What Are The Cannabis Shakes And Why Do They Happen?

Breaking down the cannabis shakes: what they are, why they happen, and how to deal with them.

So, you're relaxing, enjoying a smoking session with friends, when suddenly your leg starts to twitch, then your shoulder, and your eyelid. You start to freak out and the tremors get worse. Panicked, you wonder what's happening to you. Don't worry, it's likely just the cannabis shakes (and you should be fine in a few minutes).

What are the cannabis shakes?

"The shakes" are involuntary muscle twitches and tremors. This phenomenon can sometimes occur after consuming weed. If you typically associate the shakes with alcohol withdrawal or more serious health conditions, don't stress. When it comes to cannabis, the shakes are generally no big deal.

Cannabis has a very good safety profile^[1]. While no formal studies have been conducted on cannabis shakes, a plethora of anecdotal reports tell us they're relatively common and typically harmless. Like other symptoms of consuming too much weed, such as increased heart rate, sweating, and nausea, they tend to subside as quickly as they began.

Why do you shake after smoking cannabis?

So, what causes the cannabis shakes? Are they just a side effect of getting too high for your own good? There are actually a variety of factors that could contribute to the shakes, including:

• Cold environment
• Over-stimulation
• Anxiety
• Too much THC

Let's break it down:

Cold environment

You might be shaking or shivering because you're cold. Cannabis actually lowers your body temperature^[2]—an effect known as "THC-induced hypothermia". Before you start imagining yourself freezing to death as your couch morphs into a snow-covered mountain, take a beat. THC-induced hypothermia only causes a slight drop in basal body temperature. You might shiver and shake what your mama gave you, but it isn't dangerous or life-threatening.

Over-stimulation

In a lot of places, it's common to roll a little tobacco into your joint. Nicotine is a stimulant: it excites the nervous system and boosts dopamine levels. While this boost is the reason a lot of people like to add a pinch of tobacco to their weed, it can cause twitching and anxiety in higher doses. If you've been enjoying this combo and find yourself with a case of the shakes, the problem could actually be the tobacco, not the cannabis. Likewise, if you've been drinking a lot of coffee or tea, caffeine could be contributing to your tremors.

Anxiety

It's well-known that weed can cause acute anxiety and paranoia, and some people are more susceptible to it than others. If you're one of those people, or if you just caught a bad break, nervousness could be at the root of your shakes. Of course, your body acting in ways that feel out of your control can amplify anxiety. If you get the shakes, try not to panic. Instead, keep calm and carry on.

Too much THC

To go back to the original question: Are the shakes just a side effect of getting way too high? Often, the answer is yes.

The cannabis shakes are commonly due to a mild THC overdose. Don't let the word "overdose" freak you out too much, especially if you're young and healthy.

We've all flown too close to the sun at some point, but nobody has died from overdosing on cannabis alone^[3]. Freaked out and embarrassed yourself in front of all your friends? That's another story.

What can you do if you get the cannabis shakes?

To recap, the cannabis shakes are not life-threatening, but they can leave you feeling alarmed and uncomfortable. While time is a key factor, waiting for them to subside on their own isn't your only option. Here are some quick harm-reduction tips to help combat the shakes:

• Adjust your environment
• Move around, distract yourself, breathe
• Stay away from stimulants
• Consider switching strains
• The alternative: CBD

Adjust your environment

Regardless of the precise cause of your shakes, sitting there and panicking or focusing on how uncomfortable you feel won't help. Instead, take control of the things you can.

Environment plays a huge role in our emotional state, especially when psychoactive substances are involved. Feeling comfortable, warm, and safe is key. That could mean going to a different room or a more relaxing place. It could mean leaving an overwhelming social situation. It could be as simple as adjusting the lighting and putting on your favourite tunes. And, if your shakes are actually shivers, crank the heat. Cosy blankets are a chilly stoner's best friend.

Move around, distract yourself, breathe

If you feel yourself starting to panic, switch gears from straight up shaking to shaking it off. Get up and move around. Distract yourself with a simple task, even if it's counting steps. Take slow, deep breaths to calm down, or try some other strategies to calm anxiety.

Movement and breathing help you recenter yourself in your body and focus on something other than your anxiety. Walking or moving around also gets you to stretch and warm up your tense, twitching muscles.

Stay away from stimulants

If you've been rolling your joints with tobacco or drinking caffeine, it's time to try less-stimulating alternatives. Switch to non-caffeinated beverages, and if you decide to continue smoking, limit the amount of tobacco in your joints. If using pure cannabis feels too basic, it can be spiced up with something different.  A number of herbs make great tobacco alternatives. Just avoid anything with strong stimulant properties. You don't want to end up back where you started, with the shakes (version 2.0).

Switch strains

A few of the factors that cause the shakes—anxiety, over-stimulation, too much THC—could boil down to the strain you're smoking. There are hundreds of cannabis strains out there, each with its own unique mix of properties. In general, sativa-dominant strains tend to be more stimulating (and possibly anxiety-inducing) than indica-dominant strains.

Many people love the boost they get from a good sativa. But if you're prone to anxiety or paranoia, you may want to look for indica strains that tend toward relaxation. Of course, the indica/sativa split isn't a hard rule. The best choice is an informed one, so don't be afraid to ask your doctor about this, check strain reviews from other users, or ask your budtender for a recommendation.

The alternative: CBD

It's also possible that the THC content of your strain is simply too high. If you want to keep smoking, look for a strain that's high in CBD (cannabidiol). CBD isn't psychoactive, and scientific studies^[] have found that it mitigates some of the side effects of THC. Research also suggests it has potential as an anxiolytic, meaning it may have a beneficial impact on anxiety. Depending on your previous experience, it may be a better idea to choose a strain with a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD, or one that's higher in CBD and lower in THC. These popular high-CBD strains could be an alternative to the not-so-balanced THC strains.

What if it's too late to switch strains and you're already high? If you find yourself caught in the midst of those twitches and tremors, CBD could still be of some help. You probably don't want to add more THC to your system, so you can stop smoking. Then, if you decide to take an alternative plant-related remedy, you can choose CBD oil or isolates with quick delivery mechanisms. A few drops of high-quality CBD oil or tincture under the tongue could be a good bet.

How long do the cannabis shakes last?

Luckily, the cannabis shakes usually don't last too long. Of course, this depends on a few factors, including the amount of cannabis you took (and how you took it).

If you vaped, smoked a joint or indulged in one too many bong rips, you should feel better within 15–20 minutes. If you overdid it on the edibles, you might be in for a longer haul.

If you experience truly alarming symptoms, have underlying health conditions, or suspect something more is going on, check with your doctor or a cannabis-informed healthcare provider. 

Beyond that, a few key adjustments and a little bit of patience should do the trick.