Greening out occurs when someone consumes too much marijuana. This can be worsened if the person combines the drug with other substances like alcohol.

This guide explains what’s involved with marijuana overdose, highlights the signs and after-effects of greening out, and shows you what to do when someone is greening out to help them stay safe. You will also discover how to connect with effective and compassionate treatment for substance abuse. 

What Is Greening Out?

Greening out happens when someone consumes too much marijuana. It’s like an overdose, but it’s not usually deadly. People who green out might feel sick and scared. Understanding greening out can help you stay safe and help others who might experience it. 

Greening Out Meaning—What Is Greening Out?

The green out meaning is similar to overdose – it just means that someone is getting too high from marijuana [1]. This can happen if someone smokes, eats, or vapes too much of the substance. The body reacts badly to the extra THC, which is the compound in marijuana that makes people feel high.

What Happens When You Green Out?

Weed green outs may cause you to feel dizzy, nauseous, and extremely anxious. Some people vomit or feel like they can’t move. Your heart might beat faster, and you could feel scared or confused. These symptoms are your body’s way of saying it has had too much marijuana.

How Long Does Greening Out Last?

Greening out usually lasts a few hours. Most symptoms, like dizziness and nausea, will start to fade within this time. However, some people might feel tired or a bit off for up to a day. It all depends on how much marijuana was taken and how your body reacts. Drinking water and resting can help you feel better faster.

Is Greening Out Overdosing?

Greening out is like an overdose but not the same as overdosing on more dangerous drugs [2]. When you green out, it means you have too much THC in your system. This can make you feel sick and frightened but is rarely deadly. It’s still important to be careful and seek help if needed, though. Taking too much marijuana can be harmful, especially if mixed with other substances.

What Does Greening Out Feel Like?

Greening out can be a very unpleasant experience. If you are greened out, you might:

• Feel dizzy: Everything might spin around you, even if you’re sitting still. This can make it hard to stand up or walk.

• Feel nauseous: Your stomach may feel upset, and you might feel like you need to vomit. This queasiness can make you very uncomfortable.

• Have a fast heartbeat: Your heart can race, which can make you feel more anxious and scared.

• Feel confused: It might be hard to think clearly or remember things. You could feel lost and not understand what’s happening around you.

• Have heavy limbs: Your arms and legs might feel really heavy, making it hard to move them.

• Feel panic: You might feel scared or have a panic attack. This fear can make everything seem worse and harder to handle.

• See or hear strange things: Some people might see or hear things that aren’t really there. These mild hallucinations [3] can be very unsettling.

Greening Out Symptoms

Recognizing the signs of greening out can help you know if it’s happening to you or someone else. Here are some signs to look for:

• Pale or greenish skin: Your skin might look very pale or slightly green, which is where the term greening out comes from.

• Nausea and vomiting: Feeling very sick to your stomach and possibly throwing up. This is a common reaction to too much THC.

• Dizziness: A feeling of spinning or being off-balance, making it hard to walk or even sit still.

• Fast heartbeat: Your heart might beat much faster than normal, which can make you feel anxious.

• Dry mouth: A very dry mouth and a strong need to drink water. This is a typical side effect of too much marijuana.

• Loss of balance: Difficulty moving around, stumbling, or tripping easily. Even simple movements can be hard.

• Extreme anxiety: Intense feelings of worry, fear, or paranoia that make the experience even worse.

• Confusion: Not knowing where you are or what’s happening around you. This can be disorienting.

• Sweating or feeling cold: Sudden changes in body temperature, like sweating a lot or feeling very chilly.

By knowing these symptoms, you can better understand what’s happening and take steps to help yourself or someone else feel better. If symptoms are severe or don’t go away, get medical help right away.

After-Effects of Greening Out

After greening out, you might still feel some effects for a while. Here’s what to expect:

• Feeling tired: You may feel tired and want to sleep a lot. Your body needs rest to recover from the experience.

• Weakness: Your muscles might feel weak, and it could be hard to do normal activities. Take it easy and don’t push yourself too hard.

• Mild nausea: You might still feel a bit sick to your stomach. Eating light foods and drinking water can help.

• Headache: Some people get headaches after greening out. Resting in a quiet, dark room might make you feel better.

• Confusion: You might feel a little confused or forgetful. This should go away as you fully recover.

• Anxiety: You could still feel anxious or worried. Try deep breathing or relaxing activities to calm down.

These after-effects usually go away within a day. If they last longer or feel very strong, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor.

What to Do If You or Someone You Know Is Greening Out

If you or someone you know is greening out, stay calm and take the following steps:

1. Stay calm: First, try to stay calm. Panicking can make the situation worse. Take deep breaths and remind yourself or the person that the symptoms will pass.
2. Find a safe place: Move to a quiet, comfortable place where you or the person can sit or lie down. This helps avoid injury if there’s dizziness or loss of balance.
3. Drink water: Sip water slowly. Staying hydrated can help flush out the THC and make you feel better. Avoid drinking too much at once.
4. Eat a snack: A light snack, like crackers or toast, can help settle your stomach. Avoid heavy or greasy foods, which might make nausea worse [4].
5. Deep breaths: Take slow, deep breaths to help calm down and reduce anxiety. Counting breaths can also help focus your mind.
6. Use black pepper: Some people find that smelling or chewing on black peppercorns can reduce the panic and anxiety from greening out. The pepper has natural compounds that may help [5].
7. Don’t add more substances: Don’t take more marijuana or any other drugs to try to feel better. This will likely make the situation worse.
8. Seek help: If the symptoms are severe, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Call a friend, family member, or even a medical professional if needed.
9. Monitor: Keep an eye on the person greening out. Stay with them until they feel better. If they start to feel worse, call for medical help.
10. Rest: Encourage rest. Lying down and closing your eyes can help the symptoms pass more quickly. A nap might be the best way to recover from a green out.

Remember, greening out is usually not life-threatening, but it can be very uncomfortable. Taking these steps can help you or someone else feel better faster. If symptoms persist or are extremely severe, seek medical attention.

Is There a Greening Out Remedy?

There isn’t a specific cure for greening out, but some steps can help ease the symptoms.

Drinking plenty of water helps your body process the THC and can make you feel better. A small piece of fruit or candy can help stabilize your blood sugar, which might reduce feelings of dizziness or weakness.

Going outside for fresh air can help clear your head and calm your nerves.

Distract yourself with a simple activity like watching a light-hearted show or listening to calming music.

Having a conversation with a friend or family member can help take your mind off the symptoms and provide comfort.

While there’s no instant fix, these remedies can help you manage the discomfort until the greening out phase passes. Always seek medical help if the symptoms are severe or don’t improve.

How To Stop Greening Out

To stop greening out, the best way is to avoid it in the first place. Here’s how:

• Use less marijuana: Start with a small amount and see how it affects you. Don’t use large amounts of the drug  if you’re unsure of how it affects you.

• Know your limits: Pay attention to how your body reacts to marijuana. Stop if you start feeling uncomfortable.

• Avoid mixing substances: Don’t mix marijuana with alcohol or other drugs. This can increase the chance of greening out.

• Stay hydrated and eat beforehand: Drink water and eat a light meal before using marijuana. This can help reduce negative effects.

• Use safe products: Make sure your marijuana comes from a trusted source. Unsafe products can have unpredictable effects.

By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of greening out and have a safer experience with marijuana. 

How To Help Someone Greening Out

If someone you know is greening out, it’s essential to help them feel safe and comfortable. Speak in a soothing voice and let them know that the symptoms are temporary and will pass. Reassure them that they are not in any danger and that they just need to rest.

Find a quiet, comfortable spot where they can sit or lie down. Ensure the area is free from anything that might cause injury if they lose coordination or get dizzy.

Offer small sips of water to keep them hydrated. Staying hydrated can help their body process the THC more efficiently. Avoid giving them large amounts of water at once, as this might upset their stomach.

A light snack, like crackers or a piece of fruit, can help settle their stomach and stabilize blood sugar levels. Avoid heavy, greasy foods that might make nausea worse.

Engage in calm, simple conversation to distract them from their discomfort. Ask them to describe something they like or talk about a favorite memory to keep their mind off the symptoms.

Keep an eye on their symptoms and ensure they don’t get worse. Stay with them until they start to feel better. Don’t leave them alone, especially if they are feeling very anxious or disoriented.

Encourage them to take slow, deep breaths to help reduce anxiety and calm their mind. Breathing in slowly through the nose and out through the mouth can help them relax [6].

Don’t offer more marijuana, alcohol, or any other substances. This will only make the situation worse. Avoid caffeine too as it can increase anxiety and heart rate.

If the person’s symptoms are severe – intense vomiting, very high heart rate, or extreme confusion, for instance – call for medical help immediately. It’s better to be safe and get professional assistance if you’re unsure.

By following these steps, you can help someone who is greening out feel more comfortable and safer until the effects wear off. Your calm presence and supportive actions can make a big difference in their experience.

Cannabis | FAQs

Is greening out real?

Yes, greening out is real. It happens when someone consumes too much marijuana, leading to unpleasant symptoms like nausea and dizziness.

Greening out and passing out—what should I do?

If someone passes out after greening out, stay calm and keep them safe. Lay them on their side and call for medical help if needed.

Can you die from greening out?

Dying from greening out alone is rare. However, severe symptoms can be dangerous, especially if mixed with other substances. Always seek medical help if unsure.

Can greening out last for days?

Greening out usually lasts a few hours, but some symptoms can linger for a day. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice.

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Sources

[1]https://www.childrenscolorado.org/conditions-and-advice/conditions-and-symptoms/conditions/acute-marijuana-intoxication/

[2] https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/fentanyl-overdose-facts-signs-and-how-you-can-help-save-a-life/2023/01

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5908416/

[4] https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/diet-modifications-for-nausea-and-vomiting

[5] https://www.businessinsider.com/science-behind-chewing-peppercorns-to-ease-cannabis-paranoia-2021-5

[6] https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response