A hangover is a group of unpleasant symptoms that develop after drinking too much alcohol. Most people experience weakness and fatigue, alongside splitting headaches, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, dizziness, and a decreased ability to concentrate. Hangovers also come with excessive thirst and dry mouth, shakiness, and other undesirable effects. Symptoms typically begin when your blood alcohol content drops significantly and is at or near zero; you will often first notice them the morning after a night of heavy drinking. These effects most likely stem from a variety of residual effects that alcohol has on your body.
If you experience heightened symptoms, such as excessive vomiting, seizures, irregular breathing, pale or blue-tinged skin, low body temperature, or difficulty or inability to remain conscious, contact emergency services – otherwise, you simply have to wait for the symptoms to reside and do your best in the meantime to offset the pain and nausea.
While the medical effects of cannabis on a hangover itself are still under study, there are plenty of effects that cannabis triggers that help address symptoms directly. Your brain contains cannabis receptors that help settle the stomach and stimulate the appetite, so if you’re feeling queasy as part of your hangover, a dose of THC could help decrease your nausea and make it possible to eat. Since eating and drinking plenty of fluids helps you metabolize alcohol faster, these effects can help ward off the effects of a hangover that much more quickly. The THC in cannabis also acts as a natural vasodilator, meaning that it expands your blood vessels; this can help the headaches associated with a hangover clear up more quickly.
The most efficient way to get cannabis into your system is to smoke it – but often, the idea of taking a hit when you’re already feeling nauseous is the last thing you want. Fortunately, edibles and cannabis-infused beverages can help deliver the desired results without any of the troublesome side effects. Cannabis-infused soda, in particular, can be easy on the stomach because of its carbonation; if your stomach is full of air, causing you to feel bloated and nauseated, carbonated beverages can help you release some of that air and feel some relief. The sugar in the cannabis soda can also assist with the symptoms of the hangover. Add in the pleasing effects from the THC in a bottle of cannabis soda in reducing that headache and you’ll be well on your way to hangover relief.
