How To Recover From Edibles: 9 Quick Solutions

We’ve all been there—consuming edibles that hit harder than expected.

Sometimes, their ultra-powerful psychoactive effects can leave you desperate to escape the buzz, find relief, and regain a sense of reality. Don’t fret. With the tips below and a little fresh air, you should be just fine.

Whether you totally miscalculated your dose or perhaps underestimated the delayed onset of cannabis edibles, here’s how to recover from edibles in the fastest and most effective way possible.

If you’re feeling any of the symptoms below, it’s a sign you may have consumed more THC than your body can comfortably handle. Here’s what it can look like if you’ve had more than your tolerance can handle.

• Paranoia
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Time distortion
• Rapid heart rate
• Nausea or vomiting
• Lower blood pressure
• Coordination problems
• Confusion and brain fog
• Anxiety or panic attacks

How many mg of THC is too much? This is different for everyone. Depending on things like individual tolerance levels, metabolism, and other factors, here’s how much might be right for you (and when it’s considered excessive THC):

• 1-2.5mg: Mild effects suitable for beginners
• 5-10mg: Moderate effects for occasional users
• 15-30mg: Strong effects for regular users
• 50mg+: Very strong effects, even for experienced users

Most negative side effects from edibles happen when people with lower tolerances consume more than 20mg of THC. Everyone’s body reacts differently, but the dosing guidelines above are a reliable starting point.

If you’re wondering how to sober up from an edible quickly, these tips can help. They might not bring you down completely, but they’ll make the high feel a lot more manageable.

Drinking plenty of fluids is important when you’re using edibles, and even more important when you’re trying to come down from a high. Staying hydrated helps your body process THC and can ease side effects like dry mouth. But don’t just sip on plain water—for an extra calming and electrolyte boost, try drinking coconut water, cucumber juice, or herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint.

Did you know that CBD (cannabidiol) can counteract THC’s psychoactive effects by interacting with the same cannabinoid receptors? Taking CBD oil under your tongue (sublingually) has the fastest effect and can help balance out THC’s effects quickly. Many people actually keep CBD around just for edible emergencies (or any form of day-to-day anxiety).

An empty stomach will intensify the effects of edibles. If it’s already too late, and you’ve consumed edibles on an empty stomach, don’t panic. There’s still time to soften the blow. Grab a snack that’s high in fat, protein, or complex carbs. Foods like nuts, cheese, or a sandwich can help dilute the THC in your system and slow its absorption, making the high a lot more manageable.

Don’t knock it till you try it. Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young swears by this hack. He says chewing on a black peppercorn works surprisingly well to relieve anxiety from THC paranoia, and that also goes for edible consumption. Pepper contains terpenes that actually interact with the same receptors as cannabis and help calm the mind and body.

There’s something about taking a walk in the great outdoors that does wonders for regaining control from edibles. Light physical activity can help reduce the effects of edibles while providing a nice mental distraction from all that paranoia. Just don’t go lifting heavy weights or doing some intense exercise—that can stress out the heart and body even more.

If you’re okay with giving your system a brief shock, splash cold water on your face, take a quick cool shower, or press an ice pack against the back of your neck. The relief is almost instant—that sudden shock to your system can help jolt you awake, cut through the brain fog, and get you feeling more grounded.

The best way to stay calm? Treat yourself to all things peaceful. Put on familiar music that naturally calms you down, and kick back in a zen, quiet environment. Calming music paired with a relaxed atmosphere can help reduce external stimuli and prevent anxiety from spiraling when deep into an edible high.

Psychologically grounding yourself can sometimes help cut through the THC panic quickly.

The 5-4-3-2-1 method gives your brain something to focus on right now — bringing you back into reality one sense at a time:

• 5 things you can see
• 4 things you can feel
• 3 things you can hear
• 2 things you can smell
• 1 thing you can taste

It’s easy, you can do it anywhere, and it works faster than you’d expect when your mind’s racing.

Sometimes, the best way to get through those intense effects is to sleep them off. Try taking a nap, and if it’s nighttime, hit the hay. Your body will continue to process THC during sleep. That said, those with lower tolerances might still feel high when waking up. It’s pretty common in the early phases of cannabis consumption.

While you’re working on coming down, here are a few things you’ll want to avoid:

• Don’t consume more edibles (thinking the first dose isn’t working)
• Avoid alcohol and other intoxicating substances
• Don’t drive or operate heavy machinery
• Skip “detox pills” marketed for THC—most are just a marketing gimmick

Feeling overwhelmed after eating too many edibles can make you think you need emergency help, but in most cases, you don’t. That’s just the THC-induced paranoia talking.

However, real medical attention might be necessary if you notice serious symptoms that don’t respond to calming strategies, like:

• Extreme panic that you can’t manage with the tips above
• Hallucinations that cause dangerous behavior
• Severe vomiting that prevents you from staying hydrated
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness

The reassuring part? Cannabis-related medical emergencies are extremely rare. Studies have shown that fatal outcomes from marijuana alone are almost nonexistent.

If you do end up seeking medical help, the treatment usually focuses on keeping you hydrated, calming your system, and monitoring your vital signs while the THC works its way out of your body.
Most people recover fully with rest and support.

To avoid overdoing it next time, wait at least two hours between edible doses—it can take a while for effects to kick in, and patience goes a long way.

How long it takes for edibles to wear off depends on a few important factors. Remember, everyone responds differently to edibles. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Metabolism: Faster metabolisms process THC more quickly
• Body composition: THC is fat-soluble, affecting how long it remains in your system
• Tolerance: Regular cannabis consumption builds tolerance, potentially shortening the duration
• Dosage: Higher potency strains and products with high THC content have longer-lasting effects

For most people, the timeline looks like this:

• Onset: 30 minutes to 2 hours after taking edibles
• Peak effects: 2-4 hours after onset
• Total duration: 6-12 hours for main effects
• After effects: 12-24 hours for edible hangovers to wear off

While most of the effects of edibles will wear off within 8 hours, weed hangovers can have lingering effects well into the next day. That usually just feels like brain fog, lethargy, and general tiredness.

Thankfully, edible hangovers are a lot less awful than alcohol hangovers. Here’s what to expect:

• Brain fog
• Dehydration
• Mild headache
• Constant fatigue
• Lingering anxiety
• Dry eyes and mouth
• Feeling disconnected

For weed hangovers, here’s how to escape them:

1. Start with a healthy breakfast, a good meal rich in protein and complex carbs like whole grains
2. Hydrate with water, electrolyte drinks, and/or herbal teas
3. Take a shower to increase alertness and circulation
4. Light exercise, like yoga or walking to stimulate endocannabinoid production
5. Consider a small dose of CBD (without THC) to balance your endocannabinoid system
6. Drink coffee or tea in moderation if you’re constantly feeling tired

Everyone’s edible experience is different. And with the tips above, we can only hope that you navigate the waters of paranoia with ease.

Learning how to recover from edibles is key for anyone who likes to partake in some THC fun. And if you’ve learned anything from the tips above, it’s that your best bet is prevention—starting with a low dose, being patient with the onset, and understanding your personal tolerance levels.

It takes time and experience to fully understand how your body reacts to edibles. Just remember the golden rule: you can always take more, but you can’t take less once consumed. Start low and go slow until you reach your desired effects.