Green Out: causes, symptoms and tips for relief

Anyone who has ever looked too deeply into a glass of weed knows the feeling: suddenly your heart is racing, the room is spinning, you feel sick - and relaxation is out of the question. Welcome to the Green Out, the unwanted horror trip after too much THC. But why does this happen? What does it feel like? And above all: what can you do if you or someone in your group gets it? In this blog, you can find out all about symptoms, immediate measures and the best tips to avoid a green out from the outset.

What is a green out? 🌿💨

Imagine you're sitting comfortably with friends, taking a few drags on a joint or trying an edible - everything is relaxed, you're laughing and feeling good. And then, out of nowhere, your body goes limp. Your heart races, you feel hot, then freezing cold. Your stomach feels like you're on the worst rollercoaster of your life. Maybe you feel like time is passing more slowly or you can hardly move. Welcome to the green out - the unpleasant side of too much THC.

It often happens faster than you think. A few puffs too many, an edible that doesn't do anything at first - and then it kicks in harder than expected. Particularly nasty: if you consume on an empty stomach or are already tired, it can get even worse. The body reacts to the THC overload by really overdoing it - as if it had forgotten that everything was supposed to be relaxed.

But don't panic! As bad as it feels, a green out is not dangerous. Your body can cope with it, it just needs time. Everything will be back to normal in a few hours. But why does it happen in the first place? What exactly is going wrong when your body suddenly says: "Nope, that's too much for me!"? We'll find out in the next section. 🚀

Why does a green out happen? 🤯🌿

A green out feels like the body is suddenly freaking out - but why does this actually happen? Quite simply, too much THC at once throws the endocannabinoid system out of balance. This system regulates things like mood, appetite, pain perception and relaxation. When consumed in moderation, THC provides a pleasant high. But when it gets too much, the system can overreact - and that's when the horror trip begins.

Here are the main reasons why a green out happens:

🌀 Too much, too fast - If you ingest a lot of THC in a short amount of time, your body can't keep up. Particularly dangerous: bong hits, dabs or high-dose edibles.

⌛ Delayed effect of edibles - You eat a piece, wait 30 minutes, feel nothing and think: "Oh, I'll have another one." Bad mistake! Edibles often take one to two hours to take full effect - and then it hits you with full force.

THC and your circulation - THC can lower your blood pressure and increase your heart rate. In combination, this can lead to dizziness, tremors or even fainting.

🛑 Lack of tolerance - Beginners or occasional users are particularly susceptible to green outs because their bodies are not yet used to high amounts of THC.

🍔 Empty stomach = stronger effect - Without food in the stomach, THC hits faster and more intensely. This can make the difference between a relaxed high and an unpleasant green out.

🔄 Mixed consumption with alcohol - Those who drink and then smoke weed often experience the so-called "crossfade effect", which intensifies the effect of both. This can lead to your body being completely overwhelmed.

So a green out happens when your system is flooded with THC and goes completely haywire. The good news? It will pass. But before we get to the solutions, let's look at how to recognize that you or someone else is in a green out. 🚨

Typical symptoms of a green out 🤢💨

A green out can feel like your body is working against you. Suddenly you feel nauseous, your head is spinning and you feel like you're losing control. Some describe it as a mixture of extreme nausea, panic attack and circulatory collapse - all at the same time.

The tricky thing is that everyone experiences a green out differently. While some just feel tired and barely speak, others feel like they're about to pass out. To help you recognize whether you or someone close to you is experiencing a green out, here are the most common symptoms:

Not everyone gets all the symptoms at once, but if you feel several of them, a green out is probably behind it. The most important point: Even if it feels bad - you are not in danger! Your body simply needs time to break down the THC.

But what is the difference between a green out and a white out? We'll take a look at this in the next section. 🔍

Green out vs. white out - what's the difference? ⚡🆚🌿

You may have heard of a white out and wonder if it's the same as a green out. The two conditions are similar, but not identical - and this is mainly due to the cause.

A green out happens when you consume too much THC. Your body is overwhelmed by the amount, your circulation starts to falter and you suddenly feel really bad. Nausea, dizziness, palpitations - the whole nine yards. Most people stay conscious but feel so miserable that they want to go straight to bed.

A white out, on the other hand, has less to do with weed and is more of a circulatory collapse. It often happens when you smoke weed on an empty stomach, are already dehydrated or are in a stressful situation. Your blood pressure drops and you suddenly go black in the face. Some people even pass out - hence the name "white out".

The big difference? The green out is triggered by THC, while the white out is usually caused by circulatory problems. While a green out often lasts longer, a white out can disappear quickly with a little rest, water and fresh air.

No matter what gets you - the important thing is to stay calm. But what can you do if you or someone else is in the middle of it? Let's find out now. 🚑

What to do if you or someone else has a green out? 🚑🌿

Okay, you've overdone it - or someone in your group is suddenly lying on the couch, pale and silent. Congratulations, this is a classic green out. But don't worry, there are a few things you can do to defuse the situation. The most important thing is to stay calm - panicking only makes things worse.

So, what really helps?

✅ Make yourself comfortable - Sit or lie down, preferably in a place where you feel safe. If you feel dizzy, put your legs up.
✅ Breathe deeply - Sounds banal, but calm, deep breathing signals to your body: everything is okay, we'll get through this.
✅ Drink something - preferably water or tea. Your body needs fluids now, and sip after sip will also help with the queasy feeling in your stomach.
✅ Eat something - If you don't feel sick, grab a piece of bread or a banana. Eating can take the edge off the high.
✅ Distract yourself - Music, a quiet series or a relaxed chat with a friend can help you to stop paying so much attention to the unpleasant feelings.
✅ Fresh air is good for you - A walk or simply opening a window can work wonders.

Just don't! 🚫

There are also things that can only make a green out worse. Stay away from them:

🚫 Smoking even more - No, a "counter move" won't help. Your body is already struggling enough with the THC.
🚫 Drinking alcohol - Never mix weed with alcohol if you're already feeling bad. It just makes everything more intense.
🚫 Getting high - Your head is in overdrive, and if you start googling whether you'll stay like this forever, you'll only feel worse. By the way, the answer is: No, you won't stay like this forever!

Do the classic home remedies work? 🤔

There are a few tricks that are supposed to help - but not all of them work the same for everyone. Here is a brief overview:

The most important thing: you will survive. A green out feels bad, but your body breaks down the THC on its own. After a few hours, the spook is over.

But even better than an emergency plan? Don't get into this situation in the first place! You can find out how to avoid a green out in the next section. 🚀

How can you avoid a green out? 🙌🌿

Let's be honest - nobody wants to experience a green out voluntarily. Anyone who has ever been lying on the couch with trembling hands while their heart races and their stomach rebels knows: it's anything but fun. The good news? You can prevent it!

The most important point: know your limits. There's no such thing as "being cool enough" when it comes to weed. Everyone reacts differently to THC, and what's relaxing for your friend can completely throw you off. So start slow and build up when you feel comfortable.

Don't let the edible trick you 🍪⏳

If you take edibles, be patient. This is the number one trap for a green out! They can easily take one to two hours to work properly. So don't do the classic: "I can't feel it, I'll take another one." Believe me, you will feel it - just later and much more strongly than you would have liked.

The set and setting are all 🛋️

Don't just smoke weed anywhere. If you're already feeling insecure, stressed or anxious, then weed can amplify that. A cozy, safe place with people you trust makes all the difference.

Don't do it on an empty stomach 🍔

Smoking weed on an empty stomach? Not a good idea. It intensifies the effect and can cause your circulation to drop. So eat something light beforehand - your body will thank you for it.

Mixed consumption? Better not 🍻🚫

Alcohol and weed are not best friends. You may feel great at first, but as soon as your body realizes that it has twice as much work to do, it becomes uncomfortable. If you drink, be extra careful with THC.

And if it does happen? 😵‍💫

If you still look too deeply into the THC glass and find yourself in the middle of a green out: Breathe. Have a drink. Lie down. Tell yourself it will pass - because it will. Your body just needs time. No need to panic.

Conclusion: It's in your hands ✨

We've been through it all now: What a green out is, why it happens, what symptoms occur and what you can do about it. The most important lesson? It doesn't even have to get that far! With a little knowledge and self-control, you can enjoy weed without the horror trip. So: take it slow, listen to your body and stay relaxed. 🌿🔥