Hangovers are usually associated with the after-effects of heavy drinking the night before. These typically include nausea, severe headache, vomiting, etc. However, this phenomenon is a bit elusive when pertained to weed consumption. Many users report feeling no hangover whatsoever and some, on the other hand, complain of feeling unpleasant the next day. Researchers are invested to find out whether they really exist or not, however, at this point evidence for it is potentially limited with mixed reviews. This article observes what constitutes weed hangovers and their symptoms, or lingering after-effects. Continue reading to learn more about how one can avoid and prevent weed hangovers and ways to recover and find possible relief from such hangovers.
What is a Weed Hangover?
Despite the debate over their existence, weed hangovers are legit and refer to the next morning after-effects after a heavy weed consumption. There are reports, although limited, suggesting weed hangovers are possible. Typically, any lingering effects experienced long after taking weed can be identified as a weed hangover. Smoking marijuana causes many physiological and psychological changes in our bodies. THC is the psychoactive chemical compound that enters the blood and engages with the endocannabinoid system, making it responsible for the high you experience.
Although alcohol hangover and weed hangover share a similar moniker, both phenomena aren’t quite the same. The difference more or less lies in the symptoms. Many consumers claim weed hangovers to be more tolerable. Some consumers even find these sensations amusing. You are likely to feel a weed hangover from overconsumption of marijuana products. However, if you are feeling weird after consumption, you may not necessarily be experiencing one. It takes at least five hours for weed effects to take place and that can last between 1 and three and a half hours. Learn more about weed hangovers and their symptoms below, including how to treat, avoid and prevent them.
Symptoms and Causes
Most symptoms showcased by weed hangovers are subjective. This means the hangover symptoms vary according to the amount and method of consumption. Ingesting weed in the form of edibles demonstrates longer-lasting effects than by smoking or inhalation. Also, these residual effects are enhanced depending on the quantity of weed used. Some potential symptoms of a weed hangover entail:
- Mild nausea
- Headaches
- Lethargy
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Dry eyes and mouth
It is interesting to note that not all hangovers are weed hangovers. You are only experiencing a weed hangover if you hadn’t used any alcohol or other similar substances along with the weed. Your hangover may be a result of alcohol or other drug intakes. There is also the case of weed withdrawal to consider. You might experience the symptoms as a part of withdrawal symptoms. This happens when you stop smoking weed after consuming it regularly.
Some common causes of weed hangovers are:
- High THC content- High levels of THC takes longer to take effect, which means that the chances of you waking up stoned are very high.
- Smoking- It is proven that smoking weed constitutes hangover symptoms than any other method of consumption.
- Excess food- Weed makes people hungry and consuming high levels of fats and sugars will add to your morning-after symptoms.
Can We Avoid and Prevent it?
Well, one can certainly avoid weed hangovers by avoiding weed completely. Otherwise, there is no hundred percent guarantee that you won’t have one as no prevention methods have complete scientific validity yet. Still, there are many things you can do to mitigate or even prevent the negative effects of marijuana.
- Limit your consumption- You are more likely to experience a weed hangover if you overconsume it. Therefore, stick to an appropriate amount without overdoing it. Use it in moderation and avoid larger doses.
- Use low-THC weed- THC is the psychoactive compound that gets you high after weed consumption. Hence, using a low-THC weed might help prevent residual weed symptoms.
- No mixing- Do not mix weed intake with alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs as the morning-after symptoms will be more intense than usual.
- Educate yourself on the effects of weed and medication- Be mindful of the fact that any prescription medication you take can interact with marijuana. It would also affect your next-day symptoms.
- Start and finish early- Make sure you start using weed early and stop consuming them at least 3 hours before bedtime to clear THC out of your system completely. Try this routine and see if there is any change.
- Avoid usage when not appropriate- Not smoking weed the night before something important remains the best way to prevent a weed hangover. Also, stop using it when it becomes extremely hard to control your cravings.
- Stop continuous intake- Taking days off and minimizing how often you use the drug can build your tolerance against this substance. However, be mindful of withdrawal symptoms.
Recovery: 9 Ways to Relieve Weed Hangover
Most hangovers occur when you consume the substance more than your tolerance level and weed hangovers are no exception either. Therefore, while it is okay to indulge in weed now and then, it is not safe to push your limits. Regular users might want to consider cutting back on their consumption to practice moderation. Weed hangovers do not have a quick fix, but given time, most symptoms subdue gradually. However, if you are unable to keep hangovers at bay, continue reading to find out what experts say about potentially minimizing their after-effects. Here are some things you could try to effectively relieve yourself from your hangover discomfort:
- Drink plenty of water- Hydration help mitigate all kinds of hangovers. It may not cure your hangover per se, but, drinking fluid before, during, and after weed consumption will prevent you from experiencing hangovers in the first place.
- Eat a healthy breakfast- Have a nutritious breakfast to ease your post-morning symptoms. Include whole-grain carbs and a lean source of protein and healthy fat for a balanced diet breakfast and you will feel much better.
- Take a cool/hot shower- This will refresh your senses and both hot/cool shower helps to give you an additional boost. It will help release some endorphins and the pressure from the water can provide therapeutic effects.
- Use CBD- CBD is believed to counteract weed hangover symptoms. This has been the go-to morning-after remedy for many users as it helps relieve tension and anxiety and provides calming effects. Taking some CBD oil might prevent THC from making you feel high.
- Have some ginger tea- Ginger helps with nausea and taking some with hot tea along with lemon and honey will help soothe your tummy.
- Make a caffeine-fix- After drinking water, brew yourself a fresh cup of coffee. Caffeine is an excellent stimulant for our central nervous system and aid in making you more alert and regains your focus. In addition, caffeine also helps ease headaches and fatigue. However, caffeine can also worsen dehydration so be careful there.
- Sleep- Staying in bed and sleeping more can also make you feel better. Typically weed hangovers subdue over time and most symptoms resolve on their own. Hence sleeping it off can be the best remedy.
- Try pain relievers- In case of persistent headaches, taking an over-the-counter pain medication could offer quick relief as well. Topical CBD products are also a good option.
- Exercise- Even though this might be the last thing you may want to do with a hangover, mild exercises like a brisk walk or yoga practice can leave you feeling invigorated. A few gentle stretches and breathing exercises can be especially beneficial and help clear away the negative effects of weed hangovers.
Conclusion
Weed hangovers remain a mystery or a myth to most researchers because of the limited studies available when it comes to this topic. For most users, the notion of weed hangovers may not be relatable as they cannot claim direct experience of it. Nevertheless, in case you experience the symptoms of weed hangovers regularly, you ought to know that you are most likely overconsuming the drug. Even though most effects or symptoms disappear with time, a person should speak with a doctor in case of persistent symptoms or after-effects. The aforementioned remedies should help you combat the morning after-effects. Contrary to popular belief, weed can be addictive, if not administered properly. In case you have difficulty in limiting the usage, address your addiction and reach out to your doctor for help.