How To Shorten Or Lengthen Your High

It’s always nice to know how to keep a good thing going and how to cut a bad thing off at the knees. In this post we look at ways to do both — for your high.

Highs School

Welcome to Highs 101! Before we get into the nitty-gritty of truncating or prolonging a high, let’s get clear on the basic 411 of highs.

What’s A High?

Generally speaking, a high is a sensation of elation, intoxication, or distorted mental state caused by a substance — like cannabis. How a high feels IRL varies based on a number of factors, such as your personal biology and health profile, the type of cannabis used, the method of taking the cannabis, etc.

There are different kinds of highs: head (or mind) highs and body highs. Depending on your system and the cannabis you consume, you may get one, the other, both, or neither. You can learn all about head highs and body highs in our post The Lowdown on Body Highs vs Head Highs.

Why Do We Get Highs?

You get high because the compounds in cannabis enter your body and interact with your endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS processes the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytogoodies in your cannabis, which impact your brain chemicals and processes, nervous system, and so on.

Finding Euphoria From CBD, THC & Delta-8

Not all forms of cannabis will get you high. The species of cannabis and type of cannabinoid make a big difference.

Let’s start by looking at the high potential of a few cannabinoid heroes: CBD, delta-8-THC, and THC. We’ve listed these in order of least to most likely to cause you a high.

• CBD isolate will not intoxicate you. CBD isn’t a psychoactive substance; it alone can’t get you high.
• Full- and broad-spectrum CBD might get you a little high. You could feel a high with these types of CBD because they may have some THC content. In this scenario, it’s the THC that’s causing the buzz, not the CBD.
• Delta-8 may get you highish. If you take enough D8, it will probably have you feelin’ the ‘phoria. However, your high will likely be milder than a THC high, and without any anxiety or paranoia.
• THC could very likely intoxicate you.THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. It will probably kick into high gear if you consume more than trace amounts.

Due to the entourage effect, taking a combination of cannabinoids could change the nature or magnitude of your high. And, again, product formulation, how the cannabis is administered, and people’s unique systems influence the high experience as well.

Manipulating Your High

Now that you’re familiar with what a high is, what feeds into one, etc., we can move on to the crux of this article.

OK, whatever the reason, you may find yourself wanting to hasten the end of your high or draw it out even longer. (We get totally get it!)

Happily, there are definitely ways you can influence the duration and amplitude of your high.

Over Your High? How To Come Down To Earth Again

Let’s admit it: Sometimes we can get a little more than we bargained for. Or your situation’s changed and ya need to sober up at super-speed. What’s a person to do?

Out, Out Damn High!

If want your high to be over sooner rather than later, you can help usher it out of your system. The trick is to dilute, counteract, and/or metabolize the heck out of the cannabis traipsing through your body. Here are some ideas for that:(1)

• Hydrate like a desert-roaming wanderer at an oasis.
• Eat something so your tummy’s not on empty.
• Exercise, if you can do so safely.
• Try noshing on pine nuts, black pepper, and lemons — all contain compounds that combat THC’s intoxicating effects.
• For THC-induced highs, taking CBD may neutralize your high.

Soothing The Savage High

Aside from physically showing the cannabis the exits, you can quash the overwhelm of your high in other ways. Doing things that get you to relax — like listening to soothing music, snuggling your pup, chatting with a pal, indulge in a nap — may take some of the icky edge off your high. And pretty soon you’ll be sliding down the backside of the high anyway.

Want Even More? How To Make Your High Last

You’re feeling so awesome, you don’t want it to end just yet. Surely there must be a way to stay on this ride for a while yet….

Let The High Times Roll

Fortunately, you’ve got options here, too. You can consider:(2)

• Going the edibles route
• Layering multiple kinds of cannabis products
• Taking another dose
• Opting for a different type of cannabis that’s “stronger” or known for longer highs
• Taking a higher dose next time

Safety Check

With all these methods, be careful. Start low and slow, easing your foot off the brake pedal gently and cautiously. Always listen to your body — it’s good at clueing you in to what’s working and what’s not.

Despite what some sources may say, we do not recommend using alcohol to boost your cannabis high. Remember, the species and origin of your cannabis, the formulation, and so many other variables all play a role in how cannabis will affect you.

Dialing Your High Up Or Down

To some degree, you can be the captain of your high’s destiny.

It starts with choosing the right products — like delta-8 gummies or broad-spectrum CBD tinctures — and consuming them in the most effective ways for your desired high.

Once high, there are several strategies and tactics you can use to ratchet your high up or down. By doing so, you can shorten/lessen or lengthen/intensify your high.

Isn’t it great to have so many options and such control?

SHOP NOW FOR GOOD TIMES

References

1. Santos-Longhurst, A. (2019). Cannabis Too Strong? 11 Ways to Come Back Down. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-being-high
2. Santos-Longhurst, A. (2020). How Long Does a Cannabis High Last? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-a-marijuana-high-last