Cannabis is full of healing potential and recreational enjoyment, but sometimes it can produce some less than ideal effects for some users after the desired effects or the “high” has worn off. What is known as the cannabis hangover can happen to the best of us, and while it is not fully understood exactly why this phenomenon occurs, we will explore what is known about cannabis hangovers and what you can do to get yourself out of this uncomfortable situation.
Potential Causes Of A Cannabis Hangover
As the few studies that have been conducted on this topic suggest, just like with any other type of hangover, a cannabis hangover mostly occurs due to overconsumption. However, cannabis is a very unique plant that has the ability to affect each individual differently depending on a wide range of factors including strain type, personal tolerance, THC content, and individual body chemistry. Therefore, what might be way too much for one person could be the perfect dose for another. That is why it is important to follow the age old mantra of starting low and going slow.
Most cannabis users who have reported experiencing a cannabis hangover were consuming cannabis through methods such as edibles or extracts. The same consumers also mentioned that this experience was far less common when consuming cannabis through more traditional techniques like smoking. Keeping that in mind, a cannabis hangover might actually just be the residue of a lingering high as the body takes longer to metabolise certain cannabis products like edibles.
No matter which consumption method you prefer, it might just be that you need to reduce your dosage to achieve an experience that does not have any unpleasant lingering effects.
Symptoms Of A Cannabis Hangover And How To Treat It
Users who have experienced a cannabis hangover reported some of the following lingering symptoms:
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dry eyes
Studies on cannabis hangovers have not focused on the symptoms thereof, so most of what we know is based on what consumers have said themselves. Therefore, other factors might also be involved in the user experience. That being said, since many users have reported experiencing these symptoms during what they understand to be a cannabis hangover, it is important to talk about the topic and work towards further research.
Cannabis Hangover: Brain Fog And Fatigue
If you have woken up feeling unfocused, groggy, and generally just in a daze, you know how it feels to experience brain fog. This symptom makes it really difficult to start your day and get things going.
Cannabis users have reported feeling brain fog and grogginess after they went to sleep and woke up. Although the feeling might go away in a few minutes to an hour or two, the low energy start to your day might affect the rest of it and make you feel like the hangover lasts all day.
How To Get Rid Of Brain Fog And Fatigue
Brain fog is a very unpleasant feeling, and it might seem very difficult to get out of. Luckily, there are some things you can do to get yourself back on track and ready for your day:
- Move your body: Although you might really feel like laying in bed all day, it really will not make you feel any better or help you get anything done. Get up and do some stretches, or go for a walk.
- Take a shower: Wake up your brain and relax your body with a shower. Try a cooler temperature for a more energising effect.
- Stay hydrated: Cannabis can make your mouth feel dry, and it is always good to stay hydrated and drink water. Make sure you fuel your body with healthy food as well to give you natural energy.
Cannabis Hangover And Headaches
Another common symptom of a cannabis hangover is a headache. Many people claim that cannabis can lead to headaches because it dehydrates you, but there is no scientific evidence that proves cannabis causes dehydration. However, some people may forget to stay hydrated when consuming cannabis in very large quantities, indirectly leading to dehydration.
How To Get Rid Of Headaches
Even if dehydration is not necessarily the cause of your headache during your cannabis hangover, it is a good idea to treat it like you normally would:
- Using a cold compress
- Temple massages
- Taking over the counter pain medication like ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen (make sure that you follow the dosing instructions)
Cannabis Hangover And Dry Eyes
THC causes the capillaries in your eyes to dilate, increasing blood flow and creating the signature appearance of red eyes. This usually goes away soon after ingestion, but it can also depend on how high your product’s THC concentration is, and some cannabis consumers report still having dry eyes during their cannabis hangover experience.
How To Get Rid Of Dry Eyes
The best way to get rid of dry eyes is to just use some eye drops. This will soothe redness and restore moisture to your sore and tired eyes.
Cannabis Hangover And Nausea
Although less common, nausea is another symptom that has been reported during cannabis hangovers.This is definitely not very characteristic of cannabis as it usually causes one to crave foods and help nausea, and it can definitely be unpleasant and keep you from getting most things done.
How To Get Rid Of Nausea
Stay hydrated, try to eat small amounts of mild food like salt crackers or plain toast, and take some anti-nausea medication. Resting will also help you to feel better sooner.
The general rule of thumb with cannabis is to start with a low dose and wait long enough to determine its full effects before you slowly increase your dosage. Anyone can experience a cannabis hangover, from beginners to experienced consumers – but if you stick to the amount you normally consume, you should be fine. This can be difficult to determine when trying different products with different THC contents, but if you do find yourself experiencing signs of a cannabis hangover, you will now know just what you need to do.
