Bad Trip From Cannabis: Is It Possible And What To Do?
- 1. How to identify a bad trip from cannabis
- 2. What are the causes of bad cannabis trip
- 2. a. You're simply far higher than what you expected to be
- 2. b. Having the wrong state of mind
- 2. c. Being at the wrong place and time
- 3. How to prevent or handle a bad cannabis trip
- 4. Final thoughts
We've all been there once, or we know a friend or a friend of a friend who has been: having a bad trip after smoking weed or eating too many cannabis edibles.
When we look back and think about that time we were bad tripping, it is most likely that we will laugh about it and think of it as a funny story and memory. However, while you or your friend was bad tripping it wasn't really that funny but rather nerving for you or them.
Therefore, it's essential that when a friend is having a bad trip after smoking weed that you try your best to help them overcome the situation.
In order to do this, we'll need to be able to identify first what a bad trip from cannabis looks like. Anyway, keep in mind no one has ever died from consuming too much marijuana, so apart from the trippy time, you should be fine.
1. How to Identify a Bad Trip From Cannabis
A bad trip from cannabis can vary a lot from person to person, depending on several aspects such as the type of strain consumed, the tolerance the user has to the substance, the surroundings, and the mental disposition of the person using.
However, there are some common signs of a bad trip from cannabis, these include:
- Severe paranoia, nerves, and/or fear;
- Sweating and shortness of breath;
- Shaking or trembling;
- Pale looking skin;
- Stomach discomfort and even vomiting;
- Low blood pressure and even fainting.
While no major harm can happen from a strong cannabis high, it can be indeed an unpleasant time, therefore, knowing how to handle a bad trip can be quite useful. But let's try to understand what are the reasons why a person can experience a bad cannabis trip.
2. What Are The Causes of Bad Cannabis Trip
As we've mentioned above, an intense cannabis trip can be triggered for several reasons, such as the type of strain, the amounts consumed, the user's tolerance to the substance, having the wrong frame of mind, or being in the wrong surroundings.
Let's go through some of the possible causes of a bad trip from cannabis.
You're simply far higher than what you expected to be
When a person is way too high, it can get a little unsettling, even more, if they didn't expect this from happening (there's always that friend who'll keep hitting the joint, stating "you can always be a little higher", not that any of us is like that anyway). This can happen due to highly strong strains or consuming too much.
This is a pretty common event among new marijuana users, for several reasons. First, when you're new to the world of cannabis you most likely have quite a vague idea about this green-tinted culture, how much you should consume, what exactly you're consuming and the effects to expect.
Advice!
If you want to have control over the type of high you're going to experience then you should definitely inform yourself on what you're about to consume and some of the basic guidelines.
Besides, it is common knowledge that the first times you use marijuana, the high effects are far more enhanced since you're yet what could be considered as a cannabis virgin, you're body is coming across the cannabinoids for the first runs of the future many.
We can still remember the first time we tried some premium-quality buds, without having a clue that they were la crème de la crème. We had exactly the same amounts we would have consumed of normal quality flowers, ending up 10 times higher, and feeling super sick minutes later.
Therefore, the moral of the fable would be to have a more controlled and slow approach to marijuana.
Having the wrong state of mind
When it comes to psychoactive drugs, such as marijuana, having the right frame of mind when using them is one of the most essential pillars of the consumption experience. Why? Allow us to explain.
To begin with, in order to be able to understand why the right frame of mind is of supreme importance, defining the term 'psychoactive' will be of great use:
Psychoactive:
A drug or substance that affects the functioning of the brain, causing changes in mood, feelings, thoughts, behavior and awareness.
Since these psychoactive substances modulate the mood, thoughts, and feelings, what tends to happen is that our experience will change according to the mental activity going on under their influence.
This means, in simpler words, that if you are happy when you are high, then you'll feel happier; if you feel sad, then you might feel overwhelmingly sad; when scared, you'll be completely terrified (watch out when sitting through a horror film being high), you get the hang of it.
Therefore, try to push away any negative thoughts or feelings as you consume marijuana. Besides, that would kind of be a waste of a high, isn't the purpose of smoking weed to relax and have a good time?
If you've had an overall harsh day and you're feeling kind of vulnerable, perhaps it would be wiser to skip using weed for the day, or maybe it could be just what you need, but you'll need to make the call on this one.
Being at the wrong place and time
Just like the wrong frame of mind can influence your cannabis trip, your surroundings and external stimuli can make or break your experience as well. For example, being stoned in a place that's too crowded could lead you to feel anxious and keep you from enjoying the effects.
Or maybe it's the music: when the music doesn't build an adequate atmosphere, you could be left feeling off-place, and in some cases end up bad tripping, or impulsively leaving the party or gathering, not that we've ever been there.
Make sure that you smoke your joint, or take your edibles in a place where you feel comfortable and with the right group of people. And don't forget the music, music is almost psychoactive, having the power to control the emotions.
3. How to Prevent or Handle a Bad Cannabis Trip
While sometimes it isn't possible to prevent a bad trip from cannabis since it could come unwarned, others there are some things you can try as an attempt to avoid this from happening.
Since we've listed some of the common causes for a bad trip, the best advice we can give you to prevent bad tripping is to inform yourself first. Not only will informing yourself allow you to know the type of high to expect but it will most likely provide you some unconscious calm.
When we face the unknown it tends to be slightly nerving.
At the same time, making sure you're in consuming your marijuana at a place you're comfortable in, surrounded by friends, or perhaps at your own house would also be a good idea. And last but not least, don't panic! Keep your cool and focus on happy thoughts.
Now, what are some measures to deal with a bad cannabis trip while you or your friend is already experiencing it? If you're aiding a friend the first instruction is to help but don't overwhelm them with attention or you might scare them even more.
In the first instance, drink some water, it can be as simple as that, a glass of water could easily revive you. Take steady breaths and try to shrug off the panicking thoughts you or your friend might be having.
How? Well, getting distracted when you're high can be quite easy, so engage in some small talk if you have someone to talk with, or give your best friend a phone call. Feeling supported will also help you calm down.
If this fails, and you're experiencing some extreme dizziness, have a sit on the floor and pull your legs up towards the wall, chances are your blood pressure has lowered. If your stomach isn't too upset, try eating something with high sugar content to bring your pressure levels back to normal.
Avoid having any high-on caffeine drinks as it may trigger your anxiety, and that's precisely what we're trying to calm down.
Now, perhaps play some soothing music, or try taking a walk to take your mind off the fact that you're bad tripping. Once you achieve to finally take your mind off of it, we can assure you'll feel better.
And if all fails, the one technique that will always achieve to calm a bad trip from cannabis is sleeping. Really, if you're simply not vibing with your weed high, heading to sleep will definitely get rid of everything and you'll wake up as good as new.
4. Final Thoughts
Bad tripping with cannabis isn't something you should worry too much about, marijuana is a safe substance that has no record of killing anyone, ever.
At tops, you might faint or throw up, but that could just be a sign that you were slightly off the weather that day, or that you had consumed way too much.
Try to stay calm and remember, this will make a funny story if not tomorrow, then in a near future for sure.
