What Does it Mean to Green Out?
- 1. What causes greening out?
- 2. What happens when you green out?
- 3. What are the symptoms of greening out?
- 4. Is greening out the same as overdosing?
- 5. How long do the symptoms of a green out last?
- 6. How to help someone greening out?
- 7. How to prevent greening out?
- 8. What are the long-term effects of a greenout?
- 9. What does it mean to green out? faqs
- 10. In conclusion
As cannabis consumption becomes more available, understanding the potential side effects, such as greening out, is essential as it will help you enjoy cannabis more safely. Greening out?... What does it mean to green out? Well, greening out is a play on the term “blacking out” from alcohol, and refers to the uncomfortable feeling and sometimes nausea or disorientation that comes after consuming too much green (aka weed).
Newcomers are more vulnerable to greening out as they don’t know their tolerance levels. Unlike alcohol which can lead to serious health risks and death, greening out can be very uncomfortable but definitely NOT deadly. If you’re scared of greening out, do not worry. Greening out is entirely avoidable and with a little bit of knowledge (read below), you can enjoy your green without greening out!
What causes greening out?
Greening out is caused by consuming too much cannabis, such as exotic strains, concentrates, or infused edibles. This happens because cannabinoids like THC and CBD bind to our endocannabinoid system. When you consume too much cannabis, your cannabinoid receptors are overloaded, causing green out symptoms. However, high-THC strains are not the only factor that causes a green out. Various other factors come into play, including:
- Individual tolerance
- Product’s potency
- Method of consumption
Keep in mind that greening out is real but fairly rare, as everyone’s reaction to cannabis is unique. What causes a green out for one individual might not cause the same for another. Some individuals are more prone to greening out (such as infrequent users), but it can also happen to regular consumers if they’re sleep-deprived, dehydrated, or haven’t eaten in a while. Greening out may also be more of a risk with certain cannabis products that are more potent than cannabis flower, such as edibles and concentrates.
However, the biggest risk of greening out is when cannabis is combined with alcohol since alcohol increases THC in the blood and brain, which can not only trigger a green out but also make the symptoms last longer and more disorienting.
What happens when you green out?
Those going through a greenout can experience a wide range of both psychological and physical symptoms such as feeling sick to throwing up to feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and disorientation. But don’t let fear keep you from enjoying weed; Remember that the majority of consumers do not experience a green out and those who do experience it,, only do it once or twice before understanding their limits. Experiencing a green out is a learning experience and can provide insight into how your tolerance and/or consumption methods affect you.
What are the symptoms of greening out?
Identifying the symptoms is the first step towards managing the problem. These symptoms can vary in intensity and duration depending on the characteristics of the individual (weight, age, tolerance, etc.), and the amount of cannabis consumed. The more common symptoms of a green out include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Anxiety or paranoia
Is greening out dangerous?
Greening out is not life-threatening but can be quite scary. If you experience a green out after consuming cannabis, you should be safe, and the symptoms generally dissipate in an hour or so. However, if you combine weed with alcohol or other drugs, a green out could be dangerous, and in this case, medical intervention may be required.
Is greening out the same as overdosing?
No, because greening out does NOT imply a life-threatening situation but it can definitely lead to an unpleasant experience for a few hours, that said, it does not have the same risks as overdosing.
At the same time, greening out is not a joke and should not be taken lightly since it’s a sign that you have pushed your body’s limits with cannabis. When consuming cannabis, it’s essential to listen to your body. A green out is not an overdose but an overindulgence, meaning that you’ve consumed too much and need to stop for now or at least adjust the amount of cannabis or potency of the cannabis consumed.
How long do the symptoms of a green out last?
Generally speaking, the greening-out experience can last anywhere from a couple of minutes to a couple of hours. However, how long it lasts is subjective since greening out is not one thing but a combination of different symptoms. It’s impossible to say exactly how long it will last for each individual, but the consumption method will have a direct effect on the duration of the experience.
The effects of smoking cannabis kick in faster, which can mean a quicker green out, whereas the effects of edibles last much longer, which means the green out could last longer. When combined with alcohol, the green out symptoms, such as grogginess, headaches, and dizziness, could last up to a day.
But again, it largely depends on the specific characteristics of the individual, their tolerance, the consumption method, and the potency of the weed. Most of the time, time and patience are the only remedy. Although uncomfortable, the symptoms are temporary.
How to help someone greening out?
If you’re with a friend or someone who’s going through a green-out, it’s vital to remain calm and make them comfortable. First of all, reassure them that they’re not going to die and that the symptoms are temporary. Next, encourage them to breathe deeply and drink water if possible. Avoid giving them more weed and take them to a quiet, calm place. If you’re at a party, consider going home where you can deal with the green-out more comfortably and in a more familiar environment.
Remember, the best way to deal with a green-out is to prevent it in the first place.
How to prevent greening out?
The only way to prevent greening out is to experiment and understand your tolerance. This can be done by monitoring your consumption and moderating it when necessary. The golden rule is to start slow and go slow. If you’re new to smoking, do not try to smoke a gram of weed by yourself.
Take one or two hits, wait 10 to 20 minutes, and evaluate how you feel. If dealing with edibles, take half of the edible and wait at least 30 to 40 minutes to fully feel the effects before taking more.
What are the long-term effects of a greenout?
There are no known long-term effects of greening out and no evidence of lasting damage. Additionally, there are no reported deaths directly from consuming cannabis. However, cannabis can aggravate certain conditions such as heart issues and schizophrenia, and can interact poorly with other medications. There isn’t a cure for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (greening out), and the only “cure” so far is to stop consuming THC entirely.
What does it mean to green out? FAQs
What should I do when greening out?
A greenout generally passes with time, so try to find a pleasant and calm environment, and sleep it off if possible. If you’re experiencing anxiety or paranoia, try to distract yourself with music or TV, and stay hydrated, calm, and comfortable. Additionally, CBD and certain terpenes can help soothe some of the symptoms.
Can I prevent a green-out?
Yes! Greening out is preventable. You can prevent it by having food in your stomach before consuming cannabis, ensuring you are hydrated, and avoiding mixing weed with alcohol or other drugs.
How long does a green-out last?
A green-out typically lasts a few hours but can last up to 24 hours in some cases.
Can CBD help with the symptoms of greening out?
In some cases, CBD can counteract some of the effects of a green out since it can counteract some of the effects of THC.
Is it dangerous to green out?
While it’s extremely uncomfortable, it’s not life-threatening for most people. Always remember that those with health issues should be very cautious.
Is greening out the same as overdosing?
Overdosing is not possible with THC or cannabis, as an overdose refers to someone consuming so much at once that it causes life-threatening symptoms or death. According to the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), there have been no reports of death due to cannabis.
In Conclusion
Prevention is better than cure, and this also applies to greening out. Despite not leading to serious health risks (unless there’s a pre-existing condition), a green-out can cause effects that are problematic if you’re using cannabis to treat a medical condition.
The best way to prevent a green-out is to build up your tolerance by starting with small doses and observing how you react. Another way is to be careful with edibles. Consuming CBD may be less likely to cause a greenout, but some individuals may also feel nauseous after consuming too much CBD.
Always make sure to learn your tolerances and limits, and stick to these as much as possible. If the problem persists, make sure to speak with a doctor.
