Why do some people feel sick when they get high?

Have you ever been too high? It’s an experience most common in our youths when we’re still learning how much cannabis our bodies can handle. 

Chances are many of us have crossed the line and greened out.

 

What is greening out? It’s a bit of slang for consuming too much cannabis. The feeling of nausea, unease, and other discomforting symptoms. While it isn’t always the case, sometimes it ends up in vomiting.

 

Not everyone who’s smoked pot will go through this experience. Furthermore, the experience of greening out can be quite particular from individual to individual. Throughout this article, we’re going to explore the science behind greening out and what you can do to avoid it.

 

What is Greening Out?

 

We’ve already established that greening out is a dizzying sensation that’s often followed by paranoia and vomiting. One particular study found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) also increased heart rates and reduced blood pressure as blood vessels were dilated.

 

Other experiences of greening out can include:

  • Chills or sweats
  • Lack of focus
  • Lack of mobility
  • Limb heaviness
  • Nausea

 

While many people will have different experiences greening out, there’s a general consensus of feeling sick or unwell. In extreme cases, some people may have mild hallucinations - similar to those brought on from other psychedelic experiences, such as psilocybin mushrooms and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

 

The sensation of greening out can be quite overwhelming. So much so, you may feel as though your body is in danger or you’re on the verge of death. However, it’s important to remember that there has never been a report of an overdose from cannabis.

 

With that said, as long as cannabis is the only substance you’ve used, medical care usually isn’t required. However, if you’ve combined cannabis with alcohol or stronger substances (i.e. cocaine, prescription medication, etc.), then you may want to receive medical attention.

 

Not to mention, the sensations you’re experiencing aren’t going to last forever. Timeframes for greening out vary, but no one ever goes through it for more than a couple of hours. Obviously, time can feel like it’s slowed down when you’re high and, in turn, you may feel as though the sensations will never end.

 

This is the importance of having knowledge behind greening out. Knowing there is an end to the entire experience will likely ease some apprehension and, hopefully, reduce feelings of unwellness.

 

Why Do People Green Out?

 

As you can imagine, there is a science behind why someone will experience these unsettling sensations. Unfortunately, research concerning cannabis and cannabinoids is fairly limited. With that, we don’t have a complete understanding of

 

how the process works. Still, we have a pretty solid idea.Within our bodies is an endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system process through cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors (CB1 and CB2 receptors) and is responsible for a number of day-to-day functions, such as our appetite, mood, memory, pain, and sleep. The ECS contains endocannabinoids - molecules made by the body to keep everything running smoothly. Scientists have identified two key endocannabinoids as of this time:

 

  • Anandamide (AEA)

 

  • 2-arachidonolyglyerol (2-AG)

 

These endocannabinoids bind to either the CB1 or CB2 receptor in order to communicate experiences throughout our body. For example, if you’re feeling pain, endocannabinoids may target CB1 receptors in order to provide relief.

 

The cannabinoids found in cannabis (known as phytocannabinoids) have an extremely similar chemical makeup to our endocannabinoids. In turn, they can easily interact with our ECS when we consume cannabis products.³THC, in particular, attaches itself to CB1 receptors.

 

When we consume too much THC, these CB1 receptors can become overwhelmed and, in turn, make us feel sick.4 The symptoms that persist from greening out are determined by a number of factors, including:

 

  • Your physiological makeup

 

  • Your tolerance to cannabis

 

  • The potency of the cannabis you’ve consumed

 

Since CB1 receptors are located in the brain and are primarily responsible for regulating and controlling the brain’s limbic and reward circuitry, feelings of paranoia aren’t too surprising. Furthermore, when our brains are overwhelmed with stimuli, it’s completely natural for our bodies to also experience a reaction.

 

Will Greening Out Cause Damage?

 

As of this time, there is no evidence that cannabis intoxication in and of itself will cause short-term (immediate) damage to you. However, if you struggle with an underlying medical condition, there are situations where cannabis can aggravate your health. For example, if you take sleeping medication to get a good night’s sleep, cannabis may suppress breathing.

 

There are also instances where cannabis may cause some individuals to participate in dangerous behaviors. We’ve all heard stories of someone getting too high and jumping out of a window to their death. Obviously, this is far from the truth and not what we’re talking about.

 

Rather, those intoxicated by cannabis may feel it’s okay to operate a motor vehicle. You should avoid this at all costs as it also puts other people’s lives at risk. Furthermore, if you are greening out, it may be best to stay in one place (i.e. a couch or bed). Since many people lack their bodily motor skills when greening out, some may be prone to accidents that can be harmful.

 

We understand that greening out is an alarming experience. However, we can safely say that there’s no evidence that smoking too much cannabis will cause any short-term damage to your brain and body. Still, it’s worth mentioning that there have been observed long-term consequences to cannabis use. If you find yourself greening out on a regular basis, it may be in your best interest to avoid THC altogether. Luckily, cannabis offers other options through different cannabinoids - most notably, cannabidiol (CBD).

 

Can You Prevent Green Out Episodes?

 

People who have never tried cannabis before or are still new to its intoxication are most vulnerable to greening out. These individuals haven’t developed a tolerance to the plant nor have they matured an understanding of how much cannabis is too much for them.

 

It’s important to understand that a cannabis “high” affects everyone differently. For this reason, it’s most likely in your best interest to start with a low dose before and working your way up.

 

If you’re smoking cannabis, this may look like taking a puff or two from a joint in order to see how it makes you feel. It’s best to wait for at least a half-hour before consuming more as the effects of cannabis tend to drag on for that amount of time. If you find that you’re tolerating the “high” well, then, by all means, feel free to take a few more puffs. However, if you find that you’re feeling a bit anxious just from those puffs, it may be in your interest not to consume more.

 

Measuring out your cannabis dosage can be difficult as you never really know how much you’re inhaling. You may be interested in other consumption methods, such as cannabis edibles. However, it’s vital to understand that other consumption methods tend to affect the body differently. In the case of edibles, the “high” usually lasts a much longer period of time.

It can be beneficial to make sure you have enough food and water in your system prior to consuming cannabis. These will help your body absorb endocannabinoids and make for a more relaxed high. Of course, it’s also great to have plenty of water on hand as smoking tends to dry out our mouths.

 

Furthermore, it’s best to avoid other substances when you’re consuming cannabis - especially if you’re new to the plant. Most notably, you should stay away from alcohol as this tends to bring on dizzying sensations by itself.

 

Is There Anything I Can Do to Stop Myself From Getting Too High?

 

As much as we hate to admit it, there’s only so much that can be done to reverse a “high.” Luckily, cannabis intoxication doesn’t last too long (a few hours most) and remembering that it will be over shortly can bring some ease.

 

It can help to put yourself in a comfortable environment and make sure your body is receiving plenty of water. To take this further, if possible, be sure to surround yourself with people you can trust.

 

Cannabidiol (CBD) may be a remedy for decreasing a cannabis “high.” Some studies suggest CBD can help to balance out our ECS and, in turn, reduce the amount of a high we feel.5At the end of the day, if you continue to experience greening out, it may simply be in your best interest to avoid cannabis.

 

1 The Handbook of Experimental Psychology (HHS Public Access): Cardiovascular Pharmacology of Cannabinoids: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2228270/

 

2  Biological Psychiatry (HHS Public Access): An introduction to the endogenous cannabinoid system: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789136/

 

3  International Journal of Molecular Sciences: Cannabis, the Endocannabinoid System and Immunity - the Journey from the Bedside to the Bench and Back: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352399/

 

4  British Journal of Pharmacology (BJP): The diverse CB1 and CB2 receptor pharmacology of three plant cannabinoids: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2219532/

 

5  Frontiers in Psychiatry: Does Cannabidiol Protect Against Adverse Psychological Effects of THC? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3797438/

Written and Published By Paul James in Weed World Magazine issue 152

Image: Unsplashed

Nik Shuliahin