Struggling with Aftereffects of a Bad Experience on Edibles
Hey there! I’m not a frequent user of Reddit, so I’m a bit unsure how to present my situation, but I'm hoping for some advice. About four months ago, I had a really intense experience with an edible. I had consumed edibles a couple of times before, and I've been smoking for two years, so I thought I knew what to expect. However, this time I ingested around 80mg, which was a full gummy. The outcome was quite overwhelming; I greened out in a way I can hardly describe. After recounting the episode to several friends, they all mentioned they’ve never encountered anything like it. I'll do my best to articulate what I went through: I became intensely conscious of my tongue, which felt numb, while the rest of my body was oddly warm, even though I was shaking. The overall sensation can only be likened to the texture of marshmallow. It felt as if waves were washing over me, and I appeared pale as well. The next day, I felt normal again, but around two weeks later, I attended a concert where I decided to have a tiny nibble of an edible—literally the smallest piece—and shockingly, I greened out yet again with the same uncomfortable sensations. A month later, I tried a single puff from a joint and was met with the exact same feelings. Curiously, my friend pointed out that my eyes weren’t even bloodshot, and in their view, I didn't seem high at all. Is it possible to develop something akin to PTSD from a bad experience with edibles? Since that initial experience where I greened out, I haven’t felt like myself. I find myself in a fog, feeling disconnected from reality sometimes, and I occasionally get that same marshmallow-like sensation in my body and tongue without any substances in me. It's worth mentioning that I do struggle with anxiety and tend to panic easily. Could this derealization stem from anxiety? How can I regain my sense of self and alleviate this disconnection? Will I ever feel comfortable consuming cannabis again? I haven’t smoked anything for about a month and a half now, and just as a side note, I’m 4’11 and weigh 110 pounds. Any guidance would be appreciated!
Answers (1)
2/17/2026, 10:20:42 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned after a particularly intense experience with edibles. Your symptoms, including feelings of disconnection and derealization, are not uncommon following overwhelming cannabis experiences, especially if you already struggle with anxiety.
Main Points:
- Possible Derealization and Anxiety: The feelings you're experiencing could indeed be linked to anxiety or even mild derealization, which can occur after stressful experiences.
- Regaining Comfort and Self: There are actionable steps to help alleviate your symptoms and regain your sense of self.
Explanation:
When you consume a large amount of THC, especially if you're not used to it, it can lead to overwhelming sensations that mimic panic attacks. Your body's reaction, including feeling numb, warm, and disconnected, could stem from this intense high. It's also possible to experience anxiety, which may exacerbate feelings of derealization or sensation changes even when not using substances.
While it might feel like PTSD, it may be more related to heightened anxiety responses triggered by your earlier experiences with cannabis. Many people report lingering anxiety or sensation changes after a particularly strong cannabis experience.
Actionable Next Steps:
-
Focus on Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness and grounding techniques daily. This could involve meditation, deep breathing exercises, or grounding yourself in your surroundings by focusing on your senses (what you see, hear, smell, etc.). Apps like Headspace or Calm can be helpful.
-
Gradually Reintroduce Cannabinoids (Optional): If you wish to try cannabis again, start with very low doses and in a safe environment with trusted friends. This might help rebuild your comfort level, but only if you feel ready.
-
Limit Consumption of Stimulants: Reducing caffeine and sugar intake can help lessen anxiety symptoms.
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Seek Support: Consider speaking with a mental health professional who can help you process your experiences and develop coping strategies for anxiety and derealization. They can help you address triggers and provide tailored methods for improving your mental health.
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Journal Your Feelings: Keeping a journal can help you track your feelings, thoughts, and experiences, which may reveal patterns or triggers over time, making it easier to manage them.
Remember, healing takes time, and it's important to be patient with yourself. Monitor your symptoms and how you feel physically and emotionally as you try these strategies. You're taking positive steps towards feeling more like yourself again. Let me know if you have more questions or need further advice!
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