You’ve heard of “blackout drinking.” You might have even heard people describing their fragmentary blackouts as “grayouts” or “brownouts.”
But did you know marijuana has its own version? A green out is what happens when you consume too much cannabis at once.
Unlike blackouts, green-out highs aren’t necessarily associated with memory gaps. They do cause a whole lot of other issues, from vomiting and chest tightening to paranoid spiraling.
Read on to learn more about the common green-out symptoms, how to handle them, and how this episode is different from a regular marijuana high.
Table of Contents
9 Potential Symptoms of Cannabis Greening Out
The range of physical and psychological symptoms that could occur after cannabis overconsumption is wide.
In this case, the body switches between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. So, the person smoking/ingesting the weed product could experience anything from chills and dizziness to repeated vomiting.
Here are some symptoms reported by people who’ve gone through an episode at least once:
1. Nausea (With or Without Severe Vomiting)
One of the most common physical symptoms of greening out is nausea. That said, not everyone ends up vomiting. Those who do get sick report severe, projectile-type vomiting.
Because a green out is also referred to as a whitey, some people call this side effect “throwing a whitey” or “whiteying.”
2. Cold Sweats
The whole greening-out episode can feel like your body is in fight-or-flight mode. A warning sign that often comes along with this experience is clammy skin or cold sweats.
3. Dizziness and Lightheadedness
People who’ve greened out before also say they felt dizzy and hazy, especially if they tried to move around. Yet, if they sat still for too long, they might start panicking.
4. Passing Out
In most cases, cannabis use is associated with an increase in both blood pressure and heart rate, likely due to the effect of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids.
However, a drop in blood pressure is also a possibility in green outs, so much so that fainting is a potential risk.
Side Note: If a loved one passes out after consuming excessive amounts of cannabis, you need to lie them on their side (recovery position) and get them medical attention right away.
5. Chest Tightening and “Manual Breathing”
Besides a rapid heart rate, a person greening out could feel their chest tighten.
Some people also report that too much marijuana use puts them into “manual breathing” mode. That’s when you’re actively conscious of each breath you take. It’s not so unlike the breathing compulsions seen in OCD patients.
You might think your breath is too loud and wonder if other people in the room can hear it. Alternatively, you could feel like you have to focus on your technique and force deep breaths, or else your body won’t do it right.
6. Bodily Discomfort
General discomfort is a common symptom, but it looks different on everyone.
For some people, it shows up as hypersensitivity to movement and stimulus. Others feel like they can’t get into a comfortable position at all because each motion sends waves of pain through their bodies.
7. Difficulty Moving and Talking
Some users have a hard time getting out of bed during a green-out episode. They might even feel like they can’t scream or call out for help.
The way people describe what happened to them makes it sound close to a sleep paralysis experience.
8. Skewed Perception of Time
Confusion and disorientation are both potential side effects of consuming a high dose of cannabis. It’s also possible for a green out to cause an altered perception of time.
You might feel like time is moving too slowly when you’re trying to sober up.
9. Anxiety and Paranoia
There are also some psychological changes to expect with green outs. Anxiety and paranoia are two common ones, but mild hallucinations aren’t out of the question, either.
7 Warning Signs That You’re About to Green Out
Some people don’t realize they’ve overestimated their tolerance and are about to green out until they’re standing over the toilet vomiting violently. This is particularly true if they’re beginner-level cannabis users.
Usually, the first warning signs are:
- Sweating
- Disorientation
- Dizziness
- Increased heart rate
- Pale skin
- Dry lips
- Tingling sensation
If you feel any of these signs, let a sober friend know that you’re feeling unwell and are at risk of greening out before you find a safe spot to lie down.
Typical Green Out Episode Duration
Because greening out can be incredibly disorienting, it’s hard to say for sure how long the symptoms last. Plus, the duration depends on a number of factors.
For instance, the route of administration matters a lot. THC edibles typically cause longer episodes than smoked marijuana or oil dabs. Consuming a large amount of cannabis on an empty stomach is another factor to consider.
That’s why someone might overcome the effects of greening out quickly and feel better within hours. Someone else could sleep it off and wake up feeling just fine. For others, the grogginess and haze might linger around the next day.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to stop the episode midway. No matter how unpleasant the symptoms get, the person will have to push through. Either that, or they’ll need medical assistance.
What to Do in the Meantime
Are you around someone going through a green-out episode and wondering what you can do to make their experience tolerable?
Naturally, you’ll want to reassure them that the symptoms are temporary and that they’ll pass soon. That said, here are three tips to help you figure out your next steps:
- Ask About Substance Mixing. Make sure you know if your friend has been mixing anything (alcohol or drugs) with their weed.
- Know When Medical Intervention Is Needed. Always call for help if they’re unconscious or having trouble breathing. Getting help is also a wise idea if the person has been mixing drugs.
- Create a Safe Place. A greening out person may be paranoid, disoriented, and in physical pain. Check that they’re safe, reduce stimulation (lights, noise, etc.), and stay with them until help arrives.
A Green-Out Episode vs. a Normal Cannabis High
There’s a bit of an overlap between the side effects of a weed high and the usual green-out symptoms. Think anxiety, rise in heart rate, sense distortion, mouth dryness, and so on.
But there’s one clear difference between the two states. One is a generally pleasurable experience, while the other isn’t.
The episode can be so bad that some people liken it to a full-on panic attack. Others say the impending sense of doom is strong enough that they believe they’re dying but can’t move, call for help, or do anything about it.
Common side effects of the high (like the munchies), however, are less likely to bother you in this case. That’s not necessarily because they aren’t there, but rather because you’ll have more pressing symptoms to worry about.
In a way, green outs can be considered a toxic reaction caused by psychoactive cannabis products.
Different people will react negatively at different concentrations, but one study found that inhaling THC with a dose over 7.5 mg/m2 can cause severe symptoms. This includes hypotension, anxiety, panic, and ataxia.
Side Note: After taking too much THC, you might experience a high that quickly transitions to a green-out episode.
Symptoms of Greening Out vs. Crossfading
It’s hard to compare the symptoms of crossfading (mixing alcohol and weed) and greening out because they’re so similar.
In fact, crossfading can come hand-in-hand with a greening-out episode, especially if the person chooses to drink before smoking weed. That’s because alcohol consumption increases the THC absorption, making it easier to flood your brain with intoxicating chemicals with a “normal” dose.
Note that alcohol can cause dehydration. Combine that with the intense vomiting of a green out, and you might get dehydrated quickly.
Crossfading (and mixing substances, in general) isn’t recommended since you can’t say for sure how your body will react to the mixture until you’re experiencing the side effects. But if you do choose to crossfade, at least focus on your hydration levels and let people around you know.
Stay Safe and Explore Your Treatment Options
To recap, the most common greening-out symptoms are sweating, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and disorientation.
Although they’re typically not life-threatening, the episodes can be extremely unpleasant. So, don’t let friends pressure you into consuming high doses of THC. Just because their bodies can handle the edibles doesn’t mean you will. Be responsible and don’t put yourself at risk.
People may downplay the effects of marijuana, especially when compared to other psychoactive drugs. However, it can still cause dependence.
If you believe you have a problem with marijuana use, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. We’re happy to discuss your options and help you find out if starting a treatment program is the right move for you.
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Published on: 2025-06-30
Updated on: 2025-06-30
