Author: James Anderson

Cannabis Withdrawal: Definition, Symptoms, Treatment

THC defines the potency of cannabis products, while terpenes define the aroma and flavor. There are many misconceptions about whether people can become addicted to cannabis. The truth is that it is possible to become dependent on, or even addicted to, cannabis with regular use.

If you’re stopping cannabis use after regular intake, face licking and wet-dog shakes are not likely to figure among the symptoms you will experience. The severity of CWS among humans “is dependent on the amount of cannabis used pre-cessation, gender, and heritable and several environmental factors,” the German researchers noted. Women, they wrote, tended to report stronger symptoms of CWS, and their experience included more physical discomfort, nausea, and stomach pain. Be sure to tell them that marijuana withdrawal is playing a role in how you are feeling. If you say you are depressed or anxious without mentioning you’re going through weed withdrawal, you may be prescribed medication that can present its own set of dependence issues. While some worry that weed withdrawal can result in physical symptoms involving the heart, research indicates that abruptly stopping heavy cannabis use does not cause major changes in blood pressure or heart rate.

The irritability experienced during cannabis withdrawal can range from being a mild and relatively easy-to-control annoyance to feeling more like excessive anger and even aggression. If it lasts for more than a week, seek support from a healthcare provider, substance abuse counselor, or psychologist as this symptom may be part of another issue that was masked by cannabis use. One person’s experience with marijuana withdrawal can be quite different from another’s.

The signs and symptoms must be causing significant distress or impairing the ability to function in life, whether socially, at work, personal relationships, etc. Resources are available to those who are interested in quitting weed or cannabis. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. You should consult with a doctor before using CBD for either recreational or medical purposes, and let them know of any other medications you are taking to minimize the chance of adverse interactions.

What Do Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms Feel Like?

While withdrawing from marijuana use can present challenges, remember that what you are going through will pass. Making life changes is always challenging, but with the right support, they can be transformative. There are also no life-or-death dangers in quitting marijuana cold turkey or detoxing on your own. That said, consulting a medical professional can help you better manage the physical and psychological symptoms of weed withdrawal and prevent relapse.

But even though more and more people are using marijuana and it is less addictive than other drugs, users aren’t exempt from the symptoms of withdrawal. Whatever name you give it—cannabis, weed, pot, etc—marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug and you probably know someone who partakes. It feels dated to even call it an illicit drug but despite some form of legalization in 24 states, it is still outlawed at a federal level. While withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, they are not usually dangerous in comparison with withdrawal from alcohol or opioids, which can be life-threatening. Research states that brain receptors called cannabinoid 1 receptors start to return to normal after 2 days without cannabis, and they regain normal functioning within 4 weeks of stopping the drug.

A Duke University study found that 95.5% of 496 adult marijuana smokers who tried to quit experienced at least one withdrawal symptom, with 43.1% experiencing two symptoms or more. The number of symptoms experienced by participants was significantly linked to how often and how much marijuana they smoked. If a person is ready to quit cannabis use, they should make sure to take care of their body during the peak withdrawal period within the first week.

Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled. Insomnia is often an indicator of CWS, but symptoms aren’t limited to sleeplessness. Symptoms typically start within the first two days of cessation, and stop within four weeks of abstinence. FAB CBD’s products are made from organically grown, laboratory-tested, Colorado hemp. Their range of products include CBD oils, gummies, topical CBD cream, dog treats and more.

Behavioral Interventions

People may feel cravings for cannabis after they have stopped using it, especially in contexts and settings where they are used to using cannabis. Over the years, based on samples of confiscated cannabis, potency has steadily increased. The THC content has risen from around 3.8 percent in the 1990s to 12.2 percent in 2014. In recent years, more states have legalized the recreational and medicinal use of weed. However, based on a 2018 survey from Washington State, legalization does not seem to have significantly increased use. Many states have legalized medicinal and recreational cannabis, and more states may join in the future.

1. Frequent, vivid dreams typically begin about a week after quitting and can last for a month before tapering off.
2. Others report feelings of aggression, nervousness, restlessness, and a loss of concentration.
3. Unpleasant psychological and physiological symptoms can occur when a long-term, regular consumer of marijuana suddenly quits.
4. If you’re on the cusp of cutting THC from your life, these healthy habits will help you ease discomfort that comes with discontinuing heavy cannabis use.
5. While withdrawing from marijuana use can present challenges, remember that what you are going through will pass.
6. A Duke University study found that 95.5% of 496 adult marijuana smokers who tried to quit experienced at least one withdrawal symptom, with 43.1% experiencing two symptoms or more.

Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Some who’ve quit smoking report having “using dreams” in which they dream that they smoke marijuana. Frequent, vivid dreams typically begin about a week after quitting and can last for a month before tapering off. Although some former users report having these types of dreams years after they stop smoking pot. Though the physical effects of withdrawal will stop after the drug has left a person’s system, the psychological symptoms can last longer. This article will explore how and why a person can develop withdrawal symptoms from weed, as well as how to treat them.

How do you know if your cannabis use is a problem?

Stacey Colino is a Maryland-based writer and author who specializes in health and psychological issues. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post and in dozens of national magazines, including Prevention, Health, Newsweek, Real Simple, Parade, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Glamour, Shape, Parents and Men’s Journal. She is also a certified health coach (ACE), certified group exercise instructor and Spinning instructor. But for those who do, these headaches can be very intense, especially during the first few days after quitting. This indicates that the current effects of cannabis, including withdrawal, may be more extreme compared with their effects in previous decades.

Instead, stick with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean protein—and stay well hydrated. These feelings can often be used to bring about the positive changes you want to make in your life. They can also be signs that additional help may be needed to ease or resolve your depressive symptoms.

Some people compare it to the feeling you get when trying to quit caffeine. Insomnia symptoms after you stop using weed can last a few days or a couple of weeks. Some people find that they can experience occasional sleeplessness for a few months after quitting. Although regular marijuana smokers may not believe that they’re addicted to the drug, experiencing cravings is a hallmark of addiction. This is true whether the addiction is to other substances such as heroin or alcohol, or activities like gambling, shopping, or sex. Furthermore, as John C. Umhau explains, “The increased potency of cannabis over the years has caused more people to have significant withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit.”

It is also possible that if you take CBD to treat a condition like insomnia or depression, you may experience a worsening of these symptoms if you abruptly stop taking CBD. This effect may be more likely after long-term use of CBD than short-term use. As your body becomes accustomed to not having THC, you may experience unpleasant symptoms. In some cases, these symptoms can be so troublesome that people begin using cannabis again to get a reprieve.