7 tips: how to avoid a huge “greening out” cannabis hangover full of highs.

by druginc

7 tips: how to avoid a massive "greening out" cannabis hangover full of highs.

Those who have taken an almighty fat blunt or overeaten a cannabis biscuit may be familiar with the dreaded feeling of 'greening out'.

Greening out is the marijuana version of the more common 'blackout', which usually refers to a night of excessive alcohol consumption, the ensuing chaos and amnesia the following morning. While the effects aren't usually as damaging as a blackout, it can still be stressful to stay “greened out” for even a few hours.

What is “greening out”?

Going green refers to the general symptoms of being too “high”. It can manifest as a combination of negative effects, including paranoia, anxiety, nausea, dizziness and increased heart rate. The negative experience is caused by an excess of THC. Novice smokers are especially susceptible to this greening because their tolerance to cannabis is much lower than a seasoned cannabis user.

Today we're going to explore a few ways to prevent greenout and what to do if you experience uncomfortable cannabis side effects.

Stop the Blunt Wraps

If you're trying to avoid feeling sick, mixing substances is never a good idea. Blunt wraps are usually made from tobacco leaves. The effects of tobacco and cannabis often cannot be optimally mixed and thus amplify any feelings of “greening out”. This is especially true for non-cigarette smokers. Blunts can also contain a large amount of cannabis, which can easily lead to overconsumption.

Those who like the heavy, hefty smoke can take advantage of tobacco-free alternatives. The palm leaf cones provide the same slow-burning effects of blunt wraps without the harshness of tobacco. They come in a variety of sizes to accommodate everyone in the cannabis community. And with these wraps no rolling is necessary. Just pack it and you are good to go.

Know your tolerance

You can avoid the overconsumption of THC and its negative effects by knowing your own tolerance. If you don't smoke often, the chances of “greening out” are considerably higher. Taking even one heroic dab or giant bong rip has a high chance of setting off a greenout.

By setting limits in advance, you can track your intake. Give yourself a certain amount of time between puffs to make sure you can handle another puff.

Hydrate and eat plenty of food for fuel

Dehydration can increase the effects of such greening, so water should be used as both preventive and diagnostic care. Health experts usually recommend drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day. If you don't achieve that goal, you increase the chances of experiencing a “greening out”.

A meal can also help keep the weed from hitting you too hard. You know your own body best, but sometimes a hot plate of your favorite comfort food can be the best medicine.

If you're already experiencing a green-out episode, drinking a glass of water will definitely give you a boost in the right direction. In the same vein, surrendering to the munchies and having a meal will usually further ease your body and experience.

Watch out for the edibles

Edibles can cause some of the worst green-out situations. Edibles can take up to two or more hours to take effect. For this reason, some people assume that the cannabis-enriched cookie they ate was not very strong and decide to eat another one. Then, a double dose of effects strikes at once, often causing them to be immobile or asleep.

Watch out for the edibles to avoid "greening out"
Watch out for the edibles to avoid a “greening out” (afb.)

You can avoid this unfortunate situation by being extra careful about edibles and the amount of THC you consume. Edibles purchased at retail outlets are the safest to use when possible. They have been carefully tested for THC content, so you know exactly what you are consuming. Most home-made cannabis products don't offer this reassuring knowledge and measured dose, so they can be stronger than you originally intended.

CBD and terpenes

Although not fully confirmed, point out many theories and anecdotal evidence on CBD's ability to reduce the negative effects of THC overconsumption. Puffing on cannabis strains that contain significant amounts of both CBD containing THC can help prevent a “greening out”. The effects of cannabis seem to be best when all the components of the plant are present. This phenomenon is also called the 'entourage effect'.

Likewise, certain terpenes are known to help mitigate the effects of greening. One of these terpenes, caryophyllene, is found in black pepper and certain types of cannabis. It is known for its spicy, woody aromas and has been shown to cannabis caused anxiety calms down. If you start to feel nauseous or anxious after smoking, eating a snack with black pepper (or even smelling herbs) can help calm you down.

Change your environment

Your environment will often play a big role in causing a green out. If you feel negative effects coming, it may be good to change your environment. Getting out into nature or just laying down in a quiet room can often soothe your senses, especially if you were in a noisy party environment before that. Likewise, breathing in some fresh air will certainly put you at ease (especially if you previously sat in a warm room).

If all else fails, just sleep it off. A nice long nap is almost always sufficient. Be careful though, because your body may want more sleep than you are used to at that point!

Wash it off

If you're already starting to feel the effects of a greenout, a steamy shower may be all you need to calm down. In a similar way, a cool shower will help those who break a sweat on a greenout. Either way, you will usually come out soothed and refreshed.

Marijuana gives people relief and joy. But as with any good thing, too much of it can actually have negative effects. The next time you're about to embark on an epic smoking session, consider your tolerance and current hydration levels before getting started. Take precautions such as avoiding tobacco if you are not used to it, eating well and controlling your THC intake so that you can avoid such “greening out”.

Sources including CannaConnection (EN), GreenMarketReport (EN), TheFreshToast(EN)

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