What are ‘weed shakes’ and what causes them?

Article written by

Olivia SwannDigital marketing specialist
Weed shakes can be an unsettling side effect of cannabis use.
When you consume relatively high amounts of cannabis, you might experience your body trembling or shivering involuntarily, similar to how it feels to shiver when you’re cold. While this reaction can feel scary, it’s usually temporary and manageable.
Keep reading for a breakdown of what weed shakes are, what causes them, how long they last, whether they’re dangerous, and how to stop them.
What are weed shakes?
Weed shakes are sudden, involuntary tremors or shivers that can occur after using cannabis.
Some people describe the feeling as a light internal jitter, while others report:
- Visible shaking
- Teeth chattering
- Trembling hands
Weed shakes aren’t a sign of a serious health issue in most cases. Instead, they are usually your body’s way of reacting to certain triggers, such as too much tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), overstimulation, or anxiety.
Unlike chills from being cold, which are a physical response to changes in body temperature, weed shakes are often more neurologically or chemically driven. Weed shakes are also not a sign of cannabis addiction or withdrawal.
What causes weed shakes?
There isn’t a single cause for weed shakes, but several factors may contribute:
- Too much THC: High doses of THC can overstimulate the nervous system, especially in people with lower tolerance, triggering muscle twitching or shaking.
- Anxiety or panic: Cannabis can sometimes increase heart rate and trigger anxiety or paranoia, especially in high doses, which can manifest physically as trembling.
- Cold environment: If you’re already in a cold room or wearing light clothing, cannabis may heighten your sensitivity to temperature, making you feel colder and shiver more intensely.
- Mixing substances: Combining weed with caffeine, stimulants, or alcohol may intensify physical reactions, including shakes.
- Individual body chemistry: Some people are simply more sensitive to THC and its side effects than others.
Are weed shakes dangerous?
In most cases, weed shakes are not dangerous. They tend to be a temporary physical response to too much stimulation from the compounds in cannabis or an internal imbalance and typically resolve on their own.
However, if the shakes are accompanied by more serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, or loss of consciousness, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. These could indicate a different underlying issue or a reaction unrelated to cannabis.
How long do weed shakes last?
Anecdotal reports suggest weed shakes usually last anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour, but the duration can vary based on:
- The amount of THC consumed
- Your individual metabolism
- Your tolerance and past cannabis experience
- Your method of consumption (smoking vs. edibles)
Shakes from smoked or vaped cannabis often pass more quickly, while those caused by edibles may take longer to resolve due to slower digestion and longer-lasting effects.
How to stop weed shakes
If you’re experiencing weed shakes, the best thing to do is stay calm. Here are some simple steps you can take to stop or minimize the shaking:
- Breathe deeply: Slow, mindful breathing can help reduce anxiety and ground you. Some light movement or stretching may also help calm your body down.
- Change environments: Move to a warmer, more comfortable, or quieter space to relax your body and nervous system.
- Stay hydrated: Drink water or a non-caffeinated beverage to replenish fluids.
- Eat something: Having a light snack, especially one high in fat, may help your body process THC more effectively.
- Use cannabidiol (CBD): If available, a small dose of CBD may counteract the effects of too much THC.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol: These substances can make weed shakes worse.
- Distract yourself: Listen to calming music, watch a show or movie that focuses on a lighthearted subject, or talk with a supportive friend.
The takeaway: Weed shakes are a temporary response to cannabis
Weed shakes can feel intense, but they’re usually harmless and short-lived.
They often happen when you consume more THC than your body can comfortably handle. To avoid them, start with low doses of cannabis, avoid mixing it with other substances like alcohol and caffeine, and stay hydrated and nourished.
If you do experience weed shakes, remember that they will pass. With a few calming techniques and supportive tools, you can ease the discomfort and feel more in control.
Resources
- Cannabis, a cause for anxiety? A critical appraisal of the anxiogenic and anxiolytic properties. https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-020-02518-2
- Cannabinoid toxicity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482175/
- Behavioral and temperature effects of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in human-relevant doses in rats. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2613277/
- Shivering thermogenesis in humans: Origin, contribution and metabolic requirement. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23328940.2017.1328999
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about weed shakes.