Whenever CBD and muscle spasms are discussed, it’s usually in the context of the benefits CBD has if you’re dealing with them.
But can CBD cause muscle spasms?
This is a question we’ve gotten asked before, but we haven’t seen it talked about much.
In this article, we’ll dive into the science to see if CBD causes muscle spasms, or if what you’re experiencing is likely due to something else.
TAKEAWAYS:
- Based on the available research, CBD won’t cause muscle spasms, but THC, which is in full-spectrum CBD products, can.
- Stress and anxiety cause muscle spasms, so if you’re using CBD for therapeutic purposes, your situation may be causing you to experience spasms.
- To avoid muscle spasms after taking CBD, use a broad-spectrum or isolate product, neither of which contains THC.
Can CBD Cause Muscle Spasms or Tightness? What Science Says
There isn’t any research that suggests that CBD by itself can cause of muscle cramps, spasms, or tightness. In fact, most research suggests that CBD can help with spasms (but that’s another article).
A research review from 2016 discussed multiple studies in which CBD and CBD/THC blends reduced muscle spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis patients.
However, THC may be a different story.
THC May Cause Muscle Spasms
There is a phenomenon known as “weed shakes,” where you experience muscle spasms and tremors after consuming too much cannabis — especially THC-heavy cannabis (this applies to hemp-derived THC, too).
Weed shakes have a few causes. One is nervous system overstimulation, which can occur if you use many stimulants at the same time — THC, caffeine, soda, nicotine, to name a few.
Another is anxiety. It may seem ironic that anxiety is a side effect of THC use, considering that many enjoy using psychoactive cannabinoids to deal with anxiety in the first place.
However, it can happen. Anxiety triggers your body’s stress response, which can result in muscle spasms.
Lastly, THC can lower your body temperature, which can cause you to shiver.
So although CBD doesn’t cause muscle spasms — at least, not according to current research — THC can. Herein may be the answer.
Since THC Can Cause Muscle Spasms, You May Experience Them After Using Full-Spectrum CBD Products, Which Contain THC
Full-spectrum CBD isn’t just CBD — it contains other cannabinoids, including CBG, CBN, and a bit of THC.
Since THC is a potential cause of muscle spasms, the twitching you’re feeling after taking CBD may be caused by the THC that’s in your product.
Most full-spectrum products shouldn’t contain enough THC to cause spasms, however, faulty products may. And since the CBD industry is largely unregulated, this is always a risk.
You deserve better. That's why we only carry high-strength, American-made CBD products that have been 3rd-party lab tested.
Other Reasons You’re Experiencing Muscle Spasms After Taking CBD
Even if the product you’re using doesn’t contain THC, you might still experience muscle spasms after taking CBD. Here’s why.
Stress & Anxiety
Stress and anxiety, if extreme enough, can cause your muscles to twitch.
If you take CBD to help manage stress or anxiety, it’s possible that the situation you’re dealing with is the cause of the muscle spasms.
And if you struggle with stress or anxiety, thinking about your situation can stress your body even more, causing a vicious cycle.
Dehydration & Depletion of Electrolytes
Many who have reported experiencing muscle spasms after using THC found that eating bananas helped. This is because bananas are heavy in potassium, an electrolyte your body needs.
Depletion of electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium can cause muscle spasms, as can simple dehydration.
How to Prevent or Reduce Muscle Spasms
When it comes to taking CBD, to minimize the chances that you’ll experience muscle spasms, use a broad-spectrum or isolate CBD product. These types of CBD don’t contain THC.
Generally, though, here are a few tips to prevent muscle spasms:
- Maintain overall fitness
- Stretch your muscles on a regular basis
- Drink plenty of water
And if a muscle spasm is happening, here are a few things you can do to help relieve the pain:
- Stretch the affected area.
- Massage the affected area
- Walk around
- Apply heat or ice
Conclusion: Is CBD Good for Your Muscles or Not?
More research on how CBD affects the muscles is needed before we fully understand its benefits for muscle relaxation — or if there are any drawbacks.
But based on what we know, CBD shouldn’t cause muscle spasms, and in fact, it may help address the discomfort that comes with them.
