Friend Too High? How to Help Someone Through a Bad Trip on Weed

If a friend is having a bad trip after using weed, stay calm, move them somewhere quiet, give them water and a light snack, breathe slowly with them and keep reminding them it will pass. A bad high can bring on anxiety, paranoia or physical discomfort, and it's scary to watch, but it's almost always temporary. Cannabis hits everyone differently, so patience and understanding go a long way.

Here's how to handle the situation well and help your friend feel safe and comfortable until it wears off.

What is a bad trip on weed?

Weed can pull you into a deep headspace where thoughts get more intense and harder to shake. Sober, we jump from one idea to the next pretty quickly; high, we tend to dig into every thought slowly and deliberately.

That can be great for creative or reflective stuff, but it can also cause trouble when negative thoughts pop up.

A bad cannabis trip happens when those negative thoughts get amplified, leading to an overwhelming sense of anxiety or dread. You feel stuck in a spiral of dark thoughts, short of breath, with a tightness in your chest. Still, it's worth remembering that in most cases there's no reason to panic.

Just as THC in your system makes the good parts better, like food or music, it can also blow negative thoughts out of proportion.

What are the most common signs of a bad high?

During a bad high, it's common to feel facial numbness, sweating and to look pale. Those symptoms can fuel more anxiety and, in some cases, lead to nausea and vomiting.

That said, a bad cannabis trip rarely leads to anything serious. The key is to stay calm and remember that the effects are temporary. If something seems seriously wrong, like chest pain or fainting, don't hesitate to get medical help.

Smoking weed safely: how to prevent a bad trip

To prevent a bad trip, pay attention to where you smoke and who you're with. Stick to familiar surroundings and people you trust. Putting on some chill music and not mixing cannabis with alcohol or other substances also helps lower the risk of a bad high.

What to do if you're the one having a bad trip from weed's effects

If you're in the middle of a bad trip yourself, get away from whatever's setting it off and find a quiet place. Drinking water or something sugary, or nibbling on a cookie or a slice of cake, can help ease the symptoms.

Slow, deep breaths will also help you relax. Steering clear of loud music and conversations, and getting some fresh air if you can, can turn things around too.

How to help a friend who's too high

If a friend is having a bad trip, give them support and understanding. Offering water or a light snack, like a few crackers or cookies, can help settle the symptoms.

Stay calm and be there to listen if your friend wants to talk. Give them space, and reassure them that everything's going to be OK.

How to get through a bad high: tips to share with your friend

During a bad trip, feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable is normal. But it's important to remember that it'll be over soon. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to calm down and take the edge off:

1. Breathe deep: When the anxiety hits, breathe deeply from your belly to signal safety to your nervous system and help you relax.
2. Take a walk: Moving around and getting fresh air can help clear your head and make the high feel less heavy, even if there's no hard evidence it speeds up how your body processes THC.
3. Take some CBD: Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound in cannabis, may have calming properties that some research suggests can soften THC's psychoactive punch.
4. Sip an herbal tea: Herbs like rosemary and lemon balm contain beta-caryophyllene, a terpene that may promote mental relaxation. Brew a tea with them to help you settle down.
5. Talk yourself through it: Remind yourself that it'll pass and you'll be sober again soon. You can even use it as a chance to reflect on your life and what you'd like to improve.

How long does a bad high last?

How long a bad cannabis trip lasts depends on how you consumed it:

• Smoking weed: Usually 1 to 2 hours, though everyone's body responds differently and it can be shorter.
• Eating edibles: It can last longer, around 6 to 8 hours, depending on the dose.