Can you overdose on weed?

Marijuana, also known as weed, is becoming more common as it’s legalized in many U.S. states, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. While most people know marijuana can cause a high, fewer realize that taking too much can trigger uncomfortable and potentially dangerous side effects.

Although fatal weed overdose is rare, it’s still possible to experience adverse outcomes after consuming too much marijuana. This page highlights the signs and symptoms of marijuana overdose and how to get effective treatment for the misuse of this controlled substance.

Can You Overdose on Weed?

Can you overdose from weed, then? It’s unlikely that someone will have a fatal overdose from marijuana, but it is still possible to take too much of the drug and experience negative effects.

Marijuana contains a chemical called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is what makes people feel high after using the drug. [1] When you consume too much THC, your body and mind can react badly. This is sometimes referred to a marijuana overdose or cannabis overdose, even though it isn’t typically life-threatening like other drug overdoses.

The effects of a weed overdose can be physical and mental. Physically, someone might feel dizzy, nauseous, or have a fast heartbeat. Mentally, they could feel anxious, confused, or paranoid. These symptoms can be scary, especially for someone who isn’t used to the drug or has taken a much higher dose than normal. Eating marijuana in the form of edibles, for instance, can be riskier – it takes longer to feel the effects which can lead to consuming more than intended.

Even though a marijuana overdose is seldom deadly, it may lead to accidents or risky behaviors. When a person is severely impaired, their coordination and judgment are affected, making activities like driving dangerous.

What Is Greening Out?

Greening out is a term used to express a reaction where someone becomes physically ill after using too much marijuana. It’s similar to an overdose but often involves more obvious physical symptoms. Greening out can happen to anyone, but it’s more likely to occur in people who are new to marijuana or who consume too much at once. This is especially common when people mix the drug with alcohol or other substances – this polydrug use can amplify the effects and trigger more serious symptoms. [2]

When someone greens out, they may feel dizzy or nauseous. It’s not uncommon for people to vomit or feel so weak that they have to lie down. Some may even faint after consuming too much weed. Greening out can also involve intense anxiety or paranoia, making the experience distressing and unnerving. Symptoms usually subside with time but greening out can be a frightening experience.

If you or someone you know consumes too much marijuana, find a safe and quiet place to rest. Greening out is not normally dangerous, but you should seek medical attention if the symptoms are severe or don’t go away.

Medical Emergencies Related to Marijuana Use

Although some people view marijuana as a relatively safe drug, it can still lead to medical emergencies, especially when used in large amounts or mixed with other substances. The most common marijuana-related emergencies involve extreme physical or psychological reactions. Some people experience panic attacks, hallucinations, or psychotic episodes after consuming too much weed. [3] These symptoms can be terrifying, causing the person to feel out of control or disconnected from reality.

Physical emergencies are also possible. Marijuana use can increase your heart rate, which may be dangerous for people with heart conditions or other underlying health problems. In rare cases, increased heart combined with high blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular complications or a heart attack. People with breathing problems like asthma may also experience issues after smoking marijuana, as it can irritate the lungs.

Edible marijuana products – gummies, or brownies, for instance – are more likely to cause medical emergencies because the effects take longer to kick in. This delay prompts some people to take more than intended, provoking an intense and prolonged high that can be overwhelming. Since it can take hours for the body to fully process the THC from edibles, symptoms like nausea, anxiety, or dizziness may last longer than with smoked marijuana.

Seek medical help immediately in any situation where someone is experiencing severe symptoms. Emergency responders can monitor the person’s condition and provide supportive care to ease symptoms, such as calming them down, helping them breathe more easily, or giving medications to reduce anxiety.

Can You Die From THC?

For those wondering, “Can you die from weed”, it’s rare for someone to die from THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, but that doesn’t mean there are no risks. Unlike alcohol or opioids, marijuana doesn’t normally suppress breathing or heart function to a deadly level. Resultantly, there have been no confirmed cases of someone dying directly from consuming too much THC. [4]

That said, marijuana may still bring about dangerous situations that could result in death indirectly. Someone high may make poor decisions like driving under the influence. Driving while impaired by marijuana greatly increases the risk of a car accident, which could be fatal for the driver, passengers, or others on the road. Beyond this, marijuana can impair judgment in other ways, prompting people to engage in risky behaviors that they might avoid when sober.

In rare cases, THC may cause extreme health issues, especially in those with pre-existing conditions – as outlined above, marijuana can raise blood pressure and heart rate dangerously.

So, although deaths from THC do not frequently occur, risks exist, and marijuana use should be avoided or moderated.

Understanding Marijuana Overdose

A marijuana overdose happens when someone consumes more THC than their body can handle, leading to uncomfortable or harmful symptoms. Unlike overdoses from drugs like opioids which can be fatal, marijuana overdoses are not typically life-threatening, but they can be serious and distressing.

People may experience an array of symptoms during a marijuana overdose.

Physical symptoms include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Dizziness

• Racing heart

Mental symptoms include:

• Intense anxiety

• Paranoia

• Hallucinations

The effects are often stronger and longer-lasting if the person consumed an edible – it takes longer for the body to process THC from food than smoking.

Not everyone reacts in the same way to marijuana. Tolerance, body weight, and overall health play roles in how much THC a person can handle safely. Those who are new to marijuana or people with underlying health conditions are much more likely to experience negative effects, especially if they take too much of the drug too quickly.

If someone is unable to communicate, disoriented, or experiencing breathing issues and chest pain, get help immediately. Although most marijuana overdoses can be managed at home by resting in a calm environment, severe symptoms may require medical intervention.

The Science Behind THC Overdose

THC is the main psychoactive compound found in marijuana that causes the characteristic high. When someone consumes marijuana in any form, THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body. [5] These receptors are part of the body’s natural endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate pain, mood, memory, and appetite.

In normal amounts, THC creates the desired effects like euphoria or relaxation. When someone consumes too much THC, though, it overwhelms the system. This is what leads to the symptoms of a marijuana overdose – confusion, dizziness, or paranoia. The brain’s normal balance is thrown off, and the person may feel out of control or experience frightening thoughts.

Edibles in particular increase the chances of THC overdose. Smoking marijuana causes THC to enter the bloodstream quickly, and the effects are almost immediate. This allows people to gauge how high they are and stop if they feel they’ve had enough. With edibles, though, THC is absorbed less directly via the digestive system – it can take up to 2 hours to feel the effects. This delay makes it easy to consume too much accidentally.

In recent years, the potency of marijuana has increased dramatically, with many strains containing very high levels of THC. This means even those who use the drug regularly could accidentally overdose. High-potency products like edibles and cannabis concentrates carry an increased risk of overwhelming the body’s ability to process THC.

The body eventually clears THC from the system, but the symptoms can feel extreme and last for hours during an overdose.

Weed Overdose Symptoms

Symptoms of weed overdose can be uncomfortable and disorienting, although they can usually be managed at home.

Common physical symptoms of a weed overdose include:

• Extreme dizziness

• Rapid heartbeat

• Nausea or vomiting

• Shaking

• Dry mouth

Common mental symptoms of weed overdose include:

• Fear or paranoia

• Confusion

• Hallucinations

• Loss of control

If someone is experiencing severe symptoms – especially confusion, breathing issues, or chest pain seek medical help.

Risks and Health Effects of Too Much Weed

Using too much marijuana can lead to both short-term and long-term health risks. In the short term, high doses of THC can impair your ability to function normally. You might find it hard to think, make decisions, or perform tasks like driving which require coordination. This can lead to accidents or injuries, as marijuana slows your reaction time and affects your judgment.

Another risk stems from the way marijuana interacts with the body. It can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, which can be dangerous for those with heart complications.

Long-term marijuana use can also impact your lungs, especially if you smoke it. Marijuana smoke contains harmful chemicals that can irritate the lungs and lead to breathing problems like chronic bronchitis. [6] Over time, smoking weed may lead to similar lung issues to those seen in tobacco smokers.

Addiction Risk

Although some people believed that marijuana is not addictive, research shows that someone can develop dependence on the drug – this is described clinically as cannabis use disorder or marijuana use disorder. This condition occurs when someone relies on marijuana to feel normal or cope with everyday life.

Signs of weed addiction include:

• Needing more marijuana to deliver the initial effects (tolerance)

• Spending lots of time using or thinking about marijuana

• Difficulty moderating use or quitting, even when you want to

• Using marijuana regardless of adverse outcomes

People who use marijuana daily are more likely to develop dependence. When someone dependent on weed stops using the drug, they experience withdrawal symptoms like irritability, insomnia, appetite loss, and anxiety. Marijuana withdrawal is not as severe as opioid or alcohol withdrawal, but it can still make quitting difficult.

Long-Term Effects of Marijuana

Long-term marijuana use can have lasting effects on the body and mind. Regular use can impact brain development, especially starting at a young age. Studies show that teens who use marijuana frequently may experience problems with learning, memory, and attention. [7] These effects can last even after the person stops using the drug, potentially affecting school work or performance.

Chronic marijuana use may also affect mental health. Regular use increases the risk of developing depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders. There is also some evidence that marijuana, especially in large amounts, may trigger psychotic episodes in people who are already at risk.

The physical effects of long-term weed use include respiratory problems for those who smoke the drug. Weed smoke contains harmful chemicals that can irritate the lungs and increase the risk of infections.

Impaired Relationships & Quality of Life

Marijuana use can have a powerful impact on relationships and overall quality of life, especially in those who use the drug frequently or become dependent on it.

Many people who use marijuana heavily find it harder to maintain close relationships with friends, family, or partners. They may prioritize using the drug over spending time with loved ones, or their marijuana use may cause conflicts in their relationships.

Beyond this, marijuana can affect motivation and productivity. This mainly affects people who use the drug heavily at the expense of their goals and responsibilities.

Marijuana use may also cause legal and financial problems. In places where the drug is illegal, getting caught with marijuana may result in fines, jail time, and a criminal record. Even in states where it’s legal, the irresponsible use of marijuana – such as driving under the influence – can end in legal trouble.

If you find that marijuana is negatively impacting your life, seeking help from a professional can make a major difference in getting back on track.

Get Insurance-Covered Addiction Treatment at Renaissance Recovery

If you have been misusing marijuana or any other addictive substance, we can help you get back on track at Renaissance Recovery. We work with all major health insurers.

We treat all addictions in an outpatient setting at our luxury rehabs in California and Florida, enabling you to live at home and carry on at work while getting effective, compassionate addiction treatment. 

Every addiction is unique, so all treatment plans at Renaissance are personalized. Therapies include:

• Counseling
• Talk therapies
• Motivational therapies
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
• Holistic treatments
• Aftercare

Begin your recovery from addiction by calling 866.330.9449.

Sources 

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563174

[2] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2020.00569/full

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9448725/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425742/

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5877694/

[6] https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/health-effects/marijuana-and-lung-health

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3930618/