With recent legislation legalizing cannabis in states throughout the US, the entire country of Canada, and most importantly: Oklahoma, many people are jumping on the weed bandwagon. From easing chronic pain and relaxing anxiety, to solving insomnia and settling bouts of nausea, cannabis is regarded as proverbial cure-all, as it can heal virtually whatever it is that ails you.

It’s true that marijuana is a natural remedy for a laundry list of conditions, a lot of users overdo it; whether it’s because they want to feel bigger and better effects, or it’s because they simply don’t know how much to take. There’s no evidence that suggests that overdosing on weed is life-threatening, but man, taking too much can put you over the edge and make you feel like complete and utter crap – or “greening out”.

If you’re a relatively new cannabis user or if you’ve been consuming it a long time, greening out is something that you are definitely going to want to avoid. Not sure what greening out is? Want to learn how to avoid it? In this guide, we’ll answer these questions and more so you can enjoy the delightful effects of cannabis and avoid feeling those less-than desirable effects.

What is Greening Out? If you’ve ever imbibed too many adult libations, there’s no doubt that you are familiar with the nasty side effects that can occur. In instances where one consumes too much alcohol, they can black out. Well, sometimes, when people ingest too much cannabis, they can also feel undesirable side effects, or what is often referred to as “greening out”. In fact, the term “greening out” is a spin on the phrase “blacking out”.

The effects of greening out are very similar to drinking too much; you might feel queasy and even end up vomiting. You can also experience a rapid heart rate, disorientation, soaking sweats or bone-rattling chills, much the same as you would if you drank too much alcohol. You can also start to feel an overwhelming sense of paranoia set in, to the point where you feel like your world is caving in and everyone and everything is out to get you. These symptoms can pass quickly, lasting only about 30 minutes; but depending on the strain of marijuana you consumed and how much, you could feel those nasty effects for up to six hours or more.

Obviously, the symptoms of greening out are pretty – nay, downright – undesirable. If you’ve ever been there, you might think that you have overdosed and that the end is drawing near or that emergency medical intervention is needed. The good news is, as we mentioned above, there is no evidence of lethal cannabis overdose; but, you can definitely overdo it.

If you’re ever in a situation where you feel like you’re OD-ing on cannabis, before you panic and call 911 or ask someone else to, understand that the symptoms will eventually subside; that is, as long as it’s only weed you consumed and you haven’t added drugs and/or alcohol, to the mix. In cases of consuming too much marijuana and using other substances, medical help may be required.

Why and How Does “Greening Out” Happen? Since marijuana is generally considered a safe substance, and countless research studies have proven its effectiveness for curing a wide-range of health issues, you are probably wondering why and how a green out can happen.

Cannabis, as you probably already known, contains tetrahydrocannabinol; better known as THC. This substance is what causes the psychological effects that marijuana is often associated with. According to scientists, THC mimics the effects of the cannabinoid chemicals that the body naturally produces. This naturally occurring chemical attaches to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which are responsible for a variety of the sensations and actions, including coordination, pleasure, memory, and of course, thinking.

When you consume cannabis, THC also attaches to the canabinoid receptors and heightens the sensations and actions that are linked to these receptors. If you consume too much cannabis, it stands to reason that the receptors in your brain are going to be excessively activated by the cannabinoid chemicals that your body naturally produces and THC you ingested. That over-activation can result in a green out.

How to Handle a Green Out What can you do if you ever find that you are hit by the stomach-turning, paranoia, and just plain awful feeling that is associated with a green out? There are a number of things that you can try. For example, some people find that drinking plenty of water and consuming a lot of carbohydrates works like a charm. Others find that chewing on black pepper is effective. You can also just remove yourself from whatever situation you are in, seek a space where you feel comfortable, and perhaps flip on the TV or crank up some tunes.

It’s hard to say what will work best for you, as each person is unique. But, do take comfort in knowing that the feelings you are experiencing will eventually subside; you won’t be stuck like that forever.

How to Avoid a Green Out What’s the best way to cure a green out? – Avoid getting in one in the first place. While green outs can occur if you inhale marijuana, they seem to be more common with edibles. Why? – Because the body processes THC differently when it’s ingested than when it’s inhaled. When you smoke marijuana, THC is absorbed by the lungs, but when you ingest it, it’s absorbed by the liver. When the liver absorbs THC, it’s converted into a compound that is about 9 times stronger than when you inhale it.