Greening Out Definition
Greening out meaning is the experience of feeling sick or ill after consuming too much cannabis, essentially resulting in an overdose of the drug. Unlike alcohol’s effects, greening out can cause dizziness, nausea, anxiety, and, in some cases, vomiting or hallucinations. This reaction can happen with all forms of cannabis products, including smoking, edibles, gummies, or vaping.
Hotboxing and crossfading are some of the primary reasons for greening out.
According to National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) In 2022, an estimated 8.3% of 8th graders, 19.5% of 10th graders, and 30.7% of 12th graders reported using cannabis/hashish in the past 12 months.
Research shows that greening out is much more likely to occur if the user has been drinking alcohol before smoking cannabis. Alcohol in the bloodstream can result in a stronger and more unpleasant effect than usual.
What Does Greening Out Feel Like?
When someone greened out, they might begin to feel unwell. Symptoms can include dizziness, light-headedness, anxiety, an accelerated heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and a lack of coordination.
They might also go through what’s often referred to as “the spins,” a disorienting sensation combining vertigo and nausea. This can give the person a feeling of their head spinning, even when they are stationary or lying down.
Signs and Symptoms of Greening Out
Greening out manifests through a mix of physical and mental symptoms, often distressing but temporary. Common signs include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Rapid heart rate or palpitations
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Paranoia or feeling “trapped”
- Sweating or chills
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
The Mayo Clinic notes these align with cannabis intoxication at high doses. While not typically dangerous, severe cases—especially with edibles—may escalate discomfort, per NIH reports. Recognizing these helps differentiate greening out from other conditions.
Is Greening Out Overdosing?
While some may refer to greening out as a cannabis overdose and THC toxicity, it’s not technically accurate. Overdosing implies taking a dangerous or lethal amount of a substance, which is not the case with cannabis.
How Long Does Greening Out Last?
Duration varies by consumption method and THC potency. Smoking or vaping effects may subside in 1-3 hours as THC peaks quickly, per NIH data. Edibles, with slower metabolism, can extend symptoms to 6-12 hours, sometimes leaving dizziness into the next day, per user reports on forums like Reddit. “Edibles hit harder and linger,” says Dr. Krystal in STAT. Most recover fully within 24 hours, though rest and hydration speed this up. High doses or crossfading may prolong discomfort.
Infographic Idea: “Duration Timeline”—line graph with smoking (1-3 hrs) vs. edibles (6-12 hrs).
Greening Out Long-Term Effects
The long-term effects of greening out are not well understood, but it’s possible that frequent or severe episodes could lead to psychological or emotional problems, such as anxiety, paranoia and unstable emotions.
If you continue to feel anxious about what happened, it’s best to speak to a healthcare professional about your situation and your concerns.
The growing anxiety could become a bigger problem than the actual experience you had.
What to Do When Greening Out Happens
Managing a green out focuses on calm and comfort—panic worsens symptoms. If you or someone is greening out, try these evidence-based steps:
- Hydrate: Water counters dehydration, per Mayo Clinic advice.
- Rest: Lie down in a quiet space to ease “spins” and heart rate.
- Breathe: Deep, slow breaths reduce anxiety, per NIH stress guidelines.
- Peppercorns: Sniffing crushed black pepper (rich in terpenes) may calm THC effects, per anecdotal reports.
A cool shower can soothe if dizziness permits, and a light meal (e.g., fruit) may stabilize blood sugar. “Simple interventions work best,” says Dr. Koob in TIME. Avoid alcohol or more cannabis—crossfading intensifies the reaction, per NIDA. Seek medical help if symptoms overwhelm (e.g., unrelenting vomiting).
Don’t consume any other substances during this period to avoid cross-fading.
Read our research about weed and mental health on Still Mind Florida website.
