THC is one of the most talked-about compounds in the cannabis plant. It’s one of the compounds responsible for producing numerous benefits, such as alleviating pain, reducing anxiety, and promoting sleep. It aids in the treatment of various conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and cancer. It also produces a high, which often leaves many users wondering how much THC is too much?
Not All Cannabis Products Are the Same
If you’ve ever stepped foot in a dispensary, you’ve likely noticed the vast array of cannabis products. In addition to dry flowers, there’s all manner of vape pens, oils, concentrates, edibles, and topicals. All of these products have varying percentages of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids depending upon their strain.
The type of product you choose plays a significant role in how much THC you get. Smoking and vaping give you different amounts of THC than edibles and tinctures. The strain also plays a vital role. Selecting a strain high in THC will likely provide you with a more potent experience than one that’s relatively low in the cannabinoid.
Factors that Influence Your Experience
It’s not just the type of product you select that determines how much THC is too much for you. Several factors play a role, including:
- Your age
- Your height and weight
- Your tolerance
- Your physiology
- The other cannabinoids present in the strain
- The terpene profile
- The setting
- How much you ingest at one time
What Happens if You Get Too Much THC?
It is possible to ingest too much THC for your body to handle. It often happens if you don’t wait long enough after consuming an edible before you try a second one or if you smoke too much at one time.
Getting too much THC in your system isn’t lethal. You’d have to consume an unlikely amount for that to happen. The experience of too much THC for your body, however, can be uncomfortable. You may experience such effects as:
- Heightened anxiety
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
- Shakiness or tremors
- Dry mouth
- “Whiteout,” an event in which the color rapidly drains from your face and may be followed by nausea and vomiting
- Heart palpitations or arrhythmia
If you do get too much THC in your system, keep in mind that the effects you’re feeling will pass. Drink plenty of water and try to get comfortable. If you can, go to sleep. The symptoms will wear off eventually.
Your method of consumption will play a role in how long it takes for the effects to wear off, as will how much THC you consumed. The effects of edibles, for instance, last much longer than smoking or vaping. Do your best to remain calm and wait it out. Keeping a bottle of CBD only oil on hand is your best bet since CBD counteracts the effects of THC and it will have you feeling better in no time.
Tips for a More Enjoyable Experience
Whether you’ve ever consumed too much THC at once or not, there are things that you can do to ensure a more enjoyable experience. If you’re new to cannabis, start small. If you’re smoking or vaping, take a couple of small hits and wait 20 minutes. If you’re eating an edible, take a portion of a single serving. For tinctures, use only a drop or two. Gradually work your way up until you find the dose that provides you with the best results.
Other tips to keep in mind include:
- Make yourself comfortable
- Get yourself in the right frame of mind
- Ensure that you’ve had something to eat beforehand (especially if you’re consuming an edible)
- Hydrate
What constitutes too much THC varies from person to person. Just keep in mind some of these tips and you’ll be sure to have an enjoyable experience that doesn’t involve unwanted side effects.
