Are my tremors from marijuana use or anxiety?

Dear Reefer Madness,

Having your leg shake uncontrollably after smoking marijuana can be uncomfortable, especially when you haven’t experienced it before. It’s understandable that you’re wondering whether the shaking was caused by marijuana or feeling nervous about your roommates. The truth is, both could have played a role, or it could’ve been something else entirely. Marijuana affects people differently, and your reaction can depend on how much you use, the strength of the marijuana, and how you’re feeling at the time. Paying attention to how your body responds can help you make informed decisions about marijuana use. 

How can marijuana affect tremors? 

Marijuana contains a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the feeling of being high. THC affects how your brain controls your movements and balance. This means marijuana can sometimes make it harder to move normally or stay steady. Although shaking isn’t a common effect of marijuana, some people may experience trembling or changes in muscle control after using it. 

Another thing to consider is that not all marijuana contains the same amount of THC. Some products have higher levels, which can lead to stronger effects on the body. This could help explain why you experienced shaking during your last two experiences, even though it hadn’t happened before. 

THC can also affect how you feel emotionally. While some people use marijuana to feel relaxed, it can increase anxiety, nervousness, or paranoia in others. Higher doses of THC are more likely to increase anxiety, especially if you’re already feeling nervous. Since you were already worried about your roommates’ reactions, marijuana may have made you feel more anxious and contributed to the shaking. Noticing the shaking itself may have made you feel even more nervous. 

While marijuana and anxiety could both explain what happened, it’s difficult to know the exact cause based on these symptoms alone. 

Could anxiety cause my legs to shake? 

Anxiety can cause physical symptoms, including shaking or trembling. When you’re feeling nervous or stressed, your body can activate what’s known as the fight-or-flight response. This is your body’s natural way of responding to situations that feel stressful or threatening. 

During the stress response, your body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. This can make your heart beat faster, cause your muscles to tense up, and sometimes lead to shaking in your arms or legs. 

What can you do next? 

Since you’ve experienced leg shaking twice after smoking marijuana, it might be good to check in with your body. Here are some steps you can take: 

• Pay attention to your symptoms. Notice when the shaking happens, how long it lasts, and whether you experience any other symptoms. 
• Think about your stress levels. Consider whether you were feeling nervous or uncomfortable before smoking and how those feelings may have affected your experience. 
• Take a break from marijuana. Avoiding marijuana for now can help prevent another uncomfortable reaction while you figure out what may be causing the shaking. 
• Talk to a health care professional. Since the shaking has happened more than once, a healthcare professional can help you better understand what might be causing it and whether anything else needs to be checked. 

While it’s hard to know exactly what caused your leg to shake, marijuana, anxiety, or a mix of both could have played a role. Even if you’ve smoked before without any problems, your body may react differently each time. Since you’ve experienced this multiple times, talking to a health care professional may help you figure out what’s going on. 

Here’s to finding some answers and feeling more at ease!