If there is one thing that cannabis enthusiasts don’t like about smoking cannabis is smoking too much. And since the legalization of cannabis, more and more people are using cannabis for recreational and medical purposes. In fact, a lot of people choose to get an MMJ card renewal to continue using medical cannabis for managing their condition. But when you are smoking cannabis, whether, for recreational use or medical use, you should be aware of your limits.
No one enjoys the side effects of smoking too much cannabis, not even experienced cannabis smokers. Smoking too much cannabis can land you in a very uncomfortable situation. No one enjoys having to deal with the rather unpleasant side effects of smoking too much cannabis. While all these side effects are temporary, they can be very unpleasant. This is especially true for beginners as they are not really familiar with the effects of smoking cannabis.
But what happens when you smoke too much in one go? How to figure out if you have smoked too much cannabis? Here is a list of some of the most common signs that tell you have smoked too much. So, if you see these signs, you need to stop smoking right then. Having said that, let’s get into it.
Sign 1. Dry Mouth (or Cottonmouth)
One of the most common side effects associated with smoking too much cannabis is dry mouth or cottonmouth. Your throat and mouth dry up when you smoke cannabis. This is a temporary effect but is very uncomfortable.
The two main cannabinoids found in cannabis are CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the main psychoactive compound that is responsible for producing the “high” associated with consuming cannabis. It is also the reason why you get dry mouth. THC binds with the cannabinoid receptors present in the submandibular glands, which inhibits the production of saliva in the mouth. As there is no saliva production in the mouth, you end up with dry mouth (or cottonmouth).
Now, the best way to deal with this common side effect is to drink a lot of water. You need to keep yourself hydrated in order to alleviate the symptoms of this side effect.
Sign 2. The Munchies
Medical cannabis is commonly used to stimulate appetite among patients suffering from the loss of appetite. It is highly used by patients with autoimmune disease or going under chemotherapy. Cannabis has the ability to increase appetite and is very popular for causing the “munchies.”
Every regular cannabis smoker is familiar with the “munchies.” It is another common side effect of consuming cannabis, which can sometimes be very beneficial. The munchies are the sudden, irresistible feeling of hunger that you experience if you have smoked enough cannabis. You can end raiding your kitchen again and again in hopes of finding some sweet and savory snacks to eat.
The stomach secretes a hormone, ghrelin that mediates hunger. And the munchies occur when THC interacts with ghrelin. The interaction causes this appetite-inducing side effect. While this increase in appetite can help medical patients, an average consumer can end up eating too much.
To avoid the munchies, you can try eating a full meal before you begin smoking. And if you can’t escape the effect, try choosing healthier snack options rather than burgers or pizzas.
Sign 3. Feeling Anxious And Paranoid
If you are too high after smoking too much cannabis, you might begin to feel anxiety and paranoia. This usually happens with new smokers, who do not have much experience with the effects of cannabis.
Studies show that low to moderate doses of THC can help in alleviating the feelings of anxiety. But the high doses can make things worse for you by increasing these feelings. So, it is important for you to take care of your dosing when consuming cannabis (whether smoking or through any other method). Get familiar with your tolerance level, and then consume responsibly. If you are a beginner, start with low doses and take things slow. This way you can avoid this problem.