Author: Alex Thompson

Marijuana Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Coping

“If they had a heart attack six weeks ago, I wouldn’t start cannabis,” Grinspoon said. “I’d be very, very cautious unless there were incredibly compelling indications,” he added, referring to patients using it for medicinal purposes. THC, the active ingredient in cannabis that gets people high, could be affecting the heart through its activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which is our body’s fight-or-flight response. That can trigger an increased heart rate and blood pressure, putting more strain on the heart. Earlier this month the American Heart Association presented preliminary findings from two studies that found marijuana use was linked to a greater risk of both a heart attack and heart failure.

If depression doesn’t lift after a week or two, is impacting functioning, or seems overwhelming, seek help from a healthcare provider or substance abuse counselor. As with other mood changes, depression can be substance-induced or pre-existing to cannabis use. Anxiety can be a sign of cannabis intoxication, but it is also a symptom of cannabis withdrawal. As with irritability, it can be helpful to remember that your worries and fears are common weed withdrawal symptoms. Many former users report having drug cravings in the early days of quitting cannabis. In one study, 75.7% of participants reported an intense craving for marijuana when trying to quit.

How is marijuana withdrawal diagnosed?

Some people compare it to the feeling you get when trying to quit caffeine. These medical facilities are designed to assist people for more than 25 days. Consider making an appointment with a doctor or a substance use disorder specialist to discuss your options. If you use cannabis regularly and often, tapering off and slowly reducing your cannabis use may help you ease into a cannabis-free life.

  1. But even those who reported using marijuana less than once a week experienced weed withdrawal symptoms of moderate intensity.
  2. If you experience marijuana withdrawal, you may have cannabis use disorder.
  3. Weed, or cannabis, is the “most commonly used illicit drug in the United States,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  4. As with irritability, it can be helpful to remember that your worries and fears are common weed withdrawal symptoms.
  5. If anxiety becomes overwhelming or persistent, seeking professional help is crucial.
  6. Depending on how much and how often you have been smoking, these symptoms could become intense enough to drive you to relapse to find relief.

Anxiety

Yes, although how long weed stays in your system is dependent on use, frequency, and lifestyle factors like diet and exercise. THC is mostly stored in body fat and is released in urine as that fat is burned. It usually takes between 30 – 45 days for most of the THC to clear out, which is partly why withdrawal symptoms can last for up to a month.

I want to get healthier

Using cannabis a handful of times may not be enough to cause withdrawal symptoms when you no longer use it. You’re unlikely to die while detoxing from marijuana, but the process can be uncomfortable and distressing. It can be made much more comfortable under the supervision and treatment of medical professionals.

For some people, it can prevent them from successfully stopping their marijuana use on their own. When you have the support of experienced professionals in medical detox, you know you’re not alone, and you have the help and encouragement of others to keep you on your path. In many cases, the symptoms of weed withdrawal will dissipate with time and can be treated without medical attention. However, if your symptoms last for more than a couple of weeks, you should see your healthcare provider or mental health professional.

Marijuana (Weed) Withdrawal

You’ll live with people who understand your daily struggles and are supportive of you staying sober. Once the brain and body have adjusted to not having THC, the physical withdrawal symptoms will stop. People may still experience psychological cravings for some time, however.

Quitting marijuana can lead to withdrawal symptoms for some individuals. These symptoms can vary in severity and duration, but commonly include irritability, mood swings, sleep disturbances, decreased appetite, and cravings. While uncomfortable, these symptoms are usually manageable and temporary. If withdrawal symptoms become overwhelming or interfere with daily life, seeking professional support can be beneficial. Since the symptoms of marijuana withdrawal are uncomfortable, some people begin using the drug again to relieve their discomfort. Using a substance to ease withdrawal symptoms can become a vicious cycle.

Sleep-related weed withdrawal symptoms include experiencing insomnia (trouble getting or staying asleep), unusually vivid or disturbing dreams, and night sweats. But even those who reported using marijuana less than once a week experienced weed withdrawal symptoms of moderate intensity. Throughout the detox process, you’ll work with a dedicated group of counselors, medical professionals, and other personnel. Many of these weed withdrawal symptoms occur within 24 to 72 hours of stopping heavy use. Although, some users experience them a bit longer, feeling symptoms for one to two weeks. Physical weed withdrawal symptoms tend to be less intense, peak sooner, and fade more quickly than psychological symptoms.