How To Come Down From A High: 10 Steps - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Stop Being High: 10 Tips for Coming Down Faster

Download Article Learn how to sober up quickly after a bad high Co-authored by Liana Georgoulis, PsyD

Last Updated: August 26, 2024

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Calming Down From a High

Being Alert and Focused

Tips

|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Liana Georgoulis, PsyD. Dr. Liana Georgoulis is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Los Angeles, California. She is the founder and clinical director of Coast Psychological Services. With over 12 years of experience, her mission is to provide clients with effective, well-studied, and established treatments that bring about significant improvements in her patients' lives. Her practice provides cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based therapies for adolescents, adults, and couples. Additionally, she provides group therapy for social anxiety, social skills, and assertiveness training. Providing a space where clients feel understood and supported is essential to her work. Dr. Georgoulis also provides clinical supervision to post-doctoral fellows and psychological assistants. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and a BA in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. This article has been viewed 1,159,331 times.

If you’re too high and you’re feeling a little anxious, that’s OK — it happens! Fortunately, there are some things you can do to calm yourself down and minimize the effects of your high, like drinking water and getting fresh air. If you have somewhere you need to be, you can try showering, drinking a cup of coffee, or using a few other tricks that will make you more alert and focused.

Coming Down From a High

Take a few deep breaths and open a window to get some fresh air. Then, drink a cool glass of water and put on some calming music or a movie. If you have nowhere you need to be, try going to sleep. If you need to stay awake, take a shower, drink a cup of coffee, or do some light exercise like push-ups and squats.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Calming Yourself Down

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1 Take a few deep breaths. Deep breaths are a fool-proof way to calm yourself down. Sit or lie down somewhere comfortable and close your eyes.[1] Then, place your hand on your stomach and inhale slowly through your nose. Feel your stomach push your hand out as you inhale. Then, slowly exhale through your mouth. Repeat this several times.[2]
2 Drink some water. Feeling dehydrated or thirsty can make a high feel more intense. To hydrate yourself so you feel calmer and centered, fill up a glass with cold water, and slowly sip on it. When you’re finished, assess how you feel and get more water if you’re still thirsty.[3] X Expert Source Liana Georgoulis, PsyDLicensed Psychologist Expert Interview
- Avoid drinking sodas, energy drinks, or alcohol or you could end up feeling more dehydrated.
- It might also help to eat a snack or a small meal. Foods rich in carbohydrates, like crackers or a granola bar, can help make you feel better quickly.[4]
3 Open a window for some fresh air. Sometimes sitting in a dark, stuffy room can make you feel a little on edge. If you’re indoors, try opening a nearby window to let in some fresh air and natural light. If there’s a nice view, sit by the window and look at the scenery — it might help calm you down so you can focus on getting over your high.[5]
4 Put on some calming music or a movie. Having something to listen to or watch can help distract you from any thoughts racing around in your head. If you have somewhere you need to be, leave the music or movie on in the background while you’re getting ready so you have something to listen to.
- Listen to calm, happy songs that you already know and like.
- If you decide to put on a movie, go with something lighthearted like a comedy or a nature documentary.
5 Try to go to sleep if you have nowhere you need to be. If you don’t have anywhere to be for the rest of the day, get comfortable in bed and try sleeping off your high. When you wake up, you’ll feel refreshed and you probably won't feel high anymore!

Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Being Alert and Focused

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1 Hop in the shower. Showering can help wake you up so you feel more alert and less high. While a cold shower might wake you up faster, a warm shower should still do the trick. While you’re in the shower, let the water run over your face for a little bit to help wake you up even more.
2 Drink a cup of coffee. If you’re not a morning person, you probably know how much coffee helps when you need to wake up and focus. Make yourself a cup of coffee and sip on it to help clear up any fogginess from your high so you’re more alert.[6] X Research source
- Keep in mind that the caffeine in coffee can increase your heart rate and make you feel more anxious. If you’re already feeling anxious from your high, you may want to skip out on coffee or wait until you’ve calmed down.
3 Do some light exercising so you feel more awake. Exercising releases endorphins, which can help alleviate any anxiety you’re feeling and make you more alert. Find a comfortable spot on the floor and do exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and stretches. If you’re not feeling up for exercising, try doing yoga instead.
- If you’re feeling really high, avoid exercising with heavy weights or equipment or you could injure yourself.
4 Go for a walk outside. Like exercising, taking a walk can release endorphins and make you feel more alert. The fresh air and natural light outside might also help lessen the effects of your high. If you’re worried about running into someone while you’re high, take a low-traffic route and avoid walking near large groups of people.[7]
5 Put in eye drops if your eyes are feeling groggy. Eye drops can help clear up your eyes and make you feel a little more alert and awake. They'll also help reduce any redness in your eyes from your high.

Expert Q&A

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Tips

Lift a pepper shaker or grinder up to your nose and gently sniff it. The pepper may act as a sort of smelling salt to wake up your brain, but be careful not to actually inhale the pepper into your nose. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 4

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you got high from smoking pot, you can try to mask the smell by rubbing cedar or pinewood around the house.
Remember to try not to zone out! That can be a key clue in telling that somebody is high.
Try splashing your face with water if you aren't able to jump in the shower.

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

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References

↑ Liana Georgoulis, PsyD. Licensed Psychologist. Expert Interview
↑ https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-relief-breathing-techniques
↑ Liana Georgoulis, PsyD. Licensed Psychologist. Expert Interview
↑ Liana Georgoulis, PsyD. Licensed Psychologist. Expert Interview
↑ http://www.refinery29.com/marijuana-so-high-how-to-calm-down#slide-6
↑ https://thefreshtoast.com/how-to/5-pro-tips-to-come-down-from-a-marijuana-high-quickly/
↑ http://www.refinery29.com/marijuana-so-high-how-to-calm-down#slide-6

About This Article

Co-authored by: Liana Georgoulis, PsyD Licensed Psychologist This article was co-authored by Liana Georgoulis, PsyD. Dr. Liana Georgoulis is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based in Los Angeles, California. She is the founder and clinical director of Coast Psychological Services. With over 12 years of experience, her mission is to provide clients with effective, well-studied, and established treatments that bring about significant improvements in her patients' lives. Her practice provides cognitive behavioral therapy and other evidence-based therapies for adolescents, adults, and couples. Additionally, she provides group therapy for social anxiety, social skills, and assertiveness training. Providing a space where clients feel understood and supported is essential to her work. Dr. Georgoulis also provides clinical supervision to post-doctoral fellows and psychological assistants. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and a BA in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. This article has been viewed 1,159,331 times. 12 votes - 52% Co-authors: 34 Updated: August 26, 2024 Views: 1,159,331 Categories: Recreational Drugs

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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Co-authored by: Liana Georgoulis, PsyD Licensed Psychologist 12 votes - 52% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 34 Updated: August 26, 2024 Views: 1,159,331