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What is a Weed Hangover and How To Avoid One

August 2, 2021

Hangovers are something that nobody wants to experience. Fortunately for marijuana users, weed hangovers are actually pretty rare and very mild in most cases. While there is not very much research on the subject, reports suggest that smoking marijuana can actually trigger symptoms that are felt the next day for some users.

While weed hangovers may seem similar to alcohol hangovers in name, they are actually very different.

What is a Weed Hangover?

A weed hangover is exactly as the name suggests — a hangover from weed that you experience the day after smoking. Weed hangovers are actually very different from alcohol hangovers due to the fact that these two substances affect the body in very different ways.

The effects of alcohol hangovers are actually much more severe because alcohol dehydrates the body and is harmful to the liver. This results in effects such as headaches, severe nausea, lethargy, and more.

Weed hangovers, on the other hand, tend to be much more mild and tolerable than alcohol hangovers. The main symptoms of weed hangovers include:

  • Lethargy
  • Foggy mind
  • Dry eyes
  • Mild nausea

The after-effects of weed are typically very mild because it does not cause dehydration and has a very different mechanism in the body than alcohol does. This is actually one of the main reasons many people switch to weed and also why weed is typically a go-to for those looking for relief from alcohol hangovers.

How Do I Know If It Is a Weed Hangover?

While it is common to feel a little off after consuming weed (especially for newcomers and those who do not use it regularly), the effects you are feeling may not necessarily be from a weed hangover.

For starters, if you use weed regularly you could be experiencing the symptoms of mild withdrawal. These symptoms can start anywhere from 6–24 hours after use depending on your tolerance and include anxiety, insomnia, sweaty palms, restless mind, and more.

Furthermore, if you were drinking or consuming other drugs, you can expect to have more severe hangover symptoms due to the increased rate of dehydration.

It is also important to be wary of how much of a dosage you consume, especially for edibles. Edibles can last for up to 10 hours in some cases, so you could also still be feeling some of the lingering effects of the weed and the comedown.

How To Beat Weed Hangovers

While weed hangovers typically are not very bad, everyone is different, and some may experience more discomfort than others. Some of the best ways to combat these effects and prevent them from occurring include:

Stay Hydrated!

This is probably the most effective advice for anyone looking to beat their hangover. It is thought that most symptoms of a hangover are caused by dehydration, so it would make sense to try and stay hydrated both when consuming marijuana as well as the morning after. This can help to lessen the headaches and dry mouth symptoms that are typical of weed hangovers.

Eat a Good Breakfast

Opt for a healthy, balanced breakfast the morning after weed use. Try to consume food that provides a good balance of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and vitamins.

Eat Gut-Balancing Nutrients

Drinks like ginger and green tea can help to balance an upset stomach and calm many of the symptoms you may be experiencing. Adding a bit of ginger to some tea or water with lemon can help to relieve any feelings of nausea and dull headaches and pain.

Are Weed Hangovers Preventable?

While weed hangovers are not known to be very strong, the effects they may cause differ for everyone. Depending on your level of tolerance, your overall health, and the other drugs or foods you consumed during that time period, the effects of your weed hangover may differ. Overall, if your weed hangovers are intense, you may want to switch up your routine and think about some different contributing factors.

These could include your dosage, whether or not you are mixing other drugs or alcohol, the number of days you take off from smoking, and more. Our best recommendation is to try to lead a balanced lifestyle that does not abuse the use of weed in order to maintain a healthy relationship with it and avoid overpowering hangovers.

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