Bad highs can be very stressful situations and it’s important to learn how to cope with them. Here are some ways to come down from a bad high quickly.

Bad highs are a normal part of life, but that doesn’t make them suck any less. These intense experiences can make us feel paranoid and like we’re not in control of our bodies. They tend to occur when people are trying out a new cannabis method, when they’re with people they don’t feel comfortable with, or when located in a strange situation.

While sometimes a bad high occurs because our bodies weren’t feeling great or because we smoked a strain that isn’t doing it for us, in order to prevent them, it’s important to try to control some of the outside factors that can produce them.

If you’re not experienced with these situations, avoid smoking before work or going to the gym. Avoid smoking when you’re meeting up with your parents or with some other authority figure. This list varies depending on the person, but the message remains the same: by minimizing outside factors you’ll be minimizing the risk of bad highs. Here are 7 ways to help you get a bad high under control:

Take a shower

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If you’re at your house or at a friend’s, a shower can be a quick and surprisingly effective solution. Showers can help you feel more relaxed and provide a safe space for introspection and some much-needed perspective. As you shower, remember to take a few deep breaths. Afterward, put on some fresh and comfy clothes. You might still be high, but you’ll give yourself some space to calm down.

Chew on a peppercorn

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This strange bit of advice is one beloved by many stoners. The simple act of sniffing peppercorns or chewing on a piece of lemon can provide instant relief for your bad high, providing you with an intense experience that acts as a counterbalance to whatever’s going on in your head. The website Clear Choice says that this relief is due to the fact that peppercorns have a specific terpene that reduces anxiety.

Take a nap

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If you have time for a quick nap, take one. This is the easiest way to relax and to do a little reboot. A half-hour nap can help you let go of your anxiety and make you feel rested. Besides, marijuana highs, at least when smoked, tend to last for short periods of time. A nap is one of the easiest ways to make the time pass and for you to organically get over your high.

Drink water

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One of the most common side effects of a bad high is dry mouth. Drink some water in order to avoid this and to also give yourself something simple to focus on, which is the act of drinking and swallowing. Avoid alcohol, since this could make things worse and result in a crossfaded high.

Eat something delicious

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One of the best ways to burn all of that high energy is to eat something delicious. Food is always great while high and eating is one of the simplest ways to keep yourself distracted. If you’re feeling paranoid and anxious, try ordering some food or going on a walk and buying something to eat. You can also try cooking, but that might be too much to ask for a too-high person.

Focus on something that demands your attention

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Being super high is disorienting and overstimulating, making it difficult to focus on one thing. Still, the best and most helpful attitude to adopt is to know that these feelings will pass within an hour or two. Something distracting that can help you reorient yourself and pass the time is to focus on something that demands your attention. A coloring book is a great bet since writing or making something might be too much to ask. Having a conversation with a friend, perhaps talking out your feelings, is also a good option.

Have some coffee

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While coffee won’t instantly delete your high, it can help you focus on something beyond the freak-out. Drinking coffee will give you something to hold and to do, very helpful in these situations, and will give your brain a much-needed jolt to return to normalcy.