Greening out is acute cannabis overconsumption. In most cases the THC itself is not life threatening, but the person feels terrible: dizzy, nauseated, panicky, and sometimes convinced they are dying. First aid at home means keeping them calm, seated or lying on their side, hydrated, and watched until the high fades. Call 911 if they cannot be woken, breathe slowly or irregularly, have chest pain, or seize.
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Signs of Greening Out
- Nausea, vomiting, or dry heaving
- Dizziness, a spinning room, trouble standing
- Fast heartbeat, sweating, cold clammy hands
- Pale or gray skin
- Panic, racing thoughts, fear of dying
- Confusion, slurred speech, slowed reactions
- Headache, shakiness, or chills
Before You Start
- A quiet room with dim light
- Water or an electrolyte drink
- A charged phone in case you need to call for help
- The time they used and roughly how much, if you know it
- A note of any other substances taken, including alcohol, prescriptions, or supplements
Step-by-Step First Aid
- Sit the person down or lay them on their side in a quiet room.
- Stay with them and speak in a low, steady voice.
- Tell them plainly that this is a drug effect, that it peaks and passes, and that you will stay.
- Write down the time they used and how much, if known.
- Loosen anything tight at the neck or chest.
- Offer small sips of water or an electrolyte drink.
- Place a cool damp cloth on the forehead or back of the neck.
- Turn them fully onto their side if they feel sick or start to vomit.
- Dim the lights and cut out loud noise, screens, and music.
- Offer a plain snack such as crackers or toast if they can swallow.
- Check breathing and how easily they wake every 10 to 15 minutes.
- Keep them resting for at least an hour after the worst symptoms ease.
What Not to Do
- Do not give more cannabis, including a second edible or a vape.
- Do not try to make them vomit.
- Do not give alcohol, caffeine, or energy drinks.
- Do not use a cold shower or ice bath.
- Do not leave them alone or let them sleep face down.
- Do not let them drive, bike, or walk home alone.
Call 911 If
- They cannot be woken or are hard to rouse
- Breathing is slow, shallow, or irregular
- There is chest pain, a seizure, or a fainting collapse
- Vomiting will not stop or they cannot keep fluids down
- Lips or fingertips turn blue or gray
- Confusion gets worse instead of better
If the person is awake, breathing normally, and simply miserable, you can also call a poison control center for guidance on whether to go to an emergency room.
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How Long It Lasts
Inhaled cannabis peaks in about 10 to 30 minutes and eases over 2 to 4 hours. Edibles are slower and longer: onset runs 30 minutes to 2 hours, the peak lands around 2 to 4 hours, and effects can last 6 to 8 hours or more. A heavy edible dose can keep someone uncomfortable for most of a day. There is no antidote. Rest, fluids, and time do the work.
After the Symptoms Pass
Keep the person resting for another hour before they stand up and move around. Have them eat something bland and drink more water. Do not let them take more cannabis that day, since a second dose on top of a full one often restarts the whole episode. With edibles, watch for a second wave of symptoms as more of the dose absorbs. See a clinician afterward if there was chest pain, a seizure, fainting, or vomiting that lasted more than a few hours.