What Does Greening Out Feel Like? (And How To Handle It)

If you’re reading this, chances are you or someone you know may have consumed more cannabis than their personal tolerance can handle. Don’t panic.

What might be happening is the negative experience of greening out: the modern term used to describe what could be a cannabis overdose. While using cannabis doesn’t typically lead to fatal outcomes, taking too much can lead to some seriously uncomfortable symptoms.

So, what happens when you consume too much cannabis, and what does greening out feel like? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is greening out, and how do you know when it’s happening? It starts with excess consumption of THC for one’s tolerance and can quickly lead to distressing symptoms.

The term comes from two things: The first one obviously being the color of weed, and the second one referring to the distinct paleness or “green” look that people have in this state. That distinct paleness is a clear indicator that a negative experience is happening.

This typically involves the following symptoms: anxiety, paranoia, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and an overwhelming sense that something is wrong. It’s one of the most negative risks of cannabis use. Just remember: these effects are temporary and will subside.

Technically, yes, greening out is a form of cannabis overdose. But unlike overdoses from substances like opioids or alcohol, a THC overdose isn’t fatal on its own.

The cannabis community prefers not to use the word “overdose,” as that usually means a life-threatening situation, which isn’t the case with cannabis unless combined with other drugs or alcohol. This is why the cannabis-using subculture perceives “greening out” as simply a modern risk of cannabis use, described as consuming more THC than your body can comfortably process.

Wondering what happens when you green out? It often starts with an intense, unwelcome wave of anxiety that something is wrong. In all honesty, it’s the perfect storm of physical discomfort and psychological distress. The most common symptoms and potential risks include:

Physical Symptoms:

• Sweating or chills
• Increased heart rate
• Trembling or shaking
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness and disorientation
• An upset stomach or digestive issues
• Dry mouth beyond typical “cottonmouth“

Psychological Symptoms:

• Paranoia or fear
• Racing thoughts
• Intense anxiety or panic attacks
• Time distortion (minutes feeling like hours)
• Overwhelming sensation that something is wrong
• Feeling disconnected from reality (cannabis depersonalization)

Becoming hyperaware of these symptoms can potentially amplify them, causing even more anxiety. The good part? These frequent symptoms fade as your tolerance increases with slightly increased doses. Plus, they’re temporary and will eventually subside.

Always remember, “this too shall pass.”

So, how much weed does it take to green out? The answer isn’t so easy, as there is no universal threshold for how much cannabis triggers greening out. There are several factors that determine how much is too much marijuana:

Tolerance: Experienced smokers need higher doses before experiencing these various unwanted symptoms compared to newbies.

Consumption Method: High potency edibles are notorious for causing greening out because:

• They produce stronger, longer-lasting effects
• They’re metabolized differently than smoked cannabis
• Effects take longer to appear, leading to accidental overconsumption

Individual Sensitivity: Some people are naturally more sensitive to THC’s effects.

Setting: Consuming cannabis in uncomfortable or anxiety-producing settings increases the risk of greening out. To understand the positive side of cannabis, explore 10 Famous Basketball Players Who Smoke Weed and see which ballers attribute their success to cannabis.

Empty Stomach: Taking cannabis on an empty stomach, especially edibles, increases absorption speed and intensity.

Cannabis Strain: Modern cannabis strains have much higher THC levels than those available decades ago. If you’re planning a trip and wondering what country has the best weed, this guide will help you decide your next vacation.

For those new to marijuana use, we suggest starting at 2-5mg THC, which is way easier to gauge in edibles than smoking or vaping. Even medium doses of 5-15mg THC can trigger unfavorable effects, while experienced users might green out after substantially higher amounts.

Are you or someone you know tripping a little too hard? Don’t panic—these tips were my lifesavers in my early days of marijuana use. Here’s what to do if you’re greening out:

1. Remember it will pass: The most important thing to know is that greening out is temporary. Effects peak within 1-3 hours and gradually subside.
2. Find a quiet space: Move to a calm, comfortable area without unwanted stimulation.
3. Hydrate: Drink water to help with dry mouth and stay hydrated.
4. Try black pepper: Chewing black peppercorns or smelling ground black pepper can help reduce anxiety due to terpene interactions (Neil Young swears by this).
5. Use CBD if you have it: CBD can calm THC’s effects and potentially reduce anxiety.
6. Get fresh air: A gentle walk outside can be calming, but avoid busy or overwhelming areas.
7. Focus on breathing: Deep, slow breaths can help ground you and help your body overcome excessive THC.
8. Distraction: Calm music, nature sounds, or your favorite TV show can be super helpful.

In rare cases with severe reactions like extreme distress, constant vomiting, or chest pain, it’s okay to seek medical guidance, even if weed is illegal in your area. Healthcare providers will offer supportive care for intense greening out experiences, regardless of weed’s legality.

So, how long does greening out usually last? Most experiences follow this general timeline:

• Peak intensity: 1-3 hours
• Main effects: 4-6 hours
• After effects: Up to 24 hours

With edibles, that timeline could be much longer, sometimes lasting 6-12 hours before any signs of improvement. That depends on several factors:

• Amount consumed
• Individual metabolism
• Whether you’ve eaten food
• Your tolerance to cannabis use
• Consumption method (edibles typically last longest)

Even after the worst symptoms subside, you might feel “off” until after a full night’s sleep.

Greening out feels awful. And it’s even worse because it’s produced by a plant that’s supposed to make you feel great. If you really want to lean into the positive benefits of cannabis, here’s how to avoid greening out:

1. Start low, go slow: Take small doses and increase gradually the next time.
2. Know your product: Understand the THC content of what you’re consuming.
3. Be careful with edibles: Wait at least 2 hours before considering more.
4. Consider set and setting: Use cannabis in comfortable, low-stress settings.
5. Don’t mix substances: Combining cannabis with alcohol or other substances increases risks significantly.
6. Stay nourished and hydrated: Don’t consume cannabis on an empty stomach.
7. Know your limits: Previous positive experiences don’t guarantee the next will be the same.
8. Consider CBD-balanced products: Cannabis with both CBD and THC tends to produce more positive effects.

Greening out in the modern cannabis day and age typically involves symptoms that are more intense than in previous decades, since today’s products are wildly stronger. So, the risks of cannabis use have definitely evolved as THC concentrations have increased.

Don’t get me wrong—the occasional green out is common. But if it happens too much, modern risks of cannabis consumption include the potential development of substance use disorder, especially with today’s high potency products.

If you’re frequently greening out, there might be an underlying issue at play. These hazards of cannabis use can be addressed by getting outpatient recovery services, visiting counseling centers, and receiving other outpatient treatments.

This is especially important for at-risk individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions or substance use disorders. Ongoing cannabis use and irresponsible consumption could lead to dependency and substance use issues.

If you find yourself:

• Experiencing persistent anxiety even when not using cannabis
• Regularly consuming high doses despite negative experiences
• Using marijuana to self-medicate underlying conditions

…it might be a good idea to consider professional support. Many counseling centers send you information about outpatient treatment options specifically for cannabis that won’t disrupt your daily life. In more severe cases, like when cannabis use nears substance abuse, inpatient rehab can be incredibly beneficial.

Guidance for cannabis use from qualified professionals can help you develop healthier consumption patterns or determine if abstinence might be beneficial for your specific situation. The counseling center approach typically focuses on harm reduction rather than judgment, helping you make informed decisions about your relationship with cannabis.