In stark contrast to the exaggerated fears portrayed in recent decades, most people today think that cannabis is relatively harmless. Although weed is actually less dangerous than some other drugs, it is not without risks.
In a study published on January 5, my colleagues and I found that 59% of people who use medical cannabis for chronic pain experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms if they stop using marijuana for hours or days.
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 damage from using weeds is steadily decreasing. Although many people report therapeutic benefits or enjoy recreational cannabis use, it is important that people understand the potential risks of using cannabis as well.
How is cannabis abstinence
Cannabis withdrawal symptoms can include physical and psychological experiences that arise when someone comes down from the top or goes without a period.
When people use cannabis regularly – daily or almost daily – parts of the brain become dependent on cannabinoids, the psychoactive chemicals in cannabis. Cannabinoids are naturally produced in the body, but at a much lower level than is available in most cannabis products. Among those who do not use marijuana for several hours or days, cannabinoid levels drop and they experience withdrawal symptoms. These can include irritability, depressed mood, decreased appetite, sleep difficulties, desire or desire to use cannabis, restlessness, anxiety, increased aggression, headaches, tremors, nausea, increased anger, strange dreams, stomach pain and sweat.
Cannabis withdrawal symptoms usually disappear within one to two weeks after use is stopped, as the body adjusts back to its own natural cannabinoid production. Unlike abstinence from some psychoactive substances – such as alcohol – abstinence from cannabis is not fatal or medically dangerous. But there is. Cannabis abstinence can also be quite unpleasant and people may end up continuing their cannabis use – even when they want to reduce it – just to avoid abstinence.
How common are withdrawal symptoms?
To find out how common withdrawal symptoms are, over the course of two years, my colleagues and I repeatedly surveyed 527 people who were using medicinal herb for chronic pain. We found that 59% of people who use medical cannabis for chronic pain had moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms. The most common symptoms were difficulty sleeping, irritability and anxiety.
We also found that cannabis withdrawal symptoms were more severe in younger people, people with mental health problems, people who had a longer history of cannabis use, and people who used it more often or in large quantities. In addition, we found that smoking marijuana – instead of eating or applying it topically – was related to worse withdrawal symptoms.
Our team also observed how people’s withdrawal symptoms changed over time. Most continued to experience the same severity of withdrawal symptoms whenever they stopped using cannabis during the two years of the study, but about 10% – particularly the youngest – worsened over time. As with most addictive substances, reducing the frequency or amount of cannabis use can help to alleviate these symptoms.
Our study looked at people who use medical cannabis only for pain. But in another recent meta-analysis that included recreational and medical use, the researchers found that 47% of frequent cannabis users suffer withdrawal symptoms.
Cannabis may not be the “Reefer Madness” demonic drug, but it is also not a wonder plant with unlimited advantages and no disadvantages. As cannabis use increases in the United States, it is important that people understand that regular use can lead to withdrawal and know what these symptoms are.
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This article was republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Lara Coughlin, Michigan University.
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Lara Coughlin receives funding from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Originally published