The best way to enjoy cannabis is to understand your medicine. Where was it grown? What terpenes are in your strain? How many mg? These are basic questions that most cannabis patients should be able to answer. Cannabis is subjective. What works for someone else’s body or endocannabinoid system may not work for your body. Once you make the decision to use cannabis as your medicine the real work begins.

Adverse effects to cannabis:

When beginning your cannabis medicating journey it can feel overwhelming. Dispensaries have huge menus, multiple product options and most patients are brand new to cannabis. There are times when products may not work best for your conditions. Most patients have experienced some negative effects when medicating. NO ONE HAS DIED FROM CANNABIS but you can have some side effects. Most of the side effects of cannabis can range depending on strains. Side effects such as dry mouth, red eyes, or “munchies” are common. There are times when you can’t control your high. Feelings of shortness of breath, tingling sensations throughout your bodies & dizziness may cause patients to freak out. Here are some tips when your high get you too high

#1 Don’t Freak Out

Cannabis is not a deadly drug, it is a plant. Understanding that you will not die if you ingest or smoke too much cannabis should put you at ease. It may take some time to learn how your body reacts to certain cannabis products. Have patience, read reviews & ask cannabis professionals for recommendations. Sometimes patients can get in their heads when highs go too far. DON’T PANIC. When you feel your high building you should have a few “go to” strategies. Try some positive mantras, drink water or take a nap. If you do feel that you need medical attention you should consult with your healthcare provider.

Environment

Your environment plays a part in your medicating experience. When medicating with new cannabis products it is always a good rule of thumb to be in a safe environment. If you are a new cannabis patient trying new products may go through some trial & error.

Some products may cause patients to feel dizzy or light-headed which may not be ideal when out in a crowd. Trying new products in the safety of your own home or with close friends supporting you can make your cannabis experience better. Playing soft music, dimming the lights or burning incense may help make your environment calming.

For example, Some cannabis strains may give you a dry mouth & dizziness. For safety, keep a bottle of water near you so that you do not have to get up.

Edibles – How to avoid getting too high (dose, mg)

Edibles are one of the most versatile cannabis products. Patients who need the effects of cannabis but may not like the smell of cannabis tend to like edibles. Edibles come in many different ways. Gummies, chocolate, honey, drinks, etc.

RULE #1 RESPECT THE EDIBLE! The smallest gummy bear can be 50 mg. All patients need to understand the dose/milligram of each edible before eating. It is best to eat something before taking an edible, try something fatty to make your edible activate.

Depending on your metabolism effects from edibles can last in your system 1-4 hours. A high milligram edible can make you feel light-headed or nauseated. Start with a low dose of 2 mg-5 mg dose to try. If needed cut edibles in half to cut your dose in half. Gauge your high & adjust as needed.

CBD is your friend!

Did you know CBD is a great way to counteract any unwanted effects from THC when you accidentally overconsume??

CBD is a negative allosteric modulator of CB1, the cannabinoid receptor to which THC directly binds. This reduces THC’s binding affinity to that receptor, thereby diminishing some of the effects of THC. Studies have demonstrated that users report feeling less anxious and less euphoric overall when administered.

Next time you feel too high, try using some CBD Oil to counteract the effects of your high! This should ease your nerves and help you relax.

Now, What Did You Learn? With every cannabis experience, you will learn something new. Journaling your edible experience may help you understand more about your body’s reaction when medicating. Take notes on taste, pain level, duration of high etc.