Can Cannabis Give You a Hangover?

Can Cannabis Give You a Hangover?

It seems that almost everyone has overdone it with alcohol at some point. The throbbing headache, upset stomach, and uttering the familiar phrase “I’m never drinking again” after a long night at the bar is a fairly universal experience, but is there a cannabis equivalent? Can cannabis give you a hangover?   

What the Experts Say About Cannabis Hangovers 

Because cannabis remains illegal on the federal level, shockingly little research has been conducted on its effects, including whether or not cannabis can cause a hangover. The studies that have been conducted on the effects of weed have suffered from a variety of issues—for example, being outdated or having a small sample size. 

Furthermore, the limited number of studies has been inconclusive. One study from 1985 (more than 35 years ago) found “that marijuana smoking can produce residual (hangover) effects the day after smoking.” Conversely, a 1998 study (of just ten subjects) found that “Although robust acute effects of marijuana were found on subjective and physiological measures…no effects were evident the day following administration, indicating that the residual effects of smoking a single marijuana cigarette are minimal.”  

Cannabis Hangover Symptoms 

Until cannabis becomes federally legal, it’s a reasonable assumption that science will neither prove nor disprove the existence of weed hangovers. That said, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that weed hangovers are real—just ask any long-time user. Common signs of a cannabis hangover are:

• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth
• An inability to focus 
• Fatigue 
• Lethargy
• Mild nausea
• The sensation of still being high 

While marijuana hangovers are unpleasant, they’re generally milder than those resulting from alcohol. Another difference is that cannabis use doesn’t have the dehydrating effect of alcohol (dehydration is what causes many of the symptoms of an alcohol hangover symptoms). It’s a common misconception that because cannabis uses causes dry mouth you’re dehydrated; rather, cannabis causes saliva production to slow down, which results in the feeling of “cottonmouth,” even if you’re well hydrated. 

Edible and Extract Hangovers 

There are plenty of stories about people getting hangovers from smoking joints or vaping, but edibles and extracts are much more commonly associated with hangovers. Extracts are powerful and contain high levels of THC, which makes it easy to overdo it. Edibles can take a long time to kick in—you need to digest them to feel the effect—and can last as long as 12 hours with residual effects lasting up to a day. It’s not uncommon for someone to think of the lingering effects of an edible as a hangover. 

How to Avoid a Cannabis Hangover 

The best cure for a marijuana hangover is to simply avoid them by not overconsuming in the first place—remember the mantra to start low and go slow, and know your limits. If you can’t afford to not feel 100% the next day, stick to smoking and lower-strength strains, it’s the safest choice. It’s also advisable to avoid alcohol and tobacco when using cannabis. It’s likely you’re feeling the after-effects of those substances and not the weed.   

If you do overconsume, drinking plenty of fluids and getting a little bit of caffeine in your system are a few tried-and-true methods to lift the fog. In other words, have a water bottle handy and drink a cup of coffee or Red Bull before leaving the house. CBD has also been shown to relieve some of the symptoms of a weed hangover. 

Work With Your Local Dispensary 

Another way to avoid a cannabis hangover is to work with your local dispensary. Lowkey Dispensary is staffed with knowledgeable employees eager to help you navigate our extensive range of products to find the right strain, potency, and consumption method for you. And grab some CBD when you’re at Lowkey, just in case you get carried away.

As more states legalize weed, the options available to cannabis customers are growing. But even with options ranging from tasty edibles to super-potent concentrates, the classic joint and blunt remain staples of many cannabis connoisseurs. Helping to keep joints and blunts in their favored position in cannabis culture in the face of an increasingly fast-paced, on-the-go customer are pre-rolls.