How To Stop Being High: 11 Tips - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeCannabis Too Strong? 11 Ways to Come Back Down

Medically reviewed by Alex Nguyen, PharmD, RPh, CPh — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on May 1, 2025

Relax
CBD
Hydrate
Black pepper
Lemon
Pine nuts
Focus
Cuddle a pet
Eat
Walk
Reach out
FAQ
Takeaway

Certain relaxing practices and home remedies, like chewing black peppercorns, may help you get rid of a high.

Overindulged in some edibles? Smoked a strain that was way more potent than you expected? Maybe the dose took longer to kick in, and you have stuff to do.

No worries. There are things you can do to cut the buzz so that you come down faster.

We’ve rounded up some of the more popular strategies for coming down. Don’t hesitate to try another if one doesn’t seem to work. These aren’t an exact science, and reactions can vary from person to person.

Try to relax

This is easier said than done when you’ve overindulged. But a little rest and relaxation can help tame the buzz. And trust us: You’re not dying. Really.

Find a quiet place to sit or lie back and try to relax. Breathing exercises or listening to music can help you chill.

If you do decide to listen to music, consider something you know all the words to and sing along. This can help you stay grounded in the present moment.

Eventually, the buzz will fade to a feeling of relaxation or even drowsiness. Go with it and let yourself fall asleep. Even a quick catnap will do you good.

Try some CBD

It seems counterintuitive, but according to Leafly, people use CBD to counteract the effects of too much THC.

Like THC, CBD is a type of cannabinoid found in cannabis. But unlike THC, which causes the high, CBD interacts with different receptors in your brain.

Researchers don’t know exactly how yet, but several studies have shown the benefits of CBD for different forms of anxiety.

Bonus: CBD helps some folks fall asleep. This can come in handy if you’re greening out.

Drink something

No, this doesn’t mean knocking back a few brews. Stick to water and other nonalcoholic drinks.

Drinking water before, during, and after any kind of drug use is always a good approach. It can be particularly helpful when it comes to cannabis, which tends to leave you with a dry mouth.

It’s also an easy activity that gives you something to focus on.

Try black pepper

A taste or whiff of black pepper may help combat the paranoia and anxiety that a major high can bring on.

Just grab a container of black pepper and sniff, being sure not to inhale it. You can also pop two or three whole peppercorns in your mouth and chew on them.

It sounds too good to be true, but there’s actually some science behind it. Caryophyllene, a compound in peppercorn, is a potent selective CB2 antagonist.

It increases the sedating effects of THC, which could calm you down.

Reach for a lemon

Like peppercorn, lemons also contain compounds, such as limonene, that have a calming effect.

Eating some lemon or squeezing some lemon juice into your water will counteract some of the psychoactive effects of THC and help you come down.

To get the most bang for your buck, zest the lemon peel into your water, or steep some lemon peel in hot water. The peel contains the highest concentration of limonene.

Eat pine nuts

Pine nuts may counteract the effects of THC, according to some research. Pinene, a compound in pine nuts, is believed to have a calming effect and help improve clarity.

Interestingly, pinene is also one of the terpenes found in cannabis that gives its smoke a pine-like aroma.

Skip this method if you have a tree nut allergy.

Focus on something else

Shifting your focus to something other than your high can stop you from fixating on it, which only makes it seem even worse than it is.

The key to making this tip work is to keep it simple. Avoid potentially anxiety-inducing video games or horror films.

Not sure where to direct your attention? Here are a few ideas:

Watch a show or YouTube video that’s interesting enough to keep your attention.
Try mindful coloring.
Read a book (if you’re one of those people who can read while stoned).
Do a simple puzzle, such as a word search or a jigsaw puzzle.
Find a simple organizational task, such as sorting your loose change or sorting your books by color.

Cuddle a pet

Spending time with pets has loads of proven health benefits, including stress and anxiety relief.

Spending even just a few minutes with a pet can slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and increase feelings of happiness and relaxation.

No pet of your own? Pull up that dog or cat video you love.

Get some food in your belly

Not eating enough before using pretty much any drug is usually bad news. Getting some food in you may help you feel a bit more yourself.

Some people swear by high fat or carb-heavy foods, though there’s no evidence to back this up. Your best bet is to go with whatever’s nearby and easy.

Take a walk

Go for a short walk, even if it’s for only 5 or 10 minutes.

Some light movement can help:

distract you so you don’t fixate on your high
lower your blood pressure
relieve stress and anxiety
improve your mood
burn off some excess energy if you’re feeling jumpy

Talk with a friend

Your buddy can’t lower your blood THC levels, but hanging out with them could help calm you. The buddy system is also a good way to keep you from doing anything impulsive when you’re under the influence.

Call a trusted (and sober) friend and have them stay with you until you feel better.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I'm too high?

If you’re wondering if you’re “too high,” odds are you’re feeling it more than usual. Other signs include:

anxiety or paranoia

disorientation or confusion

rapid heartbeat

And if you’re asking yourself “Am I dying?” you’re definitely too high for your own comfort levels.

If you’re wondering if you’re “too high,” odds are you’re feeling it more than usual. Other signs include:

anxiety or paranoia
disorientation or confusion
rapid heartbeat

And if you’re asking yourself “Am I dying?” you’re definitely too high for your own comfort levels.

How long does being too high last?

It usually peaks in the first 30 to 90 minutes and starts to taper off after that. You should feel noticeably better within 1 to 2 hours.

What happens when your body is high?

THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in your brain. These receptors help regulate mood, memory, appetite, pain, and coordination. This leads to:

euphoria

difficulty with short-term memory

increased appetite

deep focus or distraction

slowed reaction time

THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in your brain. These receptors help regulate mood, memory, appetite, pain, and coordination. This leads to:

euphoria
difficulty with short-term memory
increased appetite
deep focus or distraction
slowed reaction time

The bottom line

You can’t always predict how cannabis will hit you, especially if you’re new to it or using a new strain. If you find yourself higher than you expected, try not to freak out — it will pass.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

About cannabis. (2024).https://www.cdc.gov/cannabis/about/index.html
Han K, et al. (2024). Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178124003342
Russo EB. (2011). Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid‐terpenoid entourage effects.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3165946/

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Medically reviewed by Alex Nguyen, PharmD, RPh, CPh — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on May 1, 2025

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