What Does Greening Out Mean?

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A guide to understanding and handling a green out
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While talking with friends or scrolling online, you might have heard people mention greening out. This sounds a lot like blacking out from alcohol, but what does it really mean? Well, you’ve come to the right place to find out. We’re here to tell you what greening out is, why it occurs, what the common symptoms are, and what you should do if you experience it. If you’re ready to learn more about greening out, read on!

Things You Should Know

  • Greening out is when you feel sick, nauseous, or anxious after consuming cannabis. It typically happens when you consume too much or try a very potent product.
  • When you green out, you might get dizzy, vomit, or feel scared and paranoid.
  • Lie down on your side in a quiet room, eat a sugary snack, and drink water to relieve a green out.
Section 1 of 5:

What does greening out mean?

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    When you green out, it typically means you consumed too much marijuana or weed for your body to handle. So, it’s essentially like overdosing on cannabis. Greening out can happen from any method of consuming cannabis, such as smoking weed or taking an edible.
    • While greening out is often likened to an overdose, it is not fatal. [1] There are no cases of people dying from smoking cannabis alone. In some cases, people treat their symptoms in the emergency room. [2]
    • Greening out comes from the term blacking out, which is when you drink too much alcohol and can’t remember what happened while you were intoxicated. [3]
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Section 2 of 5:

Why does greening out happen?

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    The most common reason behind greening out is smoking or taking a lot more cannabis than you’re used to. In your brain, you have specific receptors that respond to THC and other cannabinoids, which are the compounds in cannabis that make you high. When you smoke too much weed, the receptors get overloaded, which makes you feel sick. [4]
    • You might green out more if you are new to smoking weed, or don’t use cannabis that often.
    • You typically absorb cannabis faster when you smoke it, which can cause you to consume more than you think. The best advice is to start at a low potency and take your hits slowly, especially if you’re a new smoker, as this can prevent green outs.
    • Edibles usually take longer for your body to absorb, so you might think you need to eat more for the cannabis to work faster and to feel its effects. If you’re new to edibles, start with a dose of no more than 2.5 mg of THC and wait to see how it affects you before eating more. It usually takes 30 minutes to 2 hours to work. [5]
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    The potency of cannabis is affected by how much THC or other cannabinoids it contains. So, even if you’re an avid cannabis consumer, smoking or taking an edible that’s made with really strong cannabis can cause you to green out. [6] When you’re buying cannabis at a dispensary, always read the potency labels and the intended dosage. [7]
    • Products like hashish and hash oil, as well as concentrates like waxes, shatters, and crumbles, tend to have higher amounts of THC than dried leaves.
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    When you drink alcohol first and then consume cannabis, your body tends to absorb the THC faster. So even if you smoke your normal amount or take your regular dosage, you reach a stronger high much quicker.
    • Drinking alcohol and smoking weed, or getting cross-faded, can cause some people to experience bad highs and feel anxious in general.
    • While anecdotal, many cannabis users say they don’t experience bad highs or green outs when they smoke before they drink alcohol. [8]
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    Man-made cannabis products, like Spice and K2, are often a lot more potent than natural cannabis, like marijuana. Their effects tend to be more unpredictable too, so you might feel good after smoking it one day, but the next time you smoke, you green out. [9]
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Section 3 of 5:

Greening Out Symptoms

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    The most common symptoms of greening out are sweating, feeling nauseous and dizzy, and sometimes even vomiting. For some people, greening out feels very scary. They might say that they feel like they’re dying because they’re experiencing extreme anxiety and paranoia. In rarer cases, greening out might cause panic attacks, hallucinations or psychosis, heart palpitations, or chest pain.
    • Greening out can be really frightening and make you sick, but know that it is not life-threatening. [10]
    • It’s normal to feel a little embarrassed when you come out of a green out, especially if you were around other people. Greening out can happen to anyone, so be kind to yourself.
Section 4 of 5:

How long does a green out last?

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    While green outs can feel like they’ll last forever, the symptoms are only temporary. The duration of a green out varies from person to person and depends on how much cannabis you consumed. For some people, it might only last for 30 minutes to an hour, while other people might have symptoms for 6 hours or more. [11]
    • Some people might feel a little groggy 1 to 2 days after their green out.
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Section 5 of 5:

What to Do During a Green Out

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    If you’re feeling nauseous or anxious, move away from loud noises and bright lights. Bring a bowl or plastic container with you in case you feel sick, then find a comfortable, quiet space to lie down on your side. Reassure yourself that greening out is only temporary and typically passes after a few hours.
    • If you’re with a friend who is greening out, get them to a comfortable area and lie them on their side. If they throw up, this prevents them from swallowing or even choking on their vomit.
    • Stay with your friend who’s greening out to make sure they’re okay. It is often a scary experience, so reassure them that you’re with them and that they are okay.
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    Close your eyes and place one hand on your belly and the other on your chest. Take a deep breath in, inhaling through your nose on a count of 4. Feel your stomach expand, then exhale through your mouth on a count of 4. Just keep repeating your breaths until you feel calm. [12]
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    Low blood sugar might make greening out worse, so bring your sugar levels back up. Eat a sweet snack, drink some juice or soda, or mix a spoonful of sugar into some water if you’re in a pinch. [13]
    • When you smoke or take an edible, make sure to have a sugary snack or drink with you. Eating your snacks as you smoke or after you're done might help prevent green outs.
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    Being dehydrated can also make your greening out symptoms worse. It can be difficult to drink if you're nauseous, so just take a few sips at a time. When you’re feeling a bit better, make sure to drink a couple full glasses of water.
    • Whenever you consume cannabis, make sure you have a glass or bottle of water on standby near you.
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    Most people start to feel better when they lie down in a calm, quiet area. However, if you or a friend’s symptoms are still severe after 5 or 6 hours, get help from emergency services. This is the best way to keep everyone safe.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq
      2. ↑ https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana
      3. ↑ https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/interrupted-memories-alcohol-induced-blackouts
      4. ↑ https://cdaclinics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/CDAu-Greening-out-v3.0.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-06/CCSA-7-Things-About-Edible-Cannabis-2019-en.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.popsci.com/overdose-on-weed-marijuana/
      7. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/if-you-use-cannabis-do-it-safely-202301172876
      8. ↑ https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/health/2017/10/what-alcohol-and-weed-together-does-to-your-body.html
      9. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/faqs.htm
      1. ↑ ​​ https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana
      2. ↑ https://www.medicaljane.com/2015/11/05/can-you-overdose-on-marijuana-survival-tips-for-greening-out/
      3. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/learning-diaphragmatic-breathing
      4. ↑ https://cannabissupport.com.au/how-to-help-a-friend-who-has-greened-out/

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