Can You Get A Hangover From Weed?

Hangovers have always been identified as the aftereffects of excessive alcohol consumption. Since marijuana also alters moods and activates a high, many wonder: can you get a hangover from weed?

The answer is yes; it is possible to still feel the effects of a marijuana high the next morning, but the reasons for it are much different than those of alcohol induced hangovers.

Hangover symptoms from drinking include headaches, nausea and both mental and physical sluggishness.  Alcohol is a diuretic, and consuming too much too quickly may cause you to urinate more frequently and to sweat more profusely. The result for each is dehydration.  When the body is dehydrated, your blood vessels begin to narrow in an attempt to restore regular fluid levels. This restricts the flow of blood and thus, oxygen, to the brain which in turn causes a headache.  Alcohol also causes inflammation in the intestine and stomach lining. This, along with alcohol’s inclining to produce excessive gastric acids, have both been labelled as key contributors to the nausea we sometimes feel after a good night of drinks.

Marijuana hangovers also occur when users overindulge. Symptoms can include mild headaches, lethargy and dehydration.  While marijuana does not directly cause dehydration, it certainly contributes.  When smoked, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) contents of marijuana will actually bind themselves to the salivary glands located on the floor of your mouth. This is the reason users sometimes experience “cottonmouth” and can lead to dehydration.  Dehydration, in turn, causes headaches. The chances of a residual high are increased when users consume and digest edibles. The body will process edible marijuana at a slower rate as it is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Once absorbed, the liver metabolizes the THC contents of the cannabis and converts it into 11-hydroxy-tetrahydrocannibiniol, which produces a more potent high. When consumed orally, it is possible to remain in the body for up to 12 hours, leaving a window for users to feel high, mild nausea and possibly lethargic the following morning, despite having a full night’s sleep.

It is important to note that each individual user’s body will react differently to cannabis. That is to say, not every person experiences the same levels of high from the same amount of weed. It is always advised to speak with a health care practitioner prior to consuming cannabis.  With over 2000 strains available, each of which has varying amounts of THC and CBD, it is highly likely that you may not be consuming the right strain for your specific conditions or level of tolerance.