Cannabis certainly doesn’t give you the same kind of hangover as a few beers or one too many martinis. However, some cannabis consumers describe a similar sluggish feeling, accompanied by a headache or maybe even nausea. While science still hasn’t given us a definitive answer, some folks say that weed may cause a hangover. Here’s what you need to know about “weed hangovers:” how likely they are, what may cause them, and how to deal with them.
What is a weed hangover?
A weed “hangover” is a general term that describes feeling poorly a day after consuming cannabis. It’s a borrowed term, as there are no concrete studies showing cannabis can cause a hangover. However, there’s anecdotal evidence (firsthand accounts) from cannabis consumers themselves that weed hangovers might happen to some folks.
Symptoms of a weed hangover
Cannabis is not a toxin like alcohol, but some commonly reported symptoms may indicate you’re experiencing a weed hangover. Some of the “weed hangover” symptoms you might experience are:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Brain fog
- Dry eyes or mouth
- Nausea
Why might you feel hungover after consuming cannabis?
An alcohol hangover is caused by overconsumption. Similarly, a weed hangover is thought to be caused by consuming more THC than your body can handle at once.
THC is intoxicating — it’s what makes you feel high — and must be processed through your bloodstream for its effects to come to an end. High doses of THC can overload your CB1 receptors in your endocannabinoid system. Overloaded receptors take longer to return to baseline, which is why you may feel lingering effects the next day.
If you consume a high dose of THC, it can take longer than usual to process, especially if it’s combined with other substances like alcohol. Typically, it takes about 3 hours for cannabis flower or vapes to process and 6 hours for edibles, but this can increase with a stronger dosage. If you had a high dose of cannabis the night before, you may wake up with a weed hangover.
Are weed hangovers common?
Weed hangovers are not as common as alcohol hangovers, and are not a common side effect of consuming cannabis. However, many people who consume cannabis have experienced a cannabis hangover at one point or another. That’s usually due to overconsumption or combining weed and alcohol.
Is a weed hangover the same as an alcohol hangover?
No, a weed hangover is not the same thing as an alcohol hangover.
Cannabis and alcohol are two vastly different substances with incredibly different effects on your body. But, both substances can be intoxicating (in different ways) and require time and energy to process through your system. When you consume high amounts of either, it can take a long time to process out, leading to symptoms of a hangover.
Weed hangover vs. greening out: What’s the difference?
A weed hangover happens the day after consuming cannabis while greening out happens during the sesh itself.
Greening out happens when you consume too much cannabis at once, or a stronger dose than anticipated. You may experience a weed hangover after greening out.
The symptoms of greening out are the typical THC side effects but intensified. These include:
- Lack of focus
- Paranoia or anxiety
- Extreme drowsiness or sedation
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Nausea and vomiting
- High heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Cold sweats, chills, inability to get warm
- Loss of balance
- Mild hallucinations
Are edible hangovers different from other weed hangovers?
“Edible hangovers” are caused by the same things as other weed hangovers: consuming too high of a dose of THC or combining with other substances.
But, edibles may be more likely to cause weed hangovers for two reasons: edibles are processed through your digestive system into your bloodstream, causing a molecular conversion from THC to one called 11-hydroxy-THC, which is thought to be twice as strong as THC. And, edibles have a delayed onset because of the digestion time, so it’s easy to over-consume without realizing it.
With smoking or vaping cannabis, you get pretty quick feedback on how your body is feeling. It’s common to feel the effects just minutes after hitting a pen or a bowl, whereas edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to “kick in.”
Many people reach for another edible too quickly after taking the first one, without letting the THC fully metabolize. If you don’t feel your edible after you take it, wait at least 90 minutes and up to three hours before taking another one to ensure you feel it fully and avoid a weed hangover.
For many cannabis consumers, it’s much harder — but certainly not impossible — to consume the amount of THC needed to cause a hangover from smoking or vaping. It’s easier to reach the dosage needed to cause a hangover from edibles because of the delayed onset and the way edibles are processed in your body. In any case, the line is hard to define and cross. How much THC is too much is entirely personal and based on many factors, including your weight, tolerance, product type, strain, dosage, and even what you ate that day.
What helps to reduce a weed hangover?
If you have a weed hangover, there are a few things you can do about it.
First, hydrate. Dehydration can make the effects of cannabis more intense and it’s easy to become dehydrated during a smoke session. Hydration will help cottonmouth (dry mouth) and red eyes and can help flush your system out.
Take a hot shower. A hot, steamy shower can help reduce headaches and open your airways so you’re breathing better. Who doesn’t feel better after a shower?
Eat something nutritious. Don’t try to combat a weed hangover on an empty stomach. Have some food – it can be a small amount, a comfort food, or even as simple as a banana. An empty stomach can intensify negative feelings in the body.
Rest. Hangovers are usually caused by substances being processed through the system. You can opt to try to sweat the weed out if that’s your thing, but resting allows your body to work internally. A weed hangover is the perfect excuse to turn on a movie and take a nap. But you should still get outside at least once – fresh air can be helpful.
Finally, you can try consuming CBD. While fighting a weed hangover with CBD isn’t scientifically studied, it’s something many cannabis consumers swear by. CBD may help balance some of the negative effects of THC, as it has a very different interaction with your endocannabinoid system and it won’t exacerbate the already-magnified effects of THC. Additionally, some people find CBD to be wakeful, which may help you not feel as fatigued.
Steps to avoid a weed hangover
Weed hangovers are no fun. To avoid them:
- Stay hydrated while consuming cannabis. Dehydration is a common side effect of cannabis and is a major drain on your entire system. Drink plenty of water when you’re smoking or consuming edibles and avoid caffeine and alcohol, as those can be dehydrating.
- Eat a snack or a meal before or after consuming. Empty stomachs make everything worse. Having food in your stomach helps your body process other substances more efficiently.
- Be mindful of your dosage. While there’s not much research on weed hangovers, they are thought to be tied to a high dose of THC. Respect your tolerance level and your endocannabinoid system so you’ll wake up much happier tomorrow.
Weed hangovers: don’t overdo it when you consume
While weed hangovers are rare, they’re usually caused by overconsumption of THC and mixing cannabis with other substances. Be mindful of your dosage and give your edible plenty of time to kick in. Everyone tolerates a different level of THC well, so respect your limits. And if you have questions, the budtenders at Queen City Dispensary are ready to help.
