Greening out is a colloquial term describing a state of acute cannabis intoxication, which is essentially an overdose of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This experience results in significant physical and psychological discomfort. Greening out represents a temporary physiological overload of the body’s systems due to excessive cannabis consumption.
Understanding the Greening Out Experience
The symptoms of greening out are a direct result of the body’s reaction to an overwhelming dose of THC. Physical symptoms frequently include severe nausea, which can lead to vomiting, dizziness, and cold sweats, sometimes accompanied by a pale or ashen appearance. Individuals may also experience tachycardia (a rapid heart rate) and elevated blood pressure, contributing to a sense of physical distress.
Psychologically, the experience is often characterized by extreme anxiety, paranoia, and a feeling of losing control, which can escalate into a full-blown panic attack. This response occurs because high concentrations of THC flood the brain’s endocannabinoid system. Specifically, the psychoactive compound overstimulates the CB1 receptors, which are responsible for regulating various functions like mood, memory, and perception.
Immediate Health Risks and Safety Assessment
Greening out is rarely fatal from cannabis toxicity alone, but it carries several significant indirect risks that require assessment. Severe dizziness, vertigo, or fainting can lead to falls and subsequent injury, especially in unfamiliar or unsafe environments.
A significant medical concern is the risk of pulmonary aspiration, which is the inhalation of vomit into the lungs. This occurs if a person vomits while experiencing impaired consciousness or motor function. While the episode is temporary, the severe psychological distress, including intense paranoia or panic, may require intervention to prevent self-harm or risky behavior. It is important to distinguish this acute reaction from Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), which is a separate, chronic condition involving recurrent, severe vomiting in long-term cannabis users.
What to Do During an Acute Episode
The immediate priority during a greening out episode is to ensure physical safety and reduce anxiety. The affected person should move to a safe, quiet, and comfortable location where they can lie down or sit without the risk of falling.
Sipping water slowly helps maintain hydration, especially if vomiting or sweating has occurred. Avoid drinking large amounts quickly, which could worsen nausea. Psychological management involves reminding oneself that the effects are temporary and will eventually pass as the body metabolizes the THC. Focusing on slow, deep breathing can help regulate the heart rate and calm the nervous system. If symptoms include severe chest pain, prolonged unconsciousness, or vomiting that cannot be controlled, professional medical help should be sought immediately by calling emergency services.
Preventing Future Overconsumption
Avoiding future episodes of greening out depends on a strategy of low-dose consumption and awareness of product potency. When trying a new form of cannabis, such as edibles or concentrates, it is advisable to start with the lowest possible dose.
Edibles are particularly risky because their effects are delayed, sometimes taking one to three hours to peak. This delay can lead to unintentional overconsumption if the user consumes more too soon. Understanding the THC percentage of a product is also a proactive step in managing intake. High-potency products, especially concentrates, require much smaller doses to achieve the desired effect. Combining cannabis with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants amplifies the intoxicating effects and drastically increases the risk of an overwhelming experience.