Do you frequently feel nauseous and uncomfortable after consuming cannabis? If so, you’re probably smoking or eating a lot of it, leading to a popular phenomenon called “greening out.” It refers to various physical and psychological changes, like the blackout caused by too much alcohol usage.
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug that alters the user’s consciousness by affecting their central nervous system. So, a high dose of it can cause adverse effects on your brain and body, such as dizziness, instability, and increased heart rate.
Let’s learn what greening out is, how it impacts our mind and body, and some tips to handle and prevent its effects.
What Does Greening Out Mean?
When someone smokes, eats, or vapes too much marijuana, they will likely experience various adverse effects called “green out.” You may be in the position of greening out if you:
- Are sleep-deprived
- Don’t know your weed tolerance
- Consume weed more than the typical amount
- Drink alcohol before consuming weed
- Have not eaten or drank enough before cannabis consumption
Greening out can occur to anyone regardless of their experience level. While beginners are more susceptible to the condition, it can also happen due to the following reasons:
- Lack of Experience. You need some time to see how cannabis reacts in your body. During this period, you’re more likely to consume too much cannabis, leading to green out. That’s the case with most beginners out there.
- Going Too Overboard. Sometimes, seasoned cannabis users cross their boundaries when getting high. Many potent types of marijuana cause intense feelings of green out.
- Consuming Strong Edibles. Cannabis edibles give longer-lasting and more potent effects than weed. Trying them out the first time usually induces green out.
Marijuana Green Out Symptoms
Cannabis green out causes multiple adverse symptoms in the users. The most common ones include the following:
- Greenish pale or ashy skin
- Dizziness
- Light-headedness
- Loss of mobility in arms or legs
- Blurry vision
- Instability
- Hearing disorientation
- Lack of concentration
- Hallucination
- Anxiety, paranoia, or panic attacks
- Low blood sugar
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea or vomiting
These symptoms are primarily associated with greening out; you may or may not experience them. Remember, every person reacts differently to cannabis.
How to Deal with Greening Out
If you feel like greening out, you should know how to deal with the situation and its symptoms correctly. Here are some tips to help you regain your sanity quickly:
Have a Smoking Partner
The easiest way of handling the green out is to have a trustworthy smoke buddy. They will monitor your weed consumption and stop you when you’re about to go overboard. Even if you do green out anytime, your smoking partner may help you deal with its effects.
You should also choose a safe smoking space with all the resources available to deal with greening out. The best place would be your or your friend’s home.
Wait Some Time
Always remember the effects of green out fade away in some time. You just have to stay calm and wait for it to go. However, there is no exact duration; greening out usually differs from person to person, typically lasting for a few minutes to a couple of hours.
It may feel like you’re in the same position for hours, but stay put and remind yourself that you will be fine soon.
Meanwhile, you can lie down and get some rest. Closing your eyes will silence your thoughts and minimize your greening-out symptoms.
Drink Lots of Water
Staying hydrated before and after consuming cannabis keeps you sober. If your blood sugar level is decreasing, drink juices to improve it.
Besides water, you must also eat something to return to your senses quickly. The best choices are carrots, popcorn, and fruits. Make sure to avoid having foods rich in fat.
Find Good Distractions
You can also handle green-out effects by finding some great distractions. For instance, you can talk to your smoking partner, call a friend, watch your favorite TV shows and movies, or listen to music. Some other options include going out for a walk or getting a relaxing massage.
Practicing a hobby can also help you take your mind off the cannabis greening effects.
Try Some At-Home Remedies
If none of the above methods work, you can also try some remedies at home to cope with the high. These include chewing lemon rinds or black peppercorns. Both of these are popular for their relaxation abilities.
Remember, cannabis green out is a natural phenomenon. It’s okay to feel a bit dizzy or hallucinated after consuming marijuana. Every user reacts differently to weed overconsumption, so you may or not experience the above symptoms.
However, cannabis greening out can also turn life-threatening if you have an underlying health issue and combine recreational marijuana with alcohol, medications, or hard drugs.
How to Avoid Cannabis Green Out
Green out typically occurs when you smoke weed while drinking alcohol. If you want to do both together, you should consume marijuana first and then determine whether you can handle getting more high. This way, you will be more aware of your alcohol condition.
If you’re consuming cannabis edibles, it’s better to start with small doses and increase it over time based on your body’s response. Always monitor your consumption to easily measure how long it will take to stop being high. If you can’t feel the effects of cannabis completely, you can eat more.
Also, never listen to other’s opinions about how much cannabis you should consume. If your smoke buddies pressurize you to use more, simply say no and stay within your usual consumption limit.
Conclusion
Smoking or eating marijuana needs optimal handling to avoid its adverse psychological and physiological effects. Too much cannabis consumption can make you dizzy, hallucinate, and nauseous. These symptoms are collectively known as “green out.”
If you feel like you’re greening out, you can follow some tips to avoid the condition. It includes smoking with a partner, waiting for some time for the effects to go away, and involving in the right distractions.
You should drink or eat before and after cannabis to sober up quickly. Also, avoid consuming alcohol before starting your smoking sessions.
