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Can You Get A Hangover From Smoking or Consuming Edibles?


August 9, 2017

Everyone knows that you can get an unpleasant hangover after a night of drinking alcohol, but what about after smoking weed or consuming edibles? Believe it or not, it’s possible to get a weed hangover. Here’s what you need to know:

Symptoms of a Hangover

The symptoms of a hangover caused by smoking weed or consuming edibles from Denver marijuana dispensaries are typically not as intense as the symptoms of a hangover caused by alcohol. Some of the most common symptoms include headaches, dry eyes, foggy memories, nausea, and fatigue. Some people never experience hangovers after consuming marijuana and others will experience hangovers after every use.


What Causes These Symptoms?

Similar to drinking alcohol, people tend to experience weed hangovers after consuming a significant amount of marijuana. However, hangovers are often linked solely to consuming strains that are high in THC. Strains that are high in CBD may not lead to any of the unpleasant side effects listed above. This is because of the half life of THC, which is the cannabinoid that produces the euphoric high you experience after smoking marijuana. THC has a long half life, so it can still affect you long after the psychoactive high has vanished.

The effects of THC are even more intense when you consume edibles instead of smoking marijuana. This is because the liver turns THC into a more potent chemical known as THC-COOH, so the effects of this cannabinoid are greater. In addition, it may take a full day for your body to finish digesting the edibles that you consumed. As more is digested, more THC will be metabolized by the liver and released into your system. The result? You may end up feeling hungover after eating too many edibles. Learn more about what happens in the liver when you eat edibles.

Common Cures for Weed Hangovers

If you’re not feeling great after consuming edibles or smoking marijuana, there are a few things you can do to treat your hangover. First, drink plenty of water to rehydrate your body and flush out your system. You can also try to go back to sleep to give your body more time to finish processing the THC. Unfortunately, hitting the snooze button isn’t always an option when you have places to go. If you have a hangover but you have to get up and moving, try taking a hot shower or exercising for 20-30 minutes instead. Another option would be to consume a small amount of marijuana that is high in CBD. CBD is another cannabinoid, but this one doesn’t produce a high like THC. In fact, it has been proven that CBD counteracts the effects of THC, so consuming a small amount of this cannabinoid may help you recover from your hangover.

For more information related to all things cannabis, stop by Altitude Dispensary, one of the best Denver marijuana dispensaries. Our knowledgeable budtenders can help you find the right medical or recreational product to suit your needs. Contact Altitude Dispensary for more information today!