Nine Tips to Prepare Yourself for Cannabis Consumption on 420

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]T[/dropcap]he 420 holiday is celebrated by many experienced consumers, but now that even more states have legalized cannabis, more people than ever will be taking their first hit from a bong or biting into an extra-special brownie. For anyone who is not used to the side effects of cannabis, there is a chance that you might consume too much, which normally causes feelings of nausea, paranoia or dizziness. You may even experience symptoms of an anxiety attack such as a racing heartbeat, sweats, chills or tunnel vision, if you over-consume.

Don’t worry! You’re going to be just fine. There are zero recorded deaths from consuming cannabis. Here are a few things you can do to prepare for your cannabis consumption this weekend:

Know Your Limits

If you don’t know your limitations yet, start slow. A good rule of thumb is to start with as little as 5mg at first. If you’re not used to vaping, take a couple puffs and then go talk with your friends. Edibles take patience, so wait an hour or two before trying another nibble of that special brownie. Start with lower THC-containing strains before moving on.

Don’t Drink Alcohol

Mixing beer and cannabis is a way to get “crossfaded”—but there’s a trick to it or it could quickly end in disaster. Alcoholic drinks will actually significantly raise the amount of THC in your blood by dilating the blood vessels in your digestive system, magnifying the effects, so most people should avoid this route.

Ask for Help

There’s no shame in asking for help! Get some support if you need it. Ask someone with a more level head than yours to assist you, keep you distracted and keep an eye on you. If you are experiencing nausea, dizziness or other symptoms, you may need help to call to emergency services if necessary.

Snacks and Juice

Hydration is key, not only for taking away that typical dry mouth feeling, but also to help you focus and ground yourself. Chug some water! Or drink some juice or a light snack such as fruit or cheese to raise your blood sugar.

Sniff (or chew) Peppercorns

In an interview with Howard Stern, who mentioned he hadn’t smoked cannabis is years because of it made him feel paranoid, musician Neil Young recommended chewing a couple peppercorns. Turns out, peppercorns bind to the same receptors as THC and apparently provide a calming effect when the two are combined.

Relax

If you’re having anxiety symptoms, concentrate on some deep, calm breathing and try to slow down your heart rate. You can also try to take a nap until the worst passes. At the very least, find a calm place and chill out for a bit. Sleeping it off can be the easiest way to pass an uncomfortable spot, but it you can’t completely relax, focus on your breathing and focus on being present in your own body.

Take Some CBD

CBD works with THC in medical cannabis applications and enhances its painkilling properties. It can also counteract the feelings of anxiety or even paranoia in a sort of a cannabis yin-yang relationship. Try a 10mg dose to lessen the effects you are experiencing.

Take A Shower or Bath

If you’re home, a shower or bath can help you relax and feel better faster. A warm shower or bath can take the chill away and make you feel calm. A cold shower can help you snap out of it by lowering your body temperature if you’re getting hot flashes, and help you feel more alert quickly.

Do Something Fun

Distraction will also help you pass the time while you’re riding too high. Play video games, watch a funny movie, hang out with your friends or even doing a craft or art (coloring books count). Activities that let you relax and feel secure will help you feel calm.