If you’ve smoked weed more than a handful of times, there’s a good chance that you’ve experienced being ‘too high’.
You know, your thoughts are racing, you’re highly self-conscious, and you have an underlying sense of dread, anxiety or even paranoia.
This is a totally normal reaction to medium/high doses of THC. Many people experience it and, while it will wear off in a few hours, it can be worrying.
So in the meantime, what can you do to lessen these symptoms?
Well, there are a few things you can try…
1. CBD

Scientists working out of King’s College of London published a study in 2018 that shows CBD has antipsychotic properties and can negate the negative effects of THC.
The findings confirm previous studies that show CBD has potent antipsychotic properties and the power to reduce THC-induced anxiety and paranoia. This suggests that using CBD alongside THC may help protect the individual’s mental health.
Additionally, by smoking strains with a more balanced ratio of CBD and THC, you will have “significantly lower plasma THC concentrations” and reduce the chances of getting too high in the first place, this study found.
2. L-theanine
When taken alongside THC, l-theanine has been shown to powerfully block several side effects of THC exposure, “including changes to schizophrenia-related neurochemical pathways, and abnormalities in behaviours – including cognitive and emotional disturbances”.
Basically, it can reduce the paranoia associated with THC use.
It’s also been shown to have strong anti-anxiety properties, making it a very useful tool to keep on hand next time you have a smoke sesh.
L-theanine is found in green tea leaves and is widely available in supplement form from health shops. Recommended dose is 200mg a day and it has no known side effects.
3. Peppercorn

Chewing on peppercorns to reduce an intense high sounds like an old stoner’s wive’s tale, but there is merit to it.
The principal terpene in black pepper, (E)-β-caryophyllene (BCP) – which is also common in cannabis – binds to CB2 receptors to produce anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects.
Other terpenes that may help negative the psychoactivity of THC include pinene and limonene. Pinene, which is found in many plants as well as cannabis, has compelling evidence for counteracting short-term memory deficits induced by THC.
4. Shower
Hot showers are a great way to gather yourself and calm your system down if you find yourself too high.
While there is no scientific evidence for hot showers reducing a high, many people find the hot water and the steam can bring them back down to earth and relax them. Either way, it feels good.
Cold showers may also help snap you out of it by giving you a jolt of energy. Just be aware that being high canmake you more sensitive to cold and it could provide too much of a shock.
5. Yoga/mindful movement

The mind and body are not separate. Therefore, if you release tension from the body, you release tension from the mind. This makes mindful movement (and mindful breathing) two powerful practices to centre yourself if you went overboard on the THC.
Along with yoga, I also find mobility exercises and primal movements (jumping, crawling, rolling, balancing) to be extremely helpful in overcoming a strong weed-high.
Read: 5 Observations From Consuming Cannabis Before Exercise
How to avoid getting too high in the first place
If you have experienced being too high and would like to avoid experiencing it again, there are a few things you can do to reduce the chances.
These things have worked well for me and many others.
- Use a dry herb vape
There’s something about vaping your bud that produces a more relaxing, manageable high. It’s probably due to the fact that you’re avoiding the harmful chemicals that combustion creates, like carbon monoxide.
- Use CBD and l-theanine beforehand
As stated earlier in this article, CBD and l-theanine are great at reducing the negative effects of THC. They can also help when used beforehand in order to prevent anxiety and paranoia.
- Take low doses of THC
There are times when you might feel like smoking some weed but you don’t want to get too high. For these times, a microdose of THC can be great for taking the edge off with being too intoxicating.
Taking a single puff on a joint or a vape will give you a slight buzz but won’t cause any anxiety or uneasiness.
Read: 12 Observations From Microdosing Cannabis Every Day For One Month
- Smoke with close friends
Who you are with when you consume cannabis can play a big role in how you handle the high. If you’re around stranger or people you’re not so comfortable with, there’s a chance weed will make you self-conscious. Therefore, limit who smoke around to close friends and loved ones.
Healthy relationship with cannabis
If you need more advice on maintaining a healthy relationship with cannabis, check out my book Overcoming Cannabis Addiction. It goes into detail on the tips I cover here, as well as a number of different strategies and techniques that can help you use cannabis to improve your life.

It’s had over 50 positive reviews and has seemed to have helped a few people. Check it out here.
Summary
So there you have it. Five ways to come down from a THC-induced high, and a few extra tips to avoid getting there in the first place.
If you have any more tips, please let me know in the comments.
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Been smoking for 46 years, and I experienced this many years ago but not in this millennium! Has the weed got weaker or have I just got super tolerance now? My method of combatting it was to go for a long walk until I levelled out, it didnt usually last long.
Limonene has recently been shown to counteract the effect of excessive THC levels.