What To Do When You’re Too High: 7 Tips To Deal With Green Out - HØJ
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What To Do When You’re Too High: 7 Tips To Deal With Green Out

Estimated 5-minute read

Most of us just want to get high, but what happens when we don’t calculate things out and end up with the worst high of our lives?Whether it was intentional or on purpose, we’ve all been there… You know, if you’ve happily and fully eaten a brownie at a party not knowing it has marijuana, or if you thought that vape hit wouldn’t get you high enough, so you took another one and another one and before you know it you’re soaring through the sky in the worst way possible. Well, this article is for you. And for me. And for your friend who was just trying weed out for the first time in their lives.


What is Green Out?

Stoners call “green out” when it seems to be that you’ve had too much weed. As a consequence, people will go pale, turn green, or turn white.

This concept usually relates to consuming alcohol and weed at the same time,  but hear me out when I tell you that green out can also happen when you’ve only taken pot. The outcome? Alright, so get ready for a long list of side effects: 

  • Anxiety
  • Chills
  • Dizziness
  • Hallucinations
  • Increased heart rate
  • Nausea
  • Panic attacks
  • Paranoia 
  • Sweating
  • Vomiting

So What is Actually Going on at a Biological Level?

Our bodies have a natural endocannabinoid system that relies on two important receptors: CB1 and CB2. The former are located in the nervous system (brain and spinal cord), while the latter can be found throughout the body.

According to The Bluntness, the same receptors work directly or indirectly with phytocannabinoids, –which are external cannabinoids– like THC, and that’s actually the reason why this marvelous substance has psychoactive effects on the body and the mind. 

So now that we know the science behind the fascinating endocannabinoid system, greening out is quite simple to understand: it happens when the CB1 receptors take more THC than they can handle, causing a series of side effects that vary from person to person. 


Dealing With Green Out

Look, sometimes smoking sessions can get out of hand. And being completely honest, green out can happen to anyone, anywhere. I suggest you have these tips with you at all times because you could actually help yourself, or someone in need.

 

  • Find a quiet, private place to pass the time 
  • Being the center of attention while greening out can be massively overwhelming, not to mention that feeling observed can potentially lead to more paranoia. Removing ourselves from the situation will make us feel more safe, while also– 


  • Avoid being alone 
  • Under pressure or threat, sometimes our mind can wander to the darkest places and be a scary or uncomfortable place to be. Having someone by our side could actually make a huge difference, so talk to them and let them know they’re not alone. If you’re greening out, reach out to a friend you trust and ask them to take care of you until you feel better.

     

  • Ask your friend if they’d like a ride home 
  • Some people prefer to pass their green out in a place they trust, but some would rather not go back to their house because of several reasons. Whatever it is, bring the offer forward and let them choose their ideal place to be.

     

  • Stay calm and focus on something else 
  • Activities like listening to music, drawing, doing breathing exercises or even just talking can take our minds off what is actually going on at the moment. 

     

  • Stay hydrated! 
  • Did you know that THC inhibits saliva production? This is one of the side effects of weed, commonly known as getting dry mouth or cottonmouth, so have a bottle of water at arm’s length and make sure they spend the whole journey having sips of water.

     

  •  Smell crushed peppercorns
  • As stupid as it sounds, compounds in pepper are known to have soothing effects on the body, so this can actually help when the green out reaction gets pretty bad.

     

  • Be mindful of the experience
  • Whether it’s happening to you or someone else, listen to their needs and remind them that the effects will pass. Never be judgemental about someone else’s experience; instead, keep them reassured that greening out is a common thing and it shall pass.

     

    As frightening as it may feel living through that awful moment, remember that no one in the history of humanity has died from a cannabis overdose. However, when the person who consumes cannabis has heart issues, green out can be potentially dangerous and scary if they get an increased heart rate. 

    Bottomline is: I promise you’re gonna be fine, you’ll just have to deal with a couple of challenging hours.


    How To Avoid Green Out

  • Research how drugs interact with one another
  • For example, people who consume weed and alcohol together are more at risk of greening out. Here’s a whole article about what you need to know about mixing both substances.


  • Be mindful of the strain you’re going to consume
  • Look at online resources about the levels of CBD and THC in strains; if the strain you’re consuming has much higher THC than CBD, then make sure to take it easy and slow.


  • Look for the best place and setting to get high
  • You should always consume cannabis in a place you feel safe with people you trust, it will make the experience more enjoyable and you won’t have to worry about being in danger.


  • Be careful with edibles
  • Remember that edibles take much longer to get you high than regular smoking or vaping, so start low with your dosis and go slow with your food intake. Here’s a whole article about how much time edibles take to kick in and essentially how much they'll stay in your system.


  • Know your limits
  • Despite some great efforts, cannabis is not an exact science. Everyone’s system is different, meaning that weed tolerance will most certainly vary between you and your smoke buddies. Keep in mind that experience will also determine how much THC your body can take. For example, people who have just started consuming cannabis will need a lower THC dose. If you or your friend are new in the cannabis world, here’s how you can prepare for the first time you smoke weed.


  • Always have a backup plan
  • Whether it is having someone to take you home or lead the way to a couch, be prepared when things go wrong. Keep this article close to you so you always know what to do!

     

    Author: Mary Jane

    Jane, M. (2022). First Time Smoking Weed: What to Expect and How to Do It Safely. HØJ. Retrieved from https://www.hoj.life/blogs/viden/first-time-smoking-weed

    Jane, M. (2022). How Long Do Weed Edibles Stay In Your System? HØJ. Retrieved from https://www.hoj.life/blogs/viden/how-long-do-weed-edibles-stay-in-your-system

    Jane, M. (2022). What You Need to Know About Mixing Alcohol & Weed. HØJ. Retrieved from https://www.hoj.life/blogs/viden/what-you-need-to-know-about-mixing-alcohol-weed

    Saez, A. How Much Weed is Too Much? 11 Signs You’re Greening Out and How to Handle It. The Bluntness. Retrieved from https://www.thebluntness.com/posts/signs-you-re-greening-out-and-how-to-handle-it 

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