Updated October 2026 by Jeff Similien, founder of Lowkey Dispensary.
It happens to beginners and regulars alike: the edible finally kicks in right as the second one you took starts working, or that new strain hits harder than expected. Your heart is going, the couch feels like a raft, and you are quietly negotiating with the ceiling. First things first: nobody has ever been seriously harmed by cannabis alone, and this feeling will pass. Here are ten things that genuinely help while you wait it out.
1. Breathe slowly and name what is happening
The fastest way to turn an intense high into a bad one is panic. Remind yourself: this is temporary, it is just cannabis, and it wears off. Slow breathing settles your nervous system. Try four counts in, hold for four, four counts out, and repeat for a few minutes.
2. Drink water
Dry mouth makes everything feel worse. Sip cool water or juice steadily. Skip alcohol entirely, it only intensifies things, and go easy on coffee, which can add to the jitters.
3. Eat something real
A meal or a solid snack grounds you and can blunt the intensity, especially with edibles still working through your system. Simple carbs and something savory work better than more sugar.
4. Try some CBD
Many people report that CBD smooths out an overly intense THC experience. A CBD-forward tincture or gummy is a good thing to keep in the drawer for exactly this moment.
5. Sniff or chew black pepper
The old budtender trick. Black pepper contains beta-caryophyllene, a terpene that many people find calming when THC gets loud. Chew a couple of peppercorns or just take a careful sniff from the grinder.
6. Change your scenery
Move to a different room, step onto the porch, or get some fresh air. A small change of environment interrupts a spiraling train of thought better than sitting in it.
7. Take a shower
Warm or cool, whichever sounds better. A shower is a full sensory reset, and for a lot of people it is the single most effective item on this list.
8. Put on something familiar and comforting
This is not the time for a new intense documentary. A show you have seen ten times, a comfort playlist, or a familiar game gives your brain a well-worn groove to settle into.
9. Tell someone you trust
If you are with people, say it plainly: that hit me harder than I expected. Saying it out loud takes the pressure off, and a calm friend is the best anchor there is.
10. Sleep it off
If it is late and nothing else is landing, lie down. Rest is the reliable exit, and most people wake up feeling normal, maybe a little foggy. If mornings after heavy sessions feel rough, read our guide on whether cannabis can give you a hangover.
Next time: start low, go slow
The best fix is prevention. Start with 2.5 to 5 mg of THC on edibles and wait a full two hours before more. Take one puff of a new strain and see where it takes you before the second. And buy from a shop that will actually talk you through potency. Our budtenders at the West Roxbury shop do this all day, and our shop-by-effects menu makes it easy to find products that match the experience you want, not just the strongest thing on the shelf.
Quick answers
How long does the feeling last?
It depends on how you consumed. Smoked or vaped flower usually peaks within 30 minutes and settles within a few hours. Edibles take longer to kick in and can stay with you for 6 to 8 hours, which is why they catch people off guard most often.
Can you take something to make it stop?
There is no instant off switch. Water, food, rest, and time are what actually work. Many people also report that CBD takes the edge off an intense THC experience.
How do I avoid getting too high next time?
Start low and go slow. With edibles, start at 2.5 to 5 mg of THC and wait at least two hours before taking more. With flower or vapes, take one small puff and wait before going back in. Our budtenders can point you to lower-dose options that fit how you like to feel.
Come see what good looks like
Reading is one thing, the shelf is another. Browse the full menu, shop it by the way you want to feel, or check this week’s offers. Better yet, stop by the shop on Washington Street in West Roxbury and let a budtender point you right. Open 10 to 9, every day.
About the author
Jeff Similien is the founder and CEO of Lowkey Dispensary, a family-owned, Social Equity cannabis dispensary in West Roxbury, Boston. Raised in Dorchester, Jeff opened Lowkey in 2023 after a seven-year licensing journey and built the shop around one idea: good cannabis, no extra noise. When he is not at the shop, he is mentoring Boston students in business and real estate. Read more about Lowkey.
For adults 21 and older. Please consume responsibly. Keep cannabis products away from children and pets, and never drive or operate machinery after consuming. This article is general information, not medical advice.
