The legalization of weed in multiple states is prompting more and more people to become interested in its after effects, including whether or not it can lead to a “hangover.”
Researchers have studied the health effects of marijuana, but they currently know very little about “weed hangovers.”
In this article, learn more about potential weed hangovers, including some symptoms and possible cures.
Can using marijuana lead to a hangover?
Medical professionals do not yet know if weed causes a hangover, and only a few studies describe weed hangovers. Some suggest that using weed can lead to hangover effects, while others indicate the opposite.
The reported effects of weed use vary widely between studies, and researchers do not know if the participants in these studies used other substances alongside weed. It is also unclear whether or not age or sex can influence the “hangover” effects of using marijuana.
Studies that say it can
In 1985, researchers conducted a studyTrusted Source examining the after effects of smoking marijuana. The study only included 13 males, but it showed that a hangover effect from using weed might exist.
Other research teams continued to study whether or not weed hangovers might exist, as well as what people can expect the morning after using the drug.
One studyTrusted Source showed that smoking weed can lead to daytime fatigue the following day. Another studyTrusted Source suggested that smoking weed can have significant after effects, such as irritability and feeling miserable.
More recent researchTrusted Source analyzed the results of 19 different studies into marijuana use and its negative effects. The researchers found that marijuana had a “medium sized association” with certain negative effects.
Recent research
More recently, a 2017 studyTrusted Source explored perspectives toward medical cannabis among people with chronic pain. One of the self-reported undesirable effects of marijuana was a hangover described as a foggy, non-alert feeling in the morning.
However, the authors of the study did not indicate how many participants reported this effect.
A 2015 reviewTrusted Source on the use of medical marijuana recommends that healthcare professionals teach patients about the hangover effect. It also recommends describing it as lasting at least one day after the last time marijuana was used.
MORE RESEARCH IS NEEDED
There are, of course, numerous anecdotal reports of marijuana hangovers, suggesting they are possible. More research needs to be done to understand causes, symptoms, and risk factors associated with weed hangovers as well as recommended self-care.
In addition, most of the studies described above focused on the morning-after effects of smoking a small amount of marijuana. Research exploring the effects of overconsumption is also needed.
How do I get rid of it?
A weed hangover will typically go away on its own. There isn’t much you can do for an immediate fix, but these tips can offer relief:
- Stay hydrated. The most important thing you can do before, during, and after weed use is drink enough water. This will help relieve symptoms such as headaches, dry mouth, and dry eyes.
- Eat a nutritious breakfast. Opt for a healthy, balanced breakfast the morning after weed use. Try a small serving of whole-grain carbohydrates along with a lean source of protein and healthy fat.
- Take a shower. A shower can help you to feel refreshed and hydrated the morning after smoking weed. The steam from a hot shower can open your airways.
- Make some ginger tea. Ginger can help with digestive symptoms, such as nausea. Add a bit of grated ginger to hot water with lemon and honey to soothe an upset stomach.
- Drink caffeine. A cup of coffee or caffeinated tea can help you feel more alert.
- Try CBD. Some anecdotal reports suggest that cannabidiol (CBD) can counteract some of the symptoms associated with a weed hangover. Just steer clear of any preparations containing THC.
- Take a pain reliever. For a persistent headache, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
If you can, try to take it easy for the rest of the day. With a good night’s rest, you should wake up feeling like yourself again.
Are they preventable?
The only way to guarantee you won’t have a weed hangover is to avoid weed. Still, there are plenty of things you can due to minimize the negative effects of weed.
- Avoid smoking weed the night before an important activity. If you tend to experience weed hangovers, try to avoid using marijuana the night before something important, such as an exam or stressful day at work.
- Take days off. If possible, avoid using weed on a daily basis. Continuous weed use can build up your tolerance, which might eventually trigger withdrawal symptoms in the morning.
- Limit your use. You might be more likely to experience a weed hangover if you overconsume. Decide on an appropriate quantity before you get high, and stick with that.
- Try low-THC marijuana. THC is the active ingredient in weed. No one’s totally sure how THC affects weed hangover symptoms, but it’s worth trying low-THC strains to see if they help prevent morning-after symptoms.
- Use caution when trying a new product. You might find you react differently to weed depending on the dose, concentration, and method of delivery. When trying something for the first time, start with a low dose.
- Don’t mix it with other substances. The morning-after effects of weed might be more intense if you tend to smoke weed while also drinking or using other drugs.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about the effects of weed and medication. Remember that any over-the-counter or prescription medication you take can interact with weed. This could affect how you feel in the morning.
When to get help
Contrary to popular belief, weed can be addictive. The more often you use it, the more likely you are to become dependent on it.
If you regularly experience weed hangovers, they could be a sign that you’re overdoing it. If you’re having a hard time curbing your use, it may be time to reach out to your doctor for help.
Other potential signs of weed misuse include:
- using it on a daily or near-daily basis
- experiencing cravings for it
- spending a lot of time thinking about it or obtaining it
- using more over time
- using more than you intended
- continuing to use it despite negative consequences
- keeping a constant supply
- spending a lot of money on it, even when you can’t afford it
- avoiding situations or places where you can’t use it
- driving or operating machinery while high
- trying and failing to stop using it
- experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop.
Hi, I’m 25 year old, been smoking since 18. I kind of go back and forth between a daily smoker to a weekend toker, but most of the time I hover around smoking 2 to 5 times a week. Problem is, when I have sessions at night when my work is done, I always wake up and can barely get out of bed. I drag myself out, but I never have the energy or motivation to really push it throughout the day. I’m self-employed, so I work a lot from home, and I really need to keep myself motivated to get my work done. I need something that will make me be able to hustle all day, every day. What do you guys do to keep your energy levels up? I never liked the taste of coffee, and Energy drinks and soda are pretty much out of the question due to pretty bad acid reflux. I’ve been pounding Green Tea with ginseng and honey lately, but I think I’ve become immune to the small amount of caffeine in it. Anybody got any miracle cures out there? Thanks in advance!
Hey I get those pretty bad too, but darker teas really help. Find any black tea, and just drink a couple cups over the day. I drink mine black, but honey is great too!
Smoking weed before you sleep inhibits REM activity, which is why you feel tired the next day. I bet you don’t dream those nights either?
1. Don’t eat late at night.
2. Go to bed at the same time you would if you weren’t smoking.
3. Yerba Mate helps. Buy it from a latin grocery by the kilo (Cruz de Malta is a popular brand). I make it in a french press rather than screwing around with a gourd or a bombilla. I think it’s better with sweetener, but that’s a matter of taste.
The cannabis hangover is caused by a buildup of THC in the bloodstream – it has a long half-life and so it takes a long time to really get out of your system. Even though you may not be feeling the psychoactive effects, the THC is still affecting your body, causing this hangover. (I’m not sure what roles other cannabinoids play in this picture.)
Typically, the hangover is due to a large amount of tree usage over time, as the THC levels accumulate to a hangover causing level.
The best advice I can give you is to not smoke before going to sleep, because THC fucks with your REM sleep. But I know that’s probably not what you wanted to here, and I know I always smoke before bed, so let’s rule that out.
The best way to cure this, in my opinion, IS to eat correctly, the best way to get the correct things in your body is find more simple ways to get them there.
try and replace your snack foods with vegetables like carrots and celery. also trail mixes with dried fruit are AWESOME because they have a longer shelf life. another thing to consider, if you think that carrots/celery are black, try eating either with peanut butter, or hummus. many of my friends swear by hummus, but i just don’t really like the taste.