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Wellness

Why Do I Shake When I Smoke Weed? Exploring the Phenomenon

Key Takeaways

    Some people may experience shaking or tremors when consuming cannabis.
    Shaking or tremors after consuming cannabis may be caused by a variety of issues including, but not limited to, low body temperature, taking too much THC, personal tolerance sensitivities, and more.
    This article will also discuss what you can do to help manage symptoms of shaking while consuming cannabis, such as distracting yourself, taking some deep breaths, and using relaxation techniques.

Introduction

Whether you are new to cannabis or not, something that you may find happening all of a sudden is that you start shaking, trembling, or becoming very jittery after consuming cannabis. Although it generally does not occur too often, getting very shaky or trembling after smoking weed can happen to some.

When something like this does occur, it can be very scary. You might feel your whole body shaking, and your eyes might even shake back and forth. If you don’t know what’s going on, this can be downright terrifying.

It doesn’t feel very nice, but rest assured you’re not going to die. Although not overly common, it does occur, and there are a few relatively simple and harmless explanations for this phenomenon.

Today, we’re going to explore the phenomenon of weed-induced shaking and its causes. If you experience tremors when consuming cannabis, keep breathing, because you’ll find out exactly why this phenomenon can occur. We’ll also talk about what you can do to manage this shaking while consuming cannabis.

Understanding the Body’s Response

It is important to note that everybody is different, and while cannabis, especially excessive amounts, may cause some people to shake, it might not cause this in others at all. Not everybody reacts the same way, and this phenomenon of shaking after consuming cannabis is relatively uncommon.

What you need to understand here is how the human body responds to cannabis, particularly THC. As we will discuss below, excessive levels of THC can cause shaking to occur, particularly in people who have a low tolerance or sensitivity.

Furthermore, in some people, very high doses of THC may also cause stress and anxiety, with shaking and jittering being the physical manifestation.

Next, there may also be pre-existing medical conditions or medical interactions that occur with medications that you take.

There is also the theory that excessive cannabis use, especially very large doses at once, may lower your body temperature, with shivering being your body’s natural response in an attempt to warm back up.

Potential Causes of Shaking When Smoking Weed

There are a few common causes that are believed to be responsible for this phenomenon of shaking after smoking weed. Let’s start with one of the most common causes and then move down the list.

THC Content and Strain Potency

One of the simplest explanations for your shaking when smoking weed is that you’ve just consumed way too much THC. Remember that everybody reacts differently to THC, almost like snowflakes, no two are alike.

The amount of THC you consume as well as your physiology goes a long way in determining how your body reacts. Some people green out when they consume too much THC, often characterized by shaking, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and nausea.

Exactly why some people react this way to THC is not known, but these symptoms, particularly related to greening out, are generally harmless and will pass with time. If you smoked a massive blunt, took a strong edible, or hit one too many dabs, it’s likely that you’ve had too much THC.

Individual Tolerance and Sensitivity

Related to the above point, different people have different levels of tolerance and sensitivity towards THC, as well as the other substances contained in cannabis.

Some people just have a much lower tolerance than others. It might take one person five times as much THC or other active cannabinoids to achieve the same effects as someone else. You might feel totally fine eating an edible with 100 milligrams of THC, whereas this might cause someone else to green out and start shaking.

Once again, why different people react to THC and other cannabinoids in varying ways is not really known, but individual sensitivities and tolerances do seem to play a role here.

However, as far as tolerance is concerned, the longer you consume cannabis, the more of a tolerance you build up to it. Therefore, this phenomenon is usually more likely to occur in beginner weed smokers who consume large quantities, rather than in seasoned smokers.

Anxiety and Stress Response

Interesting to note is that it is believed that smaller doses of THC and other cannabinoids may be beneficial for people suffering from issues related to anxiety, stress, and depression. However, very high doses of THC are often associated with causing feelings of paranoia, stress, and anxiety.

Very high doses of THC may affect you in a negative manner, and this also goes back to both the quantity of THC being consumed and how sensitive you are towards it.

Some people might not experience any paranoia, stress, or anxiety no matter how much THC they consume, whereas other people might experience these symptoms from relatively moderate amounts.

There are studies that suggest that people who already suffer from anxiety and paranoia-related issues are more likely to experience these symptoms, as well as shakiness and mental unrest when consuming THC.

Here is a study that indicates that lower doses of THC reduce negative mental feelings, whereas higher doses increase levels of anxiety and related feelings. In this case, shaking is not a direct result of your body’s reaction to the THC, but rather a physical manifestation of your heightened state of stress and anxiety.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions or Medical Interactions

Although there is much more research required on this front, it is known that certain medications and medical conditions may not fare well when THC and other cannabinoids are introduced.

There are some medications that are not recommended to consume when taking cannabis, as adverse side effects may occur. Furthermore, there may also be certain medical conditions, both mental and physical, which can result in shaking and trembling once cannabis has been consumed.

One of the most common potential causes here may be certain anxiety disorders. If you’re already prone to suffering anxiety, and you consume a high dose of THC, you are much more likely to experience shaking and related symptoms than someone who is not already prone to having anxiety attacks.

Therefore, it is always recommended to consult a medical professional before considering consuming cannabis products, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are on medications.

Lowered Body Temperature

If you start shaking after smoking weed, it may just be the case that you have what is known as the weed chills. There are studies that indicate that consuming high levels of THC can lower body temperatures, and in some cases even induced hypothermia.

If you start shaking when you are cold, this is just your body’s natural response. Shaking is a way for your body to quickly create a lot of motion, and in turn, create body heat. In this case, your shaking is nothing more than a survival mechanism.

Overstimulation

In some cases, it could also be that you are overstimulated. This is especially the case if you happen to take stimulants while consuming cannabis, with caffeine being one of the most common ones.

Some people also roll tobacco into their joints, which is another stimulant, as well as psychoactive.

Coffee and caffeine may cause tremors and shakiness in some people, and if you are someone who is not very tolerant of THC, combining the two could certainly cause these symptoms to occur.

The Role of Cannabinoids and Terpenes

Although there is still a great deal of research required on this front, it may be the case that cannabinoids and terpenes work together to cause a variety of effects. This phenomenon, when cannabinoids and terpenes interact with each other to produce an additional effect, is known as the entourage effect.

Although terpenes themselves are usually not psychoactive, which means that they should not get you high or intoxicate you, they can have a variety of potential effects. Some terpenes may help reduce anxious feelings, help calm you down, help you sleep better, and more.

However, the exact effects of all terpenes contained in cannabis are not 100% known, and this is even more true in terms of how exactly various terpenes interact with specific cannabinoids. It may very well be the case that some cannabinoids and terpenes interact with each other in a negative manner and cause this shaking to occur.

Yet, it may also be the case that various terpenes, such as pinene, linalool, and limonene may also help counteract the effects of THC, particularly related to feelings of paranoia and anxiety. Here is a list of the best terpenes for anxiety.

Anxiety and Shaking: The Connection

Anxiety and shaking often go hand in hand. Both anxiety and nervousness, as far as the body is concerned, are supposed to be signals of danger.

This in turn may cause increased levels of adrenaline to pump through your system, with adrenaline being responsible for preparing your muscles to either flee or fight, which is a part of the fight or flight response.

Therefore, anxiety causes increased adrenaline levels, which can then cause your muscles to become primed for action, or in other words, shake. On a side note, Delta-10 THC may be able to help with anxiety.

Managing Shaking During Cannabis Consumption

If you find yourself shaking while consuming cannabis, if you don’t want to stop consuming it, there are other things you can do to try and manage these symptoms.

Choosing Strains with Balanced CBD-to-THC Ratios

One of the simplest solutions here is to limit the amount of THC you are consuming, particularly when compared to CBD levels.

CBD or cannabidiol, the other major cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis, which is not psychoactive, is shown to help counteract several effects of THC. This is especially the case as far as paranoia and anxiety are concerned.

It is believed that CBD has various stress relieving and anti-anxiety benefits, which can therefore directly reduce shakiness or anxiety felt due to high THC concentrations.

Therefore, try finding some weed that has balanced CBD and THC ratios, and it’s probably a good idea to start off relatively low. Both CBD and valerian root may be beneficial on this front.

Something else to consider is that Indica strains are generally associated with more of a relaxing body high, whereas Sativa strains are usually associated with more of a stimulating mental high.

Some people can’t handle the mentally stimulating effects of Sativa strains very well, and in some, this may lead to heightened levels of stress or anxiety. Therefore, if you notice that Sativa strains cause shaking to occur, you might try switching to Indica strains.

Starting with Lower Potency or Microdosing

It might just be the case that you are very sensitive to THC and that your body can’t handle a lot of it before adverse reactions start to occur. Therefore, a simple solution is to start with much lower potency strains or even microdose.

If you feel that 20% THC makes you feel uneasy and shaky, try going for something that has 15% THC or lower. There are plenty of strains out there that have very low THC levels. Furthermore, if you are taking edibles or tinctures, you may even try microdosing.

For those of you who don’t know, microdosing involves taking roughly 10% of a regular dose. The point of microdosing is usually to reap the potential benefits of THC without actually getting you high.

This means taking just a few milligrams. This way, you can gauge exactly how your body will react without taking too much. You can then slowly increase the amount of THC you put into your body and gauge the reaction as you go.

Incorporating Relaxation Techniques or Mindfulness Practices

If you are already in the middle of a bout of shaking due to cannabis, then you’ll need to find a way to help calm yourself down.

First and foremost, you need to tell yourself that you’re not going to die. This is a relatively common occurrence, and although it is scary, the symptoms should pass relatively soon.

Until they do pass, you need to find a way to keep yourself calm. There are plenty of different relaxation techniques out there.

For instance, you can just start counting up to a high number, listing colors, or counting sheep. You could also take deep breaths, meditate, take a bath, go for a walk, or anything else in between.

Just like everybody reacts differently to THC, everybody also has different ways to help relieve their stress and help them relax. If you suffer from this issue of shaking after consuming cannabis, you need to find a good way to help relax yourself.

Seeking Professional Advice and Support if Needed

If you are really worried about why you shake after consuming cannabis, you don’t know why it happens, and you’d like to continue smoking weed, you might want to seek some professional advice and support. A qualified medical professional may be able to shed some more light on this phenomenon.

Pre-Existing Conditions and Shaking

If you have some pre-existing conditions, particularly mental health disorders that are related to stress, anxiety, depression, and paranoia, these, when combined with excessive THC levels, may also cause shaking to occur.

On this front, this has not much to do with your body’s physical reaction to the THC itself, but rather that shaking is a physical manifestation or a symptom, related to the triggering or worsening of your mental health issues while under the influence of cannabinoids.

Although there is more research required on this front, there may also be other pre-existing medical conditions that will cause you to shake when you consume cannabis. Check out some of the best strains for anxiety right here!

Furthermore, there are also indications that various cannabinoids such as THC may reduce blood sugar levels in some people.

Low blood sugar levels are associated with trembling and shaking. Therefore, if you already have low blood sugar levels and consume THC, the chances of you ending up jittery and shaky are likely much higher.

How Botany Farms Flower and Pre-Rolls May Be Able to Help

If you want to consume some THC, but you don’t want to feel anxious or shaky, getting a variety of flower or pre-rolled joints from right here at Botany Farms might just be your best bet.

For instance, Delta-8 THC is known for being much less potent than Delta-9 THC, and should therefore not cause symptoms of paranoia or anxiety.

Some of our most popular Delta-8 options include this Delta-8 Godfather OG Pre-Roll and this Delta-8 Blueberry Kush.

If you think that some CBD may help take the edge off, check out our own Botany Farms Sugar Queen CBD Pre-Roll or this awesome Strawberry Banana CBD Kush. If you’d like to try microdosing some THC, take a look at our Delta-9 Microdose Gummies.

Dispelling Myths and Misconceptions

The biggest myth or conception we want to dispel here is that getting the shakes after smoking cannabis is a sign of something very serious or life-threatening. This usually just isn’t the case. You’re probably just greening out or having a slightly negative reaction, although it is likely absolutely nothing dangerous in the least.

Why Do I Shake When I Smoke Weed: Frequently Asked Questions

Before we call it a day, let’s quickly answer some of your most frequently asked questions about shaking when smoking weed.

Why Do My Eyes Shake When I Smoke Weed?

It may be the case that the consumption of various cannabinoids activates the TRPA1 receptor, which is associated with the peripheral cannabis pathway in sensory neurons, which may in turn lead to eyelid tremors.

How Long Does Greening Out Last?

How long greening out lasts depends on the individual and how much THC has been consumed. It can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, there are some pretty simple explanations as to why you might shape when consuming cannabis, and it’s generally not an indication of anything serious.

More often than not, you’re probably just greening out, and this should pass with a bit of time. If you’re still having trouble, you may want to try some herbal smoking blends for anxiety.

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