What are the Weed Shakes and What You Need to Know About Them
If you're a cannabis consumer, then you've probably heard of weed shakes. But what are they? What causes them? And most importantly, should you be worried about them? In this blog post, we'll answer all those questions and more. So sit back and relax – we've got you covered!
What are the weed shakes and what causes them?
Not to be confused with shake weed, the weed shakes are an unfortunately common side effect of consuming too much cannabis that can leave users feeling uncoordinated, anxious, and generally uncomfortable. The specific cause is not known but it is believed to be linked to neuropsychological effects induced by the cannabinoids in cannabis such as THC.
These neuropsychological effects, specifically rapid changes in cognitive behavior experienced by users when consuming too much THC, can produce an excess of neural firings, resulting in unresolved agitation and the dreaded cannabis shakes.
In general, taking too much THC all at once, especially edibles, can lead to intense shaking as your body tries to process such a large quantity all at once.
Studies have shown that medical cannabis patients who consume higher levels of CBD have reported fewer occurrences of cannabis shakes and find cannabis strains with high levels of both THC and CBD more tolerable when experiencing this side effect.
They usually occur after consuming too much THC and can cause the smoker to experience muscle spasms and uncontrollable shaking of their arms and legs.
These shakes are oftentimes difficult to control, and the effects can range from mild to severe.
Although more research needs to be conducted on why this happens, it is believed that the too much THC alter how the body’s neurons communicate with each other to disrupt regular motor functioning.
Luckily, these shakes normally don't last for very long and will subside once the THC leaves your system.
What are the symptoms of the weed shakes?
Weed shakes are a common side-effect of cannabis use and too much THC. While they are usually not serious and short-lived, they can cause discomfort and in some cases limit activities. The classic symptom of cannabis shakes is shaking hands, which typically happens shortly after smoking weed.
Other physical symptoms may include trembling of the body, nausea, increased heart rate, sweating, dizziness, and increased stress on the nervous system.
Mental symptoms can include confusion and difficulty understanding or processing information.
Though experiences vary from person to person, most cannabis users find that the effects can last for up to an hour – and sometimes even longer if multiple amounts of cannabis were used at once.
Make sure you don't confuse these symptoms with underlying health conditions as these symptoms could also be contributed to the effects of low blood sugar for example.
If you experience any alarming symptoms or sensations when smoking weed, it's best to seek medical advice from your doctor as soon as possible. Remember that marijuana effects people in a multitude of ways. Anecdotal evidence suggests too much marijuana can cause intense effects on your endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptors, and emotional state. If you have any feelings of over stimulation, feeling anxious, involuntary muscle spasms, or a slight drop body heat/body temperature then relax for a few hours. Your central nervous system will need a break. Try not to consume cannabis, and do something to reduce negative feelings and behavioral and temperature effects.
10 Symptoms of the Weed Shakes
1. Anxiety
One of the most common symptoms of the is anxiety. This can manifest itself in a number of ways, including feeling restless, irritable, or on edge. You may also feel like your heart is racing or that you can’t catch your breath. If you suffer from anxiety, you may find it difficult to relax or to fall asleep.
2. Nausea
Another common symptom of the is nausea. This may cause you to feel queasy or sick to your stomach. You may also vomit or experience dry heaving. Nausea can be accompanied by a loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss.
3. Headaches
Headaches are another common symptom. These can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. If you suffer from headaches, you may find it difficult to concentrate or to perform everyday tasks.
4. Fatigue
Fatigue is another common symptom. This can cause you to feel tired or sleepy during the day. You may also have difficulty staying awake for long periods of time or find yourself napping more often than usual. Fatigue can make it difficult to concentrate or to perform everyday tasks.
5. Tremors
These can range from mild to severe and can affect any part of your body, including your hands, arms, legs, or head. Tremors may make it difficult for you to perform everyday tasks such as writing or eating.
6. Sweating
This can occur even when you’re not exercising or in a hot environment. You may also find yourself sweating more at night or during periods of stress. Sweating can be accompanied by a rapid heart rate, which can be dangerous if left untreated.
7. Dizziness
This can cause you to feel lightheaded or unsteady on your feet. You may also have difficulty focusing your eyes or keeping them open for long periods of time.
Dizziness can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as driving or operating machinery.
8. Confusion
This can cause you to feel disoriented or have difficulty understanding what’s going on around you. You may also find yourself struggling to remember information or losing your train of thought.
9. Visual disturbances
These can range from mild to severe and may include blurred vision, double vision, or light sensitivity. You may also experience difficulty focusing your eyes or seeing clearly in general.
10. Muscle spasms
These can range from mild to severe and may affect any part of your body, including your hands, arms, legs, or head. Muscle spasms can make it difficult for you to perform everyday tasks such as writing or eating.
The weed shakes can be a scary experience, but understanding what causes them and the symptoms they can cause is the best way to be prepared. If you experience any of these symptoms after smoking cannabis, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible.
How to treat the weed shakes.
When dealing with shakes, the most important thing is to remain calm. Remind yourself this is temporary and will pass soon. To reduce the shakes, try drinking some water or a warm beverage. Focusing on breathing exercises can also help to calm down shakiness.
Try to slow your breathing and take deep breaths, while focusing all your attention on the breath going in and out of the body. This simple practice can provide relief from anxious jitters and may even reduce physical tremors.
Alternatively, get outside for some fresh air or take a warm bath.
Enjoying some physical activity such as going for a walk can also be beneficial for calming your nervous system; as exercising naturally lowers stress hormones in the body and may help you relax by distracting from unpleasant symptoms.
5 Tips To Treat The Weed Shakes
1. Drink lots of fluids
It’s important to drink lots of fluids. This will help to prevent dehydration, which can make your symptoms worse. water is the best fluid to drink, but you can also drink juices or sports drinks if you’d like.
2. Eat healthy foods
Eating healthy foods is also important. Eating nutritious foods will help to improve your overall health and well-being, which can in turn help to reduce your symptoms. Try to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
3. Get plenty of rest
Rest is crucial when you’re trying to recover from any nervous system episode. Getting enough sleep will help to improve your energy levels and mood, both of which can be negatively affected by the shakes. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
4. Avoid caffeine
Caffeine can make the weed shakes worse, so it’s best to avoid it if possible. If you must have caffeine, try to limit yourself to one cup of coffee or tea per day. Try not to consume stimulants while smoking.
5. See a doctor if your symptoms are severe
If your symptoms are severe or if they last for more than a few days, it’s important to see a doctor. A doctor can rule out any other potential causes of your symptoms and provide you with further treatment options.
6.Stay calm and take deep breaths
Anecdotal reports suggest that soothing music can reduce body temperature to normal levels, keep the nervous system calm, and create an overall enjoyable experience for relaxing. Put on some soothing music, take a hot shower, and avoid caffeinated beverages and calm yourself as best you can.
How to prevent the weed shakes.
The weed shakes can be highly uncomfortable and distracting, making it important to find ways to prevent them in the first place. To minimize the risk of experiencing weed shakes, one should not overconsume cannabis. Beginners should always start with small doses and gradually increase as they become more experienced. Many also recommend consuming cannabis through edibles or tinctures as this is easier to control dosage and avoids direct contact with smoke. Additionally, staying hydrated while under the influence may lessen any discomfort associated with the weed shakes. Taking breaks from smoking weed, going for a walk or other forms of light exercise can also help reduce any symptoms you may be experiencing. By following these tips, one can ensure an enjoyable and safe experience when using cannabis.
5 Tips For Avoiding The Weed Shakes
1. Don't smoke weed that is too high in THC.
The marijuana plant contains hundreds of different compounds, including THC, CBD, and terpenes. THC is the compound that is responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana. However, it is also the compound that is most likely to cause the weed shakes. Therefore, it is important to choose weed that has a relatively low THC content if you are concerned about avoiding the weed shakes.
2. Don't smoke weed that has been laced with other drugs.
Another way to avoid the weed shakes is to make sure that you are not smoking weed that has not been laced with other drugs. Some dealers will lace their weed with other drugs, such as cocaine or meth, in order to make it more potent. However, this can also increase the risk of experiencing the shakes.
3. Don't smoke too much weed at once.
If you do decide to smoke weed, be sure not to smoke too much at once. Smoking too much weed can increase your chances of experiencing the weed shakes. Start with a small amount and wait a few minutes to see how you feel before smoking higher doses.
4. Drink plenty of water before and after smoking weed.
Dehydration can also contribute to the development of the weed shakes. Therefore, it is important to drink plenty of water before and after smoking weed in order to stay hydrated.
5. Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise.
Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can also help to prevent the weed shakes by keeping your body healthy overall. Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly will help to keep your body functioning properly, which can in turn help to prevent the development of the weed shakes.
With All Things Considered
The weed shakes are a real thing and they can be caused by many different things. If you think you have the weed shakes, it's important to talk to your doctor so that they can help you figure out what is causing them and how to treat them. There are many different treatments for the weed shake depending on the cause, so don't hesitate to reach out for help if you think you have them.
If you find yourself experiencing them, it's important to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.
Always take into consideration your method of cannabis consumption and avoid mixing marijuana with drugs, especially drugs that can be fatal in higher doses. Inhaled weed has drastically different effects that weed that was consumed through edibles.
You should also talk to your doctor if the shaking persists or is accompanied by other symptoms. Weed shakes happen to the best of us.
With a little care and understanding, you can weather the weed shakes and continue enjoying your favorite herb.
Helpful Guides: How To Inhale Weed Properly
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