First: what is actually happening
Too much THC commonly brings anxiety, a racing heart, dizziness, nausea, sweating, time feeling stretched, or a sense of being detached from your surroundings. Those symptoms feel alarming precisely because they overlap with panic, and the anxiety feeds itself. Naming it helps: this is a dose that is too high for you right now, it has a ceiling, and it is going to taper. Nothing about that reduces how unpleasant it is, but knowing the shape of it makes the wait easier.
Steps that tend to help
Move somewhere quiet with low light and no crowd. Sit or lie down. Slow your breathing deliberately — a long exhale does more than a deep inhale. Sip water; do not chug it. Eat something plain and starchy such as bread, crackers, or rice. Put on something familiar and undemanding: a show you have seen, or calm music. If you have CBD on hand, some people find it takes the edge off the anxiety. Some people find sniffing or chewing black pepper helps. Keep a friend nearby if you can, even on the phone.
What to avoid
Do not take more cannabis, and do not add alcohol — it makes the experience stronger and less predictable. Do not drive, at any dose, ever. Do not caffeinate heavily, which can amplify a racing heart. Do not make big decisions, send difficult messages, or try to power through work. And do not assume you need to fight it. Most of the discomfort comes from resisting the sensation rather than the sensation itself.
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How long before you feel normal
The peak of an edible usually passes within a few hours, with the full arc running 4 to 12 hours depending on dose. Inhaled cannabis fades much faster, generally inside 2 to 3 hours. If you took a large edible dose, plan to be somewhere safe for the rest of the day rather than checking the clock every ten minutes.
When to get medical help
Call for medical help if symptoms are severe, if someone cannot be roused, if there is chest pain or difficulty breathing, if a child or pet has consumed cannabis, or if you are simply frightened and want a professional's judgment. In the United States, Poison Control is available at 1-800-222-1222, and 911 for emergencies. This page is general information, not medical advice — if you take prescription medication or have a heart condition, speak to your doctor about cannabis before consuming.
Avoiding it next time
Start lower than feels necessary: 2.5 mg or 5 mg, and only one dose. Wait a full two hours before considering more. Eat something first. Skip alcohol. Buy from a licensed dispensary so milligram labeling is accurate and lab-tested — unlabeled products are the most common cause of accidental overshoot. Good Grades staff can walk you through dose and format in store at 162-03 Jamaica Ave, or you can order low-dose options for pickup or delivery where available.
Effects vary by person, tolerance, product type, and whether you have eaten recently. Start with a low dose and wait before taking more. Cannabis products are for adults 21+ only.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Cannabis is not offered here to treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Good Grades is a licensed New York cannabis dispensary serving Queens customers through in-store shopping, pickup, and delivery where available.