You may not have heard the term “greening out” before as it’s a slang term from cannabis culture for consuming too much cannabis, and is a play on the term “blacking out” from alcohol overdosing. Read on to learn more about this phenomenon, symptoms, and how to recover from it.
What Does Greening Out Mean?
Also slang for an “overdose”, “bad trip”, or mixing alcohol with marijuana (“weed”), greening out describes a range of intense effects on the body and mind in response to smoking or consuming too much weed, most commonly with edibles. It may also occur in someone using weed for the first time and has low tolerance, or when someone consumes alcohol and weed together.
These effects of cannabis come from the chemical THC (not CBD) contained in weed. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is psychoactive, causing a “high.” CBD (cannabidiol) is non-psychoactive. It is primarily associated with therapeutic benefits like pain and anxiety relief, without intoxication.
Greening Out: Signs and Symptoms
You may have a wide range of unpleasant and sometimes distressing physical and psychological reactions that occur when you consume too much cannabis in a short time. In general, it makes you feel like passing out or falling asleep. Signs may include [1] [2]:
Physical Signs:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Sweating and chills
- Pale or ashy complexion
- Unstable balance
- Rapid or racing heartbeat
- Disorientation, confusion, or loss of mobility
- Trouble hearing
- Blurred vision and inability to focus
- Feeling heavy or unable to move limbs
- Profuse sweating
Psychological Signs:
- Heightened sensitivity to stimuli
- Anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia
- Mild hallucinations
- Feeling disoriented
- Feeling unease or discomfort
How Long Does Greening Out Usually Last?
Typically, symptoms subside within a few hours depending on the THC strength in the weed consumed. Some after-effects like fatigue, mental fogginess, or mild anxiety can last for up to 24 hours. With edibles, symptoms may persist for up to 10 hours or more, but most people recover within a day.
However, the impact of cannabis can vary with the individual, including such factors as weight, general health, metabolism, and hydration level. Most importantly, it is affected by your mental state when consuming cannabis. If you are feeling down or depressed, or highly anxious, you may have a stronger feeling of greening out and one that lasts longer.
Is Greening Out Dangerous?
Greening out itself is not medically life-threatening, and there is typically no risk of dying from it. What may complicate things is if you knowingly mix substances such as alcohol.
Nonetheless, if the weed has unknowingly been contaminated with other substances, you may experience dangerous and severe side effects from them. This can be much riskier, yet difficult to prevent. And if you consume edibles, the effects may last longer.
However, a few individuals, particularly those with a history of anxiety, panic attacks, or mental health issues, may find that greening out may trigger longer-lasting anxiety, panic attacks, or even symptoms of depersonalization. In very rare instances, a very traumatic experience may bring about persistent anxiety or even a new onset anxiety disorder. This usually develops with chronic use and rarely from a single event.
If anxiety or panic symptoms persist for weeks or interfere with daily life, it’s important to consult a mental health professional. Often, it’s not the cannabis itself that causes lasting anxiety, but rather the psychological impact of a frightening experience combined with underlying mental health vulnerabilities.
Early attention to ongoing anxiety can prevent it from becoming a long-term problem. Seek emergency help if someone experiences severe confusion or hallucinations, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness.
What to Do During and After Greening Out
If you are greening out, here are some things you can do to recover while you come down from a cannabis overdose:
- Don’t consume any more cannabis.
- Stay hydrated.
- Rest to give yourself time to recover.
- Find an environment where you feel safe.
- Try to make yourself as calm as possible. Breathe deeply to calm yourself.
- Try to ground yourself. Focus on your senses. Repeat a calming phrase.
- Distract yourself with gentle music, or have a nap.
- Accept what you are feeling; don’t fight the sensations. Be patient.
- Seek help if necessary.
Before consuming cannabis again, give yourself time to recover. Reflect on the experience and consider modifying the type and quantity of cannabis before consuming again. If mental health symptoms persist, consult your doctor or a therapist.
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Sources
[1] Randa C. 2021. 10 Tips on How to Handle a Cannabis Green Out. EarthMed.com
[2] Compassion Behavioral Health. 2024. Greening Out: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention.
Author
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I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and graduated with a degree from the USC School of Social Work in 2015 with an emphasis in mental health. I began my career working with the Orange County Welfare to Work Program providing mental health services to reduce barriers to employment. I have spent the last 5 years working various levels in behavioral health, providing direct service to those struggling with co-occurring disorders. Using an eclectic and integrative approach, I incorporate the AIP model with EMDR, Person-in-Environment (PIE), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), family systems, interpersonal and solution-focused therapy along with Rogerian positive regard into my practice.
