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How To Prevent Cannabis Couch-Lock

5 min

Adam Parsons

Last updated: March 24, 2022

Many of us have been there. After taking one too many hits or enjoying a particularly potent strain, you find yourself glued to your spot on the sofa. Experiencing a full-body high is extremely relaxing, but sometimes not highly sought after.

So, what is couch-lock? And, is there anything you can do to curb its effects or altogether avoid it? Well, you’re in luck; we’ll be taking a look at the answers to these questions and more. This way, you can be a little more prepared should you start feeling like you’re sinking into your chair during a heavy session.

What Is Couch-Lock?

Couch-lock often occurs when you least expect it. Manifesting as a warm and fuzzy full-body feeling that makes your limbs and head feel extremely heavy, couch-lock usually signifies you’re not going anywhere for some time. If you had plans, you can forget about them for a little while. Although the science isn’t exactly clear on why couch-lock happens, many report high-THC indica strains to be the biggest culprits behind this phenomenon.

How to Prevent Couch-Lock

How To Prevent Couch-Lock

While couch-lock is not harmful in any way, this type of high is only suitable for certain occasions. And, once it’s happening, there’s not much you can do to reduce the couch-lock sensation other than ride it out. It is certainly not a high that will get you feeling euphoric, energised, or social. But is there anything you can do to prevent it in the first place? Here are a few suggestions to counter that couch-lock...

Do Your Research

As mentioned, some strains are more likely to induce the couch-lock experience, although these rules are not fixed. Still, high amounts of THC are likely to knock you back a bit, and the terpenes common to certain indica strains, like Kush-derived indicas, are known to exert sleepy and relaxing effects. If this soothing high is what you seek, then it’s all yours. If you don’t want that couch-lock, though, make sure you do a little research and find a strain that’s best for your needs.

Don’t Stay in One Spot for Too Long

Whether you’re smoking on your own or with friends, it’s quite easy to sit in one place for an extended period of time. If you’re watching back-to-back TV shows while high, couch-lock can creep up on you before you know it. If possible, go for a walk or keep yourself active in between long periods of sitting still. Catching that “second wind” can help prevent couch-lock before it sets in.

Pace Yourself

Perhaps most importantly, a bit of pace will almost certainly give you an edge over couch-lock. Limiting the amount of THC and terpenes you ingest (no matter how hard a task that may seem) will prevent you from overindulging, and could potentially lower the chance of becoming couch-locked.

Best Cannabis Strains to Prevent Couch-Lock

Best Cannabis Strains To Prevent Couch-Lock

So, you have a better idea of the types of strains likely to cause couch-lock, but are there any that can help prevent it? Indeed there are! Bear in mind, smoking a lot of any of these strains has the potential to cause couch-lock, so proceed with caution.

Super Silver Haze (Greenhouse Seeds)

This is a multi-award-winning strain, and for some very good reasons! Super Silver Haze is a sativa-dominant strain offering up a 19% THC content. Providing a fast-acting, long-lasting, and stimulating high, you will be riding waves of energy instead of sinking into your chair. Expect earthy and spicy flavours to invigorate the senses with each hit.

Jack Herer Automatic (Zamnesia Seeds)

From the team at Zamnesia Seeds comes Jack Herer Automatic. This autoflowering hybrid is perfect for those seeking an easy home-growing project. The result is a smooth hit with impressive earthy, citrusy, and spicy aromas and flavours. The high she provides is powerful and creative, with ongoing bursts of euphoria. No couch-locking vibes with this one!

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Jack Herer Automatic (Zamnesia Seeds) feminized

Parents: Jack Herer x Ruderalis

Genetics: Auto Hybrid

Flowering Time: 10-11 weeks

THC: 16%

CBD: 3%

Flowering Type: Autoflowering

How to Beat Couch-Lock

OK, so you've tried everything, but you’ve succumbed to couch-lock. Not to worry! There are a few things you can do to “beat it” when you find yourself feeling a bit hazy. Just know that the only thing that will completely clear your couch-lock is time.

Have a Hydrating Drink

Sometimes a simple drink is enough to get you out of a couch-locked situation. A sugary soft drink or coconut water will kickstart your blood sugar levels and potentially give you that much-needed burst of energy. For a healthier option, chug some water!

Have Some CBD

Taking a break from your THC-laden strain and substituting for a more CBD-heavy one could help you feel a bit more lucid. CBD can potentially reduce the psychoactive effects that THC brings on, and, at the very least, it won’t cause the same sleepy effects as THC.

Caffeine/Coffee

Another way of getting an energy boost is with good old caffeine. Whether you’re having an espresso or want to counter couch-lock with an energy drink, the caffeine will give you that much-needed boost. Just don’t overdo it, as too much caffeine can cause feelings of nervousness and a racing heart, which are not enjoyable while in a couch-locked state.

Embrace the Couch-Lock

The final way to beat couch-lock is to simply embrace it. As long as you have nowhere in particular to be, with no immediate plans, just enjoy the high for what it is. Kick back and appreciate the relaxing feelings that the couch-lock high provides.

Cannabis Strains That Cause Couch-Lock

While we’ve been covering how to prevent and overcome a couch-lock high, there are times when you might actually seek out that very experience. After all, this type of high arguably feels most soothing after a long day, or when you’re looking to just switch off. Here are a few strains that might be of interest.

Gorilla Glue (Zamnesia Seeds)

Gorilla Glue by Zamnesia is quite possibly the dankest dope on planet Earth right now. Get these King Kong cannabis seeds in your grow op and you’ll reach uncharted THC levels. Our Gorilla Glue is the GG #1 pheno so it’s even more couchlocking than the more famous original clone only GG #4 phenotype.

Resin production is unbelievable. Buds will build up an astronomical quantity of trichomes and completely frost over. Gorilla Glue is ideally suited to SOG and ScrOG methods for max yield. In just 8-9 weeks of bloom the most adhesive buds in the business will undoubtedly be fusing your posterior to the couch. THC regularly exceeds 25% and sometimes even 30% so this dank weed is definitely not for lightweights.

Girl Scout Cookies Auto (Fast Buds)

Girl Scout Cookies Auto by Fast Buds is an indica-dominant species that packs a punch you won't forget in a hurry. Although she doesn't have a huge THC content, peaking at around 20%, she delivers a pronounced, uplifting and relaxing experience whether smoked or vaped.

As an autoflowering strain, Girl Scout Cookies Auto is perfect for cultivating at home. Regardless of prior expertise, growers will find a cooperative and receptive plant to care for. This is a strain that responds well to LST methods and takes just 9–10 weeks from seed to harvest to deliver superb flowers. It’s versatile too, and has the potential to thrive outdoors.

Royal Domina (Royal Queen Seeds)

Royal Domina by Royal Queen Seeds is the product of Black Domina and Kalijah. This kind of pedigree couchlock lineage is hard to beat. Royal Domina is a refined hybrid made for those that love to blaze up and enjoy the couchlock effect. Genuine heavy indica royalty.

These couchlock beans are unsurprisingly a favourite with growers of all levels. Huge yields of 20%+ THC gooey nuggs can be cropped in just 7-8 weeks of flowering. Royal Domina is reminiscent of Heirloom Mountain Kush mixed with a subtle Diesel taste and aroma. This weed kicks in fast and has been known to make plenty of stoners feel one with the couch.

Northern Lights (Zamnesia Seeds)

Northern Lights is quite possibly the cannabis strain that led to the coining of the phrase “Couchlocked”. Our Northern Lights is a timeless classic couchlock variety. Perhaps no other strain on Earth has so consistently couchlocked stoners.

Plants are squat, branch well and produce a thick main cola. Northern Lights is both forgiving and immensely rewarding to cultivate. No other strain has such a proven track. Northern Lights performs well in all substrates and still the ranks amongst the dankest couchlock cannabis strains.

There you have it. Some information on how to beat or curb the effects of couch-lock, as well as some strains to try out if you're seeking that sofa-confined high. You know what they say; if you can't beat them, join them.

Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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