I Got Way Too High: How to Handle the Panic and Come Down Safely

It starts with a heavy feeling in your chest. Then, the room starts spinning, or maybe you suddenly realize you’ve been staring at a bag of chips for twenty minutes without moving. Honestly, it's terrifying the first time it happens. You took an edible, waited an hour, felt nothing, took another, and now the universe is folding in on itself.

Relax. You aren't dying.

Getting "too high" is a rite of passage for many, but that doesn't make the racing heart or the sudden paranoia any less real in the moment. Whether it’s a green-out from a potent dab or a slow-burn edible overdose, the physiological response is mostly just your CB1 receptors being completely overwhelmed by THC. Your blood pressure drops, your heart rate spikes to compensate, and your brain starts firing off "danger" signals because it doesn't recognize the sensations.

First, understand why your brain is tripping out

Cannabis affects the amygdala—the part of the brain that handles fear and anxiety. When you overdo it, that system goes into overdrive. Dr. Jordan Tishler, a Harvard-trained physician and president of the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists, often points out that while cannabis is remarkably safe in terms of lethal toxicity, the subjective experience of a "toxic psychosis" or simple over-intoxication is incredibly unpleasant.

You feel like you can't breathe. You can.
You feel like your heart is going to explode. It won't.

There has never been a documented case of a fatal cannabis overdose in a healthy human. The "LD50"—the dose required to be lethal—is astronomically high, virtually impossible to hit through smoking or eating. You're just on a very intense, very temporary ride.

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The black pepper trick actually works (Mostly)

This sounds like a stoner myth, but there’s actual organic chemistry behind it. Back in 2011, Ethan Russo published a paper in the British Journal of Pharmacology discussing the "entourage effect." Essentially, black pepper contains a terpene called beta-caryophyllene.

This specific terpene is a functional CB2 agonist. In plain English? It helps modulate the "high" by binding to some of the same receptors as THC, potentially taking the edge off the anxiety.

Don't snort it. Seriously. Just sniff some peppercorns or chew on one or two. The aroma alone can sometimes ground you. It’s a sensory anchor. Sometimes, having a physical task—like focusing on the spicy, sharp scent of pepper—is enough to pull your brain out of a feedback loop.

Water, sugar, and the myth of "Eating it off"

Drink water. Not soda, not coffee (caffeine will make the heart palpitations worse), just cold water. Dry mouth, or "cottonmouth," happens because THC binds to receptors in your submandibular glands, temporarily stopping saliva production. Hydrating won't flush the THC out of your system instantly, but it fixes the physical discomfort that feeds your panic.

Some people swear by eating something sugary. There's some anecdotal evidence that a blood sugar spike can help, but mostly, it’s about the distraction. Chewing and tasting food forces your brain to process "normal" sensory input.

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Change your scenery immediately

If you’re sitting on a couch and the walls feel like they’re closing in, get up. Move to a different room. Turn off the TV if the show is too intense. I once knew someone who got convinced a nature documentary was a personal message from the universe; they felt 100% better the second they walked into a brightly lit kitchen and started washing a few dishes.

The "Set and Setting" rule applies to coming down just as much as it does to the start of the trip.

• Dim the lights. Bright overhead LEDs can be overstimulating.
• Pick a "comfort" show. Something low-stakes. The Great British Bake Off is the gold standard for a reason. Nobody is screaming, and the colors are soft.
• Focus on your breath. Box breathing—inhale for four, hold for four, exhale for four, hold for four—physically forces your parasympathetic nervous system to kick in. It tells your heart to slow down.

CBD: The fire extinguisher?

If you have high-quality CBD oil or flower on hand, it might help. CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that can act as a negative allosteric modulator of the CB1 receptor. Basically, it can "block" some of the THC from binding, effectively acting as a chemical damper.

However, be careful. If you’re already nauseous, swallowing a bunch of oil might trigger a "green-out" (vomiting). Use it sparingly.

When should you actually call for help?

Most of the time, the ER can't do much for you other than give you a quiet bed and maybe a saline drip. However, if you are experiencing genuine chest pain (not just a fast heartbeat), or if you’ve lost consciousness, call a professional.

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If you're with a friend who is "too high," do not laugh at them. Do not tell them they’re being weird. Just give them a blanket, a glass of water, and stay in the room. Your calm presence is more effective than any "remedy" you’ll find in a pantry.

How to avoid the "Green-Out" next time

The biggest culprit is usually the "Wait-and-See" edible trap. Digestion takes time. Depending on what you ate for dinner, an edible can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours to kick in. When you "double-dose" because you think the first one was a dud, you're setting a timer for a very bad evening.

Also, check your labels. In 2026, the market is flooded with synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids like Delta-8 or HHC. These can have different potency profiles and might cause more anxiety for certain users compared to traditional Delta-9 THC. Stick to tested products from reputable dispensaries where you can see the Certificate of Analysis (COA).

Actionable steps for right now

If you are reading this while currently feeling "too high," follow this exact sequence:

1. Stop scrolling. The blue light and constant information flow are spiking your cortisol.
2. Take off your shoes. Feel the floor. It sounds hippy-dippy, but grounding your physical body helps stop the "floating" sensation.
3. Grab a glass of water. Sip it slowly. Feel the coldness in your throat.
4. Find a blanket. The weight provides "deep pressure stimulation," which is why weighted blankets are used for anxiety.
5. Set a timer for 30 minutes. Tell yourself: "I will feel different when this timer goes off." Usually, the peak of an inhaled high lasts 30-60 minutes. Edibles take longer, but the "panic peak" is usually a short window.
6. Sleep it off. If you can fall asleep, do it. You’ll wake up feeling a bit groggy (a "weed hangover"), but the panic will be gone.

You’re okay. This is temporary. Your brain is just processing a lot of data right now, and it will be back to normal soon. Just breathe.