It happens to the best of us. You eat an edible, wait an hour, don’t feel anything, and eat more only to feel your brain melt the minute all that THC hits your bloodstream. Getting too high isn’t fun (just ask that cop who called the cops on himself), but contrary to how it may feel in the moment, you cannot fatally overdose on weed. According to David Schmader, author of Weed: The User's Guide, you’d have to consume fifteen hundred pounds of marijuana in fifteen minutes to get a lethal dose—essentially a studio apartment filled with weed.

Still, the classic adage to “start low and go slow” cannot be overstated. You’ll never regret taking too little, but you’ll almost certainly regret taking too much. If you’re brand new to cannabis, opt for edibles with 5mg of THC or less and flower and pre-rolls on the lower side of the spectrum in the range of 10-17% THC. When it comes to vaporizers, newbies tend to prefer dosist's line of vapes for the mild vibration that lets you know when you’ve consumed one dose. With dose-controlled vapes and low-THC flower, you can take a couple puffs without worrying about overdoing it.

Even when you’ve been consuming cannabis for decades, it’s easy to forget tolerances can fluctuate significantly. Taking a break from the herb for as little as one week can knock your tolerance down a couple pegs in the same way Dry January will make one cocktail feel like two come February. Changes in your diet, weight, and mood can also affect how strongly you feel a high; even the fat content of the meal you eat before taking an edible can influence the onset and strength of effects. Little-known fact: Taking fish oil supplements can make you more of a lightweight. According to anecdotal evidence and one 2011 study, omega-3 fatty acids help your body process cannabinoids more efficiently, resulting in a more potent high. Similarly, mangos can boost the psychoactivity of THC thanks to their high myrcene levels, so avoid them if you feel like you’re already pushing your limits.

So, you’ve taken precautions and have still found yourself in a bit of a predicament. The Proper Cannabis Committee has been there and in the process discovered some tried-and-true strategies. The next time you find yourself getting perilously stoned...

Take some CBD

CBD is a favorite counterbalance to THC because of its mentally and physically soothing properties. It’s not a bad idea to have a CBD tincture on hand since you can place a few drops under your tongue and feel the calming effects in as little as 20 minutes.

Chew on some peppercorns

If you can handle a little spice, chewing on black peppercorns can help calm you down thanks to their high concentration of beta-caryophyllene.

Go for a walk

If you’re up for it, a little fresh air and a change of scenery can do wonders for your mental outlook. Just be sure you're familiar with your surroundings—getting lost certainly won't help an overactive high.

Drink water and eat a snack

Staying hydrated and keeping yourself nourished will definitely help take the edge off while also lessening the effects of THC. Too much cannabis can lower your blood sugar as well, so opt for some juice or fruit to help with weed-induced dizziness and jitters.

Take a bath

Getting yourself warm and comfortable will help minimize the physical discomfort of being too high and bring your attention back to your body.

Breathe deeply

Remind yourself this will pass. Try to lull yourself into sleep by focusing on your breath or listening to a soothing album. Nothing helps a too-intense high like time.

Ultimately, there’s always something to learn from those times we overdo it, whether it’s about tolerance, the kinds of products we like, or how to best take care of ourselves. Go easy on yourself, stay safe, and remember the journey is half of the fun.