TL;DR: How to recover from edibles starts with understanding that edible effects last longer and can sometimes leave users feeling sluggish, foggy, or dehydrated the next day. This blog explains what an edible hangover is, how to ease the symptoms, and what steps may help you feel more comfortable while the effects wear off.
- Hydration and nutrition matter most: drink water or electrolytes, and choose light, nutrient-dense foods instead of greasy meals.
- Rest and gentle activity can help: skip intense exercise, try walking or stretching, and take time to rest if needed.
- Relaxation may reduce discomfort: calming tea, quiet surroundings, and simple distractions like reading or TV can make the experience easier.
- For specific symptoms, options like OTC pain relievers or antacids may help with headaches or nausea.
- Prevention is key: start with a low dose, wait for effects to kick in, and avoid taking more too soon.
Edibles offer some unique advantages compared to other cannabinoid products. They’re long-lasting, especially discreet, and pretty potent.
However, some edible users find themselves dealing with an edible “hangover” the next day. That includes unwanted effects like sluggishness, tiredness, brain fog, and more.
So, how can you treat an edible hangover? How can you recover from edibles the next day? Let’s take a closer look.
What are Edibles, and What Is an Edible Hangover?
In the simplest and broadest definition, edibles are food and drinks that contain cannabinoids. Prepackaged edibles tend to be candy or sweets, with gummies and chocolate being especially popular.
Edibles generally contain psychoactive cannabinoids, like Delta 8 and HHC. These chemicals interact with the body’s natural endocannabinoid system and produce certain effects. Feelings like an elevated mood and altered perceptions are common.
Edibles are often used recreationally, although they’re also a favorite for some users due to potential benefits like pain relief.
Unlike vaping or smoking, where cannabinoids enter the bloodstream through the lungs, the cannabinoids in edibles are processed by the body’s digestive system. That means:
- It takes a relatively long time for the effects of edibles to kick in. The exact time frame varies based on metabolism, whether other food has been eaten recently, and other factors. In general, users start feeling the effects of consuming edibles about 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming them.
- Because of those delayed effects, it’s important not to overconsume edibles, take too high a dose, and risk an edible hangover. Learn more about edible dosing.
- The effects of edibles kick in gradually and fall off in the same way.
- The edible experience tends to last much longer than smoking or vaping, stretching across several hours instead of just a few.
- A single dose of an edible can provide an experience that seems more intense or powerful than that of smoking or vaping, as Leafwell explains.
Additionally, edibles are popular because they don’t produce any smoke, vapor, or odor. They’re the most discreet way to enjoy cannabinoids. The overall experience of an edible is still very similar to smoking or vaping, but these important differences stand out.
Legality of Cannabinoid Edibles
Cannabinoids have two major sources: cannabis and hemp plants. The cannabinoids in edibles — the active ingredient — come from one of these two sources.
Cannabis edibles (i.e. edibles made from cannabis plants) are illegal on the federal level. However, they’re legal in states that have medicinal and/or recreational cannabis programs.
Hemp-based edibles are federally legal and legal in many states. However, some states restrict or prohibit their sale and possession.
What Is an Edible Hangover?
The idea of a “weed hangover” dates back several decades. Research on the topic from 1985, published in the peer-reviewed journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, is just one example. While there is no conclusive, authoritative proof that these hangovers exist, many users recognize the concept.
The good news is that a cannabinoid or edible hangover appears to be less intense than that of an alcohol hangover.
However, the symptoms can be similar. Medical News Today lists cannabinoid hangover symptoms, including dry mouth, fatigue, headaches, and lethargy. If you feel out of sorts, tired, dehydrated, or otherwise not normal the next day after using cannabinoids, you may be experiencing a hangover.
We can tell that edible hangovers aren’t a desired effect — in general, hangovers never are. So, how can you prevent edible hangovers and minimize their effects? And, how do you come down from an edible high?
How to Recover From an Edible Hangover
The best way to recover from an edible hangover is to avoid one in the first place. In other words, moderate your use of edibles the day or night before.
Don’t overdo it. Take a small dose to start with (1/2 of the recommended dose, if you haven’t tried edibles before) and resist the urge to take more while waiting for the effects to kick in. Edibles can be very potent, so a single or half of a single dose is plenty for most users.
What happens if, despite your best efforts, you’re still feeling the symptoms of an edible hangover the next day?
These suggestions may not fully cure a hangover, but they can help address the symptoms. They can also help you come down from an edible high, although you’ll still have to wait for the high to wear off. Because a hangover from edibles tends to last only part of a day, it’s often enough to get through the issue as it resolves. We suggest:
For Nutrition and Hydration:
- Drink plenty of water, especially if you feel dehydrated or have dry mouth. Drinking a beverage with plenty of electrolytes (such as sports drinks like Gatorade) can also help.
- Eat light, nutrient-dense foods. Examples include whole grains, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables.
- Avoid heavy, greasy foods until you feel better.
For Activity and Rest:
- Avoid strenuous physical activity and heavy exercise if possible.
- Instead, try a lighter activity like walking or stretching.
- Take a nap or rest instead of engaging in strenuous or complex mental activity, if possible.
For Increasing Relaxation:
- Try an herbal tea, like mint or chamomile, to help you relax and possibly reduce the severity of symptoms.
- Pick a relaxing and simple activity to take your mind off of the symptoms. Try reading or watching a few episodes of your favorite TV show.
For Specific Symptoms:
- If you have a headache, consider using an over-the-counter pain reliever like aspirin.
- If you have an upset stomach or nausea, try an over-the-counter antacid.
- Moderate caffeine consumption may help a headache, but too much caffeine could have the opposite effect.
FAQs on How to Recover from Edibles
How long to recover from edibles?
Many people who use edibles don’t have to recover afterward, except for letting the active effects wear off over the course of several hours. However, some people who are sensitive to edibles or take too many may face an edible hangover. This edible hangover can last from the end of the experience and several hours afterward, although it’s typically mild.
How do you make an edible wear off?
You can’t make an edible wear off instantly or in a short period of time. Along with taking a low dose to begin with and avoiding the temptation to take more edibles before the effects of the first one kick in (which generally takes 30 minutes to 2 hours), you can try these ways to make the experience feel less intense:
- Move to a quiet and calm location to reduce stimulation
- Stay hydrated
- Take a dose of a CBD-only product, if you have one on hand, to help balance out the effects of the cannabinoids
- Distract yourself by watching a calming or lighthearted TV show or movie or listening to uplifting or calming music
How long do I feel back to normal after taking edibles?
After about 12 hours, most people who use edibles will feel generally back to normal. Edibles generally wear off roughly 4-12 hours, depending on factors like metabolism, whether they’re taken on a full or empty stomach, and many other factors. Their effects peak around 2-4 hours after they’re taken.
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