When most people hear the word “hangover,” they think of the unpleasant physical symptoms that follow a night of excessive alcohol consumption. With cannabis legalization sweeping the country, making pot more easily accessible for recreational use, many people are using the green bud as an alternative to other social substances, like booze - but if you think that means hangovers are something you no longer need to think about, you could be in for a rude awakening.
Wait, what? Can you get hungover from weed? Yup. You sure can. A weed hangover is a real thing. And not a fun one. But using a little forethought can prevent one, and if it’s too late for that, here are some tips on how to cure a weed hangover.
Can you get a hangover from weed?
While it is certainly not as common as the alcohol hangover, a weed hangover is most definitely a real thing. While weed hangovers are usually less severe and their symptoms last for a shorter length of time than the ones associated with over-drinking, common weed hangover symptoms can include:- headache
- nausea
- fatigue
- brain fog
- dry eyes
- cottonmouth
- sensitivity to light
- the lingering feeling of still being high
How to avoid a weed hangover
Can you get a hangover from weed? Yes. That said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! You don’t have to treat any weed hangover symptoms if you never get them in the first place. After all, what is a weed hangover due to? Overconsumption. No one ever actually plans to overconsume. But that’s just what happens when you fail to take into account things like:- Strain. Experimenting with a new-to-you strain can definitely mess you up. Sativas provide more of a head high while indicas provide more of a body high. An indica during the day might zap your energy and a sativa at night could overstimulate your brain and mess with your sleep. You always want the right strain for the right occasion.
- Levels. THC is the mood-altering component in marijuana that provides the high feeling. You don’t always need to get “totally wasted,” so maybe you want to experiment with “low-dose” strains or at least keep those levels below 20% to prevent any THC hangover. In theory, the higher the CBD to THC ratio the strain is, the less likely you are to experience a hangover in the first place, so read labels and choose a well-balanced strain so as never to need a weed hangover cure.
- Method. If you are someone who usually smokes flower, switching to another cannabis formulation, such as an edible may provide a different high with a different body reaction afterward. Dosing when it comes to ingesting edibles can be tricky, and since internalized products take more time to metabolize in your body, it can be easy to overdo it. Meaning you could still have cannabis in your system the following morning. It is said that vaping may produce a cleaner high that produces less brain fog but again, the strength of the vape could lead to giving you a high more powerful and pronounced than you were expecting.
- Usage. It’s important to be aware of your limits. Overconsumption could mean doing too much in one sitting or it could mean doing too much every day, day after day, without a break. You also need to be careful which substances you mix with your ganja. Combining your pot with alcohol or even other drugs might seem like a great idea in the moment, but could end up making you feel like garbage the day after. You don’t always have to party like it's 1999. A little self-control can be a beautiful thing.
How to cure a weed hangover
If you did everything in your power - or absolutely nothing at all - to avoid a weed hangover, and you ended up with one, all you want to do is feel better fast. While there is no quick fix, there are definitely some steps that you can take to ease the pain and speed up your recovery.- Drink up. Stay hydrated. Drink water - a lot of it. You can also benefit from sports drinks and other beverages that replenish electrolytes. Caffeine from coffee or tea can help to boost that energy. Ginger tea can soothe an upset stomach and combat nausea. Whatever you do, avoid alcohol. H20 is your new bestie.
- Chow down. Treat yourself to a good breakfast. Make it nutrient-rich and minimally processed. Even if you’re not feeling hungry, those lean proteins, healthy fats and whole-grain carbs can leave you feeling so much better.
- Breathe in. Get some oxygen in your lungs. Take some deep cleansing breaths. Maybe step outside for some fresh air. Take a walk. Breathing can increase your energy, improve your mood and clear away some of that mental fog.
- Stretch out. Pull out that yoga mat or do some gentle stretches on the carpet. Maybe try a backbend. Meditate. Visualize. A few simple minutes of movement and getting in tune with your body can leave you feeling more energized and invigorated.
- Cool off. The power of a good shower should never be underestimated. Delight in the water cascading down on you and cleaning away any negative thoughts or feelings. Let the steam open your airways and loosen any tight muscles and refresh your senses.
- Get some CBD. While over-the-counter painkillers can help with weed hangover symptoms like a persistent headache, CBD is the real “hair of the dog” that can counteract that THC hangover. CBD can lessen THC’s psychoactive effects while enhancing its medicinal benefits. You can smoke it, vape it, eat it or rub it in - just make sure that whatever you use is pure CBD and contains no THC, so as not to further exacerbate the situation.