Greening Out: Meaning, Symptoms and What to Do
A greening-out experience normally lasts a few minutes up to one day, but for some it can be lengthy and a worrisome feeling. Some common symptoms of greening out include vomiting, nausea, sweating, and dizziness. The unpleasant feelings are caused by consuming too much cannabis in a short period and can be related to high THC levels.
It can easily happen that you or someone around you know can feel they are about to green out and experience this type of bad high when using weed. This toxic reaction is a form of overdose after consuming too much marijuana.
If you often experience adverse effects from taking marijuana products, it may be time to seek professional assistance.
Zinnia Health helps thousands nationwide regain control over their substance use issues and mental health concerns. If you or your loved one are abusing drugs, alcohol, or a combination and are seeking professional, evidence-based support, Zinnia can help. Please get in touch with our dedicated team to learn about the next step.
What Is Greening Out?
Greening out is a slang term that refers to the unpleasant experience and unwanted symptoms that can occur following smoking weed, eating edibles or drinking marijuana products that contain THC. It is a form of a cannabis overdose or a toxic reaction that induces an anxiety high.
When consuming too much marijuana (and high levels of THC), your body’s natural endocannabinoids can become overwhelmed. Whether you’ll experience a green-out will depend on physiology, tolerance, and the potency of the cannabis.
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Symptoms of Greening Out
There are both physical and psychological side effects a person can experience from a green-out event.
The increased THC absorption can cause some users to feel:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Extreme paranoia
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Disorientation
- Visual impairments
- Feeling of weakness
- Increased pulse rate and blood pressure
When alcohol is involved, the cause of this experience is related to alcohol’s effect on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the primary psychoactive component in cannabis. If people smoke marijuana after consuming alcohol, they often have a stronger high.
How Long Does This Experience Last?
- When smoking weed, the effects typically last one to three hours.
- When THC is consumed as edibles, the effects can last up to 10+ hours.
Some people will only experience greening-out symptoms for a few minutes, while others will feel sick and anxious for hours.
It’s not uncommon to green out for the full duration of one’s high.
Can You Stop Greening Out?
A greening-out experience will significantly differ from one individual to the next.
Unfortunately, once symptoms start, you cannot stop the experience — most people need to allow time to pass for it to stop.
Steps That May Help During a Green Out
If you’re greening out, it’s recommended that you take the following steps:
- Find a calm and safe space with a familiar person you trust to help calm down.
This individual can help manage any distressing psychological symptoms. If you take other substances, like opioids or stimulants, be open with that individual so they can help you remain safe. Combining substances can cause various adverse effects. So, if you need medical assistance, healthcare providers need to know what you took. - Reduce the overall amount of stimulation by dimming lights or reducing sound levels.
Be mindful of the warning signs of alcohol poisoning, as too much alcohol can be life-threatening. - Try to boost your blood sugar with food or fruit juice. Sip on water to ride out the high.
The length and severity of the effects of a green out will depend on blood alcohol levels, the absorption of THC, other health conditions, etc. For example, an increased heart rate could become dangerous for someone with a pre-existing condition, or someone with schizophrenia could experience worsening symptoms.
If substance abuse is causing issues in your life, including more frequent adverse reactions and events, it’s time to consider help. Please call our team at (855) 430-9439 to take the next steps. You can also learn more about the treatment process and therapy options, including detox, inpatient, and outpatient treatment options.
Risks Factors for Greening Out from Marijuana
Edibles Risk
When consuming cannabis in the form of edible gummies, chocolate or brownies, people are not always aware of the amount of THC concentration levels in what they are eating. They can also easily eat the cannabis product too fast or too much of it thinking they have not had enough to get high.
Smoking Weed Risk
Someone who has never smoked a joint before is more likely to be at risk of greening out versus a veteran smoker. This is due to a new smoker having a lower tolerance level compared to the high tolerance levels of an experienced cannabis smoker.
MIxing With Alcohol Risk
Drinking alcohol and consuming weed products at the same time can increase the risk of greening out due to something called “crossfadding”.
How to Help Prevent a Green Out Episode
Be proactive and understand the situations that typically lead to this experience, including the following:
- Know your personal tolerance levels for marijuana
- Start with a low dose of THC and go slow if you eat an edible
- Don’t use more than the amount you’d normally consume
- Don’t consume alcohol before or during taking marijuana (smoking or consuming edibles)
- Don’t consume marijuana on an empty stomach
- Be in a calm and safe place to reduce anxiety levels
When to Seek Medical Help
Even though a cannabis overdose event like greening out has a lower risk of fatality, it can still occur.
In fact, people are admitted every year to the emergency departments of hospitals due to cannabis, according to the CDC.
If you are concerned for your health or a person around you, dial 911 to get urgent medical assistance.
Zinnia Health Can Help
Since alcohol is legal and marijuana is becoming increasingly legal across the United States, many users don’t recognize how dangerous these substances can be. Abusing these substances can lead to significant health, financial, and relationship issues.
The longer you continue using alcohol and marijuana in large or frequent doses, the greater your risk of greening out or worse — an increased risk of being seriously or fatally injured in an accident.
Seeking help for substance abuse can seem overwhelming. However, once you partner with a professional, compassionate treatment center, you’ll see how rewarding the process can be. As you get well, you’ll begin to recognize the negative effect substance abuse has on you and those who love you most. Rest assured that recovery is well within reach.
If you’re ready to take the next step, Zinnia Health is here to help. Whether you recently greened out or are concerned about your current alcohol and marijuana consumption habits, taking the first step today could be life-changing. Contact the Zinnia Health team to discuss treatment options and “heal for good” today.