Can cannabis give you a hangover?

A hangover is a term generally associated with alcohol consumption. But contrary to popular belief, a «weed hangover» is a real phenomenon. It manifests as certain familiar symptoms, such as feeling groggy, dizziness, or a headache.

In order to separate common misconceptions from the facts, studies have been conducted on the «weed hangover,» also known as «the morning hangover following cannabis use.»

A study published on the U.S. National Library of Medicine investigated this phenomenon. Thirteen male cannabis users participated in a study to determine whether smoking cannabis in the evening would result in subjective effects the following morning. They smoked cannabis containing 2.9% of THC before going to sleep. The researchers observed a residual effect exclusively among cannabis users and state that «the results suggest that smoking cannabis may produce effects the following morning. However, the precise nature and extent of these effects, as well as their implications, remain to be determined.»

A other study supports this hypothesis of a «weed hangover.» This time, 10 healthy men who regularly use cannabis smoked cannabis for three days with THC levels ranging from 1 to 3.6%. The subjects showed subjective effects symptoms commonly seen in cannabis users: increased heart rate and dilated pupils. They then noted that «the effects of a single joint are minimal.».

The Causes of a Cannabis Hangover

• «Edibles»:

Consumers also pointed out that this «stoner face» was caused by consuming too much cannabis, particularly edibles which are products with a high cannabis content. Eating several space cakes in a row may have an effect the next morning when you wake up, similar to drinking several shots during a night out.

• Excessive cannabis use

If you smoke one joint after another, you may also experience these «weed hangover» symptoms, since you’re taking in too much THC in a short period of time. However, some Some cannabis strains are less potent than others and can reduce the risks. Tolerance also plays a major role, since someone who smokes daily will not experience the same effects as an occasional smoker.

• Dehydration

A cannabis hangover can be explained by the dehydration caused by cannabis. Some exaggerated claims even go so far as to say that cannabis dehydrates you even more than alcohol. However, dehydration and a dry mouth aren’t really the same thing—a dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva, not by dehydration.

In summary, the symptoms of a excessive cannabis use include the following: headaches, nausea, itchy eyes, and extreme fatigue. These symptoms are quite similar to those caused by alcohol. However, since the studies are not very thorough, other explanations—whose existence is not yet known—could be at play.

Mehdi Bautier