Marijuana plants have 100s of compounds and the most common are THC and CBD. CBD is mostly used for medical purposes while THC is great for entertainment. A strain that has psychoactive properties and creates the feeling of being “high”, as well as euphoria, usually has high THC content. In some aspects, it can lead to dizziness. Although this uncomfortable feeling usually fades after some minutes, a lot of people are actually scared of it. But what causes this feeling of dizziness? And is it possible to avoid it? Let’s find out.
Can Marijuana Make You Dizzy?
A lot of people would love to take marijuana but they often want to know if marijuana can make you dizzy. A common question that you will find on the web is “Can Marijuana Make You Dizzy?” well, it does. In fact, dizziness is one of the most common side effects of smoking weed. Research reports show that more than 60 percent of people who smoke marijuana normally end up feeling dizzy.
What Causes Dizziness after Smoking Marijuana?
According to medical studies, smoking Kush which has high THC content usually lead to changes in the way blood flows in the brain’s cerebrum. It lowers blood cerebral flow. In addition to that, some people may end up with low blood pressure as well. From these, it’s clear that dizziness that occurs after smoking marijuana is caused by reduced blood pressure and change in blood circulation, a condition that’s known as postural hypotension or marijuana hypotension.
Understanding Postural Hypotension
Normally, the blood flows throughout the body following a downward motion if a person is in the upright posture. Blood flows to the vessels which are below the diaphragm from the chest. This circulation is influenced by gravity which is responsible for creating a type of shift. As a result, the level of blood which returns up to the heart is normally reduced thus leading to low blood pressure. However, this is a normal condition that is usually handled almost instantly. The heart has baroreceptors which work to increase the heart rate that constrict the blood vessels. Blood will be pumped at a very high rate and because of the constriction, the veins will produce a higher level of resistance which restores the blood pressure to normal. The baroreceptors create a reflex response that’s known as baroreflex which is responsible for the normal blood circulation.
But there are some instances when this reflex response is interfered with. This can be as a result of certain diseases which include organ problems. Additionally, it could be as a result of dehydration, drugs, and also smoking marijuana. If the blood pressure isn’t stabilized as required, then you will end up with postural hypotension.
Symptoms of Postural Hypotension
This is one of the main causes of dizziness in the human body. Postural hypotension is characterized by a variety of symptoms and the most common ones include:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Tremors
- Fatigue
- Constant weakness
- Lightheadedness
- Headaches and migraines
- Nausea
- confusion
- Increased heart palpitations
The Effect of Marijuana on Blood Pressure
“Why did I faint after smoking weed?”, “Why do I normally feel dizzy after smoking weed?” Well, these are some of the questions that marijuana users ask themselves. Consuming marijuana affects the endocannabinoid system which is responsible for vital functions in the body including regulating the blood pressure & heart rate. When you take marijuana, the cannabinoid compounds end up attaching themselves on the endocannabinoid’s CB1 and CB2 receptors.
The high THC content in weed dilates the blood vessels which results in low blood pressure. The result of a reduced heart rate. Although this usually lasts for a few minutes, a highly potent weed with very high THC content can lead to postural hypotension. But taking it for long leads to tolerance and the chances of low blood pressure will reduce. As a result, postural hypotension and dizziness are normally experienced by newbies while veteran smokers usually end up feeling relaxed.
About Whitey Weed
It’s a condition that normally affects first-time marijuana smokers. Whitey Weed symptoms include dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. It’s a random feeling that may make you lose your consciousness and in some instances, you may end up convulsing or suffering from tremors.
Combating Marijuana Dizziness
From the above statements, it’s clear that marijuana can make you feel dizzy especially if you are a newbie. Some people use it for entertainment while others use it for medical reasons. Either way, if you notice that you always feel dizzy after smoking weed, here is how you can handle it:
Drink Lots of Water
One of the most common side effects of smoking Kush is dehydration. It eliminates water from the body cells leading to loss of electrolytes. You can avoid feeling dizzy by taking adequate amounts of water. This should be done throughout the day i.e. before you smoke, while you are smoking, and even after you finish smoking.
Understand Your Limits
Most people normally feel dizzy because of taking large doses of weed within a short period of time. But understanding your consumption limits can help you to avoid all these problems. Start by taking very few puffs, especially if you are new and then gradually increase your intake as time goes by.
Avoid Standing up Abruptly
Taking marijuana while seating means that it’s not possible to determine its full effects. You might not even be aware of the reduced blood pressure. To avoid postural hypotension and feeling dizzy, ensure that you stand up slowly after a puffing session. Standing up abruptly cause head rush caused by an abrupt and random drop in blood pressure. You can even stretch your legs and arms to improve your blood circulation before you begin standing up.
Exercise
The last thing a person who is dizzy thinks about is; exercising. I mean you’ve only finished your smoking session and want to relax because you’re feeling dizzy. But certain types of gentle exercises can help to improve blood circulation towards the heart and the brain. The best types of exercise include those that involve abdominal muscles. Additionally, you can decide to march around slowly as your body adjusts.
Eat Prior to Smoking and Always Have Snacks Around
One of the main causes of low blood pressure is low blood sugar levels. Even without smoking marijuana, this can lead to dizziness. Take foods which have high amounts of carbs before smoking. Additionally, having sugary and salty snacks while smoking helps to improve the level of blood sugar & blood pressure. If you have something to feed your stomach, then stay calm and vape on.
There’s No Need of Panicking
A scary experience that some people face is the whitey weed effect. The whitey weed symptoms usually scare first–time smokers. But if you feel dizzy, fatigued, or like fainting, don’t panic. Because panicking will amplify the side effects and make everything to be worse. Simply sit down and try to relax. Take slow deep breaths and the whitey weed effect will fade away after some time.
Use a Different Strain
Some types of marijuana are very strong that the body cannot withstand their effect. Remember that everyone has a different body with a unique response system. So, what might work for someone isn’t necessarily suitable for you. Most types of weed that cause dizziness and postural hypotension have high levels of THC. However, you can try a strain which has equal THC to CBD ratio or a higher ratio of CBD to THC.
Marijuana and Drug Interactions
The possibility of dizziness can be increased as a result of THC or CBD interacting with certain drugs. It’s for this reason that people with cardiovascular disease shouldn’t take it because it creates a cardiovascular effect. Marijuana increases the amount of cardiac work, the levels of carboxyhemoglobin and catecholamine which can put your health at risk. If you are under medications or you are about to undergo surgery, consult first with your healthcare provider before using weed.
Final Thoughts
Science indicates that marijuana has a lot of health benefits. Strains which contain high CBD levels are now being used to treat and ease the symptoms of various chronic diseases including cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s among others. However, these are strains which don’t have intoxicating effects and they are safe for consumption in high doses. Taking a CBD-rich weed doesn’t cause dizziness because CBD doesn’t affect the blood pressure.
THC-rich cannabis is mostly loved by those who are looking for entertainment or a relaxing effect. The low-blood pressure that’s normally caused by THC is usually a short-term problem that reduces once the body becomes tolerant to THC. This is why veteran marijuana smokers are usually relaxed and calm while newbies end up feeling dizzy, nauseated, fatigued, and even dehydrated.
