How to Get Not High: Practical Ways to Come Down Faster and Regain Control

Helpful Things You Can Do Immediately That Will Really Work

• Drink a Lot of Water. Most everything will feel worse when you are dehydrated, therefore drinking as much water as possible will help wash your system and allow your body to metabolize substances. Drink one glass of water approximately every 15 to 20 minutes.
• Practice Deep Breathing. You may be feeling over-stimulated and your nervous system may be overwhelmed by what’s going on with you right now; you can combat this with the 4-7-8 breathing technique: breathe in for four counts, hold for seven counts and then breathe out for eight counts. The 4-7-8 breathing technique will transition you from a highly stimulated sympathetic nervous system to a calm and relaxed parasympathetic nervous system.
• Do Some Light Movement. Doing light movement (such as walking around the block) will increase blood circulation to your body and may help metabolize substances faster. Do not attempt to do anything too strenuous, a ten minute walk around the block would be plenty.

Some More Advanced Methods That Could Be Helpful

• Cold Showers. Taking a cold shower stimulates the release of norepinephrine, which can dramatically shift your mental state very quickly. You can use a warm shower to begin with and then drop the temperature down to cold; alternatively, you could splash your face with cold water.
• Black Pepper and Lemon Peel. Black pepper (beta-caryophyllene) and lemon peel (limonene) both have properties that could decrease the effect of certain substances with psychoactive properties. Chew on a piece of lemon peel or sniff some black pepper.
• Ground Yourself in Your Surroundings. Dim the lights or turn down the music, pick up objects that you recognize or turn off the lights and sit in a soft spot. The environment you find yourself in can greatly affect how you ultimately feel and you should make it as un-distracting and comfortable as possible.

Do Not Do These

• Don’t drink coffee, because caffeine will heighten your feelings of anxiety and paranoia.
• Don’t “sleep it off” if you’re feeling anxious or paranoid, because it will intensify those feelings.
• Don’t make any important decisions or drive while you have psychoactive substances in your system and your high hasn’t diminished fully.

The Waiting Game

When to Get Help