to sober up quickly. Though more research on CBD is warranted to better understand its effects, some experts believe that CBD essentially counteracts THC inside the body. Thus, high-CBD strains tend to generate less powerful highs, and taking CBD products that lack THC could help you better manage when you get too stoned.
Stay Hydrated Throughout Your Session
Water works wonders at keeping the body and mind healthy. Just as you should stay hydrated when you are drinking alcohol, you need to keep a steady stream of water (or other hydrating beverages) flowing when you are smoking weed. When the body is properly hydrated, it is better at filtering out excess compounds, which means any THC that doesn’t immediately bind to receptors could get safely flushed away, preventing overdose. Thus, even if you don’t expect your stoner session to get interrupted, it is a good idea to hydrate yourself appropriately.
Learn Your Limits
The best strategy for maintaining control over your high is properly managing your cannabinoid dosage. You should take the time to learn the lower limit of THC your body and mind need to feel good, and you should avoid pressing your tolerance level too much when you consume. If possible, avoid exceedingly high-THC products like concentrates. Then, you will be able to develop better awareness of your high and understand its ebbs and flows.
Interrupting a high isn’t like flicking a switch. Even if you take ibuprofen, chew peppercorns, sniff lemons and chug some water, you might not feel as sober as you want. Ultimately, you need to plan for the possibility of sobering up from the start, which means knowing your body and your weed.
