Overdosing on weed is possible but rarely lethal. Also commonly called “greening out,” a marijuana overdose can cause adverse reactions and instill in the user an intense paranoia. Symptoms can range from dizziness, nausea, and anxiety to more severe effects like hallucinations, racing heart rate, or delirium.

Read on for answers to: can you od on weed? And learn more about treating marijuana overdose and its long-term effects.

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Can You Overdose on Weed?

You can overdose on weed, but technically speaking, overdosing on weed is much different than overdosing on drugs like opioids or stimulants. Life-threatening weed overdoses are extremely rare, although it is possible to smoke or ingest too much and feel sick or have other adverse effects.

What Is Greening Out?

Overdosing on weed is commonly called “greening out.” Similar to the alcoholic term “blacking out,” to green out means consuming so much weed that it impairs cognition and motor skills. The user will be disoriented and unable to function normally until their system fully metabolizes the substance.

Medical Emergencies Related to Marijuana Use

Marijuana is known to cause the following medical emergencies:

1. Increased blood pressure
2. Elevated heart rate
3. Peripheral vasodilation

Can You Die From THC?

Many people google, “can you overdose on marijuana? Or can you overdose from weed?” Research has shown that there is no association found between cannabis use and mortality. Many medical experts agree that there is an extremely small risk of dying from THC.

However, some studies have shown that intoxication from cannabis can increase the risk of accidents, such as driving under the influence, which is illegal and can be deadly to you and others on the road.

Understanding Marijuana Overdose

Marijuana overdose—also called dose-dependent marijuana toxicity and cannabis overdose—can cause complications and an unpleasant experience for the user. Marijuana interacts with and affects different systems in your body, including your brain’s cognitive system and the endocannabinoid system.

The Science Behind THC Overdose

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) binds to different receptors in your body. These receptors are part of your endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for physiological processes like mood, pain, inflammation, and appetite. This system is usually stimulated by natural cannabinoids produced in your body, but can also be activated by cannabinoids found in marijuana. These cannabinoids bind to receptors in the endocannabinoid system and then cause changes in your mood, appetite, and more.

A THC overdose happens when someone consumes too much THC. Too many cannabinoids from marijuana in your body can overwhelm the receptors in your body’s endocannabinoid system, which then leads to the adverse effects of a marijuana overdose.

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Weed Overdose Symptoms

These adverse effects or weed overdose symptoms can be alarming for an individual to go through. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, remember that marijuana is not lethal, and in most cases, the best approach is to let the effects pass.

If symptoms persist or if you are particularly concerned, contact medical emergency services. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for marijuana intoxication or overdose. Most of the time, the medical attention you receive will include support and reassurance. Drinking water and eating food may be able to help your body metabolize the marijuana quicker, leading to less intense effects.

Weed overdose symptoms include:

1. Hallucinations
2. Extremely impaired cognition
3. Extreme lethargy
4. Paranoid, fear, or panic
5. Acute psychosis, including depersonalization or delusions
6. Rapid heart rate
7. Postural hypotension
8. Respiratory depression
9. Nausea and vomiting

So, can you die from weed? In certain cases, marijuana might be mixed with other dangerous substances, which can exacerbate the above overdose symptoms or lead to severe effects like chest pain, heart rhythm disturbances, seizure, stroke, or even a heart attack.

Risks and Health Effects of Too Much Weed

Although many millions use weed to experience positive effects, such as relaxation, improved sleep, improved appetite, pain management, and more, marijuana use can cause serious health effects and impaired quality of life in excess.

Addiction Risk

Although cannabis is not addictive like a Schedule I substance such as an opioid, people can still develop addiction and psychological dependence. Some use it to improve their appetite, while others rely on it for sleep. With consistent use, you may become dependent on cannabis—finding it difficult to relax, sleep, and eat without it. If you are unsure whether you are addicted, consider the following signs:

1. You’ve attempted but failed to stop smoking or eating edibles
2. This habit impacts your daily life in a negative way but you still are unable to stop
3. You realize you are smoking more or need higher-dose to achieve the same effect
4. You get withdrawal symptoms when you don’t smoke
5. You begin to lose interest in anything else except getting high

Long-Term Effects of Marijuana

Marijuana has long-term negative effects on the user:

1. Financial struggles – The longer you use marijuana, the higher your tolerance could be, which then leads to increasing the amount you smoke or ingest. This might lead to financial struggles.
2. Lung complications and health risks – If you smoke weed daily, there are similar risks to your health as those from tobacco users. You might feel a constant shortness of breath, chronic coughing, or even develop a respiratory illness.
3. Mood swings and irritability – If your body is used to a certain amount of cannabis, stopping can lead to withdrawal symptoms like anger, depression, anxiety, disturbed sleep, restlessness, loss of appetite, or weight loss.
4. An increased risk of psychosis – If you have any predisposed genetic factors regarding psychosis or mental illness, chronic weed use might affect you negatively and increase the risk of you developing psychosis or paranoia.

Impaired Relationships & Quality of Life

Cannabis might also affect your quality of life and relationships because of the above effects. Increased dependence on marijuana can lead to social withdrawal, decreased motivation, and difficulty maintaining responsibilities at work or home. Over time, this may strain personal relationships, cause conflicts, and contribute to feelings of isolation or dissatisfaction with life.

If you or someone you care for is showing signs of substance addiction, there is hope for recovery!

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Sources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6690288/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425742/
3. https://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/cannabis-deaths-study.php
4. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cannabis
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556062/