Weed Hangovers: Are They Real and Why Do They Happen
One of the biggest attractions for cannabis use, especially in choosing weed over alcohol, is that it’s said to never cause a hangover.
However, if you’ve ever woken up from a rather heavy sesh, you may have felt the notorious “dankover” or weed hangover the next day.
In this post, we’ll explain what weed hangovers are, their symptoms, why they happen, and how to prevent/treat them.
What is a weed hangover?
While there has been some debate about whether smoking weed can actually cause a hangover, it appears many individuals have experienced some form of ill feeling following weed use.
A basic explanation of a weed hangover is that it’s simply a hangover caused by weed.
Did you know? Weed is actually a little-known cure for alcohol hangovers too!
Symptoms of a weed hangover
If you think you have a weed hangover, there are a few hangover effects or side effects you can check for when feeling down. These symptoms typically only last for a few hours and rarely last longer than 24.
Symptoms of a weed hangover include:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Mild nausea
- Headaches
- Dry eyes
- Dry mouth (“cottonmouth”)
The severity of a marijuana hangover can depend on some personal factors, including:
- Height
- Weight
- Tolerance levels
But canna-hangovers can also be caused by external effects of cannabis like:
- Cannabis quality
- Potency
- Product type
- Amount consumed
Like alcohol-included hangovers, it’s most common to feel negative symptoms because of overconsumption.
Why a weed hangover happens
When you consume cannabis products, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids in the plant are synthesized in the body. Depending on factors like the amount of weed and type of cannabis products you consume, the time it takes to synthesize THC may be longer. This can lead to lingering effects the next morning.
Additionally, there can be other factors involved in feeling not-so-great after consuming weed, like not getting enough water. While cannabis itself does not cause dehydration, if you eat a lot of salty or sugary foods while you’re high and don’t get to bed at a reasonable time, you probably won’t wake up feeling great.
These reasons are likely the cause for some marijuana users to report waking up feeling groggy, tired, dried out, and nauseous.
How to prevent a weed hangover
The key to avoiding a weed hangover is to stick to the code of cannabis, start low and slow. This means no matter the kind of cannabis product you’re consuming (cannabis edibles, flower, concentrates, tinctures, etc.) you should start with a low dosage and increase if you still don’t feel the desired effects.
Additionally, it can prove helpful to make sure to get plenty of water, fall asleep at a reasonable time, and stick to lower-potency products to ensure you wake up feeling healthy and rested.
Another pro tip: Cannabis users should avoid mixing the plant with things like alcohol or nicotine as these are both proven to cause dehydration and may lead to weed-hangover symptoms.
Home remedies for a weed hangover
There are plenty of home remedies if you do experience a weed hangover. You can help solve your crisis with some common items around your home.
Here are a few of the best home remedies for weed hangovers:
- Drink water: Hydration can relieve various symptoms like headaches and dry eyes.
- Nutritious breakfast: Eat a healthy, balanced breakfast with lean protein and healthy fat.
- Shower: The warm air will open your airways and refresh you in the morning.
- Ginger tea: This tea will benefit your digestion symptoms and reduce nausea.
- Caffeine: Try ingesting some caffeine to jumpstart your mind and body in the morning.
- CBD: Cannabidiol or “CBD” is effective for treating symptoms related to weed hangovers (and alcohol hangovers), like nausea and headaches.
- Advil: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory acetaminophen pain relievers like Advil and Ibuprofen can help reduce your symptoms.
These remedies may not completely resolve your ailments, but they’re sure to provide some relief while your body recovers.
Learn more about weed!
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