Whitey (drugs)
- This article is about the slang term 'whitey', for other uses see Whitey.
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Whitey is a slang term for when a recreational drug user, as a direct or indirect result of drug use (usually cannabis), begins to faint and usually faints. The term comes from the way one's skin turns pale during and after a fainting episode. While fainting is usually only a problem for those with low blood pressure, it can become possible for those without hypotension to faint after using cannabis or other drugs which have the short-term effect of lowering the blood pressure. Whiteying is perceived by the stoner subculture as the result of using too much cannabis within too short a period of time. In fact the factors that usually facilitate fainting, such as tiredness, lack of fluids and food, and a hot and humid environment, as well as natural hypotension, are just as important as the amount of cannabis involved. Therefore, one can experience a whitey having used only what may be regarded as a perfectly moderate dosage.
Experience
The experience of whiteying involves first a declining ability to walk or stand up straight, or at all, and feelings of light-headedness. The victim will be physically unable to stand up if the whitey is not treated and may have no choice but to sit or lie down in an appropriate place. If no treatment is available, a whitey can be overcome by lying down until it passes. However, this can take upwards of ten minutes, and afterwards the victim will probably still feel ill.
Treatment and avoidance
When using cannabis, one can avoid the unpleasant and potentially embarrassing experience of whiteying by taking appropriate steps hours or days before using the drug. Those with naturally low blood pressure should be particularly aware of this. Regular meals with enough carbohydrates should be eaten, and enough fluids (preferably plain water) should be consumed. Tiredness can be avoided by getting enough sleep. However, the amount of cannabis used is a factor also, so it is possible to whitey, despite not behaving in a way that facilitates it, by simply using a relatively excessive amount of cannabis. During your whitey, if you manage to distract yourself from the faintness and mind indulging high it may be overpassed. If sat down or lying you will sink into a deep trance from which sooner or later you will rapidly come out of and either vomit or faint. Lightweight/ first time stoners may also experience a shortness of breath.
If someone is 'whiteying' and they have lost all there colour and feels faint vomiting can be induced earlier by fourcing them to down cups of water one after the other, this feels uncomfortable but it speeds up the process and makes them feel better sooner. Once they have been sick they can just be left until they feel better; durig this time they make experience shaking and other obvious symptoms.
Popular culture
In the UK cannabis television documentary, Stoned in Suburbia, former international cannabis smuggler Howard Marks refers to an episode where he whiteyed after engaging in a smoking competition with some Germans on a book-promoting visit to Germany.