Unlike alcohol hangovers (which we’re all familiar with), hangovers after using cannabis are somewhat rarer. Still, they do happen regularly, and anyone who’s experienced one knows it’s no fun. Just like other types of hangovers, a cannabis hangover is when you experience a range of effects—from headaches to nausea and difficulty concentrating—after the high from the marijuana has worn off.
To gain a better understanding of this weed hangover (or cannabis hangover or marijuana hangover—whatever you want to call it), in this article we’ll take a closer look at this mysterious phenomenon and tell you how to prevent a hangover and how to remedy it once you’ve got one. A tip: putting a little less cannabis in your cannabis vaporizer never hurts!
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The symptoms of a cannabis hangover
In short: reported symptoms of a cannabis hangover include brain fog, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and dry eyes. As you can imagine, these aren’t pleasant effects, especially if you’ve made plans for the day. Some of these effects can be compared to an alcohol hangover. After one drink too many, you might experience a hangover with effects like dizziness or headaches, nausea, body aches, dehydration, insomnia, and memory and concentration problems. Although a cannabis hangover can have similar symptoms, alcohol and cannabis have very different effects on the body. However, more research is needed to determine the exact causes of both types of hangovers.
Cannabis and Dehydration
One of the most commonly linked causes of these types of effects is dehydration. Dehydration is, in fact, the main reason alcohol causes the unpleasant effects of a hangover. And since your mouth can get quite dry after using marijuana, many people think that cannabis is directly responsible for the body’s dehydration. But is that really the case? Well, not exactly. Ultimately, what many people confuse with dehydration is actually a dry mouth (also known as cottonmouth), and the two are unrelated. A dry mouth, though terribly uncomfortable, is not the result of dehydration, but a lack of saliva.
And this lack of saliva isn’t necessarily caused by dehydration, but by the THC in your cannabis. Research shows that the cannabinoid THC binds to glands in the mouth responsible for producing most of the saliva, also known as submandibular glands. This binding temporarily halts saliva production, leading to the dry, uncomfortable sensation most of us have experienced at some point. So this lack of saliva doesn’t mean the rest of your body is also dehydrated (which is often the case after drinking alcohol). Still, staying well-hydrated after using cannabis is a smart idea. In fact, many people find the effects of a cannabis hangover less intense when they drink enough water.
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How do you get rid of a cannabis hangover?
A cannabis hangover usually goes away on its own, but there are a few things you can do to speed up the process or make it more bearable. Here are a few:
- Stay hydrated. The most important thing you can do before, during, and after using cannabis is to drink plenty of water. This will help alleviate symptoms such as headaches, a dry mouth, and dry eyes.
- Eat a nutritious breakfast. The morning after using cannabis, opt for a healthy, balanced breakfast. For example, try a small portion of whole-grain carbohydrates (like bread) paired with a lean source of protein and healthy fats (like chicken or beef).
- Get moving. Staring at a screen all day won’t help. Try starting your day with a brisk walk to get your body back “on.”
- Take a shower. A shower can help you feel refreshed and hydrated in the morning after smoking weed. The steam from a hot shower can also help open up your airways.
- Make some ginger tea. Ginger can help with digestive symptoms, such as nausea. Add some 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) may counteract some of the symptoms associated with a cannabis hangover. These effects haven’t been proven, so use at your own risk.
- Take a pain reliever. For persistent headaches, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Read also: Here’s how a single dose of ayahuasca can lead to lasting changes in the brain
How do you prevent a cannabis hangover?
Are you curious about how to prevent getting a cannabis hangover in the first place? There are a few things you can do. Recurring cannabis hangovers may indicate that something is wrong with a person’s cannabis use. For example, if you use cannabis every day and often experience a hangover, limit the amount of cannabis you use. Other tips include avoiding THC-rich strains, not mixing different substances (or types of cannabis), and starting to smoke cannabis earlier in the day. By not smoking anything for about three hours before bedtime, your body can metabolize the THC sufficiently before you wake up again.
