If you consume cannabis chances are you’ve probably found yourself in the uncomfortable situation of feeling too high. You take a huge hit of some dank and you suddenly feel as though your mind has been wiped clean of everything you’ve ever experienced, while you are also aware of and bombarded with every sensation going on in your body. Maybe all the sound disappears from the room and the only thing you can hear is your heartbeat. Your mind kicks back in and rattles off a bunch of questions, such as “How do I open this door? Did I ever reply to that text? Where did I put my bag? Are they staring at me?”

Dr. Sulak continues to say that “Cannabis is a non-toxic, non-lethal medicine. Researchers have failed to find a lethal acute dosage of cannabis, and have found that the doses of long-term cannabis required to produce toxicity and death in animals were so high it would be nearly impossible for a human to consume such quantities via ingestion or inhalation.”

For the scientifically minded consumers who want to know exactly why cannabis cannot fatally harm us, the National Cancer Institute states that “because cannabinoid receptors, unlike opioid receptors, are not located in the brainstem areas controlling respiration, lethal overdoses from cannabis and cannabinoids do not occur.”

Can you overdose on cannabis? Yes. Will that overdose damage your internal organs, cause lasting physical harm, or kill you? No. Will it feel incredibly uncomfortable and will you want it to be over as soon as possible? Yes.

What can you do to soothe yourself when you get too high?

Take “Set and Setting” seriously

Many of the adverse side effects of cannabis can be prevented by paying attention to and being mindful of your internal state (set) and surroundings (setting) before consuming cannabis. Dr. Sulak states “research has shown that stressful environments are more likely to cause adverse effects in cannabis users.” Our emotions can become heightened when we consume cannabis, so it’s important for you to feel safe and comfortable with your environment and the people in it.

Strains high in the terpene called pinene are less likely to elicit feelings of anxiety because of pinene’s ability to increase focus, boost cognitive abilities and reduce anxiety. Strains such as Blue Dream and Cannatonic generally have high levels of pinene and are easy to find at dispensaries.

Drink Water

Staying hydrated is generally a good idea, but it is especially so if you are consuming cannabis. Fluids and electrolytes can help relieve cottonmouth, dry eyes, and a scratchy throat. It can also give you something familiar to focus on as you slowly sip the liquid. Water and juice are great options, but alcoholic beverages should be avoided as they can increase THC concentrations in the blood.

Movement and breathing exercises

Moving our bodies increases awareness and connection to our bodily experience which helps most people to get out of their heads. Check out some of the exercises recommended by Dr. Sulak by clicking here.

Know that this too shall pass

While it may feel as though time has stopped, the laws of physics continue even when you’re way too high. Write yourself a note before you smoke reminding yourself that you took a cannabis product and may get very high but it will not last forever. Reach out to friends and ask for support and reassurance.