Marijuana: Effects on the Body

This emotional turmoil can severely affect coping mechanisms and quality of life. Yes, marijuana is considered a drug which is classified as a psychoactive substance that affects brain function, altering perception, mood, consciousness, and behavior. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), marijuana contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary compound responsible for its mind-altering effects. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no federally accepted medical use, although some states have legalized it for medicinal and recreational purposes. Marijuana addiction is treated through a combination of behavioral therapies, counseling, and support groups.

How To Treat Weed Addiction

Additionally, while some research suggests that cannabis can contribute to addiction, the plant may also be a form of addiction treatment. If you show most or all of these behaviours over a 12-month period you may have cannabis addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to cannabis or other drugs, help is available. Studies have found those who struggle with cannabis dependence often find dissatisfaction in various areas of their lives, including relationships, work, and education. For instance, marijuana confiscated by law enforcement today contains an average of 15% THC compared to less than 4% in marijuana confiscated in the 1990s. Researchers are investigating if higher potency is the reason for an increase in emergency department visits by people testing positive for marijuana.

What are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Marijuana?

• As a result, users develop a tolerance, needing more cannabis to achieve previous effects.
• Some people may use cannabis to avoid negative experiences, such as trouble sleeping, anxiety, or depression.

In addition, the use of pharmacotherapy for cannabis withdrawal needs to be weighed against side effects, as clonidine and, to a lesser extent, lofexidine produce orthostatic hypotension. In recent years efforts to identify treatments for cannabis dependence disorders have increased considerably. Most of the current research is limited to small-scale laboratory models and small open-label trials. Medications investigated in the clinical laboratory setting include cannabinoid substitutes (e.g., THC) and a select group of noncannabinoid agents (e.g., divalproex, buspirone, bupropion, lithium, nefazodone, and lofexidine; see Table 2). Many of these compounds were selected because of their effectiveness in treating specific symptom clusters or their overall clinical evidence in treating opiate or tobacco-use disorders.

Can Medicine Help With CUD?

It’s certainly difficult to imagine using drugs despite major consequences, such as a suspended driver’s license or prison time. A 2014 study examined people who use drugs and who came to the emergency room with drug-related problems, which is a strong indicator that something is not manageable. Some are even dependent on the drug, using it daily and going through withdrawal if they try to quit, but they still remain functional. They’re not driving under the influence of the drug or using the drug at work. They don’t get caught with marijuana and never enter the legal system. Instead of marijuana’s sedating effects, a person might get insomnia.

Attenuation of Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms in Humans

People who use marijuana frequently can experience psychological dependence and mental side effects that make it challenging to quit. Along with addiction, researchers are unsure to what extent higher concentrations of THC will affect the body and brain what is Oxford House of marijuana users. They’re unsure if people are adjusting for the increased potency by using less marijuana at one time or using it less frequently. However, it would be challenging to adjust for these differences accurately. The effects of marijuana vary, but tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in marijuana, can cause feelings of euphoria, changes in sensory perception, and increased appetite. Withdrawal symptoms do not, however, appear to predict relapse after 2 or more years of abstinence (Arendt et al. 2007).

• Emerging data indicate that cannabinoid-dependent laboratory animals and humans display physical withdrawal responses upon drug cessation.
• The higher the THC amount, the stronger the effects on the brain—likely contributing to increased rates of marijuana-related emergency room visits.
• In precipitated withdrawal, an appropriate selective receptor antagonist is used to displace the agonist from the receptor, resulting in the rapid onset of withdrawal symptoms.
• According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), marijuana contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary compound responsible for its mind-altering effects.
• SAMHSA envisions that people with, affected by, or at risk for mental health and substance use conditions receive care, achieve well-being, and thrive.
• Treatments are available that can help people overcome marijuana addiction.

Addictive disorders can produce a range of symptoms that were previously (DSM-IV) described using the terminology “psychological dependence” and physical dependence. In the new DSM-5, addictive disorders related to cannabis are defined as Cannabis Use Disorder, a condition that can impair the ability to control use, and have social impact. The impact may be broad, including impaired control, social impairment, risky use and pharmacological criteria (including tolerance and withdrawal). Medicinal marijuana is used to treat does weed have addictive properties and manage a variety of medical concerns, including physical and mental health challenges.

• It affects cognitive function, physical health, and mental well-being, potentially leading to addiction, cognitive deficits, and physical complications.
• Nevertheless, based on what is currently known, the risk of cannabis addiction is lower than the risk of addiction to alcohol, tobacco or opioids.
• They’re unsure if people are adjusting for the increased potency by using less marijuana at one time or using it less frequently.
• This comparatively smaller likelihood of dependency may be because cannabis releases less dopamine than other addictive substances.

In the United States approximately 56% of young adults (19–28 years old) have at least tried cannabis (Johnston et al. 2010). This high prevalence allows for many people to have personal or anecdotal experience with marijuana without necessarily having personal interactions with dependent users. As a result, users develop a tolerance, needing more cannabis to achieve previous effects. This increased consumption can escalate to dependence, marked by withdrawal symptoms like irritability, anxiety, and sleep issues when cannabis use is reduced or stopped. Emotionally, CUD can heighten anxiety and aggravate mental health conditions like depression or bipolar disorder, with a notable risk of developing psychosis, especially in those with a familial history of such disorders.