How to not look high mostly comes down to planning: the dose you choose, when you use it and how you take care of yourself. The tips below cover the basics, and responsibility comes first. Never drive after consuming, and never use cannabis at work or school.
- Choose a low dose so effects stay light and manageable.
- Time it right, leaving plenty of hours before any plans.
- Hydrate and keep eye drops on hand.
- Respect others and the rules of any space you are in.
No Matter Who You’re Around, Be Yourself
Most cannabis smokers have a set group of friends they smoke with. We become extremely familiar and comfortable with our crew. We don’t need to hide our red eyes, filter our personality, or become overly conscious about our actions. This all changes when we’re out in public or in a working environment. It’s natural to try and act a certain way around people we don’t know as well. In public, we generally try and keep to ourselves. Being high can really amplify how we perceive our own behaviour. By trying to change our personality and the way we act, we can really start to get into our own heads, try too hard, and make it obvious. We force ourselves into a paranoid spiral, obsessing over how people are viewing us, instead of chilling out and enjoying the ride. Remember, you’ll be at home blazing with your friends by the end of it. There’s nothing to worry about. If you’re high outside of your close friend group, just be yourself. Don’t get worked up over how you’re acting. Take deep breaths to keep your nervous system calm, and realise that—as long as you follow the steps below—people will find it very hard to realise you’re high if you just act naturally and remain at ease.How To Not Act High: Don’t Get Too Relaxed
While it helps to remain relaxed and to be yourself, you need to stay within a reasonable limit. Getting too relaxed at a formal gathering simply doesn’t meet the tone of the situation. Avoid the following mistakes to hide the fact that you’re blazed.| Laughing Excessively | Laughing helps us feel connected and maintains good rapport. But belly laughing for minutes on end at slight jokes might just give the game away. Have fun, but remember you’re not hotboxing with your buddies. |
| Clumsiness | Getting high can cause us to stumble and be a little bit clumsier than usual. Make sure to remain aware of your surroundings, and don’t go bumping into people as you’re daydreaming about getting home. |
| Forgetting Things | Try and stay sharp. It’s no secret that THC impacts short-term memory. Eat a full meal and stay hydrated before you go out. |
| Couch-Lock and Zoning Out | When those deep philosophical thoughts take hold, it often leads the mind down a rabbit hole. In your head, you’re traversing the origin of the universe and questioning why we exist at all. From an outside view, you’re staring into space, jaw wide open, looking high as a kite. Try and stay focused on the task at hand. Set small goals and tick them off as you go to avoid getting sucked into deep thought and zoning out. |
Prepare Well Before You Toke
Do things in this order: prepare everything, and then get high. Gather everything you need to conceal your high before you start toking. Having all of your tools ready in front of you will make blazing much more relaxing. Plus, you’ll minimise the chances of forgetting something. There are two main factors that will give away the fact that you’re high. The first, and most obvious, is the intense skunky smell. After hitting a bowl or smoking a joint, you’ll need to do everything you can to remove the odour. Red eyes are the next obvious sign. Thankfully, there are a couple of effective methods to remove the beaming glaze.How To Deal With the Smell
Cannabis smoke clings to skin and clothing, and can make you smell like the inside of your bong for hours to come. Use the methods below to minimise the scent.-
Change Your Clothes
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Shower
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Freshen Your Breath
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Use Deodorant or Cologne
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Use a Sploof
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Vaporize
Reduce Red Eyes
Beaming red eyes are a dead giveaway. Use the tips below to turn your stoned peepers into the eyes of a sober person.-
Sunglasses
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Eye Drops
Stash Your Weed Wisely
You’ve made a lot of effort to smell fresh; it would be embarrassing if your stash ends up giving you away. Home, keep your buds in mason jars, air-tight Tupperware, or sealed bags. Use smell-proof bags and bury them deep in your backpack or briefcase. At home, hiding the smell helps, but you should also remove the possibility of somebody finding your stash. Consider the best place in your home to hide weed. Stashing it inside an old computer or hollowed-out book will prevent anyone from stumbling upon your buds.Fuel Your Body Properly
You’re a lot less likely to act high when your mind and body are operating properly. Eat a nutritious breakfast loaded with protein and micronutrients before kicking off the day. A bowl of oats, a few eggs, and a cup of blueberries will get your brain and body in gear. You’ll likely feel the munchies set in at some point, another factor that could expose your stoned state. If you need a snack, avoid scoffing down a pile of junk food in the blink of an eye. Eat a normal quantity when around others, and pace yourself. You should also stay hydrated to keep your neurons ticking and dry mouth at bay. Aim to drink eight glasses of water throughout the day.How To Not Look High: Relax, Breathe, and Enjoy the Ride
Even if you planned out your day expecting to be high, trying to hide it can be a stressful experience. Take things one step at a time. Drink water, breathe deeply, and remember the situation will end soon enough. Plus, most people won’t even notice! Things are almost always worse in your head than they are in reality.How to Not Look High: Start With a Lower Dose
The simplest tip is also the most effective. A smaller dose means milder effects, so there is less to hide in the first place. Many adults choose a single puff or a 2.5 mg edible when they want to stay clear-headed.
Product choice matters too. For example, a low-dose gummy lets you measure exactly what you take. Smoking, by contrast, is harder to portion and leaves a stronger smell.
Eye Drops, Hydration and Timing
Once you have chosen your dose, a few habits help with how to hide being high:
- Eye drops: many people keep lubricating drops handy for red, dry eyes.
- Water: dry mouth is common, so sip water steadily.
- Timing: smoked or vaped effects usually fade within a few hours, while edibles can last much longer.
- A snack: eating something can help you feel more grounded.
Most importantly, the best plan is to consume when you have nowhere to be. Keep cannabis for free time at home, not for work, school or anywhere you need to be sharp.
How to Not Look High FAQ
How long until I don’t look high?
After smoking or vaping, red eyes and other signs often fade within a few hours. Edibles can last much longer, so plan a free evening.
Do eye drops really work?
Many users say lubricating drops help with redness and dryness. Results vary, and they do not change how high you feel.
Is it okay to use cannabis before work or school?
No. Using before work or school is unsafe and can break rules or laws. Save it for your own time at home.
Related reading: weed weights explained and DC weed laws under Initiative 71.
Ready for same-day delivery anywhere in DC? Browse the full menu or text (202) 948-6152 to place your order. Urban Flavors delivers I-71 gifts to adults 21+ with valid ID, cash only. Start low, go slow, and never drive after consuming.
