What is Greening Out?

marijuana smoker greening out

Marijuana is often portrayed as a safe recreational substance. But as anyone who has ever greened out can tell you, using this drug can sometimes cause highly unpleasant effects. 

Contact us today to learn more about our marijuana addiction treatment in Northern California.

What Does Greened Out Mean?

Let’s get right to the point here: What does greened out mean?

Greened out and greening out refer to experiencing a range of adverse effects due to an overconsumption of cannabis (marijuana). This typically occurs after a person either ingests too much cannabis or uses a strain that is too potent for their body to safely process. 

In other words, being greened out is a type of cannabis toxicity (poisoning), or cannabis overdose.

Symptoms of Greening Out (What Does Greening Out Look Like?)

Greening out can involve a range of symptoms, and not everyone will have the same experience. In general, though, someone who is greened out can exhibit both physical and psychological signs.

The physical effects of greening out can include:

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Vertigo (sense of uncontrolled spinning)
  • Excessive perspiration
  • Slurred speech
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Headache
  • Stomach ache
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Impaired coordination
  • Feeling of heaviness in arms and legs

Someone who is greened out may also experience psychological effects such as:

  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Anxiety and panic
  • Mild hallucinations

Most symptoms associated with greening out usually last from a few minutes to a few hours, though some can sometimes persist for a full day or longer.

Causes of Greening Out (Why Does Greening Out Happen?)

As noted earlier, greening out results from using more (or more potent) weed than your body can efficiently metabolize and eliminate.

This can occur to anyone who uses cannabis, but certain factors can influence a person’s risk, such as:

  • How often they use marijuana
  • How much they typically use
  • Their body weight and metabolism
  • If they are trying a new way of ingesting cannabis (such as edibles or vaping)
  • If they have food in their stomach when they use marijuana
  • If they are also using alcohol or other mind-altering substances
  • Their awareness of the potency of the weed they’re using

Is Greening Out Dangerous?

Using too much cannabis doesn’t usually pose the same danger as overusing alcohol or opioids can. But that doesn’t mean there are no risks associated with this experience.

For example, someone who greens out may experience:

  • Injuries due to impaired perception and coordination
  • Dehydration due to vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • Extreme change in heart rate and/or blood pressure
  • Seizure

People who frequently use large or particularly potent amounts of marijuana may also be at risk of an extremely distressing condition called cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).

As described in an October 2024 article that was published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), CHS is characterized by:

  • Extreme nausea
  • Periods of intense vomiting
  • Powerful abdominal pain

In rare cases, severe CHS has been linked with abnormal heart rate, kidney failure, and death. CHS seems to be most common in people who have been using cannabis on a daily basis for at least a year. Those who began using weed prior to age 16 also have an elevated risk of this condition.

Once a person develops cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, the only effective way to prevent the recurrence of symptoms is to stop using marijuana. 

Is Greening Out a Sign of Addiction?

Being greened out is not one of the criteria for cannabis use disorder (marijuana addiction) in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). 

However, greening out frequently can be a sign that a person has lost the ability to control their weed use. And if they’re unable to unwilling to stop using cannabis, even when they know that continuing to do so can endanger their health or even threaten their life, that can be a significant red flag.

Warning Signs of Cannabis Use Disorder

Contrary to what you may have read or heard elsewhere, it is possible to become addicted to marijuana. Signs of this disorder include:

  • Frequently using marijuana in larger amounts or for a longer period of time than intended
  • Having strong urges or compulsions to use marijuana
  • Devoting a substantial amount of time to acquiring and using marijuana
  • Continuing to use marijuana even after experiencing some form of physical, psychological, or social harm that was either caused or worsened by their prior marijuana use
  • Failing to pay bills, keep appointments, or fulfill other responsibilities due to their cannabis use
  • Using weed in ways that can be particularly hazardous to themselves and others, such as by combining marijuana with other drugs or driving while impaired
  • Developing tolerance, which means they need to use more or more potent marijuana to experience the drug’s effects
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to curtail their marijuana use
  • Wanting to stop using weed but being unable to do so

Treatment Options

If you’ve had any of the symptoms listed above, a good first step would be to schedule an assessment with your doctor or a reputable addiction treatment provider in your area. The professional who conducts your assessment can help you understand the scope of the challenge you’re facing. They should also be able to recommend appropriate treatment options.

Depending on your unique circumstances, you may be best served by spending time in one or more of the following programs:

There’s no ideal program or type of treatment that works for everyone who has become addicted to marijuana. This is why it can be so important to find a provider who will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and goals, then develop a customized plan just for you.

Find Treatment for Marijuana Addiction in Northern California

Bright Future Recovery offers a full continuum of personalized services for adults who have become addicted to cannabis and other substances. We also serve clients whose struggles with addiction are accompanied by anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring mental health concerns.

Our addiction rehab in Northern California is a safe and welcoming place where you will be cared for by a team of skilled and dedicated professionals. With our help and a concerted effort on your part, you can end your compulsive cannabis use for good and begin to live a much healthier life in recovery.

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.

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