They may sound like a new ice cream and cannabis concoction, but weed shakes are unfortunately not a refreshing treat. What, exactly, are they? Who is at risk of experiencing them? And, perhaps most importantly, are weed shakes dangerous?
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What Are Weed Shakes?
Weed shakes are tics, twitches, and other uncontrolled muscle movements that some people experience after using cannabis (marijuana).
Also referred to as cannabis-induced tremors, weed shakes result from exposure to high levels of THC, which overstimulate receptors in a person’s endocannabinoid system. This can occur after using a large amount of marijuana in a short period of time, or after ingesting a particularly potent strain.
The intensity and duration of weed shakes can depend on a range of factors, including how the person consumed the THC:
- If someone gets the shakes after smoking or vaping, the experience will likely last about 20-30 minutes.
- If they used edibles, the shakes may persist for up to an hour.
- The shakes will usually begin to subside when the amount of THC in their bloodstream starts to decline.
In addition to the twitches that earned weed shakes their name, other symptoms can include racing heart rate, anxiety, and paranoia.
Are Weed Shakes Dangerous?
Cannabis-induced tremors can clearly be sources of both physical and emotional distress, but are they actually harmful? Are weed shakes dangerous?
The good news is that someone who goes through the weed shakes shouldn’t incur any lasting harm. However, for people who have certain medical or mental health concerns (such as hypertension or an anxiety disorder), the weed shakes can be especially uncomfortable.
Also, in some cases the weed shakes could be a sign of a bigger problem – but there’s no way to know this unless you’re examined by a qualified healthcare provider.
For example, if you have weed shakes that are accompanied by intense heart palpitations, chest pain, or impaired respiration, that could indicate that you have a dangerous underlying condition.
If you have these or other more severe symptoms, you should be examined by a doctor to identify or rule out any serious health concerns.
What Other Problems Can Weed Cause?
Though the weed shakes usually aren’t dangerous, that doesn’t mean that marijuana use is a risk-free endeavor. Cannabis can cause a host of other adverse effects, including:
- Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, a painful condition that is characterized by extended periods of extreme vomiting
- Physical injuries due to impaired coordination, perception, and coordination
- Diminished cognition, which is a particular risk among teens or young adults who use marijuana before their brain is fully developed
- Lung damage and other respiratory problems
- Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
One other danger of cannabis use is the risk of becoming addicted. Yes, contrary to what you may have heard or read elsewhere, it is possible to get addicted to weed.
What Are the Signs of Marijuana Addiction?
The clinical term for addiction to marijuana is cannabis use disorder. As established in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the criteria for this condition include:
- Using more weed (or using it for a longer period of time) than you intended
- Experiencing powerful urges (cravings) to use weed
- Spending a considerable amount of time acquiring and using marijuana, and recovering from its effects
- Failing to meet personal, academic, or occupational responsibilities due to your marijuana use
- Neglecting your social obligations as a result of using cannabis
- Continuing to use marijuana even after experiencing personal or social problems, such as conflicts with loved ones or the end of a relationship due to prior use
- Continuing to use weed even after previous use caused physical and/or psychological harm
- Using weed in circumstances that can be particularly dangerous, such as when driving a car or operating heavy machinery
- Becoming tolerant, which means that you need to use larger amounts of weed (or more potent strains) to achieve the effect you’re seeking
- Developing withdrawal symptoms when you abruptly end or significantly reduce your marijuana use
- Having a persistent desire to stop using weed, but being unable to quit for good
The DSM-5 also contains specifiers to identify the severity of a person’s addiction to marijuana based on how many of these symptoms they exhibit:
- Mild: Two or three symptoms
- Moderate: Four or five symptoms
- Severe: Six or more symptoms
Please note that the only a trained clinician can conduct an addiction assessment and provide a diagnosis. If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms listed earlier in this section, you should consult with your physician or contact a reputable addiction treatment center near you to schedule an assessment.
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How Is Weed Addiction Treated?
Effective treatment for cannabis use disorder usually involves a combination of therapy and education. If you also have anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or another mental health condition, your treatment may also involve one or more prescription medications.
Depending on the scope and severity of your needs, you may benefit from services such as:
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group therapy sessions
- Family counseling
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Meditation, yoga, and other holistic therapies
- Relapse prevention education
If you don’t seek help, the compulsive use of marijuana or any other addictive drug can have a devastating impact on virtually every part of your life. But when you get the care you need, you can stop using marijuana and start living a healthier and more promising life in recovery.
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Find Help for Marijuana Addiction in Atlanta
Retreat of Atlanta is a premier provider of medical detox and personalized residential care for adults who have become addicted to marijuana and other substances.
We also offer dual diagnosis programming to for patients who have also been living with co-occurring mental health concerns.
With our help and a concerted effort on your part, you can make sustained progress toward the drug-free future you deserve. To learn more about our addiction rehab in Atlanta, GA, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
