Am I Having a Bad High? Signs of a Bad Trip on Weed and What Triggers It

You're probably having a bad high if smoking weed suddenly flips from relaxing to overwhelming: racing heart, paranoid thoughts, a wave of fear, sweating or nausea. It's unpleasant and can feel scary, especially when you don't know what's going on, but it passes.

Spotting the signs is the first step to riding it out. Below we break down the most common symptoms of a bad trip on cannabis, what usually sets one off and how to keep it from happening again, so you can get back to enjoying your sessions with a little more confidence.

What triggers a bad trip on weed?

For a lot of people, cannabis is a good time, but it can also bring on episodes of anxiety and paranoia, the classic “bad trip.”

Knowing what tends to cause one is the best way to dodge it and use weed more safely. Here are the main reasons people end up having a rough time.

High-THC strains

One of the most common routes to a bad high is smoking strains loaded with THC. THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, and its potency has climbed a lot over the past few decades.

Back in the '60s and '70s, weed had relatively low THC levels. Today it's not unusual to find strains testing at 30% THC or more. Smoking a lot of that kind of flower can be overwhelming, especially for beginners, and that's how unpleasant experiences and bad trips happen.

Edibles

Edibles can feel completely different from smoking or vaping. The effects tend to be stronger and last longer, and the high can get downright psychedelic.

Even seasoned smokers can get blindsided if they're new to edibles. Bad dosing is a classic cause of edible bad trips: because the effects take a while to kick in, it's easy to eat more than your body can handle.

Dabbing

Dabbing means inhaling cannabis concentrates, which pack way more THC than flower. A single dab can hold as much THC as a fat joint, all in one hit.

That can push your endocannabinoid system (the network of receptors THC acts on) into territory it's never been before, which can mean an overwhelming experience and a bad trip, even for experienced users.

Your state of mind

Your mood and headspace before you smoke play a huge role. Once THC is in your bloodstream, it can amplify whatever you're already feeling and worrying about, like a magnifying glass on your problems.

If you're stressed, anxious or depressed, those feelings will probably get louder when you get high, and that can tip you into a bad trip. The right mindset (your “set”) and a safe, comfortable environment (your “setting”) are key to avoiding a bad experience.

How to prevent a bad high: the quick version

1. Know your tolerance: Start low, especially if you're trying a new form of cannabis or a potent strain.
2. Pick a safe setting: Make sure you're somewhere you feel comfortable and safe, ideally with friends you trust.
3. Check your mood: Try to smoke when you're relaxed and not carrying something heavy on your mind.
4. Don't mix substances: Skip combining weed with alcohol or other drugs if you've never done it before.

Follow these tips and understand what sets bad trips off, and you'll be able to enjoy cannabis in a safer, more pleasant way.

Signs you're having a bad trip on cannabis

A bad trip on cannabis can show up in different ways, from unwanted hallucinations to intense paranoia. Knowing the most common symptoms will help you recognize what's happening and handle it.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations aren't common from smoking or eating weed, but they can happen, especially after big doses of edibles. People who've put away several space cakes in a row often come back with stories about aliens and geometric landscapes.

You're unlikely to hallucinate just from smoking flower, but edibles are a different story. Even a 10 mg dose can make experienced smokers anxious, and higher doses can cause hallucinations, delusions and a racing heart (tachycardia).

Put those together and you've got a bad trip, especially for people without much experience.

Intense paranoia and anxiety

Weed has a knack for making you overthink, and that can spiral into serious paranoia and anxiety. During a bad trip, thoughts like “Is that guy staring at me?”, “Did I drop my wallet?” or “Can that person tell I'm high?” are par for the course.

Those feelings are a sign you've gone past your personal limit and should go easier next time.

Fear

Eating a lot of edibles or taking strong dabs can bring on a deep sense of fear. It can range from stressing over everyday responsibilities to full-blown existential dread about the nature of reality. And it can hit out of nowhere, hard.

Physical symptoms

A bad trip can also show up in your body, with symptoms like:

• Sweating
• Racing heart
• Upset stomach
• Numbness
• Shaking

How to avoid a bad trip on cannabis

Preventing a bad trip comes down to managing your headspace and keeping tabs on how much you smoke. A few tips to stay out of trouble:

Clear your head first

If something's bugging you, don't smoke just to escape it. Go for a walk, face what you're feeling, meditate and take some deep breaths. Smoke when you feel at peace with yourself.

Control your setting

You're more likely to have a bad trip in stressful places, like a busy city, or anywhere you really shouldn't be high. Smoke at home, in the comfort of your room, or somewhere out in nature like the beach or the countryside, where the vibe is good.

Start low and go slow

Go at your own pace. Take a few hits, wait to see how your body reacts, then keep going. If you're doing dabs or edibles, don't feel like you have to keep up with anyone. Start with a small amount. You can always have more later.

The bottom line

A bad trip on weed is no fun, but knowing the symptoms and how to prevent one makes a big difference. Keep a good headspace, control your setting and use cannabis responsibly so your sessions stay safe and enjoyable.