Weed Hangovers: How To Manage Them - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeHow to Conquer a Weed Hangover

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Carly Vandergriendt on June 26, 2019

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Despite some debate over their validity, weed hangovers are likely real. While research on the subject is limited, anecdotal reports suggest that smoking marijuana can trigger next-day symptoms in some people.

Despite the similar names, weed hangovers aren’t quite the same as those brought on by alcohol. And for many, weed hangovers tend to be more tolerable than alcohol-related ones.

Common symptoms of a weed hangover include:

fatigue
lethargy
brain fog
dry eyes and mouth
headaches
mild nausea

Read on for tips on how to deal with these effects and to learn more about the debate within the medical community over whether weed hangovers are indeed a thing.

How do I get rid of it?

A weed hangover will typically go away on its own. There isn’t much you can do for an immediate fix, but these tips can offer relief:

Stay hydrated. The most important thing you can do before, during, and after weed use is drink enough water. This will help relieve symptoms such as headaches, dry mouth, and dry eyes.
Eat a nutritious breakfast. Opt for a healthy, balanced breakfast the morning after weed use. Try a small serving of whole-grain carbohydrates along with a lean source of protein and healthy fat.
Take a shower. A shower can help you to feel refreshed and hydrated the morning after smoking weed. The steam from a hot shower can open your airways.
Make some ginger tea. Ginger can help with digestive symptoms, such as nausea. Add a bit of grated ginger to hot water with lemon and honey to soothe an upset stomach.
Drink caffeine. A cup of coffee or caffeinated tea can help you feel more alert.
Try CBD. Some anecdotal reports suggest that cannabidiol (CBD) can counteract some of the symptoms associated with a weed hangover. Just steer clear of any preparations containing THC.
Take a pain reliever. For a persistent headache, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

If you can, try to take it easy for the rest of the day. With a good night’s rest, you should wake up feeling like yourself again.

How do I know if it’s a weed hangover?

If you’re feeling a little off after using weed, it may not necessarily be a hangover that you’re experiencing.

Here’s some other potential culprits:

Drinking alcohol or using other drugs while using weed. If you tend to consume other substances while smoking marijuana, they might affect how you feel the next morning.
Marijuana withdrawal. If you smoke weed on a regular basis, it’s possible to experience withdrawal symptoms when you aren’t smoking. Symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include changes in mood, insomnia, and difficulty focusing.
Lingering effects of weed. How long a weed high lasts depends on factors such as dose, concentration, and delivery method, in addition to your own tolerance and metabolism. Most of the time, a marijuana high lasts between one and four hours.

If at least five hours have passed since you last used weed, and you haven’t had any alcohol or used other substances, you’re likely just experiencing the after effects of weed.

Is there any research about them?

There isn’t much evidence surrounding weed hangovers. Existing studies are often outdated or have major limitations.

Older studies

One well-known study on weed hangovers dates back to 1985. In the study, 13 males participated in a series of sessions that involved smoking either a weed cigarette or a placebo cigarette and then completing a series of tests.

The tests included sorting cards and judging time intervals. When the tests were repeated the following morning, the group that smoked weed cigarettes judged time intervals to be 10 or 30 seconds longer than they actually were.

The authors concluded that, although the day-after effects of smoking weed may be subtle, they probably exist. However, this study’s small sample size and all-male participants are significant limitations.

A 1990 study had similar limitations. It involved 12 male marijuana users who smoked marijuana over one weekend and a placebo over another, then completed a series of subjective and behavioral tests. But these authors concluded that weed didn’t seem to have much of an effect the following morning.

Recent research

More recently, a 2017 study explored perspectives toward medical cannabis among people with chronic pain. One of the self-reported undesirable effects of marijuana was a hangover described as a foggy, non-alert feeling in the morning.

However, the authors of the study did not indicate how many participants reported this effect.

A 2015 review on the use of medical marijuana recommends that healthcare professionals teach patients about the hangover effect. It also recommends describing it as lasting at least one day after the last time marijuana was used.

more research is needed
There are, of course, numerous anecdotal reports of marijuana hangovers, suggesting they are possible. More research needs to be done to understand causes, symptoms, and risk factors associated with weed hangovers as well as recommended self-care.
In addition, most of the studies described above focused on the morning-after effects of smoking a small amount of marijuana. Research exploring the effects of overconsumption is also needed.

Are they preventable?

The only way to guarantee you won’t have a weed hangover is to avoid weed. Still, there are plenty of things you can due to minimize the negative effects of weed.

Avoid smoking weed the night before an important activity. If you tend to experience weed hangovers, try to avoid using marijuana the night before something important, such as an exam or stressful day at work.
Take days off. If possible, avoid using weed on a daily basis. Continuous weed use can build up your tolerance, which might eventually trigger withdrawal symptoms in the morning.
Limit your use. You might be more likely to experience a weed hangover if you overconsume. Decide on an appropriate quantity before you get high, and stick with that.
Try low-THC marijuana. THC is the active ingredient in weed. No one’s totally sure how THC affects weed hangover symptoms, but it’s worth trying low-THC strains to see if they help prevent morning-after symptoms.
Use caution when trying a new product. You might find you react differently to weed depending on the dose, concentration, and method of delivery. When trying something for the first time, start with a low dose.
Don’t mix it with other substances. The morning-after effects of weed might be more intense if you tend to smoke weed while also drinking or using other drugs.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the effects of weed and medication. Remember that any over-the-counter or prescription medication you take can interact with weed. This could affect how you feel in the morning.

When to get help

Contrary to popular belief, weed can be addictive. The more often you use it, the more likely you are to become dependent on it.

If you regularly experience weed hangovers, they could be a sign that you’re overdoing it. If you’re having a hard time curbing your use, it may be time to reach out to your doctor for help.

Other potential signs of weed misuse include:

using it on a daily or near-daily basis
experiencing cravings for it
spending a lot of time thinking about it or obtaining it
using more over time
using more than you intended
continuing to use it despite negative consequences
keeping a constant supply
spending a lot of money on it, even when you can’t afford it
avoiding situations or places where you can’t use it
driving or operating machinery while high
trying and failing to stop using it
experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline 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.

Chait LD, et al. (1985). 'Hangover' effects the morning after marijuana smoking.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2992898
Chait LD. (1990). Subjective and behavioral effects of marijuana the morning after smoking.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02244601
Fant RV, et al. (1998). Acute and residual effects of marijuana in humans.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9700958
Hadland SE, et al. (2015). Medical marijuana: Review of the science and implications for developmental behavioral pediatric practice.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4318349/
Harm reduction for non-medical cannabis use. (2017).https://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page-content/pdf-en/harm-reduction-for-non-medical-cannabis-use.pdf?la=en
Pearson MR. (2019). A meta-analytic investigation of the associations between cannabis use and cannabis-related negative consequences. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/adb0000452
Piper BJ, et al. (2017). Chronic pain patients’ perspectives of medical cannabis.https://dx.doi.org/10.1097%2Fj.pain.0000000000000899
Power M. (2018). Cannabis & safety.http://www.parachutecanada.org/downloads/research/Cannabis_Safety_Final.pdf
Wadsworth EJK, et al. (2006). Cannabis use, cognitive performance and mood in a sample of workers.https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0269881105056644

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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Carly Vandergriendt on June 26, 2019

Weed Hangovers: How To Manage Them - Healthline

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How do I get rid of it?

How do I know if it’s a weed hangover?

Is there any research about them?

Older studies

Recent research

Are they preventable?

When to get help

How we reviewed this article:

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