We’ve all been there. Maybe it was a "friend" who gave you an edible that was way stronger than they let on, or perhaps you just took one hit too many of a new strain you didn't realize was 30% THC. Suddenly, the walls feel a bit too close, your heart is drumming a frantic rhythm against your ribs, and the only thought looping in your brain is a desperate search for how to not be stoned anymore. It’s uncomfortable. It's scary. But here is the good news: nobody has ever died from a cannabis overdose. You are physically safe, even if your brain is currently insisting otherwise.
Panic is a physical reaction to a chemical shift.
When you consume THC, it binds to the CB1 receptors in your endocannabinoid system, which are densely packed in areas of the brain like the amygdala—the control center for fear and anxiety. If those receptors get overstimulated, your "fight or flight" response kicks in without an actual predator in the room. You aren't losing your mind; you’re just experiencing a temporary chemical traffic jam.
The First Rule of Sobbing Up: Stop Fighting the Feeling
The absolute worst thing you can do when you’re wondering how to not be stoned anymore is to panic about the fact that you’re panicking. It creates a feedback loop. Your brain thinks, "Wait, why is my heart beating fast? Something must be wrong!" which then releases more adrenaline, making your heart beat even faster.
Acceptance is your best friend here. Tell yourself, out loud if you have to: "I am high. This is temporary. It will be over in a few hours." Dr. Julie Holland, a psychiatrist and author who has studied psychopharmacology for decades, often emphasizes that the psychological state of the user—the "set"—is just as important as the drug itself. If you can shift your mindset from "I’m in danger" to "I’m having a heavy chemical experience," you’ve already won half the battle.
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Hydration and the Power of Terpenes
Drink water. Not soda, not coffee, and definitely not alcohol. Alcohol can actually increase THC concentrations in your blood, making the high more intense—a phenomenon often called "cross-fading" that usually ends in a spinning room and a long night in the bathroom. Cold water helps ground you in your body.
The Black Pepper Trick
This sounds like an old stoner myth, but it’s actually backed by science. Black pepper contains a terpene called beta-caryophyllene. According to a review published in the British Journal of Pharmacology by Dr. Ethan Russo, this specific terpene has the ability to bind to the same receptors as THC, essentially acting as a calming agent.
- How to do it: Sniff some ground black pepper. Don't snort it! Just a gentle whiff is enough.
- The alternative: You can also chew on a few whole peppercorns. It’s spicy and a bit jarring, which helps pull your focus back to the present moment.
Lemonade and Citric Acid
Lemons contain limonene, another terpene known for its anxiety-reducing properties. Squeeze a fresh lemon into some water and drink it. It’s not a magic "off" switch, but it helps modulate the psychoactive effects that are making you feel overwhelmed.
Change Your Physical Environment
Sometimes the room you're in becomes "charged" with the anxiety you're feeling. If you're sitting on a couch staring at a TV that’s suddenly too loud, get up. Move.
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Walk into a different room. Step outside for fresh air, provided you have a safe, private space to do so. The change in temperature and air flow can provide a much-needed "system reset" for your sensory processing. If you’re at a party or a loud social gathering, find a quiet bedroom or a bathroom where you can sit in silence for ten minutes.
The Science of Pine Nuts and CBD
If you have some CBD oil or gummies on hand, now is the time to use them. While it might seem counterintuitive to take more cannabis products when you're trying to figure out how to not be stoned anymore, CBD is actually a non-psychoactive antagonist to THC. It can help "block" the THC from binding to those CB1 receptors, effectively dialing down the intensity of the high.
Interestingly, history offers some weirdly specific advice too. The ancient Persian physician Al-Razi (Rhazes) suggested consuming acidic fruits and—believe it or not—pine nuts to counteract the effects of cannabis. Pine nuts contain pinene, a terpene that is believed to aid in mental clarity and focus. If you have a bag of pesto ingredients in the pantry, you might be in luck.
Distraction Is a Legitimate Tool
Your brain is currently hyper-focused on its own internal state. You need to give it an external job.
- The 5-4-3-2-1 Technique: Identify five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. This is a standard grounding exercise used for panic attacks, and it works wonders for a "green-out."
- Cartoons or Familiar Comfort Media: Don't watch something complex like Inception. Put on The Office, SpongeBob, or a nature documentary on mute with some lo-fi music. You want "low-stakes" entertainment.
- Coloring or Fidgeting: Use a coloring book or a fidget spinner. The repetitive motion helps soothe the nervous system.
Sleep: The Only True Reset
Ultimately, the most effective way to not be stoned anymore is time. THC is metabolized by the liver, and that process has a fixed speed. You can’t "flush" it out of your system with a gallon of water in five minutes.
If you can manage to fall asleep, do it. By the time you wake up, your body will have processed the majority of the THC, and you’ll likely just feel a bit "foggy" or tired rather than anxious. If you can't sleep because your mind is racing, try a guided meditation. There are thousands of free videos on YouTube designed specifically for anxiety—focusing on the voice of the narrator gives your brain a track to follow instead of spinning in circles.
What to Avoid at All Costs
There are a few common mistakes people make when they’re desperate to sober up.
First, do not take more drugs. Taking a Benadryl or a sleeping pill might seem like a good idea, but mixing substances can lead to unpredictable reactions and more physical stress.
Second, don't take a freezing cold shower. While a cool rinse can be refreshing, a shocking ice-cold shower can spike your heart rate even further, potentially worsening the panic. Stick to lukewarm or comfortably cool water.
Third, stop Googling your symptoms. If you search for "fast heart rate while high," you’re going to find horror stories or irrelevant medical data that will only convince you that you're having a medical emergency. You aren't. Your heart is just reacting to the THC and your anxiety.
Practical Next Steps to Feel Better Now
- Eat a heavy meal: Foods high in fats and carbs won't necessarily "absorb" the THC already in your blood, but the process of digestion can help ground your body and make you feel more substantial and less "floaty."
- Focus on breathing: Try "box breathing." Inhale for four seconds, hold for four, exhale for four, and hold for four. It's a physiological hack that forces your heart rate to slow down.
- Talk to a sober friend: If you have someone you trust, tell them you're feeling a bit too high. Having someone stay in the room with you, even if they're just scrolling on their phone, provides a sense of safety.
- Write it down: If you're having "profound" or scary thoughts, write them on a piece of paper. Seeing them in physical form often makes them look silly or less threatening than they do inside your head.
The feeling will pass. It always does. The peak of an inhaled high usually lasts about 30 to 60 minutes, while an edible high might peak for a couple of hours. No matter how you consumed it, you are on a clock, and that clock is ticking toward sobriety. Grab a blanket, some water, and a lemon, and just ride it out. You'll be fine.