As marijuana becomes more widely legalized and socially accepted, edibles,foods infused with cannabis are rapidly growing in popularity. While they may appear harmless compared to smoking, marijuana edibles can carry serious health risks, especially when consumed in high doses or without understanding their delayed and long-lasting effects.
Unlike inhaled cannabis, which acts within minutes, edibles can take up to two hours to take effect, often leading individuals to consume more than intended. This delayed onset increases the risk of overconsumption, prolonged intoxication, and cannabis “hangovers” the next day symptoms that can include fatigue, brain fog, dry eyes, and poor concentration.
This article explores the hidden dangers of marijuana edibles, how they affect the body, why they may cause lingering aftereffects, and how to safely manage or prevent a weed hangover.
When you ingest more marijuana than your individual limit, you get a weed hangover. Responses vary between people and occasions; past tolerance cannot guarantee a safe dose or predict how long impairment will last. The strain you smoked and the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in it are two other factors that influence whether you can get a hangover and how bad it will be. Hangovers are more likely with cannabis with higher THC levels, particularly if you have consumed more than your level of tolerance.
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Furthermore, if you have ingested edibles, you are more likely to encounter a hangover from edibles because they metabolize gradually in the body and may still be effective the next morning. As a result, a marijuana brownie or cannabis cookie might cause more hangover effects than a joint. Homemade edible potency can be unpredictable; following a recipe does not guarantee a safe THC dose. In general, smoking marijuana or vaping is less likely to cause a hangover, though it is possible.
Symptoms of a weed hangover include:
- Inability to focus and brain fog
- A dull, unrelenting headache
- Itchy, dry eyes
- Tiredness or jitteriness
- Cottonmouth (but not like systemic dehydration that occurs with consuming a high amount of alcohol)
- Hypersensitivity to bright light and noise
- A feeling of being high for a long time
Is there such thing as a weed hangover? Yes. If you are feeling a little weird after consuming marijuana, it is possible that you are not suffering from a hangover.
Here are some probable factors leading to a weed hangover:
While consuming weed or the day after eating edibles, you should avoid drinking alcohol or taking other drugs. If you use other drugs while smoking cannabis, they may have an impact on how you feel the following morning.
Withdrawal from marijuana. If you consume marijuana on a regular basis, you may have symptoms of withdrawal when you stop. Changes in mood, sleeplessness, and difficulties focusing are all signs of marijuana withdrawal.
Weed’s lasting effects. The duration of a cannabis high is determined by a variety of factors, including dosage, potency, and delivery mode, as well as tolerance and metabolism. Edible cannabis can cause intoxication for up to 12 hours, with residual effects lasting up to 24 hours.
Five hours after an edible, you may still be intoxicated. Do not assume symptoms are only a hangover. Contact a poison center or medical service if you feel unwell; call emergency services for chest pain, severe confusion, seizures, breathing difficulty, or inability to wake.
Smoking marijuana has its own range of dangers, but even smokers may not be primed for the potent effects of edibles. Here are some unusual effects that edibles have on the user.
Unspecified Strength Marijuana In Edibles
It’s difficult to assess the strength of edibles. Labeling and production regulations for foodstuffs are, at best, only basic. Because it’s hard to know how much THC is in an edible, dose estimations are often inaccurate. As a result, you might not be aware of how much THC you’re taking.
Consequences That Last Longer
Although the effects of smoking marijuana might last 3 hours, edibles can last considerably longer, based on how much is taken. Edibles can have a long-lasting effect on consumers, which is amplified when marijuana is combined with other substances or alcohol.
Potential For Overdosage
The time taken for the effects of edibles to show is one of the major distinctions between smoking marijuana and taking edibles. While the benefits of smoking marijuana can be felt within minutes, the effects of edibles might take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to manifest. As a result, it’s simple to ingest a significant number of edibles without experiencing the full effects, posing a serious risk of overdose.
Marijuana side effects appear at different times for different people. After taking marijuana, some people may feel relaxed and euphoric, whereas others feel anxious and worried.
Tetrahydrocannabinol generally called THC or delta-9 THC to 11-hydroxy THC is the molecule in marijuana that makes you feel “high.” When smoked, it enters the bloodstream immediately, while it takes a little longer to enter the bloodstream when consumed.
There’s no way to know how much THC you’re taking when you’re consuming weed edibles, which raises the risk of overdosing. Edibles can also have a long-term effect when combined with other alcohol or drugs, as many users do, especially in social situations.
Furthermore, edibles can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to take action, making it possible to eat large dosages without taking the effects until later, posing a major risk of overdosing. These effects may vary based on the type of marijuana smoked, how it was consumed, and how much was consumed.
Edibles may take up to four hours to reach their full effect. Intoxication can last up to 12 hours, with residual effects into the next day; duration varies with dose and individual factors.
Citrus terpene profiles or marijuana strands, for example, have a more stimulant effect, which may be the intended impact or may lead to a person’s anxiety. According to studies, heart issues are more likely in those who eat marijuana treats than in people who smoke marijuana.
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According to one study, 8 percent of emergency room patients who used edibles experienced heart-related symptoms such as an abnormal heart rate, compared to 3 percent of cannabis users who visited the ER.
Not every marijuana product is created identical, and quality, composition, and THC dosage can all differ significantly.
Rest in a safe, quiet place with a sober person available to help. Exercise does not reverse cannabis intoxication. Do not drive, operate machinery, or take more cannabis, alcohol, or other intoxicants while affected.
The following comfort measures do not cure cannabis poisoning or replace medical advice for persistent or concerning symptoms.
Avoid brisk walks or strenuous exercise while dizzy, sleepy, or unsteady; impaired coordination increases the risk of injury.
Gentle relaxation may feel calming, but yoga or breathing exercises do not clear THC. Avoid poses or activities that could cause a fall while impaired.
Be it an omelet made at home or a vegan bowl of steel-cut oatmeal with fresh berries, start your day with a healthy breakfast. Whatever you select, keep it as natural as possible and eat nutrient-dense foods.
If fully awake and able to swallow, small sips of water may ease dry mouth. Caffeine and pain medicines do not reverse intoxication; ask a pharmacist before taking medication for persistent symptoms.
Avoid baths or swimming while impaired, particularly if sleepy or unsteady. Cold water does not reverse intoxication.
Rest while symptoms improve, with a sober person checking on you. If you become difficult to wake or develop breathing problems, that person should call emergency services immediately.
Topical CBD is not an established treatment for cannabis intoxication. Do not use additional cannabis products to try to reverse its effects.
The one and the only way to avoid a weed hangover is to stay away from it. Even so, there are a number of things you may do to reduce the harmful impact of marijuana.
- Avoid smoking marijuana the night before a major event. Avoid consuming marijuana the evening before an important event, including an exam or a difficult day at work, if you are prone to weed hangovers.
- Take some time off. Stop using marijuana on a daily basis if at all possible. Continuous marijuana use can lead to tolerance, which might lead to symptoms of withdrawal in the morning.
- Keep your usage to a minimum. If you consume too much marijuana, you may get a weed hangover. Before you become high, decide on a suitable dosage and stick to it.
- Low-THC marijuana is a good option. The active element in marijuana is THC. Although no one knows exactly how THC impacts pot hangover symptoms, it’s worth experimenting with low-THC strains to see if they assist prevent morning-after symptoms.
- When trying out a new product, start with care. Based on the dose, strength, and mode of delivery, you may experience varied reactions to marijuana. Start with a minimal dose while attempting something new for the first time.
- Don’t mix it with anything else. If you consume weed while also drinking or taking other drugs, the morning-after effects of marijuana may be more acute.
- Discuss the consequences of cannabis hangovers and medication with your healthcare professional. Keep in mind that weed can interact with any over-the-counter or prescription drug you’re using. This may have an impact on how you feel in the morning.
