What is greening out? Essentially, it’s a term that describes being too high. In other words, it’s what happens when someone ingests more cannabis — THC in particular — than their body can handle. Symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Panic
- Rapid heart rate
- Nausea
- Hallucinations
Greening out can be a rather uncomfortable experience. Fortunately, if you find yourself feeling the effects of too much THC, there are a few things you can do to bring down your high.
Give Yourself a Pep Talk
While anxiety and panic caused by greening out can be overwhelming, try your best to remain calm. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that what you’re feeling in the moment won’t last. Eventually, things will return to normal and you’ll feel better.
Take a Dose of CBD
It may seem counterintuitive to take more cannabis, but CBD may help. Some studies have found that CBD may have anti-anxiety properties. Other research shows that the non-psychoactive cannabinoid may block cannabinoid receptors in the brain, keeping THC from activating them.
Raid Your Kitchen
Many kitchen staples contain terpenes that could help you combat the effects of greening out. For instance, black pepper and peppercorns contain beta-caryophyllene. This compound could boost the relaxing properties of THC, helping to ease anxiety. Smelling a lemon, which contains limonene, could provide similar calming benefits.
If you’re feeling nauseated, a light snack might help, too. Try eating something simple and gentle like toast with butter, cereal, or rice.
Hydrate
The simple act of drinking something cold can help in a couple of ways. First, sipping and swallowing could distract you from anxious thoughts by giving you something else to focus on. Second, hydration is essential for combatting cottonmouth.
Pour yourself a glass of water or juice. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, as they can worsen unpleasant feelings.
Distract Yourself
Cozy up in a comfortable blanket and watch your favorite movie. Curl up with a good book. Play a video game. Talk with a close friend. Go for a short walk. Paint. Finding something to do that you enjoy can help take your mind off of how you feel and make it easier to pass the time until your high calms down.
How to Prevent Greening Out From Weed
If you want to avoid getting too high in the first place, there are a few things you can do to prevent greening out from weed:
- Know your tolerance and don’t overdo it
- Opt for higher-CBD strains
- Don’t ingest cannabis on an empty stomach
- Keep track of your usage
Enjoy Your High
Greening out can be a scary experience. Remember, though, the feelings that come with ingesting too much THC won’t last forever. Things like CBD, peppercorns, and hydration can help. And, if you want to avoid greening out, there are things you can do to prevent the situation altogether.
At Harbor House Collective, we’re committed to providing our community with high-quality cannabis products and empowering users with the latest cannabis education. Whether you’re looking for a new strain to try or want to learn how different products might affect you, our knowledgeable budtenders are here to help. Visit us today!