Low tolerance can also be problematic

The Stranger

Account Closed
I want to start this thread because everybody, myself included, looks at having a low tolerance as a magical thing. When your tolerance is high, we can function and do almost anything high that we could do sober. "But it takes more to feel the same effects" - so we take it for granted.

Lately, after taking a 4 month break I haven't ever vaped more than .05 grams at a time. But it is hitting me like a brick. I can't concentrate on television shows, reading, video games - I'm lost in thought in my own head. Which isn't always a bad thing. But when the thoughts turn dark, it starts to scare me again and I get paranoid, just like someone who doesn't have a lot of experience with getting high. But I do, but I'm just like them again.

Last night I vaped the same amount as usual but instead of finishing the episode of House of Cards, which I like, but when high MAN does it seem cheesy to me - I decided I wanted to go to bed and lay with my girlfriend. Because she's there and real and tv is just tv.
I knew I was still way too high to fall asleep but did it anyway. But as soon as I slip under the sheets and feel the warmth I start shivering a little. I almost can't even take having our bodies touch. I adjust so we aren't touching as much because I'm very cold and think slowly warming up would be better. After a minute or two the slight shivering feels like full blown muscle spasms. I could even hear the bed slightly moving and I knew for sure she would notice if she were awake. I couldn't figure out what was going on. It continues for 5-10 minutes and thoughts start creeping into my head that if I were to be walking around at this point I'd look like a spastic with a disorder. Another thought was that I was having a little seizure and this must be what it's like, I could still move around my limbs but if I didn't try, my whole body felt locked up and just continued to violently shake, like a very strong shiver. I started to think what if when I woke up the feeling was still there.


Eventually I snapped out of the thoughts and in my head told myself, I'm just high and that's it. Instantly, my body stopped shaking and everything seemed to come to a halt. My muscles felt tired from the shaking. At one point during the "episode" I thought I was going to faint and that feeling was gone too.

The experience made me think twice about when the next time I wanted to partake. Whereas the night before I consumed the same amount and had a great time doing ceramics and being very creative.

So basically what I'm saying is, having a low tolerance isn't always what it's cracked up to be or what we remember. Being in a dark room and "alone" can severely alter your high, even when experienced. Don't take for granted partaking with friends and having great conversations and laughing either.

Anyone else have some crazy shit go down from their low tolerance?
 

Hippie Dickie

The Herbal Cube
Manufacturer
I started to think what if when I woke up the feeling was still there.

i had this experience from a non-drug induced emotional release - the high lasted 3 days - it just got boring at that point - i just didn't have any way to process what was happening.

re: shivering - it doesn't happen often for me, but if high enough and in a slight chill, and i have very strong shivering ... just part of the trip. seems to be adrenalin based - i have the same thing happen watching a movie, if i'm in the right frame of mind - happened first time i watched "Live Free or Die Hard", which i really enjoyed.
 

Derrrpp

For the world is hollow and I have touched the sky
...After a minute or two the slight shivering feels like full blown muscle spasms. I could even hear the bed slightly moving and I knew for sure she would notice if she were awake. I couldn't figure out what was going on. It continues for 5-10 minutes and thoughts start creeping into my head that if I were to be walking around at this point I'd look like a spastic with a disorder. Another thought was that I was having a little seizure and this must be what it's like, I could still move around my limbs but if I didn't try, my whole body felt locked up and just continued to violently shake, like a very strong shiver. I started to think what if when I woke up the feeling was still there.


Eventually I snapped out of the thoughts and in my head told myself, I'm just high and that's it. Instantly, my body stopped shaking and everything seemed to come to a halt. My muscles felt tired from the shaking. At one point during the "episode" I thought I was going to faint and that feeling was gone too.
That shaking thing happens to me every once in a while when I get really high. Almost exactly as you described it, except no feeling faint, and usually throughout the whole ordeal my heart feels like it's trying to pound its way out of my chest. I always write it off as weed-induced anxiety/panic attack.

I've found that low temperature micro dosing seems to work well to give me the uplifting effects I want without pushing me over the edge and inducing anxiety. And when I do go too far and start to get that feeling, concentrating on something helps. For me, it's playing guitar that helps the most. If I focus on that for a while, eventually my heart slows and I calm down.

The shaking hasn't happened to me in a while; I usually only get the pounding heart when I overdo it. That alone is bad enough. The uncontrollable shaking is truly horrible. Frightening, even.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Nobody that I've talked to in real life has ever gone through anything similar. And they wonder why I take it slow when partaking!

:peace:
 

The Stranger

Account Closed
Thanks for sharing your experience too.

That sounds about right, I definitely think it was some kind of anxiety, it was great though as soon as I told myself what it was it went away. And concentrating on something else is what I should have done instead of laying in bed.

I've noticed the shivering before after smoking. Usually I just felt cold so it was that kind of shiver. Your headspace and environment have a huge impact when it comes to these things though.

Vaped last night and all was well. Watched some Better Call Saul and then passed out.
 

Winegums

I make things from wood
Accessory Maker
I've gotten the shaking and muscle lock too. I'm not quite sure what causes it but it isn't fun. It'll happen out of the blue and suddenly my muscles are tight as a drum. My tolerance isn't low and generally I don't push myself over the edge.

If they do lock up I find that laying down is the worst. The pain is intense enough that it wakes me up and more weed doesn't counter the situation.
 

Reliable ShotZ

Active Member
I have a this issue and sometimes if I haven't got the energy for it I just don't bother. It takes me about 3 months to get through 2 grams. Lowering the temp and amount lowers the intensity. Keeping the mind occupied is so important when you get a little anxious and reassure yourself it will most likely be over in 10 minutes as always in my case.
 

bluenavey00

Arizer Air Aficionado
I want to start this thread because everybody, myself included, looks at having a low tolerance as a magical thing. When your tolerance is high, we can function and do almost anything high that we could do sober. "But it takes more to feel the same effects" - so we take it for granted.

Lately, after taking a 4 month break I haven't ever vaped more than .05 grams at a time. But it is hitting me like a brick. I can't concentrate on television shows, reading, video games - I'm lost in thought in my own head. Which isn't always a bad thing. But when the thoughts turn dark, it starts to scare me again and I get paranoid, just like someone who doesn't have a lot of experience with getting high. But I do, but I'm just like them again.

Last night I vaped the same amount as usual but instead of finishing the episode of House of Cards, which I like, but when high MAN does it seem cheesy to me - I decided I wanted to go to bed and lay with my girlfriend. Because she's there and real and tv is just tv.
I knew I was still way too high to fall asleep but did it anyway. But as soon as I slip under the sheets and feel the warmth I start shivering a little. I almost can't even take having our bodies touch. I adjust so we aren't touching as much because I'm very cold and think slowly warming up would be better. After a minute or two the slight shivering feels like full blown muscle spasms. I could even hear the bed slightly moving and I knew for sure she would notice if she were awake. I couldn't figure out what was going on. It continues for 5-10 minutes and thoughts start creeping into my head that if I were to be walking around at this point I'd look like a spastic with a disorder. Another thought was that I was having a little seizure and this must be what it's like, I could still move around my limbs but if I didn't try, my whole body felt locked up and just continued to violently shake, like a very strong shiver. I started to think what if when I woke up the feeling was still there.


Eventually I snapped out of the thoughts and in my head told myself, I'm just high and that's it. Instantly, my body stopped shaking and everything seemed to come to a halt. My muscles felt tired from the shaking. At one point during the "episode" I thought I was going to faint and that feeling was gone too.

The experience made me think twice about when the next time I wanted to partake. Whereas the night before I consumed the same amount and had a great time doing ceramics and being very creative.

So basically what I'm saying is, having a low tolerance isn't always what it's cracked up to be or what we remember. Being in a dark room and "alone" can severely alter your high, even when experienced. Don't take for granted partaking with friends and having great conversations and laughing either.

Anyone else have some crazy shit go down from their low tolerance?

Cant you load 0.05 and have 1 / a few puffs rather than clear the whole load?

I have a AA and that dose can easily last 5 minutes / 15 puffs. If I cleared it all in one sesh after a t-break I would feel pretty messed up!
 

howie105

Well-Known Member
I want to start this thread because everybody, myself included, looks at having a low tolerance as a magical thing. When your tolerance is high, we can function and do almost anything high that we could do sober. "But it takes more to feel the same effects" - so we take it for granted.

Lately, after taking a 4 month break I haven't ever vaped more than .05 grams at a time. But it is hitting me like a brick. I can't concentrate on television shows, reading, video games - I'm lost in thought in my own head. Which isn't always a bad thing. But when the thoughts turn dark, it starts to scare me again and I get paranoid, just like someone who doesn't have a lot of experience with getting high. But I do, but I'm just like them again.

Last night I vaped the same amount as usual but instead of finishing the episode of House of Cards, which I like, but when high MAN does it seem cheesy to me - I decided I wanted to go to bed and lay with my girlfriend. Because she's there and real and tv is just tv.
I knew I was still way too high to fall asleep but did it anyway. But as soon as I slip under the sheets and feel the warmth I start shivering a little. I almost can't even take having our bodies touch. I adjust so we aren't touching as much because I'm very cold and think slowly warming up would be better. After a minute or two the slight shivering feels like full blown muscle spasms. I could even hear the bed slightly moving and I knew for sure she would notice if she were awake. I couldn't figure out what was going on. It continues for 5-10 minutes and thoughts start creeping into my head that if I were to be walking around at this point I'd look like a spastic with a disorder. Another thought was that I was having a little seizure and this must be what it's like, I could still move around my limbs but if I didn't try, my whole body felt locked up and just continued to violently shake, like a very strong shiver. I started to think what if when I woke up the feeling was still there.


Eventually I snapped out of the thoughts and in my head told myself, I'm just high and that's it. Instantly, my body stopped shaking and everything seemed to come to a halt. My muscles felt tired from the shaking. At one point during the "episode" I thought I was going to faint and that feeling was gone too.

The experience made me think twice about when the next time I wanted to partake. Whereas the night before I consumed the same amount and had a great time doing ceramics and being very creative.

So basically what I'm saying is, having a low tolerance isn't always what it's cracked up to be or what we remember. Being in a dark room and "alone" can severely alter your high, even when experienced. Don't take for granted partaking with friends and having great conversations and laughing either.

Anyone else have some crazy shit go down from their low tolerance?

Condolences my friend and I really hope you find a good solution. That said I have to watch some of the interactions between my MJ dosing and my prescription drugs otherwise I can run into sleeping problems. So talk to your MD and/or do your own study and good luck.
 

The Stranger

Account Closed
If they do lock up I find that laying down is the worst. The pain is intense enough that it wakes me up and more weed doesn't counter the situation.
Oh god I can't even imagine vaping more to try and ease the situation, that's a trip down a very scary never ending black hole waiting to happen ha!

Condolences my friend and I really hope you find a good solution. That said I have to watch some of the interactions between my MJ dosing and my prescription drugs otherwise I can run into sleeping problems. So talk to your MD and/or do your own study and good luck.
Thank you. Luckily I don't have any prescription drugs, I can only imagine them interacting with weed in very weird ways though depending on what they are:(. I am glad to see others have the same problem though, misery loves company hehe.
Cant you load 0.05 and have 1 / a few puffs rather than clear the whole load?

I have a AA and that dose can easily last 5 minutes / 15 puffs. If I cleared it all in one sesh after a t-break I would feel pretty messed up!
Yeah good question. I could and maybe should do that. I think part of it is that I feel .05 really isn't all that much, even though vaporizing it sure as hell makes you feel like it is. So I don't really like to keep a half used nano stem laying around. If I was using my mflb than I'd have no problem leaving a trench for 3 different sessions :hmm:. Although looking at my nano stem from last night, it's definitely probably only half way vaped so I guess I didn't finish last night.

The other part is I think my headspace was just all wrong because as long as I'm occupied With something else, the high is very enjoyable!
 

ginolicious

Well-Known Member
I get dark thoughts from sitting there not high. I could even be at work. But I'm also a very bad hypochondriac who thinks he's dying 24/7. Had a sinus infection and head ache mixed with a neck problem and instantly I'm dying and I won't be able to teach my daughter to ride her bike. Dark thoughts suck bro. Just to to stay away from them. Maybe use less weed and take 2 hits and wait a damn long time before taking the next.

When I started vaping after a 2 year break from weed. I vaped a .5 with 2 other people and I shook and twitched for hours haha.
 

Kiskis

Well-Known Member
I get dark thoughts from sitting there not high. I could even be at work. But I'm also a very bad hypochondriac who thinks he's dying 24/7.

This is me right here.. It goes both ways because when I'm not anxious thinking I'm going to die, my depression makes me wish I was dead.

Weed doesn't always solve the problems, but sometimes it helps. If I go a day or two without using, my tolerance gets low and I start experiencing stuff like OP describes. Then again, I only do like 1 pinch in my log anyway.
 

shredder

Well-Known Member
I can't help thinking some of this might be strain related. Perhaps the answer could be as simple as trying a new strain.

I've had vastly different experiences with different varieties myself. Not quite like the OP, but still.

If your getting panicky maybe look for a more relaxing herb or something with more cbd in it.

The cbd's can counter some the roughness from thc.

And then of course practice makes perfect. After more uses I think your body knows what to expect and sessions can become more pleasant.
 
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His_Highness

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king
Great thread! Now I know I'm not the only one.

I get those physical top to bottom body racking chills a few times a year when I get really high. It's usually caused by my house being colder than I'd like due to my wife's need for cooler temps than me. It almost feels like a seizure of some sort and it doesn't matter if I'm wearing a snow suit - we're going to go through the chill spasms until I force myself to get too hot. Here's how I get over them.....

I jump under a heavy blanket/comforter and go with it. I don't fight it and sometimes I even go out of my way to make the shaking worse. I roll up into the fetal position under those covers and try and force myself to shake even harder. Eventually I get too warm and the shaking stops. I don't come out from under those covers right away though cause it feels like I'd just be starting the sequence over again when the cold hits me.

The weird thing is they only happen when I'm in the house...I never get those electric type of body chills outside even when it's freezing out and I'm high.

I've always thought that If I had a shot or two of alcohol I could stop the chills but when I'm shaking like that there's little chance I could hold the glass and all I want to do is get warm.

Mentally there's no issues though.
 

Chill Dude

Well-Known Member
Great thread! Now I know I'm not the only one.

I get those physical top to bottom body racking chills a few times a year when I get really high. It's usually caused by my house being colder than I'd like due to my wife's need for cooler temps than me. It almost feels like a seizure of some sort and it doesn't matter if I'm wearing a snow suit - we're going to go through the chill spasms until I force myself to get too hot. Here's how I get over them.....

I jump under a heavy blanket/comforter and go with it. I don't fight it and sometimes I even go out of my way to make the shaking worse. I roll up into the fetal position under those covers and try and force myself to shake even harder. Eventually I get too warm and the shaking stops. I don't come out from under those covers right away though cause it feels like I'd just be starting the sequence over again when the cold hits me.

I also get the chills and somewhat uncontrollable shaking maybe 4 or 5 times a year and I've known others who experience this as well.. They usually occur about 10 minutes after consuming and last 20 minutes, but can last up to an hour. I've gotten these types of chills shakes both at home and away from home. It kind of weirded me out the first time it happened, but now I just wait it out patiently. If I'm at home I just get under the covers and try to warm up and take slow long breaths to calm the body.

I have no idea why this happens, but it's totally normal. I've had it happen with both smoking and Vaping and perhaps when Im consuming a larger amount for my tolerance, but that's not always the case.
 

woolspinner

Well-Known Member
That sounds awful. My sympathies since some of what you describe has happened to me, in slightly different ways.

A note on low tolerance that I have noticed - harder to titrate doseage. The range between "medicated to desired degree" and "whoa, fuck!" is much narrower - the whole range is not very wide to begin with.

Right now - "whoa, fuck!" is on the verge because I vaped 2 1/2 breath hits (1 full inhale, IOW.) too many.

I have sensitive skin (as in I feel things more acutely against my skin, not that I break out in rashes) and I have had that go overboard to the point that I can too acutely feel the weave on my cotton sheets and cannot think of anything else.

I have also gotten bed spins from cannabis. The first time it happened, I jerked myself awake and thought I must have imagined it (irony) so I closed my eyes again to test. Yep, bed spins.

The only truly scary experiences I have had have mainly been medible related. I had a panic attack once early on and since then monitor both my dose and what strain I use to control for that.
 

hibeam

alpha +
Glad to see this thread still running. I cannot overemphasize the importance of magnesium for anxiety and muscular issues. So many things we eat, drink, and do deplete magnesium and we probably overdo the calcium what with it being added to so many processed foods. I stay away from mag oxide tabs because they do not get absorbed. Mag chloride or other ionic or chelated form works great. I have chronic mag deficiency via genetics and I have read many people do on a standard American diet. That said, I have also read that too low calcium to mag ratio can wire somebody for sound. Something to think about. Mag or calcium might be too low.

This off site thread gave me many insights: http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/65659-supplements-to-reduce-negative-side-effects-of-marijuana/
 
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Winegums

I make things from wood
Accessory Maker
I'm really glad to know it's not just me that goes through it. I'll make sure to keep my body warm when I'm vaked. It's no fun at all.

My reasoning for trying more weed while it was happening was that I wanted to see how it effected it. I tried a puff and if it made it worse I would then know for next time. If it had made it better than I would have gone for more.
 
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HomeFree

Well-Known Member
I have gotten those chills/shivering as well but never when it was warm. It happens every year or 2. Usually it is from going piggy with really potent sativa leaning strains but I bet it could happen with both. It makes my hands feel really cold too.

The Stranger (and others), have you tried mixing your flower half and half with ABV? I have done that before and if it is super vaped it doesn't seem to add too much to the taste, but of course it is about half potency when mixed like that so it can have half the taste. I have been mixing my flower with trim lately because money is tight. Pop in some whole flower and vape it until nothing else is produced and then mix that load with a new load for 2 loads. :D You may not like it but maybe give it a shot. 2 for the price of 1.

I really need to get a log vape! I would love to do little one hitters with a smaller amount of cannabis and still get some great flavor and vapor.
 

herbivore21

Well-Known Member
I avoid letting my tolerance get too low because it is hell for anxiety!

For those who get anxiety like some of us here mention, I think no cannabis is better than very small amounts of cannabis - because having a low tolerance can definitely make things worse, not better.

I try to keep myself in the middle, never more than a gram of concentrate per week now, and just as often half as much. Keeping it moderate, not ridiculously expensive and not debilitating in a panicky or sleepy way has worked for me. I am very much more interested in medical utility over getting high personally though (although there is nothing at all wrong with people enjoying the latter!).

As helpful (extremely) for my other symptoms as cannabis is, it is very unhelpful in very small, infrequent doses due to panic attacks. I long for better access to CBD to really boost the benefits for anxiety!
 

Monsoon

Well-Known Member
I avoid letting my tolerance get too low because it is hell for anxiety!

For those who get anxiety like some of us here mention, I think no cannabis is better than very small amounts of cannabis - because having a low tolerance can definitely make things worse, not better.

I try to keep myself in the middle, never more than a gram of concentrate per week now, and just as often half as much. Keeping it moderate, not ridiculously expensive and not debilitating in a panicky or sleepy way has worked for me. I am very much more interested in medical utility over getting high personally though (although there is nothing at all wrong with people enjoying the latter!).

As helpful (extremely) for my other symptoms as cannabis is, it is very unhelpful in very small, infrequent doses due to panic attacks. I long for better access to CBD to really boost the benefits for anxiety!
I've been a near daily user for 8 years now mainly to treat anxiety and depression so I never really experienced that. Even when I couldn't afford it I was still able to drop to 0.15g per day with capsules just for a maintenance dose of some sort. To manage tolerance I usually mix up strains, use different pieces, nails, or even vape flowers again. Edibles are great too though tolerance builds quickly with daily use.

In absence of CBD you could try THCA in capsule form, seems to have some similar effects and is also non-psychoactive. I figure the best way would be to heat up some coconut oil just enough to dissolve some shatter. I'm going to whip up a batch myself soon to experiment, I already tried adding some to my lotion but it's harder to tell if it added any benefit.
 

The Stranger

Account Closed
I can't help thinking some of this might be strain related. Perhaps the answer could be as simple as trying a new strain.

I've had vastly different experiences with different varieties myself. Not quite like the OP, but still.

If your getting panicky maybe look for a more relaxing herb or something with more cbd in it.

The cbd's can counter some the roughness from thc.

And then of course practice makes perfect. After more uses I think your body knows what to expect and sessions can become more pleasant.
I think you're right that a lot of it probably has to due to the strain. I think that happened off of some super lemon haze. I picked up some amnesia and Chernobyl last week and while nothing like that has happened again, I get some dark depressing thoughts on them, yikes.
Next time I pick up I am going to get something indica heavy for once and really see the difference because I usually stick with sativa sided hybrids.
Cannabis can lower your body temp.

If you start feeling anxious, try chewing a couple whole peppercorns. Some people say it helps.

If peppercorns aren't your thing, eating something may help. It usually helps to lower the intensity if needed.
You've just reminded me that I've read that cannabis lowers your body temperature before. I think that's why deep down I knew it was just the weed and not something medical - which still went through my brain anyway. I think bundling up and being warm first might have helped in this situation.
 
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