How to Get Unhigh: Tips to Sober Up Quickly and Safely
Took a gummy or smoked a little too much, and now you feel way too high? Knowing how to get unhigh starts with one fact: time is what ends a high. While you wait, stay calm, sip water and skip alcohol and caffeine; edibles can last longer than you expect, and if anything feels dangerous, call poison control or 911.
Why Do You Feel Too High?
The way you feel depends on a number of things, such as what type of cannabis strain you used and how your body responds to it. Some people have a low tolerance, while others can handle more. It also depends on your mood and setting.
The science behind it comes down to your endocannabinoid system. THC connects with certain receptors in your brain, which can change your mood and even your heartbeat. When there’s too much of it, the effects can feel overwhelming. That’s why knowing how to stop being high can help a lot.
If you’re ever confused about how different cannabis products hit, you might wonder: Does THCA get you high? THCa is non-psychoactive until it’s heated, so on its own it doesn’t get you high. However, once heated, like when smoking, it turns into THC and that’s what delivers the high.
Immediate Steps: What to Do Right Away
The last thing you want to do is panic. It might feel intense right now, but it will pass. A high from smoking or vaping usually fades sooner than one from edibles, which can last longer than people expect, according to CDC, but they will wear off.
Stay Calm and Breathe
Breathing exercises can help you take back control of your nervous system and lower your heart rate. Try inhaling through your nose for four seconds, holding for four, and then exhaling through your mouth.
Doing this a few times can give you a sense of control when everything feels too intense. You’re not trying to fix the high; you’re just trying to ride it out a little more smoothly.
Hydrate with Water or Lemon Water
A dry mouth is one of the most common side effects of THC, and drinking water helps more than you might expect. Sip slowly rather than chugging.
If you have lemons around, try squeezing some into your glass. Any effect of lemon water on focus is personal experience, but sipping water is easy and safe. Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to start feeling more normal.
Move to a Comfortable, Safe Environment
If you’re wondering how you can stop being high, a simple change of environment can help. If the room feels loud or overcrowded, it can make your high worse.
So find a calm space where you feel safe. The goal is to make your surroundings feel as chill as possible while your body starts to come down.
Eat Something Light and Grounding
Even if you’re not hungry, a small snack may settle your stomach, though it is not a proven way to lower a high. Food helps settle your stomach and gives your body something else to focus on. Sometimes, just chewing and swallowing can help calm things down.
You should also consider what to eat based on how you’re feeling. Claims that pine nuts calm a high are popular online, but they are unproven, and waiting it out is what works.
How to Get Unhigh: Tricks People Use
There are many ways people try to get unhigh; some sound odd, and most rest on personal reports, so time is the one sure way to get rid of a high.
If a high ever feels dangerous, call poison control or 911 rather than waiting for a reply; for general questions about medical cannabis, feel free to contact us.
Black Pepper or Lemon Peel Method
Some people smell or chew a black peppercorn. Black pepper contains beta-caryophyllene, which activates the CB2 receptor in lab tests, but pepper has not been shown to ease a high.
Lemon peel contains limonene, and in a 2024 double-blind trial of 20 adults, pure limonene vaporized together with THC eased THC’s anxiety, though smelling a peel was not tested. Just scratch the peel and smell it, or add a bit to your water. Neither is a proven way to end a high.
Take a Shower or Wash Your Face
Changing how your body feels physically can shift your mental state, too. A warm shower may help you relax, though it will not lower THC levels. If a full shower isn’t an option, just washing your face with cold water can snap you out of a foggy headspace.
Distract Yourself with Calming Activities
Sometimes, your brain just needs a reset. Try watching a light TV show, listening to music, coloring, or playing with a pet. These kinds of chill activities keep your mind busy without overwhelming it.
This works especially well if you’re stuck thinking about how high you are. Shifting your focus, even a little, can help you relax and ride it out.
Why CBD May Not Balance the High
Many people believe CBD balances THC, but in a 2023 randomized trial of 46 adults, inhaled CBD did not reduce THC’s effects, and a 2026 review notes that CBD taken by mouth with THC has made THC’s effects stronger in recent studies. FDA also warns CBD can add drowsiness when combined with other sedating substances.
What Not to Do When You’re Too High
A few things can make a bad high worse. One thing most people should know is not to drink alcohol. Alcohol can actually make the effects of THC more intense. Also, avoid caffeine or anything that could make your heart race more.
Avoid lying in bed thinking about worst-case scenarios. It can make your brain spiral even more. Focus on staying calm and breathing so you control your nervous system.
If you’re new to cannabis or using it for health reasons, consider talking to medical marijuana doctors in Florida for personalized advice.
Tips to Prevent Getting Too High in the Future
Since there is no proven way to sober up quickly, it’s smart to avoid getting that high again. Edibles can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to work, which is why CDC warns that some people may eat too much; ask a clinician before using cannabis for health reasons.
Different types of cannabis strains are sold with different effects, but a 2022 study found labels do not reliably match a product’s chemistry. You should always ask questions before trying something new.
Knowing how to get unhigh also means knowing when to get help: call 911 in an emergency, or poison control at 1-800-222-1222. Time is the one sure way a high ends, so plan ahead before using cannabis.
