Dizziness and feeling of fainting after smoking? Whats wrong with me?

[LiveWacker]

Well around 2 days ago I smoked a bit in the morning. Ive smoked marijuana around 11-12 times now so I know how to smoke it properly. But 2 days ago I mean wow. I was lying on my bed playing my XB360 and then I decided to get up and have a glass of water(I was starting to feel a buzz until then). Immediatly I became extremely dizzy. My heart was beating at a crazy speed and I was shaking and sweating. My whole vision became blurry and I was losing my balance and I was on the verge of fainting. I was really scared cuz this had never happened to me before.

I was smoking out of a highlighter pipe that me and my friend made. I had already used it before without problems. Would I have maybe inhaled some plastic fumes? I doubt this since Ive already used the highlighter pipe on 2 occasions before without the symptoms I experienced 2 days ago.

Ive heard of Orthostatic hypotension that occurs when someone goes from a seated or lying down position to an upright position which causes a significant drop in blood pressure which could have some of the dizziness symptoms I had. Especially since my heart was beating at an abnormal rate because of the cannabis I had just smoked. (Which can cause abnormal blood flow to the brain, which can cause dizziness mixed with Orthostatic Hypotension.)

Has this ever happened to anyone else? I really want to smoke marijuana again and enjoy its effects but I am scared that I might experience this effects again. Am I normal or am I just messed up?

Any help or advice appreciated,

[kindprincess]

happens all the time, syptoms ease with time, pot messes with your bloodsugar/heart rate, blood pressure...

[kindprincess]

don't wrry bout it

[LiveWacker]

Are you sure its normal? I mean I was like on the verge of fainting...very unpleasent feeling. It had never happened to me before. The heart beat and blood pressure thing I knew was quite normal but then like shaking and feeling like I was gonna pass out was new to me. :-P

[birdgirl73]

People have all sorts of reactions to smoking weed, inlcuding fainting and dizziness, jitters and perspiration and agitation. Depends on the individual who's smoking, how he's feeling, and how the weed affects him. I'm sure it also depends a lot on the strain you're smoking and what its sativa vs indica content is.

Consider your response easily within the realm of normal from what I've read about responses to weed, albeit a strong enough response that it'd be wise to proceed cautiously the next time. You may find some interesting and reassuring info on one or both of these sites:
http://www.erowid.org/ (see Plants & Drugs/Cannabis)
http://www.norml.org/ (navigate to the Medical Use area)

[Breukelen advocaat]

Has this ever happened to anyone else? I really want to smoke marijuana again and enjoy its effects but I am scared that I might experience this effects again. Am I normal or am I just messed up?
Any help or advice appreciated,

I started smoking a long time ago. Over the past 10 years, the stuff has changed drastically - not just in potency, but in side effects like the ones you described above. We're seeing these, and other, symptoms often on this board. I'm at a loss to explain it, other than much the stuff that's being grown is not "natural" anymore. It's probably not a question of indica or sativa, because they're being combined into hybrid strains.

We had really strong (mostly) imported stuff years ago, such as Thai, Black Gunji (from India), Hawaiian, all kinds of Hash, Hash Oil, etc., and I hung with a lot of smokers and dealers. We'd smoke it all, and often mixed them together in joints and pipes. I cannot remember anyone having problems with weed like we're seeing here on an almost daily basis, even when the domestics like "sensi", and others., started coming around in the late 70's and 80's.

That's why I've cut down to practically nothing for the time being. The problem is, at the very least, that these super-Sativa strains and hybrids are just difficult to use on a day-to-day basis, even for people that can handle very powerful varities. At worst, they have a bad effect - especially on people with relatively little experience, or those who have been out of the MJ loop for a long time.

[darkside]

its not necessarily the weed. if you get up quickly from a lying down position the blood will rush away from your brain into your lower extremities. weed causes dilation of blood vessels and lowers bp so it makes it more likely in some cases. you just had a headrush and panicked because you were high.

[ghettoBlunt]

i call those freebies:D

dont worry it happens to some people, dont get too anxious to jump off the couch and you wont get it...they do get sketchy tho

[orangeman]

I'd say you were just too high + had a panic attack. Being scared when high only makes shit worse. Especially with your paranoia thoughts. Dont worry, you'll get used to it and eventually asked what happened to the old effects you used to have when you werent used to being very high.

[LiveWacker]

Alright thanks alot guys, means alot to me and its pretty reasurring. I guess Ill try not to smoke alone anymore and Ill be more cuatious next time.

Thanks :-)

[dutch.lover]

its not necessarily the weed. if you get up quickly from a lying down position the blood will rush away from your brain into your lower extremities. weed causes dilation of blood vessels and lowers bp so it makes it more likely in some cases. you just had a headrush and panicked because you were high.

what these guys have been saying is true, getting up quickly can cause a headrush, coupled with the low blood pressure already from the weed already would definitely cause those symptoms. also, the act of smoking alone can cause headrushes because instead of your body inhaling oxygen, it's inhaling smoke so your brain might not be getting enuff oxygen= headrush. a few friends and i were smoking out of a third lung once when one of them blacked out from it. i'd say its just from the lack of oxygen/low bp.

[charmed quark]

It's a well know effect callled "positional hypotension" which means low blood pressure when you sit up. It's because THC dilates blood vessels. It's the same reason it can raise your heart rate.

I think some varieties may be more likely to cause this than others. Also, your suceptability to this may be higher than average, either because you were tired, had low blood sugar, or just have poorer blood pressure control.

[LiveWacker]

God damnit, it happened to me again yesterday. I feel so uncomfortable and dizzy and it lasted for hours. I really dunno if its my body or what. Its true I was smoking out of a gravity waterfall bong so I was moving alot but as soon as I sat down and took a rip I like got that dizzy feeling all over again. Damn it sucks. It happens like once every 3 times.

[burnable]

I notice the only times stuff like that happens to me is when I'm smoking alone. Maybe it happens when people are there too, but I don't notice it. You get more paranoid smoking alone.
it also happens when I'm sitting down only. usually it motivates me to exercise

[kindprincess]

happens to me at least once a day. just happened a second ago, as ammatter of fact; glad i was sitting here;)

love, kp:p

[lowryderulez]

i dont get faint but i do go pale in the face and people notice which sucks, but having said that, i get pale when i drink more than 5 pints, or if i exercise too much

[savagepossum]

I started smoking a long time ago. Over the past 10 years, the stuff has changed drastically - not just in potency, but in side effects like the ones you described above. We're seeing these, and other, symptoms often on this board. I'm at a loss to explain it, other than much the stuff that's being grown is not "natural" anymore. It's probably not a question of indica or sativa, because they're being combined into hybrid strains.

We had really strong (mostly) imported stuff years ago, such as Thai, Black Gunji (from India), Hawaiian, all kinds of Hash, Hash Oil, etc., and I hung with a lot of smokers and dealers. We'd smoke it all, and often mixed them together in joints and pipes. I cannot remember anyone having problems with weed like we're seeing here on an almost daily basis, even when the domestics like "sensi", and others., started coming around in the late 70's and 80's.

That's why I've cut down to practically nothing for the time being. The problem is, at the very least, that these super-Sativa strains and hybrids are just difficult to use on a day-to-day basis, even for people that can handle very powerful varities. At worst, they have a bad effect - especially on people with relatively little experience, or those who have been out of the MJ loop for a long time.

hey you seem to know quite alot about this could you list some strains which you smoked before things changed

[JackdaWack]

its not necessarily the weed. if you get up quickly from a lying down position the blood will rush away from your brain into your lower extremities. weed causes dilation of blood vessels and lowers bp so it makes it more likely in some cases. you just had a headrush and panicked because you were high.

100% correct, this happens with out smoking so smoking just increases your chances and aswell can make u panic. remeber always stay calm your weed is always your friend never an enemy.

If your blacking out from smoking and not moving your taking one hell of a bong rip. we use a 3 foot steam roller to do this, BFG!!!! BIg FUCKin ghost. smoke is so white...you get the point.

[Kilo0192]

I get those all time actually they are kinda weird like everything goes black and all tingly and such. When it happens to me I just take a couple deep breathes and it goes away. But sometimes I have to hold on to something otherwise I'll fall over, but I have grown used to it. Actually sometimes it's rather enjoyable kinda like a really harsh trip that only lasts a few secs.

[five0addict]

stop smoking out of plastic!!!

[nofx12345]

u should never re use a homemade piece
i know that feeling cause a month ago i was chilling with my friends and all we had was a old bong made out of a bottle, it drew ok but it had a plastic after taste to it. it made my brain feel like it was overfilled with fluid. it hurt pretty bad.
the lesson is dont reuse anything homemade (unless the homemade piece is made properly)
obviously the one you used wasent made well.

[Kilo0192]

:dance: bah plastic!!! I never smoke out of plastic well unless its a tempered plastic but thats different and its a bong so the smokes cooled before the plastic contact. :dance:

[shovlboy]

you sure you werent sittin too close to your XBOX360?

[CanGro]

Yay welcome to the world of the uber stoned.

What you exsperienced is commonly known as a whitey.

You get these feeling from being extremely high on certain strains of the ganga. Its nothing really to worry about, ive had states when ive acctually passed out.
The strain of ganga can cause different effects, but most cause your blood pressure to drop a little.
The name whitey came because people go white in the face, as you do when ur about to pass out.

Enjoy it is all i can say. Cause once your body gets used to the ganga(and not form smoking it 12 or so times). Im talking like me ive been smokin the bud for about 5-6 years and only had this effect when i first started to smoke or when ive gone long periods of time without smoking it.

Its all part of the *HIGH*

[LiveWacker]

Alright. Sounds reassuring. Its just that this doesnt last for a few minutes...this last for a good 1-2 hours. Ive noticed its worst when i sit down. Here is exacly what i did when this happened the other day:

Take a hit out of the gravity bong

Walked to the window blew smoke out window (My first one was a big hit...it was hurting my lungs and burning my throat so I was running to the window to blow the smoke out so it wouldnt smell in the house.)

Took another hit went to blow smoke out window.

Sat down on couch while watching TV and took 2-3 hits.

Immediatly after the feeling came over me and i felt like fainting and i felt dizzy and my head had a fucked up feeling for the next 1-2 hours.


Anyways whats funny is that i smoked the day before with the same cannabis and I had a nice pleasurebale high that lasted a while. I dunno if its the cannabis or the thing im smoking out of. This time it was a homemade waterfall gravity bong.

Oh well next time i guess i might try buying some from a different person. Or ill buy myself a pipe

[LiveWacker]

I also just remember that everytime it happened i had also smoked the day before...could theyre be a connection between smoking consecutivly 2 days in a row?

[ckoutlaw]

ive had that feeling. but whats worse is taking someones prescriptions sleep meds and then smoking a bunch of weed. i did that and when i stood up to go inside i felt likie i might faint. so i walked to the couch and sat down. i went blind for about 30 seconds (felt like an hour) and then i was nearly def for another 10. fucking scary. my heart was at a near stand still barely pumping. freaked me out man.

[ValkyrieAg]

I'm surprised noone has mentioned this....but....had you eaten before you smoked? I mean, you can get high with an empty stomach, but if you really get blazed, it hits you hard. One time I hadn't eaten or drank ANYTHING since 4pm the day before, and it was already noon, we planned on bbq so we went to the store and I passed out in the store. That was early on in my smoking carreer...but if i really want to get bombed, i try to at least have something to drink/eat before/during.

[LiveWacker]

Nahh i hadnt eaten much before...maybe just some cereal. And i never smoked enormously...only like 1 big hit and maybe 3-4 other ones after.

[Left]

questions that may confirm my suspisions: Is your urine yellow or clear? Does it happen only when you smoke or other times when you get up from a resting position? If you answered both of thoes questions yes then i believe the answer you seek is dehydration. Dehydration can cause dissyness and/or a blacking out effect that can sometims be quite strong and last for multiple seconds when you stand up that causes disorientation and a slight recovery time untill you return to a normal feeling. This is accompanied by a throbbing feeling in your head especially as well as the rest of your body. Drink more water and try not to drink so much caffine drinks because caffine is a diuretic and will dehydrate you further. Its easy to assume that its the use of drugs but, as with many problems that are blamed on substance use, the problem is often somthing else that is easy to achieve through many users life style and state of mind.

[LiveWacker]

Wow thats a great hypothesis. I rarely ever drink water...and I mean never. Only sunny delight chocolate mil ankd regular milk. Good point. Ill try drinking alot more water and see if it helps. Thanks. :)

[amoin0130]

ive been getting the same highs as "livewacker." its only been occuring my last 3 times ive smoked, but previously before that ive been fine and not feeeling these effects. I dont know why it happens.

But the high is exactly like "livewackers" I really want 2 continue smoking marijuana but im afraid to continue because of what has been happening. Could it be because i did not eat before i smoked?
Someone please help me.

i really appreciate it ! , if u can, message me or just reply back

thank you!

[naturesmeds]

ROFLMAO
In the 60s & 70s we would have called you a lightweight.
NE1 remember Kent State?
(guess you'd have to of been there)

enjoy!

[amoin0130]

is ther somtin 2 eat/drink before smoking to prevent the whitey high from coming again? cuz i didnt eat before smoking the past few times and i got this high .

[GaiaGreen]

I just starting getting the same symptoms that you are having. I dont know if it is a panic attack or blood preasure level drop or increase.

[Drrailed]

I have been smokin' bowls like a chieftain in Cali for twelve years... I have seen my share of pass outs from new-B smokers to the old school. I myself one time would take such large fatties that it would nearly cause asphyxiation, almost seemed like a collapsed lung. I don't do that any more however I do get the woo wooh's and so do most the people I know who smoke buds.

My sole opinion is that you need to freekin' exhale Stoner!!! Your not breathing your holding a rip while "positional hypo-tension" is occurring essentially passing yourself out through asphyxiation.

And the headache for hours thing, if you are not it California there are good odds that your weed is chemical ridden and could not get sold in Cali, so they renamed it and shipped it out to any. And if your not in the U.S. I have no idea.

Another thing stop using the gravity bong its so forceful man, if you have to smoke chemy crap then get a vaporizer to minimize bodily harm.

Good luck,

True Cowboy Stoner,

Drrailed

[Drrailed]

Or you could be hypoglycemic or have diabetes.. that would do it too I'm sure.

[JackAnderson]

Hi,
I think you need a doctor as this is not normal problem and you should quit smoking.

[malclyps]

...Or ill buy myself a pipe

Now THAT sounds like a good plan, friend. :thumbsup:

[reverandbanana]

Are you sure its normal? I mean I was like on the verge of fainting...very unpleasent feeling. It had never happened to me before. The heart beat and blood pressure thing I knew was quite normal but then like shaking and feeling like I was gonna pass out was new to me. :-P

I woulnt worry about it, only worry and take care when you feel in the above state.

What im saying is - ive smoked it for years and still have had this sympton on a number of occasions.

Take this for example, i was stoned, chilling on my bed then friends phoned to say do i want to go for a cruise, i jumped up off the bed and went to the shower to clean my self up and get ready to go out cruising...

Well - i had my shower and went back to my bedroom, lit my joint and finished it off... i was sat there stoned again and decided to relax on my bed until my friends came to pick me up, then booom - as soon as i laid down the room started spinning, i felt nautious and dizzy, couldnt stand up and started swetting - i was like, wow... so i just laid there until i felt ok - doesnt happen much but its down to blood pressure and the sudden standing up or laying down... after say 30mins i was fine...

Dont worry

[SmokeNRun]

Damn I wish when I first started that I could have had the verity that is available today. I actually like feeling this feeling because then you know you are REALLY high!! I get it from time to time depending on the quality of the strain, but no where near the feelings I used to get when I started 13 years ago. And back then I was getting that feeling from shwag because thats all we could get. I didn't start smoking the good shit until probably 3 or 4 years ago. So I quite some time to build my tolerance. That is why I could never get all the damn panic attack stories that I've been hearing. But I never had this type of quality back when I first started, so I guess that explains why we have been seeing so many stories about kids freaking out, thinking they are tripping and shit. Because they are noobies and shouldn't be trying the top shelf to start out.

[Dutch Pimp]

Damn I wish when I first started that I could have had the verity that is available today. I actually like feeling this feeling because then you know you are REALLY high!! I get it from time to time depending on the quality of the strain, but no where near the feelings I used to get when I started 13 years ago. And back then I was getting that feeling from shwag because thats all we could get. I didn't start smoking the good shit until probably 3 or 4 years ago. So I quite some time to build my tolerance. That is why I could never get all the damn panic attack stories that I've been hearing. But I never had this type of quality back when I first started, so I guess that explains why we have been seeing so many stories about kids freaking out, thinking they are tripping and shit. Because they are noobies and shouldn't be trying the top shelf to start out.
I agree....:thumbsup:...the further back you go...the more you enjoy, now!

[GaGrown]

I want some of that!:thumbsup:

[TheSmokingMonkey]

Wow thats a great hypothesis. I rarely ever drink water...and I mean never. Only sunny delight chocolate mil ankd regular milk. Good point. Ill try drinking alot more water and see if it helps. Thanks. :)

This happens to me because I get hypoglycemic from smoking weed - which is actually quite common and could be seen as a benefit depending on one's medical needs (and also causes the munchies). I just need to eat some fruit before I smoke or at least have had a meal within the hour beforehand. That's all it is. It's very scary when it happens and seems abnormal, because I completely lost consciousness once and fainted, but if I am good about eating first, it doesn't happen at all.

You got really good advice on this one... and I know this was an older thread... but this is really familiar to me so I wanted to post anyway to help out future visitors.

[manjak]

I can't believe how old this forum is...But this was the first link I found when I typed it into google, I've been smoking every day for 5 years now and this shit only happen to me for the first time yesterday!!! I was soooo scared that I thought I was seriously gonna die, but it all passed within 30 minutes, it happend just like the guy said on the forum post!

So I smoked like half the joint didn't even get stoned, layed down on my bed and carried on watching a movie all calm no jumping up or anything (like most of you claim to be the cause) I was just laying down pillow back of my head so I could see the TV [5 mins later] it came on out of nowhere but I'd like to add another detail which I guess is the same as saying I got dizzy but the feeling just before the dizzyness was like a HOT rush in my head and then the blurring vision together with dizzyness and then I noticed the heart beating like mad...Luckily I was with someone and they were told me to breath in through my nose and out my mouth which worked! it slowly calmed me down and and I was ok....but then followed the shaking, I started shaking big time uncontrollable...But then after I turned to the side, relaxed it disappeared like nothin ever happen.

This was by far the scariest shit I've ever experienced after smoking (I've been smoking everyday for 5 years!) I would really like to understand what happend there, it feels as though a blood vessel is getting clogged or some shit like that, like someone mentioned the blood pressure dropping, whatever it is, it only lasts a short time.

I know I should have mentioned this at the start but I'm guessing it's unlikely this has anything to do with it seeing as none of you mentioned it... I had the flu/cold at the time (runny nose, a little coughing and a strange pressure feeling on the head when u bend over lol :-S). If someone has seen a doctor or actually knows what the fuck this is, please, please share your wisdom!