This is known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) and can also be effectively treated with professional intervention. Another piece of research suggests that drugs categorized as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors may also help through their impact on endocannabinoid signaling. In this case, subjects taking a FAAH inhibitor had reduced cannabis withdrawal symptoms when compared to those who took a placebo. While the symptoms of cannabis withdrawal may not be as severe as those of some other substances, such as cocaine or heroin, cannabis withdrawal is real.
- And, while there is a lot of positive talk about cannabis, there are risks—especially if you’re over 55.
- They also vary in severity based on the length of time a person has used cannabis.
- It can also include motivational approaches and coping skills training [41].
- The prevalence of cannabis withdrawal symptoms is higher in users with a history of daily cannabis use, concurrent cannabis and tobacco use and other substance use disorders [4].
- Although some believe marijuana is not addictive, marijuana addiction is possible — especially in adolescents.
- Many of these weed withdrawal symptoms occur within 24 to 72 hours of stopping heavy use.
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. Common treatment modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy, for example.
Signs and Symptoms of Marijuana Withdrawal
These changes create a physical dependence on the drug, which causes people to feel like they need the drug to function normally. While marijuana withdrawal is not as dangerous as alcohol or opioid withdrawal, the symptoms can be severe enough to derail attempts to quit using the drug. A 2017 article in the journal Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation cited several studies showing that 35 to 75 percent of people who stop using marijuana will develop withdrawal symptoms. Research shows that marijuana withdrawal is similar to tobacco withdrawal and causes many of the same symptoms, including irritability, nervousness, anger and insomnia.
Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled. 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.
THC defines the potency of cannabis products, while terpenes define the aroma and flavor. Experts define addiction as continued cannabis use despite negative consequences in a person’s life, such as issues relating to their family, job, or relationships. Weed, or cannabis, is the “most commonly used illicit drug in the United States,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To our knowledge, there are no high‐quality studies on the most effective behavioural approaches and no studies that compare the effectiveness of behavioural and pharmacological approaches to managing withdrawal. Most pharmacological studies of withdrawal include some form of concurrent behavioural intervention, but the differential efficacy of these behavioural approaches has not been assessed (Table 2). Practicing mindfulness or meditation can help provide a sense of peace and relaxation in stressful or painful scenarios.
The THC content has risen from around 3.8 percent in the 1990s to 12.2 percent in 2014.
Can CBD Help With Marijuana Withdrawal?
This is because it’s more likely that the person will have a heavy physical dependence on marijuana when they quit. If marijuana is combined with other substances, such as illicit drugs or alcohol, withdrawal symptoms may be heightened as well. For individuals who experience anxiety or panic as a result of cannabis withdrawal, prescription anti-anxiety medications can be given in a controlled treatment setting to ease weed withdrawal symptoms. Getting professional treatment that includes evidence-based addiction therapies, can help someone not only get sober but remain in long-term recovery.
What are the symptoms of cannabis withdrawal?
If you are participating in a rehab program, you can expect to stay in medical detox for a week or more. Keep in mind that the detox timeline is unique to every person, so what may only take a few days for one person to accomplish could take weeks https://sober-house.net/ or months for someone else. An at-home detox can be done on your own or under the care of a medical professional on an outpatient basis. The downside of detoxing completely on your own is that you lack medical support for withdrawal symptoms.
The marijuana detox and withdrawal timeline can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the severity of the addiction and the detox method used. Further, detox is typically just one small part of recovery — it’s what comes next that can really make a difference in long-term healing. If you undergo treatment at a rehab center like The Recovery Village, detox will be the first crucial step in recovery from marijuana. Marijuana detox can cause withdrawal symptoms because of the body’s physical dependence on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a chemical found in marijuana.
This article will explore how and why a person can develop withdrawal symptoms from weed, as well as how to treat them. While people can often stop using marijuana on their own, some individuals need professional help to overcome marijuana addiction or dependence. Although some believe marijuana is not addictive, marijuana addiction is possible — especially in adolescents. People who use marijuana before the age of 18 ecstasy withdrawal detox are four to seven times more likely to develop marijuana addiction than adults. In other words, the earlier in life a person starts using marijuana, the more likely they are to become addicted to the substance. While symptoms may not be severe enough to need medical attention, medication or behavioral strategies may help the symptoms and improve the likelihood of quitting cannabis in those trying to achieve this.