How to Recover From an Edible Hangover

While the effects you get from edibles can be great, having a hangover from them is not so good. Many people are now reporting that an edible cannabis hangover is definitely something that they want to get rid of quickly.

However, this does not mean that you have to give up edibles to avoid the hangover you get from them. There are some solutions that could help you to overcome it instead.

Edibles

Edibles are food products made with cannabis or cannabis compounds like CBD or THC. Nowadays, there is a vast range of cannabis edibles such as baked goods like brownies, chocolate, drinks, confectionery, and supplements.

Cannabis gummies are becoming very popular. Many people are now making their own gummies with gummy kits at home.

When making your own cannabis gummies, you can add CBD or THC oil to them. The great thing about making your own edibles is that you get to decide precisely how much CBD or THC you want to add. You can also experiment with different ratios of CBD and THC or just use one on its own.

While THC and CBD are the two most common compounds extracted from the cannabis plant,  with further research scientists have discovered that it also contains other compounds of therapeutic interest.

There will definitely be more beneficial compounds extracted from cannabis in the future, but for now, THC and CBD remain the primary compounds to work with.

What is the difference between CBD and THC?

Despite coming from the same plant, CBD and THC can have different effects on your body (1). Therefore, in terms of a hangover, you may have noticed that one compound is more responsible for a greater hangover than the other.

CBD

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is the cannabis compound usually taken for health-related problems. You might have heard people say that CBD is the compound that does not make you high, and this is true. The list of therapeutic benefits for CDB will no doubt expand, but currently researchers say that CBD is best for:

• Inflammation
• Pain
• Convulsions
• Muscle tension
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Vomiting and nausea

THC

THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is the cannabis compound that is usually taken for recreational purposes. You might have heard people say that THC is the compound that can make you high. However, recreational purposes aside, THC also has some therapeutic benefits for:

• Inflammation
• Pain
• Muscle tension
• Vomiting and nausea
• Increasing appetite

Is CBD or THC linked to a worse hangover?

Some evidence suggests that THC has more side effects than CBD. Due to the greater number of side effects from THC, this might contribute to a hangover more.

Some people might notice that one compound is less likely to cause a hangover for them than the other. However, the only way you can know this for sure is if you have tried both because cannabis does affect people differently.

What is an edible hangover?

According to some people, a hangover from edible cannabis can be worse than a hangover from smoked cannabis, while others may not notice any significant hangover at all. If you are unsure about whether you have experienced a hangover from edible cannabis before, read the symptoms below to determine whether this applies to you (2).

Symptoms 

• Tiredness and fatigue.
• Brain fog or the inability to think properly.
• Dry mouth and eyes.
• Headache.
• Nausea.

Suppose you have been mixing alcohol with cannabis. In that case, it’s important to note that some of your hangover symptoms could be linked to alcohol as well.

What causes an edible hangover?

Experts say that an edible hangover might be linked to withdrawal. However, this is more likely to occur if you are a regular user (3),(4).

Another possible factor is that it can take much longer for your body to clear edible cannabis. Therefore, you might still be noticing some effects from the day before.

There is still a lot to be studied in regards to cannabis. In addition, there could be other reasons as to why this happens that science is yet to discover.

What should you do if you are feeling hungover?

First of all, if you are feeling hungover, you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. You might be best staying at home until you recover.

If you suspect that you will feel hungover the next day from edibles, then it might pay to clear your schedule or take the next day off work. This way, you can stay at home and recover.

While staying at home, there are a few things you can try to alleviate your symptoms.

Drink water

Staying hydrated is essential for any type of hangover you are experiencing. For example, you might be experiencing a dry mouth and eyes or a headache due to a lack of water.

Water has many great benefits and can improve the function of your liver and kidneys. If you suspect that the effects of your edibles might still be lingering from the previous day, then water might help to clear this more quickly.

Try an electrolyte drink

Electrolytes are ions such as sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. When you are feeling dehydrated, your body might be depleted of these essential ions.

An electrolyte drink can help you restore these ions or might help you feel hydrated more quickly. Many sports drinks are considered electrolyte drinks because they include ions essential for hydration.

Some pharmacies and health stores also sell electrolyte preparations that you can mix with water.

Have a shower

By having a shower you might feel refreshed and more alert or awake if you start doing something.

Try some ginger

Consuming some ginger might also help ease any nausea you are experiencing. For example, you could try some ginger tea or a warm lemon, honey, and ginger drink.

Have some caffeine 

If you are not feeling too nauseous, you could have a coffee or caffeinated tea to make you feel more awake.

Be aware that caffeine can also worsen dehydration. If you are feeling very dehydrated, you will need to avoid or limit caffeine. Should you have a coffee or tea, ensure that you drink plenty of water as well.

Things to avoid and consider

Avoid leaving the house if you can because it is important that you rest and take it easy. Going to work, driving, or operating heavy machinery is not advisable.

If you have been drinking as well, you need to avoid painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) because this can be bad for your liver. However, if you have not been drinking alcohol the day before, an over-the-counter pain killer might be suitable if your headache persists (4).

If you are feeling nauseous, avoid eating large portions of food. You should try eating more slowly and have smaller portions of food throughout the day. You should also opt for foods that do not contribute to nausea. For example, plain foods would be better.

Summary

If you feel hungover from edible cannabis, you need to take it easy and rest. If you suspect that you will be hungover, you will need to keep your schedule clear the next day.

While there are some remedies you can try at home to recover, you may still need to wait it out for a while. If your symptoms worsen and persist, you should seek medical advice.