What Are Weed Shakes and Why Do They Happen?

When you consume large amounts of cannabis, you may experience trembling or shaking, as if you are cold. These are colloquially known as “weed shakes” or simply “the shakes.” Like freezing temperatures, anxiety can cause uncontrollable shaking or trembling. When consumed in higher doses, THC-rich cannabis can cause anxiety or paranoia, which may result in jitteriness or shakiness.

But don’t worry: cannabis shakes are most likely safe. However, it is always advisable to speak with an MMJ card doctor before beginning to use marijuana for medical reasons.

What Exactly Are Weed Shakes?

Weed shakes are involuntary muscle spasms and tremors that can occur after consuming large amounts of cannabis. While shakes associated with alcohol withdrawal or other serious health issues can be frightening, cannabis shakes are less so. These tremors indicate that your nervous system is somewhat overwhelmed by anxiety caused by too much THC.

Cannabis has a high safety profile, and while there is no formal research on weed shakes, anecdotal evidence suggests they are relatively common and generally harmless. The shakes, like other negative side effects of excessive cannabis consumption, such as nausea and increased heart rate, usually go away quickly.

Causes

Many factors may contribute to the onset of weed-induced muscle spasms.

Cold Environment

Cannabis reduces body temperature through a “THC-induced hypothermia” effect, making you feel colder in already cold conditions. However, these chills are only a slight drop in baseline body temperature, which can be remedied with a blanket or a hot shower. Your body may be shivering because you are cold.

Overstimulation

Stimulants such as nicotine or caffeine from soda or coffee stimulate the nervous system, increasing the amount of dopamine in the blood.

If you frequently consume stimulants and experience the shakes, it is likely that the stimulant is contributing to your tremor.

Anxiety

Numerous studies have documented the anxiety and paranoia that can result from consuming too much THC-rich cannabis, which can overstimulate the amygdala and heighten your fear and anxiety. Some people are more sensitive to these reactions than others, and nervousness can cause the shakes. If this happens, do something to help you stay calm; the tremors will pass.

Too Much THC

Weed shakes are frequently the result of cannabis overconsumption. While the term “overdose” may sound frightening, there are numerous methods for calming down after a particularly strong high.

How Long Do Weed Shakes Last?

Fortunately, the shakes and tremors associated with cannabis do not last long, though the duration of the phenomenon varies depending on the amount taken and how it was consumed. According to anecdotal reports, the shakes should go away after about 20 minutes of smoking or vaping. However, edibles’ highs last much longer, and tremors can last for up to an hour.

If you have more serious symptoms or underlying health conditions, consult your doctor to learn more about how cannabis affects your body. A few changes to your dose, cultivar type (also known as “strain”), or a small dose of CBD may help alleviate the overwhelming effects of too much THC.

Effective Remedies to Manage Weed Shakes

1. Get Up and Move Around

Stand up, move around, or do something simple to distract yourself. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by weed shakes, a literal change of pace may be enough to get them under control. Take slow, deep breaths, or try other relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.

Moving around and refocusing your energy will help you ground in your body and stretch your tight muscles.

2. Adjust Your Environment

The setting is critical to any cannabis experience, so change if your current environment causes weed-induced anxiety.

Move to a different room, turn on some soothing music, or dim the lights. Moving away from a social situation may help calm your nerves and stop the shakes if you are with others.

3. Avoid Stimulants

Avoid combining stimulants (e.g., caffeine, tobacco) with cannabis, as this will help keep your nervous system calm and reduce tremors.

4. Switch Strains

The amount of THC in a specific cultivar may be to blame for your anxiety and, as a result, the “weed shakes” that accompany it. If this is the case, switching to a different variety with less THC or more CBD and terpenes like pinene and linalool, which partially mitigate the effects of THC, may be more beneficial to your nervous system.

There are hundreds of cannabis cultivars available, many of which have a terpene and cannabinoid profile that is more conducive to relaxation and less likely to cause twitching. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your budtender for recommendations.

5. Add More CBD

As previously stated, CBD can help reduce the high experience of THC and prevent anxiety-induced shakes. Choosing a strain with higher CBD levels and a more even CBD:THC ratio will reduce anxiety-induced muscle tremors and result in a more enjoyable experience.

Conclusion

Weed shakes can be frightening, but they are a non-threatening side effect of cannabis with numerous treatments and precautions. Be aware of your body’s interaction with cannabis, and you can easily avoid experiencing weed shakes while receiving the medication you require. 

If you are considering adding medical marijuana to your regimen, obtaining a Norman medical marijuana card is essential because it will allow you to legally access medical marijuana in your state and prevent you from facing legal ramifications.