Green out is an unnerving sensation that often makes new and infrequent cannabis users, or those consuming edibles, anxious.Mercifully, symptoms tend to be temporary – usually lasting anywhere from minutes to several hours.
Sleep It Off
If you’re greening out, take some time for yourself and relax. Removing yourself from noisy environments and drinking plenty of water with snack can help with this as they both balance blood sugar levels and alleviate dizziness that may arise. Listening to relaxing music or taking a shower may also help ease tension within the body and relax it further.
Greening out is an inevitable part of cannabis usage and shouldn’t pose long-term damage; however, it may be uncomfortable. To reduce risk as much as possible and minimize discomfort from it all-at-once use: avoid alcohol with cannabis at once; limit edible intake to prevent green out; remember “grass before glass”. New users are especially susceptible as their bodies adapt to cannabis use.
Employing high-quality cannabis products will also help protect against greening out. Search for strains with lower THC levels and an abundance of terpenes such as beta-caryophyllene or limonene to counteract any negative side effects from THC.
Improper dosing can also contribute to greening out, whether smoking, vaping, or taking cannabis edibles. Your ideal dosage range will depend on your size, metabolism and level of experience (tolerance). For instance, since sativa strains tend to contain higher THC concentrations than indica varieties, be mindful when choosing which strain to smoke first and adjust accordingly – such as by decreasing dose when smoking one compared with the other type.
Greening out is often caused by taking too much THC, with symptoms including nausea and difficulty breathing as the body quickly absorbs THC into your system and your heart rate spikes in response to this loss of oxygen. Green out can last from minutes to hours before extreme cases may lead to hallucinations for some users.
It’s essential that when experiencing greening out, one knows what steps they need to take immediately in order to recover and feel normal again. Steps may include withdrawing from overly stimulating environments and drinking plenty of water and eating a snack while staying calm. Having someone talk through any difficulties they’re having can also be comforting; just make sure they know the greenout will only last temporarily and they’ll soon feel like themselves again.
Stay Hydrated
Consuming plenty of fluids may seem counterintuitive, but drinking lots of fluids can actually help prevent green out. Dehydration deprives the body of essential nutrients, electrolytes and silica needed for optimal health and well-being; water, herbal tea or fruit juice consumption is an effective way to keep hydration levels balanced throughout the day. Sugary drinks or alcohol act as diuretics that cause more fluid loss via frequent urination while decreasing overall hydration levels.
Staying hydrated requires both an intake of fluids and diet choices rich in B vitamins, potassium and fiber; drinking a glass of water in the morning on an empty stomach is one way of staying hydrated and balanced. Snyder suggests including cucumbers and celery as sources of both hydrating water and nutritional elements that keep the body hydrated such as B vitamins.
Each body and endocannabinoid system differs, making it impossible to predict who might green out and when. But those newer to cannabis or infrequent consumers may experience it more rapidly; high potency products, like edibles or dabbing containing more concentrated amounts of THC may also trigger it.
Greening out is not dangerous, though it may feel unsettling at times. If this happens to you, try not to panic – remember that soon enough the symptoms will pass and life will resume as normal again.
If you are with someone experiencing a green out, provide them with a comfortable place to lie down and snacks to reduce nausea and the likelihood of them choking on their vomit. Also try talking with them about their experience to take their mind off their greenout while showing that they are not alone.
If you want to avoid green out, start with a low dose and wait an hour before taking more. Also avoid mixing cannabis with other substances as this may increase THC’s effects and your chance of greening out. Finally, do not exceed your limits when first trying cannabis; for your safety it may be wiser if this experience takes place within a group setting with trusted friends who can warn of too much or too soon consumption.
Get Some Exercise
No matter who may be greening out, it’s essential that they remain calm. Panicking only makes their symptoms worse; so if panicking becomes an issue for you or a loved one experiencing green out, try breathing deeply and distracting yourself with music, low-key movies or soothing lights as distractions; staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest will also help ease their uncomfortable sensations. Finally, stay close by any friend experiencing green out and make sure they remain safe.
Talk to a Friend
Being friends are essential to both mental and emotional wellness. Friends provide invaluable support during positive moments in your life, and are there when times get tough. Friends also can provide an impartial outside view that may shed new light on situations you don’t see clearly yourself; additionally, friendship can reduce stress levels significantly and even prolong life span.
Staying in contact with friends can also lower the risk of greening out. If you regularly smoke marijuana, having close confidantes that can offer advice can help keep greening out at bay – this way you can avoid greening out by staying within your limits when smoking marijuana.
If you are concerned that one of your friends may be getting too high, it may be useful to talk with them directly about it in an appropriate setting where both of you feel at ease. Also try not to bring too many other people into the conversation at once – multiple conversations at once can become overwhelming and lead to conflict.
Be sure to keep the dialogue productive when speaking to a friend, by asking questions that encourage them to elaborate, rather than providing one-word answers. Bear in mind they might feel anxious or ashamed of their experience and try showing compassion by showing empathy.
Greening out is temporary and should be managed accordingly, but its effects can still be shocking and disorienting. If you’re concerned for someone’s wellbeing during this transitional phase, follow these tips to keep them calm and safe until the symptoms have worn off.
Cannabis is generally safe for most people; however, its use can aggravate preexisting health conditions or worsen when mixed with other drugs or substances. Smoking too much at once or having heart conditions could result in life-threatening drop in blood pressure; overdosing on THC is possible so be careful not to exceed your tolerance level and seek medical help immediately if any of the following symptoms appear.