The symptoms of a hangover are unmistakable. You awaken slowly, the sun is up, your head is throbbing, and your lips are chapped. Suddenly, you’re counting the number of drinks you had and wondering why your water intake didn’t quite match up. It’s too late now though, and all that’s left is to search for a solution. Naturally, the thing you want most is the perfect cure — some hot chicken noodle soup, a soothing beer, or just a time machine to take the whole night back.
A quick search online yields a variety of answers — one of which is often cannabis. Luckily, you’re prepared! But before you reach for an edible or a joint, let’s take a look at whether this will actually work for you. In this post, we’ll go through common cannabis remedies for hangovers, the science surrounding them, and the reasons people often use them to treat hangover symptoms.
Common Cannabis “Remedies” for Hangovers
There are various tips out there on the presentation of cannabis you should use when mending the results of a night of drinking. You might only have a couple of these at home — usually joints and edibles — but it’s good to stock up on other options. It could be worthwhile to try a more versatile cannabis remedy that addresses the whole body.
Here are some of the most common presentations of cannabis that could be used as hangover remedies.
Edibles
Even though edibles are said to help reduce inflammation and ease symptoms like headaches, they’re hit or miss for many users trying to alleviate their symptoms. If you feel nauseated or your stomach is upset, eating something can feel counterproductive. Consuming a cannabis pastry or other food-like edibles might be too much for a sensitive stomach. But, there are other options — cannabis connoisseurs often recommend edibles of 10 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or more in the form of hard candy or even a drink.
Cannabidiol (CBD) Oils and Balms
Massage therapy is, in and of itself, a great way to help flush out toxins from your body. So, it makes sense that massaging cannabis oils and balms into key pressure points — like the temples and bridge of the nose — can help treat a mean headache by clearing up tension in your head and face. You can apply balms to your neck and other muscles to relieve pain caused by lousy sleeping positions, tension, and different pressures. These oils and balms can help ease those tricky hangover headaches while providing the therapeutic benefits of massage.
Smoking
Of course, there’s always smoking. But, it isn’t something everyone wants to do when they’re nauseated. It does have several upsides — mainly that it can stimulate your appetite, making you ready to eat sooner than if you’d just stuck it out. Some people claim it helps clear their headache and fatigue immediately, while others warn against the effects of mixing alcohol and cannabis. So, if you’re still tipsy and not quite hungover, consider waiting before adding cannabis to the mix.
What the Science Says
Indeed, homemade or cannabis-based hangover remedies aren’t beyond the scope of science. Still, very little research has been directed at hangovers and what cures them. This is largely unsurprising, since preventing hangovers is as easy as not drinking to excess. Even so, the lack of research doesn’t stop the millions of people recommending remedies ranging from a simple ice-cold shower to complex routines.
So, what is it about cannabis that makes some people swear by its ability to cure post-alcohol come down? Let’s go through the main effects that can help.
Can Cannabis Help Hangovers? Frequent Effects of Cannabis
Cannabis is often used medically to treat different ailments and conditions. Various strains of cannabis can specifically affect some symptoms over others. Here are some of the most common (and sought-after) benefits of cannabis and how they can help with your hangover:
- Increased relaxation for sleep: Insomniacs often turn to cannabis for relief, as suitable strains can help them relax and fall asleep. If you’re suffering from a lack of sleep, it could add to your morning symptoms after drinking. Using cannabis for sleep can get you the rest you need so that you recover much sooner.
- Better appetite: Cannabis can get you ready to eat a meal that will nurse your hangover by providing the nutrients and hydration you need. Whether you smoke or take edibles, you could be on your way to eating a meal much sooner. Food intake will start to soothe a lot of the discomfort of being hungover.
- Pain management: Cannabis is very frequently used by people for pain relief, even in cases of chronic pain. So, it can also help ease the painful effects of drinking. Whether it’s your body or your head, cannabis is known to directly target and soothe symptoms of pain.
- Reduced inflammation: Hangover symptoms include an increase in cytokine levels, which kickstarts inflammation. Cannabis is a well-known treatment for inflammation and can help you feel better.
Finding Cannabis for Your Hangover
If the rest of your weekend seems all but ruined because of a hangover, consider treating it with cannabis. The benefits we’ve seen in this post are backed by plenty of anecdotal evidence of the effects on mean hangover symptoms. Still, remember that the science of hangovers and their treatments is very obscure. When you’re uncomfortable and feeling sick from alcohol, there are hundreds of remedies you could try. Having read more about the use of cannabis for hangovers, you may want to give it a try alongside — or instead of — your family’s go-to traditional hangover remedies.
If you’re looking for a cannabis or CBD oil Florida dispensary for your morning remedy, VidaCann offers natural products for medical dispensary delivery across Florida. They offer the convenience of getting something to nurse your symptoms delivered right to your door any time you’ve had a bit too much to drink.
