THC Overdose: What to Do About Symptoms

Whether you accidentally looked too deep into the brownie tray or underestimated the seriousness of the situation while smoking weed, a THC overdose can knock you out faster than you can say “high times.” No panic! In this article you will find out what symptoms you might encounter and, above all, how you can survive the wild ride calmly. This much can be said: turning around and hoping that everything was a dream is unfortunately not an option.

3 important facts explained:

• Acute Phase: The acute phase of cannabis poisoning usually resolves within four to six hours. Supporting and maintaining a non-hostile environment and reducing stimuli are essential.
• Medical consultation: After treatment of the acute phase, the person should be examined by a psychiatrist to analyze the psychological and social effects and make complete abstinence the goal of treatment.
• Further medical care: While most patients do not require hospitalization, serious symptoms such as cannabis psychosis and suicidal ideation may require further treatment or counseling.

What is a cannabis overdose?

Definition and causes

A cannabis overdose, also known as cannabis poisoning or cannabis intoxication, occurs when you consume too much of the active ingredient THC. This can happen through smoking, eating (edibles like hash cookies), or drinking cannabis tea. Especially when consumed orally, a considerable amount of THC can be absorbed, which leads to undesirable side effects.

Symptoms and effects

Symptoms of cannabis poisoning often appear quickly after smoking weed or delayed after consuming edibles. You might be euphoric, have short-term memory problems, or just feel extremely tired. In severe cases, anxiety, social withdrawal and even cardiovascular problems occur.

If you are more than just high, you may experience additional effects such as impaired thinking, slowed movements, dizziness, and altered experience of time. Sometimes it can go so far that you no longer really perceive yourself as a person. Your heart could race and you could feel dizzy when you stand up – postural hypotension cannot be ruled out. Imagine you’ve booked an LSD trip, but with an unexpectedly spicy cannabis bonus that will blow your mind.

Symptoms of a THC overdose

A cannabis overdose can cause the following symptoms:

• Fear and feelings of panic
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Heart racing
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Difficulty concentrating

Acute THC overdose

Short-term effects

Man, did you celebrate the night with a load of weed and now realize that you consumed more than was good for you? No worries. Shortly after smoking weed, you will experience euphoria, short-term memory problems, and excessive sleepiness. Lethargy and impaired judgment are also part of the package. Combined with a touch of social withdrawal and possibly severe anxiety, these effects make for an experience you won’t soon forget.

Long-term consequences

An acute phase of your THC overdose may go away on its own within four to six hours, but the long-term effects could last longer. Cardiovascular diseases, palpitations and increased cardiac output are just some of the nasty after-effects that are likely to await you. If you’re unlucky, increased appetite and red eyes could also bother you for some time.

See, this stuff not only affects your body, but it also messes with your mind. Thought disorders and changes in perception are just the beginning. Long-term effects can range from cardiovascular disease to postural hypotension – a delayed autonomic nervous system response when you stand up abruptly and find the world suddenly seems far more unstable than it should. This reminds you of a wild gonzo story, doesn’t it?

Symptoms of a cannabis overdose

Psychological symptoms

If you overdose on cannabis, you’ll quickly notice that your inner life can turn completely upside down – hello, psycho trip! Euphoria can quickly turn into anxiety, causing thought disorders and an altered sense of time and space. The simple joy of the bag can rob you of your short-term memory and lead to the inability to perform mental tasks. And yes, you could completely withdraw socially.

Physical symptoms

What is going on physically? Oh, just the usual: red eyes, dry mouth and an increased appetite – hallucinogenic food cravings are real! There is also dizziness and slight disorientation, as if you were stuck on a carousel. The heart may also get out of line and start racing, a sure sign that your cardiovascular system is working overtime.

If you’re still wondering if that’s all, don’t worry, there’s more to come! In addition to the standard candidates such as dry mouth and red eyes, altered perceptions and slowed movement coordination are common guests at the overdose party. Your body may feel as if it no longer belongs to your head, and everyday tasks may suddenly become insurmountable hurdles.

Cardiovascular symptoms

Your heart apparently loves the high too – but maybe not in the way you imagine. A THC overdose can cause your heart to stall and your blood pressure to feel like you’re on a roller coaster. Heart palpitations and postural hypotension are the medical terms for “your heart behaves like a startled chicken.”

The blood runs hot dog style through your veins and your heart beats bravely through the turbulence. Catecholamines and carboxyhemoglobin seem to be having their own little rave in your bloodstream. More serious cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, have rarely been documented, but have been documented in relation to acute cannabis use – so it’s better not to risk it!

Can a cannabis overdose be fatal?

Imagine you’re just chilling and wondering if all that THC can knock you out – literally. Well, science gives you a pretty reassuring answer. But let’s delve a little deeper into the story!

Toxicity level

So, here are the hard facts: When you smoke THC, the fun starts at just two milligrams. If you swallow it, you need twenty milligrams to get the same feeling. But to really kill you, you’d have to inject about 8.96 grams of THC or eat a gigantic 46.62 grams. Impossible, right?

Reported cases of deaths

But wait, before you get completely careless, let’s talk about some grim reports. Yes, there are cases where people have suffered cerebral infarction after consuming cannabis. Particularly in the spotlight: teenagers. Coma in children due to accidental ingestion has also been reported.

So this is about harsh reality. Although a lethal dose for humans is not really known, there are still cases that have gone wrong. Brain attacks in teenagers after heavy cannabis use are real, and yes, kids who accidentally bit into the cookie with a secret list of ingredients have ended up in the hospital. So be careful and think before consuming something that could be out of your control.

What to do if you have a THC overdose?

Treatment of the acute phase

In the acute phase of a THC overdose, you have to stay calm. Symptoms usually go away on their own within four to six hours. During this time, you should ensure that the affected person is in a calm and non-threatening environment. Reduce the stimuli and try to stay calm together – that’s half the battle.

What you can do if you overdose

Keep calm: An overdose usually goes away on its own. Try to stay calm and not panic.

Don’t stay alone: Find support from a trusted person who will stay with you.

Get some fresh air: Open a window or get some fresh air. This can relieve nausea and dizziness.

Drink enough: Drink water or sugary drinks to stabilize your circulation.

Look for distraction: Listen to calming music, watch a movie or have a conversation to distract yourself.

If symptoms are severe: If loss of consciousness or other threatening symptoms occur, call emergency services.

Medical support and consultation

If symptoms are overwhelming or just won’t go away, it’s time to seek professional help. Constant support from medical staff and maintaining a calming environment are crucial. A medical professional will reassure the patient and, depending on the situation, sedatives or other measures to relieve anxiety may be used.

Doctors are trained to prevent major medical or psychiatric problems from arising and to stabilize the situation. Often it is enough to support the patient emotionally and keep him in a calm environment. If necessary, specific medications can be administered to relieve the acute symptoms. Depending on the severity of the overdose, a short hospital stay may be necessary.

Lifestyle changes and therapy

In the long term, you should consider whether changing your lifestyle might be helpful. Abstinence is the goal that many psychiatrists suggest after severe cannabis intoxication. Individual or group therapy can be of great help, especially if personal or family problems are behind your consumer behavior.

Wow, that sounds like a lot of change, doesn’t it? But don’t panic, it’s a gradual process. Although abstinence is the overarching goal, even small changes in daily life and a deeper understanding of your own motivations can help. Therapy – whether individual or in a group – offers valuable support on the way back to a healthier life.

Continuing medical care after a THC overdose

Hospitalization and monitoring

If the brutal nature of your THC overdose has reached a new level – think cannabis psychosis and suicidal thoughts – hospitalization may be necessary. Although most stoners don’t go through this extreme experience, there is always a daredevil who takes the high to unknown heights. Here the doctors make sure that you don’t document your last words as a lyrical flight of fancy, but rather that you land safely back in reality.

Aftercare and therapy

After you have survived the acute phase and your mind becomes clearer again, you should seek follow-up treatment and therapy. Yes, exactly, that means psychiatrist and possibly also individual or group therapy. Here you should not only get the last high, but also your life under control before the next joint ends up in your hand.

In your future there should not only be clear air, but also clarity. A psychiatrist will examine your condition and, for better or worse, you will have to realize that total abstinence must be the goal. Lifestyle changes and uncovering personal and family issues can help you avoid becoming the next THC overdramatist. Your journey to recovery may require some fun and profound moments in group therapy, but it will ultimately get you back on the right path.

Overdose of THC – what to do?

So, you overdid it and now your mind is on a roller coaster? No panic! Most of the time the symptoms go away on their own after a few hours. Enjoy the rest, but if the anxiety becomes too much or it just won’t stop, don’t hesitate to get medical help. Sometimes a little calming is all your head needs. Remember, you are not alone and there is help if you need it.

Sources and further information

NIDA: Cannabis