Can you get a hangover from weed and what can you do about it?

Have you ever wondered if you can get a hangover from weed? Well, we can give you a quick answer: yes, you can. Have you ever woken up after a night of smoking weed and felt drowsy, nauseous and had a headache? Then you may have experienced a weed hangover. This is less well-known than an alcohol hangover, but it is still quite common. In this blog, you can read what it entails and how you can recover from it faster.

What is a weed hangover?

Yes, you can get a hangover from weed. In this blog, you can read what the symptoms are and what you can do about it.

A hangover from cannabis  is actually not that different from an alcohol hangover. This hangover (or stoneover, as this compilation of symptoms caused by weed is also called) is caused by consuming large amounts of cannabis and often also by powerful weed products such as edibles or concentrates.

A difference with alcohol is that the symptoms of weed are caused by the psychoactive effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which are still left in your body. Your body is still processing THC, which affects various systems, such as the endocannabinoid system, your fluid balance and your sleep pattern. With alcohol, the hangover is caused by dehydration and residual toxins. A weed hangover is not really the same as an alcohol hangover, but cannabis users find the symptoms quite similar.

What are the symptoms of a weed hangover?

It is often not entirely possible to predict how you will react to cannabis. It is also difficult to say what a hangover from weed will feel like. But common symptoms are listed below:

• General feeling of fatigue
• Lush
• Headache
• Brain fog: this makes it difficult to concentrate and think clearly
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Feelings of anxiety

With edibles, it is more common to feel sleepy and tired the next day. Even with higher doses of THC, a feeling of being high or stoned can persist the next day.

With a study(published on PubMed) from 2019, college students used cannabis as a sleep aid. Although cannabis did indeed help them sleep longer, the students were much more tired during the day. An older study(1985, PubMed) also seems to point to negative effects after cannabis use. 13 male participants smoked a cannabis cigarette or a placebo and had to complete a few tests. They had to sort cards and estimate how long it would take them. When the test was repeated the next morning, the group that had smoked cannabis judged the estimated time to be 10 to 30 seconds longer than it actually was. Cannabis may still have an effect the next day. However, a disadvantage of this study is that the research group was very small and consisted of only men.

What can help with a hangover from weed?

Just like with a hangover from alcohol, there is no ready-made remedy that will immediately cure your hangover. However, there are a few things you can do to help you recover faster.

Exercise

You may feel sluggish and tired, but exercise can help you get over this faster. Stick to gentle, slow movements, like walking, doing yoga, or cycling. This gentle movement helps to release endorphins and boosts your metabolism. This can make you feel a little more awake.

Food and fluids

One thing that can really help you get rid of your hangover is drinking water. This helps your body in the process of excreting THC. Healthy foods that contain carbohydrates and proteins, like fruits and grains, can also help your body recover. Some people might reach for coffee, as it can give you more energy. But also remember that caffeine can contribute to dehydration, which is not helpful for a weed hangover. Stick to healthy drinks and snacks, which can help you recover.

Rest

Sleep is also a good remedy for a weed hangover. Do you feel really groggy and does the brain fog fall over you like a thick, heavy blanket? Then a few hours of rest are probably what you need. A hot shower can also be a good idee. This stimulates blood circulation, which helps you wake up.

When should you see a doctor?

A weed hangover usually goes away on its own. But if you experience severe nausea, panic, heart palpitations or feel really confused, contact a doctor.

It is also wise to be careful with cannabis if you have psychological complaints, heart problems, are pregnant or are not yet 25. Are you in doubt? Always seek medical advice.

Can you also prevent a hangover from weed?

Once you have experienced that sluggish, tired feeling after using weed, you will probably want to know whether you can also prevent it. There are a few things you can look out for.

First, and this goes without saying, be moderate with your cannabis consumption. Make sure you understand your own limits and respect them. If you are starting with a new cannabis product, start with a low dose.

Choosing the right strain and the right potency is also important to prevent a weed hangover. For example, see if you can find a strain with a good balance of THC and CBD. A strain with a high THC content has a higher chance of lasting effects than one with a high CBD content.

It is also a good idea to make sure you keep drinking plenty of fluids, both before, during and after using weed. This keeps the chance of dehydration low, which is a major trigger for a weed hangover. Also make sure you do not mix alcohol and other drugs with cannabis. This can cause a weed hangover, but also other adverse effects.

Use weed in moderation. Smoking is bad for your health and causes damage to the lungs, and you run a higher risk of lung diseases, such as bronchitis and lung cancer. Long-term use of cannabis can undermine your mental performance and complaints such as concentration and memory problems.

This blog is intended as a source of information and is not medical advice.