Have you ever gotten a little too high before an important event or function and wondered how to handle it? The first step is to take a deep breath...many of us have been there before. In reality, most people don’t care what you do in your free time, but there are certainly some occasions where discretion is advised, and we’re here to help. Some noticeable signs of being high include:

• Bloodshot eyes 
• Dry mouth
• Changes in behavior
• Increased heart rate
• Delayed reaction times 
• Increased appetite
• Cannabis odor

When you’re trying to look normal, your best bet is a combination of confidence, preparedness and composure. In this article, we’ll go over some key tips on how to not look high and keep your cool when you need it most.

10 Tips on How to Not Look High

When you’ve gotten a little too high, it’s easy to forget what “normal” even looks like. Are one-word answers socially acceptable? How long is too long to stop at a stop sign? Remember: An easy way to give yourself away is to act paranoid. Don’t overthink it, and follow these trusty tips:

Hide your Stash

Whether you’re out and about or expecting visitors at home, you’ll want to put away any weed-related items before interacting with others. Plan ahead and establish a secure stash location that controls visibility as well as odor. Clean up any stray ash or ground up weed that may be left behind. Don’t forget, even seemingly benign objects like lighters, perfume, and eye drops can be a giveaway, so be sure to double check for the little things as well.

Shower

If you have time before heading out, there’s nothing quite like a nice shower or bath to reset the body and mind. For safety reasons, it’s important to remember not to get in the water if you’re feeling dizzy or lightheaded as a result of getting too high. If you’re not experiencing any negative side effects, however, it’s a great way to get any cannabis odors out of your hair and off of your skin while providing a grounding and calming sensation. 

Lay Low

Time is the only proven way to get less high. If possible, allow enough time for the effects of cannabis to wear off before you have to leave the house. If you use cannabis to help with generalized or social anxiety before an in-person event, but find that you have medicated a bit too much, it may be a good idea to hang back when you first arrive. Get yourself a cold, non-alcoholic beverage if available and scope out the venue alone, or ask if you can help the host with any preparation. Blowing up balloons or setting the table are good ways to be involved at a gathering without having to socialize too much.

Eye Drops

Bloodshot eyes and droopy eyelids are some of the most obvious signs that you’re high, but are also some of the easiest to conceal. Using cannabis can temporarily dilate the blood vessels in the eye, which causes the familiar redness. Most eye drop formulas reduce redness by constricting these blood vessels and providing hydration. For added color correction, you may want to consider adding a foundation or translucent powder to the eyelid and under-eye area to improve dark circles and redness.

Sunglasses

Best for outdoor events like concerts, carnivals, and other community events, sunglasses are a great way to shield your eyes from the public—just don’t wear them inside. Unless you’re an A-list celebrity, wearing sunglasses indoors is a good way to make it super obvious that you’re high. Pair this tip with the use of eye drops or concealer to cover all of your indoor and outdoor eye care basics.

Hide the Smell

Cannabis odor is strong and easy to recognize, and preventing detection usually means taking measures to clear the smoke. There are numerous ways to deal with odor before, during, and after using cannabis that may help you fly under the radar. These methods include using a sploof, running a quality air filter, or using specially-formulated odor-removing products like Cannabolish Odor Removing Spray. Be careful to select products that actually absorb odors, rather than just adding perfume.

Change your Clothes

The smell of cannabis also sticks to fabric, including clothing. Changing your outfit is one simple and effective way to disguise the fact that you have smoked recently. It’s also important to mention that the outfit you choose can also help conceal your recreational activities.  It’s an unfortunate reality that some people will make assumptions about others based on what they wear. If you want to keep your cannabis use on the down low, you may want to avoid wearing certain clothing items and accessories that are associated with the “typical stoner” including Baja Hoodies (frequently referred to as ‘drug rugs’), Bob Marley shirts, hemp sandals, or anything embellished with a pot leaf.

Combat Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, also known as cottonmouth, is a common side effect of getting high. This symptom can make it difficult to swallow or speak and can also lead to bad breath, which isn’t ideal in any social situation. Be prepared to keep dehydration at bay by filling up a reusable water bottle or by drinking another hydrating beverage such as coconut water or herbal tea. Chewing gum is another way to help combat dry mouth as it increases the flow of saliva.

Mind your Mannerisms

Your behavior will make or break you when it comes to concealing your high from the world. Whether talking to authority figures or people you know well, there are a few dead giveaways that can make it more obvious that you are in an altered state of mind. These may include talking too much, avoiding eye contact, spacing out, losing your train of thought easily, or having a bad case of the giggles. Pay attention to the people around you, make eye contact, and try to listen more than you speak. When you do have something to say, try to keep it brief and concise. If you catch yourself in a long-winded monologue, don’t be afraid to say “whoops, I’m rambling. What do you think about all this?”

Remain Calm

It’s easy to believe that all eyes are on you when you need to hide the fact that you’re high. More often than not, however, you are your own worst critic—most people are more concerned with their own lives than what you’re doing. If you feel yourself starting to panic or experience anxiety, it may be a good idea to take a step back and work on centering yourself. Try a calming activity such as deep breathing, meditation, or even a quick yoga session. There are hundreds of free videos on Youtube that will guide you through calming practices that can help you get a grip. Following these tips can help you smoothly navigate any social situation and confidently interact with others while you’re high.