What Should I Do If I Get Too High From Edibles, Smoking, or Dabbing?

I’m flat on my back on my friend’s carpet, convinced that I’ve forgotten how to breathe. My heart is hammering like a punk drummer, my mouth is drier than the Sahara, and my thoughts are looping in an anxious chorus of “Oh no… I’m too high.” We’ve all been there (or dread ending up there): that moment you realize you’ve overdone the cannabis – be it one dab hit too many, an edible that drop-kicked you into oblivion, or just an extra bong rip that tipped the scales. Fear not, intrepid psychonaut. Consider this your gonzo survival guide for riding out a wild high. I’ve been to the edge of the cannabis universe and back, and I come bearing practical tips, hard truths, and a healthy dose of humor to get you through a THC overdose (a.k.a. “I’m way too stoned, man”) in one piece.

First: A Reality Check (You’re Not Dying)

No matter how high you feel, remind yourself of this unassailable fact: no one has ever died from a cannabis overdose. Unlike alcohol or opioids, THC won’t shut down your breathing or heart. The worst it can do physically is make you feel extremely uncomfortable – racing heart, dizziness, nausea – but it’s not going to kill you . The danger is all in your head, which, admittedly, is currently convinced it’s in mortal peril. So the first step: acknowledge that you’re safe. Say it out loud if you need to: “I am OK. I’m just really high. This will pass.” It sounds trite, but grounding yourself in that reality is crucial. I like to think of it as engaging the sober corner of your brain that still knows what’s up. That little rational voice might be a whisper amid the paranoia, but latch onto it and amplify it.

Often the worst part of being too high is the anxiety and fear that something’s terribly wrong. The scientific scoop: THC in excess can trigger a fight-or-flight response, spiking your anxiety and heart rate . It also messes with time perception (minutes may feel like hours). Combine those, and a five-hour high can feel like an eternity in a personal hell. But remember, it is finite. If you need a mantra, try: “I am not in danger. Nothing is wrong with me. It’s just the weed.” Because truly, that’s it. You’re experiencing cannabis-induced panic and disorientation. Reminding yourself (or having a friend remind you) that you’re not dying and you’re not going insane permanently is step one to taming the terror. Trust me – I’ve clung to this lifeline myself, whispering into the shag carpet, “You’re fine, you’re fine, you’re fine,” until I actually believed it.

Find Your Chill Spot

Now, get comfortable. Physically. If you’re in an environment that’s overstimulating – say, a loud party or out on the street – try to relocate somewhere quieter and familiar. A comfy couch, your bed, a friend’s spare room, etc. Being too high often comes with sensory overload. Lights might seem too bright, sounds too sharp. So reduce external stimuli. Dim the lights or close your eyes. Put on some calming music (something you know and love – now is not the time to experiment with aggressive death metal or mind-bending psychedelia visuals). A lot of folks report that familiar TV shows or music can be very soothing; it’s like an anchor to reality. I personally have a playlist of “songs I can trust” for these moments – chill, upbeat tunes that make me feel safe.

Some people find wrapping themselves in a cozy blanket or hugging a pillow helps – a sort of self-soothing pressure. It might sound silly, but touch can ground you. If you have a pet, now is a great time to cuddle them (their calm presence can work wonders – plus, dogs and cats don’t judge). As one guide advises, “Find a quiet place to sit or lie back and try to relax… listening to music can help, or even singing along to keep you present” . The key is to reduce the mental room available for panicky thoughts by occupying your senses with gentle, pleasant input.

Breathe (Yes, You Can Do It)

When you’re freaking out, breathing often becomes shallow or erratic. Deliberately slowing your breath can signal your body to chill out. Try the classic 4-7-8 breathing: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8. If that’s too much, even just deep inhales and exhales at a comfortable pace will help. Not only does focusing on breathing give your brain something to do besides panic, the increased oxygen and rhythm can actually slow your heart rate. Remember, some of what you’re feeling is your body’s reaction to perceived danger (thanks, THC anxiety). By breathing slowly, you’re basically telling your nervous system “false alarm, stand down.”

I’ve used breathing as a rope to climb out of a spiraling high. One time after a monster dab, I was convinced I might truly pass out. My friend sat me down, put a hand on my shoulder, and breathed with me – exaggerating his breaths so I’d sync up. It felt kind of dumb at first (two dudes puffing like yoga class in a messy living room), but it worked. Within a couple of minutes, my heartbeat slowed from hummingbird to normal and the sense of doom retreated a bit. Pro tip: sipping cold water between breaths also helps; it combats dry mouth and gives a mini “reset” feeling with each gulp.

Employ the CBD and Pepper Trick

Time to raid the kitchen (carefully, you’re high after all). Two surprising allies in battling a ferocious high are CBD and black pepper. CBD, the non-intoxicating cannabinoid, can act as almost an antidote to THC’s freak-out effects. It doesn’t exactly knock THC off your receptors, but it modulates them and can reduce anxiety . Many over-high folks report that a dose of CBD oil or a CBD-heavy vape pen mellows the high significantly. If you have any CBD products around – a tincture, capsule, or even a CBD gummy – now’s a good time to use them. It’s a bit paradoxical to take more cannabis product, but CBD-only stuff won’t get you “higher.” It can only go down from here, I promise.

Now for the pepper: Believe it or not, sniffing or chewing on black peppercorns can provide near-instant relief for cannabis anxiety  . This isn’t stoner lore; even reputable sources like Neil Young and Healthline have noted its efficacy . Black pepper contains terpenes like beta-caryophyllene that have an anti-anxiety effect and may synergize with cannabinoids in a calming way. How to do it? Grab your pepper shaker or a few whole peppercorns. If ground, take a gentle sniff (don’t inhale it into your nose, just waft it). If whole, chew on one or two and let that spicy flavor seep in. You’ll get a strong peppery aroma/taste that surprisingly cuts through the mental fog and panic. I’ve done this, and I was amazed – the sharp scent seemingly yanked me out of my circular thoughts like a slap to the face (a nice slap, if that makes sense). Within a minute or two, I felt notably calmer and more collected. It’s like the pepper’s pungency was more immediate for my brain to focus on, shoving the existential dread aside. It’s not a total miracle cure, but it helps take the edge off the peak anxiety. Lemons and pine nuts are also rumored to help (they contain other terpenes like limonene and pinene which are also believed to have calming, clear-headed effects ). But pepper is usually easiest to find in a pinch.

Hydrate and Snack

Thirst and low blood sugar can exacerbate how lousy you feel. THC can cause dry mouth (“cottonmouth”) and sometimes a drop in blood pressure. So drink a big glass of water or juice. The act of sipping is itself soothing, plus it addresses dehydration. Munching on a light snack can also help “ground” you – the familiar act of eating and the incoming calories can stabilize wooziness. Opt for something simple like fruit, a piece of bread, or a sweet snack if you’re up for it. The cannabinoids in edibles (if that’s what you took) are absorbed alongside food, so eating after you’re already high won’t increase the high – it might actually dilute it a bit. In any case, having something in your stomach can curb nausea and give a bit of normalcy. One thing to avoid: more weed. Obviously. Don’t succumb to the misguided logic of “maybe a hit of a joint will even it out” – it will not, you’ll just climb higher. Similarly, don’t drown your sorrows in beer; alcohol can actually increase THC blood concentrations and could dehydrate you more. Stick to water and maybe a light, comforting snack.

Distract Your Mind

When you’re too high, your mind can feel like a bad neighborhood – don’t wander there alone. Distraction is your friend. Try watching a familiar movie or an episode of a funny, feel-good show. The goal is to gently occupy your thoughts with something external so you stop the inward hyper-analysis. For me, cartoons or a stand-up comedy special have saved the day. It’s hard to stay freaked out when Jerry Seinfeld is riffing about nothing from the TV, or when SpongeBob is doing something ridiculous. If TV’s not your thing, try a simple task like doodling, sorting some magic: the gathering cards (speaking from personal experience), or playing a casual video game. Avoid anything too intense or story-heavy that might be hard to follow – you want light and easy. The Healthline guide suggests doing something like counting objects, coloring, or even taking a walk to refocus your mind  . That last one – taking a walk – can be fantastic if you’re up to it. A stroll in fresh air, in a safe area, can work wonders to change the scenery of your mind. Just maybe go with a trusted friend if you’re really disoriented; getting lost while super high can spark new panic (unless you just circle your block).

Phone-a-Friend (or Helpline)

Don’t underestimate the power of human contact. If you’re alone and spiraling, calling a close friend (ideally one who understands cannabis) can really help. Just hearing a calming voice, someone to reassure you “you’re going to be okay” and maybe crack a joke or two, can pull you out of an inward spiral. Sometimes you need an external reminder of reality. I’ve been on both ends of that phone call. I once talked a friend down who was convinced he’d “never come back from this.” I just kept telling him funny stories from our past, steering his mind to pleasant memories until I heard him chuckle and exhale into the phone, the panic breaking. If you don’t have a friend available and it’s really bad, there are even helplines (like Poison Control or local health lines) where medical professionals can talk you through it. Don’t be afraid to use them if you truly feel on the brink – they’ve handled plenty of “too high” calls and will not scold you; they’ll support you.

In a worst-case scenario, if you feel extremely sick (severe chest pain, trouble breathing, etc., which is very rare from cannabis alone), seeking medical attention is an option. Paramedics won’t arrest you for being high; they’d much rather ensure you’re safe. But honestly, for the vast majority of green-outs, it won’t come to that. Usually by the time you consider calling 911, the peak is already starting to ebb (and often the arrival of EMTs finds the person just embarrassed and coming down). Use that as a last resort.

Riding It Out

Ultimately, the only true cure is time. You may have to simply ride the wave until you come down. Think of it like an intense weather system in your body – you can’t stop a storm, but you can shelter until it passes. And it will pass. The human body metabolizes THC and adrenaline surprisingly well. One moment you’re trembling that you’ll feel insane forever, and a couple hours later you’re munching chips on the couch, thinking “Wow, that was intense,” already returning to baseline. The peak effects of a smoked high usually dissipate within 2-3 hours . Dabs (concentrates) might last a bit longer due to potency. Edibles are the marathon – a strong dose can have you feeling off for 6-8 hours or more  . But even edibles eventually fade. If it’s late, try to sleep. Sleep can be elusive when super high (and sometimes the spinning room feeling gets worse lying down), but even closing your eyes and drifting in and out can help time-jump. You might wake up still a tad groggy or buzzed, but the worst will be over.

While you wait it out, continue reminding yourself of the light at the end of the tunnel. Envision yourself in a few hours, back to normal. And perhaps learn from the experience (once you’re sane enough to think coherently about it). Maybe you’ll decide, “dabs aren’t for me” or “I’ll only take one bite of brownie next time.” Use this as a teachable moment so you don’t repeat it. Practically every cannabis enthusiast has a horror story like this – it’s almost a rite of passage – but the wise ones use it to calibrate their future use.

Harm Reduction and Future Prevention

In the spirit of avoiding future too-high escapades: always know your dose, pace yourself, and respect the potency of today’s cannabis. That means testing the waters with any new strain, product, or method. One hit, wait. One gummy, wait. It also means being mindful of mixing substances – if you smoke after drinking, for example, it can radically amplify the high (the old “cross-faded” experience). Many a person has handled a joint fine sober, but finds themselves flooring it after a few beers then a puff. If you’re already tipsy, maybe skip that strong dab. Additionally, keep in mind what kind of high you enjoy. Some people realize they get too anxious on sativa-dominant strains or super high-THC wax, but do fine with a mellow indica or a balanced THC/CBD flower. Listen to your body.

And hey, it’s not a failure to stick to milder forms of consumption if that’s what keeps you in the happy zone. Maybe you conclude that microdosing edibles is your jam, or that one small vape hit is enough. Cannabis is not a competition. There’s no prize for smoking the most or taking the biggest dab (and those YouTube heroes chugging 1 gram dabs are often not showing you the subsequent 3 hours of them curled in a fetal position). The goal is to enjoy, to benefit, and to stay safe.

The Gonzo Epilogue:

As I come down from my carpet-floor ordeal, a wave of relief washes over me. The world is back in focus, my heart is steady, and I’m just tired. I sit up, sip some water, and share a weak laugh with my buddies about how “I thought I was meeting the Grim Reaper for a second there.” We’ve all got our too-high war stories, and now I’ve got another for the book. But I also have a deeper appreciation for this plant and its power. Cannabis can catapult you to bliss, but overshoot and it’ll slam you into the wall. The trick is not to panic when you hit that wall – find your footing, breathe, and walk it back.

So if you ever find yourself staring at your reflection in the mirror, red-eyed and freaked out, wondering how to dial down the high: remember this guide. You’re not alone – many of us have been uncomfortably high and lived to tell the tale (often with a grin). Use the tips: chill out, pepper up, hydrate, distract, and wait. You’ll come back to Earth soon, I promise. And when you do, you’ll be a little wiser and probably a lot more careful with that brownie or bong. Until then, ride the wave – you got this. You are okay.