Storytime from the last time I smoked a bong and the first time I got the weed shakes…
After consuming too much marijuana from a friend’s three-foot bong, my body shivered as if suffering from hypothermia. As most mental spirals go, I assumed the ‘shaking uncontrollably’ would last for the rest of my life, but luckily it didn’t last long.
Weed shakes, or simply the ‘shakes,’ can put a severe damper on your evening, inducing paranoia or anxiety and more.
So learn from my mistakes and avoid another THC-induced hypothermia through this guide, where we break down everything you’ve ever wondered (or were too scared to ask) about weed shakes.
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What Are Weed Shakes?
Weed shakes, often associated with muscle spasms or light tremors, are a common phenomenon experienced by some individuals after consuming substantial amounts of cannabis. These tremors might result in feelings of anxiety or paranoia during the occurrence but are generally not perceived as harmful.
These shakes are typically attributed to an over-stimulation of the nervous system induced by high doses of marijuana. It’s akin to a state of hyper-nervousness or overexcitement where the body responds to the excessive intake of THC, the psychoactive component found in cannabis. However, these shakes are transient, meaning they dissipate as the effects of THC wane over time.
While the scientific community is yet to conduct extensive research or studies regarding weed shakes, anecdotal evidence from frequent cannabis users suggests that these shakes are a commonly encountered side effect. Despite the disturbing sensation, the consensus amongst these users is that the shakes are largely harmless and merely a temporary response to the overconsumption of cannabis. It’s important to note, however, that the experiences can differ vastly among individuals, and if you find the shakes distressing or persist, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
How Long Do The Shakes Last?
The shakes and tremors that are side effects of cannabis, luckily, don’t tend to last for very long.
If you are experiencing the effects of too much THC, know that they will typically fade within 20 to 30 minutes if you are smoking flower and up to an hour if you have eaten edibles.
If you are symptoms appear to be even more startling and alarming symptoms though, or if they persist for a few hours, it may be best to check with your doctors as there may be underlying health conditions that are causing your body to interact with specific strains or stimulants. If this is the case, simply switching strains or altering your preferred method of smoking may be all that is required to reduce your trembling or shaking.
What Do I Do If I Get The Cannabis Shakes?
There are many different methods to reduce the symptoms of consuming too many THC-rich substances. Here is a short list of recommended ways to remedy muscle twitches and tremors.
Turn On Soothing Music
Distract yourself with a simple change in playlist, as music often plays a pivotal role in our emotional state.
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Taking deep breaths alongside chill music can help distract you from the psychoactive effect the THC is having on your nervous system and is likely to induce a state of tranquility.
Plus, we all know how much of an enjoyable experience listening to music is while smoking!
Lower Your Body Temperature
Finding a way to lower your body temperature can reduce the effects of an increased heart rate contributing to your tremors.
Sitting outside, taking a cold shower, or standing in the walk-in fridge during your shift at the restaurant (you wild thing) can help reduce your basal body temperature. This may help reduce the amplified stress and perceived stressors you feel burdened by.
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Lay Off The Coffee
It is a common practice to enjoy a cup of coffee or a cigarette after smoking, but the stimulants only seek to amplify all of the symptoms causing shakes. Avoid these stimulants, and you will have a happy, healthy, Stoney nervous system.
Smoke More (…Of The Right Stuff)
Maybe this sounds counterintuitive, but it’s possible to use CBD to reduce the effects of smoking cannabis too much.
CBD can help to reduce the intensity of the effects caused by THC and prevent anxiety-induced shaking when you are already high. A strain with a higher ratio of CBD to THC will be less likely to cause anxiety-related muscle tremors and produce a more enjoyable experience.
Shake Weed vs. Weed Shakes
While the two phrases may sound quite similar, they couldn’t be more different.
Shake Weed is the word used to describe the stems, trimmings, and other bits of weed that fall off of the buds and are collected at the bottom of your storage container.
Shake weed is amazing to smoke too! As long as it hasn’t gotten moldy.
For those of you still worried about getting weed shakes, which you’re reading this article so I would imagine that you are, shaking weed may be your preferred smoking style.
Why?
Because shake weed certainly will get you high but at a lot slower rate than the conventional flower. This means you have much more control over the buzz you get and won’t get caught off guard by the shakes brought on by your “overdose.”
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
