Despite some debate over their validity, weed hangovers are likely real. While research on the subject is limited, anecdotal reports suggest that smoking marijuana can trigger next-day symptoms in some people.
Despite the similar names, weed hangovers aren't quite the same as those brought on by alcohol. And for many, weed hangovers tend to be more tolerable than alcohol-related ones.
Common symptoms of a weed hangover include:
Read on for tips on how to deal with these effects and to learn more about the debate within the medical community over whether weed hangovers are indeed a thing.
A weed hangover will typically go away on its own. There isn't much you can do for an immediate fix, but these tips can offer relief:
If you can, try to take it easy for the rest of the day. With a good night's rest, you should wake up feeling like yourself again.
If you're feeling a little off after using weed, it may not necessarily be a hangover that you're experiencing.
Here's some other potential culprits:
If at least five hours have passed since you last used weed, and you haven't had any alcohol or used other substances, you're likely just experiencing the after effects of weed.
There isn't much evidence surrounding weed hangovers. Existing studies are often outdated or have major limitations.
One well-known study on weed hangovers dates back to 1985. In the study, 13 males participated in a series of sessions that involved smoking either a weed cigarette or a placebo cigarette and then completing a series of tests.
The tests included sorting cards and judging time intervals. When the tests were repeated the following morning, the group that smoked weed cigarettes judged time intervals to be 10 or 30 seconds longer than they actually were.
The authors concluded that, although the day-after effects of smoking weed may be subtle, they probably exist. However, this study's small sample size and all-male participants are significant limitations.
A 1990 study had similar limitations. It involved 12 male marijuana users who smoked marijuana over one weekend and a placebo over another, then completed a series of subjective and behavioral tests. But these authors concluded that weed didn't seem to have much of an effect the following morning.
More recently, a 2017 study explored perspectives toward medical cannabis among people with chronic pain. One of the self-reported undesirable effects of marijuana was a hangover described as a foggy, non-alert feeling in the morning.
However, the authors of the study did not indicate how many participants reported this effect.
A 2015 review on the use of medical marijuana recommends that healthcare professionals teach patients about the hangover effect. It also recommends describing it as lasting at least one day after the last time marijuana was used.
more research is neededThere are, of course, numerous anecdotal reports of marijuana hangovers, suggesting they are possible. More research needs to be done to understand causes, symptoms, and risk factors associated with weed hangovers as well as recommended self-care.
In addition, most of the studies described above focused on the morning-after effects of smoking a small amount of marijuana. Research exploring the effects of overconsumption is also needed.
The only way to guarantee you won't have a weed hangover is to avoid weed. Still, there are plenty of things you can due to minimize the negative effects of weed.
Contrary to popular belief, weed can be addictive. The more often you use it, the more likely you are to become dependent on it.
If you regularly experience weed hangovers, they could be a sign that you're overdoing it. If you're having a hard time curbing your use, it may be time to reach out to your doctor for help.
Other potential signs of weed misuse include: