Contrary to the exaggerated fears expressed in the past decades, many people today believe that cannabis is not harmful. Although weed is not necessarily more dangerous than some other drugs, it is not dangerous. In a study published on January 5, my colleagues and I found that 59% of people who used medicinal cannabis for chronic pain had chronic symptoms if they stopped smoking for hours or weeks.
Most US states have legalized cannabis for medical purposes and 15 have legalized it for recreational use. More people are using cannabis, especially older adults, and the perceived problems associated with weed use are on the decline. While many people report on the medicinal or recreational benefits of using cannabis, it is important that people also understand the potential risks of using cannabis.
What are the Cannabis Exemptions?
Cannabis withdrawal symptoms can include both physical and psychological experiences that occur when a person stops using the drug or does not use it for a period of time. When people use cannabis regularly – daily or almost daily – parts of the brain become addicted to cannabinoids, the psychoactive chemicals in cannabis. Cannabinoids are produced in the body, but at lower levels than those found in most cannabis products. In people who do not use weed for several hours or days, cannabinoid levels drop and experience withdrawal symptoms. These may include irritability, depression, decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, urges or urges to use cannabis, irritability, anxiety, increased anger, headaches, tremors, nausea, fever, strange dreams, abdominal pain and sweating.
Cannabis withdrawal symptoms usually disappear within a week or two after stopping use, as the body improves its own cannabinoid production. Unlike withdrawal from some psychoactive substances – such as alcohol – withdrawal from cannabis is not life-threatening or dangerous. But it is. Cannabis withdrawal can also be negative and people may end up continuing to use cannabis – even if they want to reduce – just to avoid withdrawal.
How common are withdrawal symptoms?
To understand how common withdrawal symptoms are, over two years, my colleagues and I repeatedly surveyed 527 people who used herbal medicine to relieve chronic pain. We found that 59% of those who used medicinal cannabis for chronic pain experienced moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms. The most common symptoms are difficulty sleeping, irritability and anxiety. We also found that cannabis withdrawal symptoms are more severe in young people, people with mental health problems, people with a long history of cannabis use, and people who use cannabis frequently or frequently.
In addition, we found that smoking cigarettes – rather than eating them or putting them on the surface – was associated with stronger stress symptoms. Our team also studied how withdrawal symptoms changed over time. Most of them continued to have withdrawal symptoms every time they stopped drinking during the two years of the study, but about 10% – especially young people – got worse. at that time. As with most addictions, reducing the frequency or amount of cannabis can help reduce these symptoms.
Our study focused on people who used medicinal cannabis only for pain withdrawal. But in another recent meta-analysis that included both recreational and medical studies, researchers found that 47% of regular cannabis users quit.
Cannabis may not be the demonic drug from “Reefer Madness,” but neither is it a miracle plant with unlimited benefits and no downfalls. As the use of cannabis increases in the United States, it is important for people to understand that its regular use can reduce and be aware of these symptoms.