If you've ever woken up with a pounding headache and a feeling of instant regret the next morning, you're probably already familiar with the concept of a hangover. Whether you're a seasoned smoker or new to cannabis, here are our top tips to avoid a weed hangover and what you can do for relief.
What is a Weed Hangover?
A weed hangover is exactly what it sounds like: a hangover from smoking too much weed.
Weed vs Alcohol Hangover
Luckily, the effects of a weed hangover are typically less severe than that, but weed and alcohol hangovers have a few things in common like headaches and nausea.
The main difference between a weed and alcohol hangover is the cause. Hangover effects for weed are caused by overconsumption, while an alcohol hangover is caused by withdrawal symptoms.
Weed Hangover Symptoms
Typical symptoms of a weed hangover include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Dry mouth
- Dry eyes
- Nausea
- Brain fog
How Long Do Hangovers Last?
Hangovers from cannabis use rarely last more than a few hours, but in some cases residual effects go on for about a day.
Causes of Marijuana Hangover
A weed hangover is typically from overconsumption, but there are a lot of factors that can influence how weed affects different cannabis consumers. Hence the saying "start low and go slow." Here are a few factors that can influence the severity of your hangover:
- THC levels: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana. High levels of THC can lead to a more intense high, which can increase the likelihood of a hangover.
- Dehydration: Consuming marijuana can lead to dehydration, which can cause symptoms such as dry mouth, headaches, and fatigue.
- Lack of sleep: Consuming marijuana can affect the quality and duration of sleep, which can exacerbate hangover symptoms.
- Low-quality marijuana: Low-quality marijuana may contain contaminants or lower levels of THC, which can lead to a more severe hangover.
- Personal factors: Personal factors such as age, weight, and tolerance can also play a role in the severity of a weed hangover.
How to Get Rid of a Weed Hangover
You can't immediately fix a weed hangover, but these tips can help get you through the recovery process:
- Get Hydrated - Drink plenty of water and electrolyte-rich fluids like sports drinks to help replenish fluids lost during smoking.
- Rest - Some extra sleep can do wonders for revitalizing your body and restoring your senses. It's best to listen to your body and take things slow.
- Over-the-counter pain relief - Pain relievers like ibuprofen or Advil can help alleviate headache or body aches.
- Nutritious food - Eat nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods to help your body recover.
- Take a shower - A refreshing hot shower or bath can help reduce feelings of grogginess and boost your energy levels.
- Time - The symptoms of a weed hangover will typically subside on their own within a few hours to a day.
- Drink caffeine - Caffeine can help reduce feelings of fatigue and boost your energy levels. However, avoid overconsumption, as it can cause jitteriness or anxiety.
- Try CBD - CBD, a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, has been anecdotally reported to help alleviate some symptoms of a weed hangover, like anxiety or headache.
- Ginger tea - Ginger tea with lemon and honey can help soothe an upset stomach.
- Go on a walk - If you're feeling groggy the next day, a walk can help snap you out of some of that brain fog.
- Cold compress - A cold compress can help get rid of a headache by numbing and reducing inflammation.
- Eye drops for dry eyes - When you smoke weed, THC makes the small blood vessels in your eyes get bigger and more blood flows to them, causing the signature stoner red eyes. Eye Drops can help soothe redness and restore moisture.
How to Prevent a Weed Hangover
- Hydrate: Drinking plenty of water before, during, and after consuming marijuana can help prevent dehydration and reduce the severity of a weed hangover. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and more if you are consuming marijuana.
- Dosage control: It's important to know your limits when consuming marijuana. Start with a small amount and wait to see how it affects you before consuming more. Avoid overindulging, which can lead to a more severe cannabis hangover.
- Use high-quality marijuana: Using high-quality marijuana can help reduce the likelihood of a weed hangover. Look for strains that are high in CBD and low in THC, as high THC levels can increase the risk of a hangover.
- Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can exacerbate the symptoms of a weed hangover. Be sure to get enough sleep before and after consuming marijuana to allow your body to recover.
- Eat a balanced meal: Eating a healthy, balanced meal before consuming marijuana can help prevent a hangover. Be sure to eat a meal that is high in protein and low in sugar and carbohydrates.
- Take breaks: Taking breaks from consuming marijuana can help prevent a hangover. Consider taking a break for a few days or even a week to allow your body to recover.
- Avoid mixing with other substances: Alcohol can also cause a hangover so using them together can cause compounding effects.
A weed hangover can cause symptoms like headache, fatigue, dry mouth, dry eyes, nausea, and brain fog for up to 24 hours, but they typically subside within a few hours. Stay hydrated, get some rest, take over-the-counter pain relief, eat nutritious foods, take a shower, give it some time, and consider trying CBD or ginger tea to relieve symptoms.
To prevent a weed hangover, it is recommended to stay hydrated, control the dosage, use high-quality marijuana, get enough sleep, eat a balanced meal, and take breaks from consuming marijuana. Overall, it's important to be mindful of your consumption and take care of your body to avoid adverse effects.
