Cannabis Overdose Treatment: What To Do When Too High

Cannabis overdose treatment is supportive care: hydrate, rest in a calm and cool space, stay with someone you trust, and give it time. There is no antidote that reverses THC, and no confirmed fatal overdose from cannabis alone in humans. Call 911 for seizures, trouble breathing, chest pain, or unresponsiveness, and call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for any child who ate an edible.

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Can you overdose on cannabis?

Yes, you can take too much THC, but the result is uncomfortable rather than lethal. The amount of cannabis needed to kill a human is far beyond what anyone could realistically consume. Emergency visits from cannabis are still serious, mostly because of panic, vomiting, and falls.

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What does a cannabis overdose feel like?

People often call it greening out. Symptoms usually start within 30 minutes of smoking and up to 2 hours after an edible. Common signs include:

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• Racing heart, sweating, and chills
• Nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
• Anxiety, panic, or a feeling of doom
• Confusion, slurred speech, or slow reactions
• Extreme drowsiness or a brief fainting spell

High doses of THC, especially from edibles or concentrates, can also trigger paranoia or short-lived hallucinations. These effects fade as THC clears the body.

How do you treat a cannabis overdose at home?

1. Move to a quiet, well-lit room and sit or lie on your side if nauseated.
2. Sip water or an electrolyte drink to counter dry mouth and vomiting.
3. Skip caffeine, alcohol, and more cannabis, since all three make symptoms worse.
4. Try black pepper or a CBD product, which some people find eases THC-related anxiety.
5. Stay with a calm friend and distract yourself with something simple and familiar.
6. Sleep it off once symptoms settle, checking on breathing if the person is very sedated.

Do not induce vomiting and do not take a sedative to counteract the high. Activated charcoal is used only in hospital settings, and only within a short window after swallowing.

When should you call 911?

Call 911 for a seizure, trouble breathing, chest pain, a fever with stiff muscles, severe or repeated vomiting, or a person you cannot wake. Call 988 if the high triggers thoughts of self-harm. Tell responders that cannabis was involved and whether alcohol, opioids, or other drugs were also used.

Does naloxone help with a cannabis overdose?

No. Naloxone reverses opioids only, and THC does not act on those receptors. If a person is unresponsive and opioids might be involved, give naloxone anyway and call 911. Fentanyl-contaminated cannabis is rare but possible.

How long does a cannabis overdose last?

Smoked effects peak in 10 to 30 minutes and ease within 1 to 3 hours. Edible effects can last 6 to 12 hours, with a lingering fog the next day. Vomiting that repeats for days after heavy long-term use may be cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which needs medical care.

How can you prevent a cannabis overdose?

Start with 2.5 to 5 mg of THC in an edible and wait at least 2 hours before taking more. Keep edibles labeled and locked away from kids and pets. Buy from licensed shops that test for potency, so the dose on the label matches what is in the product.