Edibles are amazing. But, if you eat too many of them, you may find yourself in the middle of a very bad time. To help you avoid a miserable experience, here’s what you should do if you overdose on edibles:
What is a cannabis edible overdose?
To start, you cannot die from cannabis edibles. While eating too many edibles can certainly inspire a bad time, overdosing on edibles does not have long-term side effects.
Unlike substances like alcohol, cannabis compounds also do not depress the respiratory system. This means that no matter how much cannabis you consume, you will not stop breathing.
Rather than a fatal or life-threatening event, a “cannabis overdose” refers to consuming so much cannabis that you become uncomfortable. For some people, this could be 25 milligrams of THC. For others, it can be 150 or more.
In some cases, you may fall asleep. Other side effects include distorted movements, a strong heavy-body sensation, anxiety, and paranoia. All of these situations can make you very uncomfortable. In fact, sometimes people become so uncomfortable with cannabis overdose that they take themselves to the emergency room.
While it is always important to seek help when you feel that you are in a medical emergency, there is little that can be done for a cannabis overdose experience.
For some people, high doses of cannabis may cause a racing heart. As such, it is not recommended for those with heart conditions to consume large amounts of THC.
However, it is important to note that to this date, there has not been a single reported death caused by cannabis alone.
What to do if you overdose on cannabis edibles
Wondering what to do if you find yourself in the midst of a cannabis overdose? Here are six tips to help you or loved one through the ordeal:
1 – Get to a quiet and comfortable
The most important thing to remember? Relax! Though an edibles overdose may cause a person to become uncomfortable, anxious, and paranoid, the best thing you can do when you’ve eaten too much of an edible is to get to a quiet place and relax.
The cannabis experience is worsened by uncomfortable or non-supportive environments. If you are out and about after eating an edible, you may find that you want to seek refuge in a warm and private place. Safely making your way home and getting into your own bed can make all the difference.
2 – Breathe
Cannabis can cause a profound heavy-body sensation. Sometimes, people may find that marijuana edibles make you feel as if you were melting into the couch or into the ground. Such a strong heavy-bodied sensation can make you feel as if your breathing is altered.
As mentioned above, however, it is impossible for cannabis to fatally depress the respiratory system. While mixing cannabis with certain drugs, like opioid painkillers, may make a person more likely to have severe side effects, a cannabis edible on its own will not cause such a problematic incident.
During a cannabis overdose, it is important to stay calm and continue to take deep and meaningful breaths. Deep breathing not only gives the mind something to pay attention to, but it calms your physiology and helps you feel more relaxed.
3 – Drink water
Edibles can cause dry mouth and make you feel parched. Drinking some cool water will allow you to stay hydrated and alert. Keep in mind that the edibles experience will likely be made worse by dehydration.
4 – Put on headphones
Edibles can provide a fun and healing psychoactive experience. If things seem to be getting a little too intense, put on a pair of headphones, lay down, close your eyes, and listen to some peaceful and relaxing music.
5 – Try aromatherapy
Like music, aromatherapy can give you something positive to focus on. Black pepper oil, rosemary oil, and peppermint oil all have stimulating properties and can help sharpen your attention. Similarly, rubbing lavender oil under your nostrils can encourage of sense of calm.
6 – Try some pure CBD
If you happen to have some pure CBD capsules or oils on hand, they may be useful in the event of a THC overdose. CBD lessens the psychoactive power of THC. By taking CBD, you may be able to reduce the intensity of your edibles high.
I had terrible vomiting and diarrhea for over a week! After the week I still experience dizzy. I will never do that again.