It’s certainly true that marijuana has become popular in recent years, as the growing drive for legalization has spread across western countries like the United States and Canada.
However, with this widespread presence of the drug, there is more chance for those with lower tolerances and understandings to come into contact with marijuana – and this can lead to some unpleasant choices and side effects as a result.
If too strong a dose (or the wrong product) is consumed, then the user can quickly feel ill – often resulting in them getting ‘the spins’, where the room feels as though it is spinning, often accompanied by nausea.
So this begs the question: how can you get rid of the spins, and what causes them in the first place?
What Are ‘The Spins’?
Funnily enough, ‘the spins’ are a form of motion sickness, and occur when an individual smokes either too much marijuana in a short sitting, or consumes a product that does not agree with them.
This is often more prevalent when combined with physical activity, such as dancing or running, and the user can begin to feel as though the room is spinning, feel dizzy, become nauseous, and feel as though they need to lay down.
This occurs more in strong marijuana, which can lower blood pressure and lessen cerebral blood flow – leading to the unpleasant feelings that will be all too familiar to seasoned smokers.
This can also be made worse when marijuana is combined with alcohol consumption, and this can lead to nausea and vomiting if done to excess.
How To Get Rid Of ‘The Spins’?
As seasoned smokers will know, there are several tried and tested methods to getting rid of the spins once they present themselves, and while the scientific understanding behind this whole process is limited to say the least, many of these methods are widely understood to work.
Maintaining Balance
As it is the sense of balance that the spins affect the most, reestablishing and maintaining the balance are the surest way to feel better.
The two senses responsible for this are sight and touch, and thus establishing connection with firm surfaces can make you feel better in no time.
Many people get the spins when they lay down and close their eyes, and many experts have suggested that by laying sideways on the bed and placing one or both feet on the floor, then the individual can reestablish a sense of balance.
Avoid Moving Objects
This is something of a two parter, and involves both your sense of sight and touch.
One way to get rid of the spins is to avoid objects which are moving – this means that you should avoid moving machinery (like fairground rides, cars, and escalators etc), and that you should not look directly at a surface that is moving, such as moving graphics on a computer screen, your phone, or any other surface.
The best way to ground yourself and reestablish equilibrium is to stare at a blank, static surface – like a blank wall – until you begin to feel your sense of balance and normality returning.
Blink Slowly
This might sound comical, but blinking slowly can also help reestablish a sense of balance, calm, and togetherness, and can help to lessen the amount of disorientation that you feel while you have the spins.
When combined with some of the other methods on this list, you should then start to feel normal in no time.
Eat Something
Consuming foods that are high in carbohydrates, fats, and proteins can also be a good way to fight off nausea and make you feel more like yourself.
This can be things like crackers, potato chips, bread, or even meat (if you have some). Just be sure to avoid anything too sweet, creamy, or spicy, as these are more likely to make you feel sicker, and can even cause actual vomiting.
How To Prevent The Spins Altogether
Of course, prevention is better than the cure, and there are some tried and tested methods to prevent the spins from occurring altogether.
Monitoring Marijuana Intake
One of the best methods to ensure you do not feel sick, is to learn your appropriate tolerance levels over time, and then consume accordingly. The same with alcohol, or any other intoxicating substance, and before long you will learn what works for you.
Of course, this is sometimes more difficult than others, especially if you are socializing in large groups, you share a joint with someone else, or indeed you sample some marijuana products like edibles – which might be an unknown entity to you at that time.
But by and large, this is the best way to ensure a good time is had by all.
Have A Full Stomach
As with alcohol, ensuring your stomach is well lined prior to consuming marijuana is a good way to ensure that you will not feel as nauseous when smoking.
Of course, you can go too far the other way, so it is best not to consume too much food.
Likewise, it is also prudent not to consume anything too spicy, too creamy, or something laden with dairy or sugar, as this could cause you to feel nauseous quicker, and more violently than you normally would.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, everything you need to know to fight off the spins following marijuana consumption.
While marijuana can be a pleasant and relaxing substance for many, consuming too much (or the wrong kind for you) can result in some unpleasant feelings and side effects.
Luckily, with these few simple methods, you can make things right and be back to feeling great in no time.
So if you regularly suffer from ‘the spins’, then why not give some of these methods a try? Something tells me you won’t be disappointed!
Hi, I’m Zack Finch and I work as a Budtender for a Health & Wellness center here, in sunny California. I have been using marijuana recreationally for around 6 years now, and have many a time enjoyed the benefit that weed has to offer.
Whether you’re looking for informational guides about edibles, vape oil, CBD, how to roll a cross joint, the best blunt wraps, anything you can think of, I’ll cover it here.
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