How to Recover From Edibles? 5 Tips to Quick Recovery

What to do after eating edibles

Updated November 25, 2024

Authored By:

Joe Gilmore

Edited By

Amy Leifeste

Medically Reviewed By

Javier Rodriguez-Winter

Authored By:

Joe Gilmore

Edited By

Amy Leifeste

Medically Reviewed By

Javier Rodriguez-Winter

What to do after eating edibles

While taking an edible is a common recreational activity for some, for others one small bite of a gummy or brownie can lead to anxious, spiraling thoughts once the high kicks in. Whether a novice or a seasoned user, taking edibles may not always have the desired effect and can lead to a bad trip. 

If this is the case, read on to learn how to recover from edibles and what you can do to mitigate any adverse effects. Keep in mind that there is no way to sober up completely and quickly if there is weed in your system, but there are definitely ways to combat a bad high. 

If you struggle with addiction, it is not recommended that you engage in edible use as it can lead to relapse. Call our recovery team at 844-576-0144 if you need help overcoming addiction. 

 

 

5 Tips on How to Recover From Edibles 

If you find yourself in a tough cannabis-induced situation, don’t fret. The biggest thing to remember when you are high is that the high is temporary and you will definitely feel better later or the next day. Apart from that, read on to learn more about how these five tips could help you recover from an edible high.

Hydrate

Hydrating is paramount in mitigating the negative psychoactive intensity of overconsuming THC when you take edibles. The best liquids to drink when you’re high are water, coconut juice, cucumber juice, herbal teas, or drinks with electrolytes in them. While drinking liquids won’t immediately eliminate the THC from your system, it can help lessen the effects of a bad high.

Eat Something

Eating Edibles on an empty stomach can intensify the effects of it. because of this you want to make sure that you always take an edible when you’ve eaten something, or eat something right after taking the edible. This can also help counteract any nausea associated with cannabis.  If you’ve taken too high of an edible dose, eating food could help give you the energy to metabolize the THC quicker. Make sure to eat foods that are nutrient rich and dense. Good options include meals with carbohydrates in them, fruits, vegetables, and protein.

Sleep It Off

Perhaps one of the best tips to combat a bad edible high is to sleep it off. Many edibles already have sleepiness as a side effect of the high. Instead of staying awake and aware of negative symptoms, sleep it off. Many individuals claim that after sleeping while high they wake up feeling much better and more sober. 

Exercise

Engaging in light exercise could help release stress, alleviate symptoms, and provide a welcome distraction from negative effects of cannabis. Try going for a walk, doing some stretching, or even doing some yoga. When you’re high, it’s best to avoid strenuous exercise and activities like weightlifting or running.

Take CBD

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, may help alleviate the adverse effects of THC and help promote a sense of balance. Consider adding in  CBD products, like tinctures, to counteract feelings of anxiety or overstimulation. 

 

How to Get Over an Edible

It can be pretty alarming to take an edible, feel high, and then begin feeling adverse effects. If you find yourself in this situation, you might be wondering how to get over an edible. Unfortunately, although there are tips to mitigate an edible high, there isn’t a clear-cut, easy answer to this question. 

 

Is There a Way to Make the Edible High Go Away?

In short, no. Nothing you do can offer instant sobriety or chase away a bad high. However, there are many tips that could help you recover and lessen the effects of an edible high. 

 

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you’re experiencing sudden severe symptoms, such as those similar to an allergic reaction, call Emergency Services right away. These symptoms can include difficulty breathing, wheezing, or behaviors displaying psychosis.

 

Taking Edibles | Risks & Dangers

Although taking edibles is not as inherently risky as opioids or alcohol, cannabis consumption still can pose a threat to your well-being and health.

Overdose

While it’s unlikely to have a fatal overdose from cannabis, consuming too much can lead to uncomfortable or distressing effects, such as severe anxiety, hallucinations, or nausea.

Dependence

Regular use of edibles, like other forms of cannabis, can lead to psychological dependence. It’s important to use edibles responsibly and in moderation.

How to get rid of a edible high

Types of Edibles

Edibles come in many shapes and forms. It was first introduced in foods and drinks as early as 1000 BC by Hindu people in ancient India. When marijuana became more mainstream in the 1960s, the most popular form of edible was the brownie. 

Today, edibles can be anything. Dispensaries often sell them as gummies, chocolates, chocolate covered almonds, candy bars, and more. Others offer marijuana tinctures that can be added to any kind of food, making regular cuisine like pizza and soups into a cannabis-infused meal. Edibles are also gaining popularity in drink form, often coming in packages that look like energy drinks.

 

What Do Edibles Do to Your Body?

When you take an edible, the THC and other cannabinoids in it begin releasing into your bloodstream. They travel all the way to your brain and attach to cannabinoid receptors to give you that “high” effect.

The tricky thing about edibles is that it can be tough to gauge how much you need to take in order to feel any effects. Because of this, many people tend to take more than they should—so much so that the high isn’t even enjoyable, but instead frightening. 

Now you know how edibles interact with your body. But how does taking an edible feel? Here are some common bodily sensations you may experience after taking an edible:

  • Relaxed
  • Tingly
  • Mellow and happy
  • Giggly
  • Lethargic
  • Slow-moving
  • Haziness
  • sleepiness

Here are some reactions that aren’t as positive but are also common:

  • Paranoia
  • Panic
  • Hyper-awareness of breathing patterns
  • Perceived difficulty breathing 
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Increased appetite
  • Distortions of time and space
  • Dry mouth
  • Red eyes

 

Onset & Duration of Edibles

Each edible takes a different amount of time to impact your body and nervous system. The onset and duration of an edible depends on many different factors, including what kind of edible it is, your body weight, how much you’ve had to eat that day, metabolism, tolerance, and even exercise habits.  

On average, it’ll take about half an hour for an edible to kick in, although some edibles may take up to two hours. If an edible takes about half an hour to kick in it will peak around two hours and could last for up to four. Some individuals may even feel lingering effects of an edible the next day.

 

How Long Do Edibles Last in General?

The duration of a high from an edible is not set in stone. Typically, however, an edible takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes to kick in and lasts for at least two to four hours. Stronger edibles may last for an entire day, although this depends on an individual’s tolerance and prior marijuana habits. A stronger edible would be considered upwards of 25 mg; some edibles can go past 100 mg.

 

How Long Do Gummy Edibles Last Compared to Other Edibles?

Compared to other edibles, the duration of a high brought on by eating cannabis gummies can last more or less. The deciding factor in how long gummies last is not determined by the fact that they are gummies, but rather because of the THC content and milligrams in them. for example eating a 25 mg gummy might last more than eating a 10 mg brownie. But if you eat a 25 mg brownie, that high will last more than eating a 10 mg gummy. At the end of the day, the high from gummy edibles depends on milligrams and tolerance.

 

The Comedown From Edibles

The comedown from edibles can involve residual effects such as drowsiness, altered perception, or mild anxiety. These effects can be uncomfortable but are typically temporary. Managing the comedown involves supportive measures to alleviate symptoms, such as sleeping it off or staying hydrated. Depending on the strength of the edible you took, you might feel disoriented or lethargic the next day. Lingering symptoms from edibles typically resolve themselves within 24 hours.

How to recover from an edible with Gratitude Lodge

Get Treatment for Drug Addiction at Gratitude Lodge

Many people consume edibles to relax and have a good time. However, there is a point when consuming cannabis can become cause for concern. If you or a loved one has a cannabis dependency, it might be time to get treatment for it. 

Gratitude Lodge, in Southern California, is one of the best addiction treatment centers in the US. Located on picturesque beaches—like Huntington Beach and Long Beach—we are proud to offer renowned treatment and a wide variety of therapeutic options for all of our residents.

Something that truly makes a stand out from all the other rehabs is our dedication to our residents. With us, you’re not just a patient—your family. A lot of our own staff members and founders are in recovery themselves, which means that from the moment you step into our doors, you’ll be greeted by like-minded people who are ready to encourage you to stay steadfast in your recovery journey and will meet you with compassion and empathy. 

If you need addiction help, call us at 844-576-0144.

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Jenni Bussi

Jenni Busse MS, LPCC

Jenni Busse MS, LPSS is the Clinical Director at Gratitude Lodge. Jenni oversees the clinical program and the clinical team at Gratitude Lodge as a whole. Jenni has worked in treatment for almost 14 years. Her background as a licensed therapist and her passion for helping others intersected with addiction recovery when she started working primarily in detox residential treatment.
Joe Gilmore

Joseph Gilmore

Joseph Gilmore has been working in the addiction industry for half a decade and has been writing about addiction and substance abuse treatment during that time. He has experience working for facilities all across the country. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.

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