What Is Greening Out? Why It Happens and How to Make It Stop

Greening out is the sick, panicky crash that hits when more THC reaches your brain's CB1 receptors than you can handle, bringing on nausea, dizziness, sweating, paranoia, anxiety and a racing heart. To make it stop, drink some water, try calming terpenes like the limonene in lemon or the beta-caryophyllene in black pepper, take a cool shower, move somewhere calmer and talk to someone you trust until it passes. It feels awful, but it's temporary.

Greening out, also called “a whitey” or just a bad high (Argentines call it “la pálida”), is an unpleasant experience some cannabis users run into after taking too much or smoking weed that's stronger than they're used to. Symptoms include dizziness, sweating, nausea and even anxiety, which can turn a good time into a rough one.

The good news is there are several ways to ease the discomfort, get over a green-out fast and get back to feeling chill.

What is greening out and what does it do to your body?

“Greening out” is the slang term for the sick, overwhelmed feeling that can hit after you've had too much weed. Plenty of regular smokers have been there, but it can be scary for people who are new to cannabis.

What happens in your body when you green out?

Your body's endocannabinoid system is made up of CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors handle both the cannabinoids your body makes on its own and the ones you take in from outside, like THC. CB1 receptors are found mainly in the central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are spread throughout the body.

THC, the main psychoactive compound in weed, acts on these receptors, especially the CB1 receptors in the brain and spinal cord. During a green-out, your CB1 receptors are flooded with more THC than you can comfortably handle, which brings on mental and physical effects that can be unpleasant, or even risky for people with heart conditions.

Signs you're greening out

A green-out is easy to spot thanks to a set of physical and mental symptoms. Here are the most common ones:

1. Nausea

Cannabis is known for easing nausea, but during a green-out it can do the opposite. Feeling queasy or sick to your stomach is a clear sign you've had more THC than your body can handle.

2. Dizziness

Feeling a little lightheaded is normal when you're high, but when it goes past manageable and the room is spinning even while you're sitting or lying down, you've gone past your tolerance.

3. Paranoia

Paranoia is another classic green-out symptom. Weed can make you a bit uneasy on a normal day, but during a green-out those thoughts ramp up, leaving you extremely anxious or afraid for no real reason.

4. Anxiety

A lot of people use cannabis to take the edge off anxiety, but at high doses THC can do the opposite and trigger episodes of severe anxiety.

5. Racing heart

A faster heartbeat is a common THC effect, but with too much it can become a real concern, especially for people with existing heart conditions.

6. Drowsiness

Drowsiness is another telltale symptom. Lots of strains are relaxing, but a green-out can leave you wiped out and way sleepier than you'd normally get.

7. Cottonmouth

THC cuts saliva production, which gives you that uncomfortable dry mouth. It doesn't actually dehydrate you, but drinking water helps with the dryness.

How to prevent greening out

Know your limits and be aware of how potent your weed is. If you do green out, the best thing is to rest, stay hydrated and stay somewhere calm.

Be careful with edibles

Edibles are popular because the effects last a long time, but they can get you in trouble if you take too much without realizing it. With smoking or vaping you feel the effects quickly and can adjust, but edibles take longer to kick in.

That's why it's crucial to start low and give it time (edibles usually take 30 to 90 minutes, sometimes up to 2 hours, to come on) before you even think about taking more. If you can, stick to regulated cannabis products with the THC content clearly labeled.

Know your limit

Everyone has a different tolerance. Beginners should be especially careful and start with strains under 10% THC. Take small doses and check in with yourself before having more.

Smoke with friends

If you're planning on going big, do it with friends you trust. They can tell you when you're overdoing it and have your back if you start feeling green-out symptoms like anxiety or paranoia.

Try lower-THC weed

If you want to avoid greening out, the best strategy is to stay well clear of your limit. Start with small doses and work up gradually, whether you're smoking or eating edibles.

What to do when you're greening out

Even if you're careful, at some point you may end up with too much THC in your system. Here are some tips to take the edge off and make the experience easier to ride out.

Use terpenes to calm down

Terpenes, natural aromatic compounds found in plants, may help soften THC's negative effects. Beta-caryophyllene and limonene, found in black pepper and lemon respectively, are known for their calming properties. Chew a few peppercorns or drink some unsweetened lemon juice to help with anxiety and paranoia.

Hydrate

Drinking water is key to fighting the dry mouth weed gives you. Skip alcohol and caffeine, since they can make dehydration worse and ramp up anxiety.

Take some CBD

Some research suggests CBD can counter some of THC's effects and may take the edge off a high. If you've got CBD on hand, give it a try against a green-out. CBD oils or vape cartridges are good options.

Take a shower

A cool shower can help you feel more alert and ease the bad symptoms. Cold water also helps if you're feeling overheated or uncomfortable.

Talk to someone

If you're alone when a green-out hits, reach out to someone you trust. Talking to another person can bring your anxiety down and give you a sense of support and safety.

Change your surroundings

If you're uncomfortable, try moving somewhere else. Step outside for some fresh air or go to a quieter room. A change of scenery can help your mind relax and dial down the THC's effects.

Stay calm

Remember, THC's effects are temporary and will wear off. Try to stay positive and keep in mind that everything you're feeling will pass.