Severe twitching/shaking/spasms when smoking

[Applesauce]

Does anyone else get this? If so, what do you do to control it?

I have been smoking for many years. When I have good bud I smoke heavy. I never had this "issue" prior to the last year or so. I don't smoke much these days but even when my tolerance is high this still goes on and it's become a problem.

It happens even when consuming little and of bad quality. Semi-stoned or very high, it still happens. It's almost like being very cold. It starts in my legs but it is more like from the entire hip down. Very rapid shaking. Eventually my upper body starts twitching and it is borderline unpleasant because my entire chest is shaking. It isn't really visible if you're looking at me. It just feels like small but rapid spasms as if you were freezing cold.

What I have found is warming up and taking deep breaths I can pretty much stop it for the time being but the room isn't really cold to begin with. This makes me think it is blood pressure related.

I will say the shaking is so rapid it becomes painful in certain spots. It really ends up an entire body shake and deep within (if that makes sense). Like I am cold as hell but I'm not.

Searching online I see many people with this problem.

 

[aridbud]

It did a little research, but nothing definitive. Some say vitamin deficiency. Most likely not (but cheap insurance taking a multiple vitamin), however smokers have low or below Vitamin C, B and D levels of non-smokers.

Others say (which I lean towards) is the autonomic nervous system. Somatic (meaning body) is the voluntary part of the nervous system- regulates nerves of skeletal system for most voluntary responses (ex: hand on the stove). That has ONE neuron to the spinal cord.

>>>>>Autonomic are the involuntary movements (heart rate, digestion and the like) has TWO neurons. After reading, I'm surmising the nerves become overly sensitive and could cause trembling, shaking, twitching. Stress can increase it.

Maybe I'm way out there....there's a reaction between marijuana reducing responses (twitching, shaking, etc.) common in those with Parkinson's and muscular sclerosis (MS).

If the nervous system is already sensitive to neuron overload (involuntary nervous system, peripheral nerves, and brain seem to be involved as in Reflex Sympathetic Syndrome/disease....hyper active nerves) , then possibly the opposite can occur.....creating the twitches, etc.

From what I've read (on other posts/forums) the convulsive movements are temporary. Just over loaded neuron activity....and calms down after a certain length of time after smoking.

So, just my thoughts in theory....

Anyone find something else? ?

 

[nkatadelgormo]

Sounds like a problem for a doctor, quit asking these fuckers for any medical advice or theories. I've seen most can't even get a seed to sprout much less diagnose a problem with a human. Try posting on a medical forum. You know with medical professionals. Not on here with wanna be weed professionals. Your better off asking the guy at the liquor store. Hell call 911 they can help for sure!!!
If this happens to me, i won't post about it, Im going to the doctor.

 

[HyDroid]

This happens to me when I am cold and not wearing enough clothing (and partaking).

I can get it to go away by wearing socks and additional layers. That adds another discomfort: I don't like socks and get an agitated constricted feeling when wearing them or too many layers.

A hot shower also does a lot of good.

I also have a cannabis allergy which will make me itch on exposure / feel skin crawly under certain conditions.

I would look into cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (wikipedia will do). I don't really have a strong understanding of it but maybe it will turn up something informative.

 

[unregistered190]

As posted above, think I would talk to a Doctor.....but, at my age I gotta be proactive and not take chances.

 

[Max Headroom]

i've experienced the same symptoms.
i think it was a combo of certain potent strains, ambient temp too low and psychological stress.
it was the very same shaking (centered around the diaphragm) you get when you're cold.
i also think it is blood-pressure related.
unpleasant but nothing to worry about imho.

 

[CosmicGiggle]

..... anxiety.

 

[ninfan77]

I read somewhere that mj increases heart and blood pressure dramatically for the first 20-30 minutes after you light up....

maybe that... dunno...

 

[devilgoob]

I've smoked things with a dirt-poor aspect to it.

The pesticides and low-quality.

Yea, you wouldn't think a really quick pulsing muscle set is anything.

Just a twitch at first, then you kind of notice it throughout the body and it kind of constricts your core and is annoying.

Get salt, potassium, calcium, and other electrolytes in your body, and hydrate.

Other than that, I have a feeling the weed may have had bugs and they sprayed it.

 

[MJBadger]

It happens even when consuming little and of bad quality

Then grow some good quality bud or source it .

 

[choom]

Not sure if pain is included in that, but a similar thing
I experienced was random charlie horses and spasms
but later learned it was from dehydration during them
late night sessions. Was purely a session thing that
happened after a while but after my mentor told me
to drink a lot of water during and after smoking it
stopped...not sure if this is somewhat similar I hope
you find out what works for this problem.. it isn't nice

choom(0:

 

[Weird]

sounds like pesticides

 

[choom]

Wow.. it was just a specific strain from
a specific grower now that I think about
it lmfao, this was about a year and a half
ago but haven't experienced it since then
Keep it organic and drink lots of water!!!

choom(0:

 

[tokersmoke]

Definately talk to a doc.I do get a different feeling almost bad paronoia when smoking dirt weed.I live in the bible belt and could imagine the response i would get from a doctor local.

I feel like xxx when i get high doctor what can i do?I can just imagine the response.I would say if you feel fine when youre not smoking to refrain.Or take smaller doses.

 

[headband 707]

You could be having a reaction to the overuse of fert/herbicides etc they put in many, many crops. I had the feeling of having a heart attack in Costa Rica and so did the people I was smoking with and I am assuming that is a reaction to toxins. Stay frosty headband 707

Does anyone else get this? If so, what do you do to control it?

I have been smoking for many years. When I have good bud I smoke heavy. I never had this "issue" prior to the last year or so. I don't smoke much these days but even when my tolerance is high this still goes on and it's become a problem.

It happens even when consuming little and of bad quality. Semi-stoned or very high, it still happens. It's almost like being very cold. It starts in my legs but it is more like from the entire hip down. Very rapid shaking. Eventually my upper body starts twitching and it is borderline unpleasant because my entire chest is shaking. It isn't really visible if you're looking at me. It just feels like small but rapid spasms as if you were freezing cold.

What I have found is warming up and taking deep breaths I can pretty much stop it for the time being but the room isn't really cold to begin with. This makes me think it is blood pressure related.

I will say the shaking is so rapid it becomes painful in certain spots. It really ends up an entire body shake and deep within (if that makes sense). Like I am cold as hell but I'm not.

Searching online I see many people with this problem.

 

[headband 707]

Sounds like a problem for a doctor, quit asking these fuckers for any medical advice or theories. I've seen most can't even get a seed to sprout much less diagnose a problem with a human. Try posting on a medical forum. You know with medical professionals. Not on here with wanna be weed professionals. Your better off asking the guy at the liquor store. Hell call 911 they can help for sure!!!
If this happens to me, i won't post about it, Im going to the doctor.

Not trying to be too sarcastic here but WTF do doctors know about cannabis LOL.. Seriously I have NEVER met one doctor that knows shit except to tell me it's BAD!! lol.. So this is why doctors are seriously the worst people to go to for any info about your health.Unless of- course you want to take their fucked up drugs... Stay frosty headband 707

 

[aridbud]

Yeah, headband-
I agree....coming from my medical background, I was thinking in terms of physiology...understanding how the human body works.

@nkatadelgormo....notice I did not say I had the supreme solution and not dispensing Dr's advice. Instead I offered up what others have said/experienced, and deducing (meaning putting 2+2 together) a reason, paradoxical reaction.

I could be far off, I could be spot on. Too, I think other's input were just as valuable.....bad moldy pot, pesticides, etc. They all play havoc w/ nervous system....

Doubtful Western thinking MD's can come up with a logical explanation aside from ordering scores of tests, studies, lab....and all come up "inconclusive".

Not too many cannabis neurologists around. Next time I run across the anesthesiologist that gave up his practice because he believes in the merits of MMJ....I'll ask him.

In the meantime, applesauce, maybe keep a log of when/how it happens, reactions. The more info presented, hopefully the better the analogy when you do get an explanation, or an underlying cause. If it worsens, like others mentioned....go see a Dr.

 

[Cobra420]

I've had something like that happen to me in the past. I was smoking my own homegrown so pesticides were not possible. I had a slight shake and then paranoia took over. Next thing i know im trembling so much my teeth were chattering. I tried putting more cloths on but felt like i couldnt get warm no matter what i did. Even woke my wife up from shaking so much. This happened quite often.

When it's happened, were you having thoughts that were "out" there? I know the few times its happened to me, i did. I know for me, i was guessing it was because i had a sativa dominant strain i had chopped WAY early due to paranoia. Speaking to my cousin he said he had it happen when he would take a break and then smoke too much good weed.

In all honesty though, i really think it was a combo of things. Diet, my mind set, feelings and anxiety mostly. Stress and the fact i was always reading about conspiracies and things like that. Its like i would start feeling the fear if i smoked. I have even fainted a few times from it.

Something that has helped for me, has been fruits. It seems whenever it would start to happen, eating some fruit would help TREMENDOUSLY! Im guessing for me it was a blood sugar issue. Breathing like you said would also help but fruits/healthy sugars have been what have helped me the most. Its weird, a few times after having this start and i've eaten fruit, i would feel great and i felt like i would be in a different reality haha kind of trippy.

Just for my own sanity, i went to the doctors for blood work and all that jazz just to ease my mind. Everything came back great. Healthier than healthy. My wifes dad had diabetes and she said he would have the same thing happen when his sugar got low. I thought i read somewhere that smoking weed drops your blood sugar as well as pressure and if that is the case, fruits helping me makes sense.

I hope you figure it out. Let us know what you find.

 

[soil margin]

I get similar symptoms when I am cold/anxious/nervous/excited. Never noticed it to be worse or better when I smoke cannabis though.

 

[justpassnthru]

Applesauce
Cobra420 and aridbud are most likely 'spot on' with their suggestions and posts. Perhaps, next time you use your meds, you will take your vital signs (pulse and blood pressure) before during and after..see if those are affected, first. If you can get your hands on a meter for glucose, test yours, as well.

I've know people that have had similar episodes with alcohol, as well. Were you drinking any alcohol, at the same time? I'd consider that, too.

The low levels of potassium, magnesium, vit D, B's etc; as aridbud mentioned, can also attribute to those symptoms.

Sounds like you are in for a decent physical from your M.D. to check for deficiencies.

Ultimately, as suggested, it might be pesticides and the strain of bud, itself. Certain sativa's make me feel a bit 'quivery' after toking. Particularly, the high THC strains. Perhaps, the bud you are buying doesn't have enough CBD's in it; as CBD's should help and treat the specific symptoms you describe, as well.

No one knows for sure what is happening, without a good physical and work-up by your M.D. Some of the above and taking a daily multi-vitamin, is a pretty good start. i supplement with the aforementioned minerals, as well.

Good luck to you Applesauce and sure hope you can figure it out and make sure, you are fairly healthy. Please let us know if you do something that changes the results for you. jpt