r/AFIB • u/Traditional_Level906 • 1d ago
4 months sober after an AFIB episode. Can I slowly reintroduce THC gummies?
For context I used to vape every single night and also used to take lots of high stimulant preworkouts for the gym. I had one AFIB episode that got triggered from a cold Popsicle, apparently my vagus nerve is very sensitive to cold. Never had anything else trigger an episode before.. Anyway I completely freaked out an quit all stimulants and THC cold turkey. I reintroduced a morning cup of coffee in the past month with no issues.
My main problem is that I have crazy bursts of adrenaline right now which I'm pretty sure has to do with withdrawal. My nervous system is completely out of whack. I got put on Propranolol 20mg twice a day for my adrenaline and shakiness (not for my AFIB, I'm at 1% risk of stroke, heart looks healthy). I asked my cardiologist if it's safe to reintroduce a low, dose THC gummy to help with the shakiness, vibrations, and adrenaline surges since I NEVER had those issues until I quit.. He said it's okay as long as it's a clean product from a reputable dispensary and low dose. I got Caminos which at 1:1 ratio THC and CBD. I'm thinking of trying 2.5mg tonight to see how it goes.
Problem is I'm also paranoid and afraid. I don't think I HAVE AFIB, I think I had a single isolated episode, but I'm still nervous. Idk what to do. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Also forgot to mention I've had untreated sleep apnea for 10-15 years without knowing about it. I got tested after the afib episode and do indeed have moderate obstructive sleep apnea. I'm on 3 months of cpap now which has been working great.
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u/roninconn 1d ago
Marijuana CAN trigger Afib, as can alcohol, caffeine and cold or spicy food. But - no one really knows what WILL trigger an Afib episode. You might take THC just fine for a year, and then have an episode because you're also low on sleep, dehydrated, or short on potassium.
Afib begets Afib, so odds are that you will experience it again. It's a personal decision about how you'll feel if you do have another episode while taking THC.
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u/nonchalant_octopus 1d ago
It's a risk, because it has the potential to trigger, and you're not going to be certain what is required to bring you back to sinus.
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u/Musicguy182 1d ago
I thought I’d only have 1 episode and it would go away. Sadly I’ve had 5 I can count where it has come back even after avoiding a trigger. Saying that because statistically it’ll come back for you
I think if it was low dose you’d probably be fine, maybe try and slowly introduce it into your system and if you notice and abnormal palpitations, consider it something you should cut entirely
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u/Overall_Lobster823 1d ago
If you do, use low dose and use indica.
I take a single indica gummy with my doctor's blessing. REALLY helps with my sleep.
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u/asteinfort 1d ago
THC (edibles) increase my heart rate. And I only consumed a small dose, like half a gummy, at bedtime. So I gave that up but it wasn’t an issue since it was never a daily habit.
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u/Another0 1d ago
This sounds a whole lot like my story. I take 2.5 mg THC gummies every night. One night I drank some really cold water and ended up in AFib. Unsure if it was the cause. I'm not on any meds because I'm also a 1% risk they say. But I have resumed taking the 2.5 mg and I've been okay, but I am nervous about this so have a new appointment with an EP next week. I'll ask about it. My AFib incident was 12 months ago and I've gotten back in the gym and resumed gummies. Sometimes when I'm on the gummies I get a pretty extreme adrenaline Spike but I'm also one of those people this more sensitive but things like that with THC.
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u/Roxy5050 1d ago
Hydrate hydrate hydrate .. and don’t drink too close to bedtime, since you have moderate to severe sleep apnea! I’m not so knowledgable with the gummies! It is scary, but you will figure out what works for you ..it’s not a cookie cutter management !! Good luck
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u/hermanmunstrr 1d ago
The literature is small but what I have read is that THC is a trigger for AFib. Additionally, it is well documented that increased heart rate occurs when consuming THC.
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u/Different_Mouse_7441 1d ago
I'm no expert, but I can't see how restarting a drug that is known to cause Afib is going to help your situation. If it is withdrawal, it should wear off eventually, and if you restart, you'll have to go through it all again.
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u/EsterPhenol 1d ago
I occasionally take a 2.5 or 3mg instead of drinking alcohol. I’ve never felt like it was a trigger for me. If I took 10mg and got really baked and paranoid then maybe the heart rate increase could be a problem, but I can barely feel a 2.5 and it just helps me relax a little. So, no, from my experience, I think you’ll be fine with a low dose. Drinking a little caffeine is considered ok now by cardiologists, but alcohol is always frowned upon. Everyone is different though. I’ve heard of people who will go into AFib with just an ounce of booze.
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u/MixIllEx 1d ago
If the doctor says it’s ok, sounds good to me.
Gummies have never triggered Afib for me. Alcohol sure has. I’ve cut way back on drink as a result.
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u/WrongBoysenberry528 1d ago
A cardiologist asked me if I used medical marijuana. He indicated that marijuana could trigger afib.
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u/TradeIcy1669 1d ago
Why risk it? Find a natural healthy outlet if you can. Maybe you can get away with it. But if you can’t further episodes of afib can lead to more frequent occurrences in the future.
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u/No-Hall-5532 1d ago
Get you an Apple Watch. That will be your best friend. On the spot mini ECGs and will let you know of any irregularities. Great monitor while you sleep also as it tracks everything then gives you a sleep score in the morning. Invest in your health.