Are Weed Withdrawal Symptoms Real? The Facts About Withdrawing From Weed

There’s two truths about weed – better known as cannabis or marijuana – that may be surprising to hear. First, weed is addictive. Second, it’s possible to experience weed withdrawal symptoms.

Weed withdrawal symptoms are often not as severe or dangerous as withdrawal symptoms from other drugs. Plus, if you’re only an occasional user, you’re unlikely to experience them. But for regular users, weed withdrawal symptoms are real. Sleep disturbances, mood swings, body aches and more are all often signs of weed withdrawal.

In some cases, weed withdrawal can be challenging enough to require professional help to get through them.

When a person uses weed (especially if they’re heavy users) and then either cuts down or stops using it entirely, they begin to feel sick, experiencing weed withdrawal symptoms. This happens because their body is trying to recalibrate itself once weed leaves the system.

A study published in JAMA, a journal published by the American Medical Association, analyzed studies involving over 23,000 subjects and found nearly half of regular weed users experienced weed withdrawal symptoms.

Weed withdrawal symptoms, in general, aren’t as severe as other forms of drug withdrawal. But they can make recovery challenging due to relapse – using weed will make weed withdrawal symptoms diminish almost immediately.

Weed withdrawal shares symptoms with other addictive drugs. Before we get into the details, it’s important to state that not every person will experience all or even some of these symptoms. Drug withdrawal is dependent on many factors, including individual physiology, the length of time spent using weed, the way a person used weed, how much weed they were using, and more.

That said, weed withdrawal symptoms often include:

• Mood swings, including increased irritability

• Stomach issues and a decreased appetite

• Sweating and chills

• Sleep problems

• Depression

• Problems concentrating

• Headaches

• Tremors

• Substance cravings

These symptoms can vary widely in intensity, too. Unlike other forms of drug withdrawal, like alcohol withdrawal or benzodiazepine withdrawal, weed withdrawal symptoms are rarely dangerous. However, they can be extremely unpleasant and require professional help to ensure a person doesn’t relapse.

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Weed withdrawal symptoms are far more common in people who use marijuana regularly or heavily. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that around three out of ten cannabis users end up developing cannabis use disorder. Cannabis use disorder is a recognized form of drug addiction.

The CDC cites studies showing cannabis use disorder is more likely in people who began using cannabis during their youth or adolescent years, and cannabis users have a roughly 10% chance of becoming addicted to cannabis.

As mentioned earlier, many factors affect how intense weed withdrawal symptoms are. The same factors also determine how long weed withdrawal lasts. A heavier cannabis user may find their weed withdrawal symptoms start quickly if they rapidly stop using weed.

It’s also not easy to say when weed withdrawal symptoms start. THC, the active ingredient in weed, is stored in fat cells, and it can take one or two weeks for it to completely leave a person’s system. This means some people might not experience weed withdrawal symptoms for a number of days.

The clearest timeline for weed withdrawal comes from a study published by the Society for the Study of Addiction:

• One to Two Days: This is when weed withdrawal symptoms tend to start.

• Two to Six Days: This is when weed withdrawal symptoms tend to peak in intensity.

• Three Weeks: By this time, weed withdrawal symptoms tend to subside…although studies have shown psychological symptoms of weed withdrawal can last for five weeks.

Sleep difficulties tend to be the most persistent weed withdrawal symptoms, particularly during the early stages.

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Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the active ingredient in weed. Like other drugs, when you use THC for a period of time, your brain gets used to it being in your system. This creates tolerance, meaning you’ll have to use increasing amounts of THC to feel the same effects.

When a person either quits or uses far smaller amounts of THC, their body has to recalibrate itself. This causes the unpleasant feelings of weed withdrawal symptoms. For some, these symptoms can be so unpleasant they go back to using weed for relief.

Strength Matters

People who use more potent forms of cannabis, like cannabis concentrates, are at a higher risk of weed withdrawal symptoms due to their strength. Dabbing, for example, involves using very high amounts of THC, which often leads to cannabis use disorder.

This is why getting professional help is so important. If you’re serious about stopping weed use, having a team in your corner to help you deal with weed withdrawal symptoms and resist the temptation to relapse can really help you make a positive change in your life.

Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, doesn’t get you high, although some researchers consider it a psychoactive drug like cannabis. As far as withdrawal symptoms go, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of evidence for them, although some research seems to indicate they might exist.

Rebound symptoms can be a factor if a person takes CBD for conditions like depression or sleep problems, however. This means the symptoms of those conditions may get temporarily worse if a person stops using CBD.

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Not really. While there are some medications that can help you cope with the immediate effects of weed withdrawal, professional help is the best way to get treated for weed withdrawal symptoms.

At a professional drug detox center, you’ll be guided through this often-difficult process. The staff will help you safely and effectively taper off, and even provide medications to treat some weed withdrawal symptoms, like sleep issues.

Following up drug detox with drug rehab is the best path to take. Addiction isn’t really about a particular substance, it’s about behaviors. While drug detox will help you through weed withdrawal symptoms, drug detox will help you discover why you use cannabis, helping you find healthy coping mechanisms and more.

However, there are some relatively easy things you can do to make weed withdrawal symptoms easier to bear:

Keep a Healthy Diet

Processed food can actually make your moods worse, so it’s best to avoid eating it during weed withdrawal.

Drink Plenty of Water

Being hydrated can make getting through weed withdrawal symptoms easier. Stick to water and avoid sugary carbonated drinks.

Get Exercise

Exercise can work literal wonders for your mood. Make sure you get enough of it during weed withdrawal.

Find Some Support

If you’re seeking help for cannabis use disorder, it’s important to have plenty of people in your corner. Having support can make enduring weed withdrawal symptoms easier.

We’d never call weed withdrawal easy – it isn’t, even when compared to other forms of drug withdrawal. But with professional help, it’s much easier.

But where do you find help for weed withdrawal? There’s so many sites making claims it’s hard to know who to trust or turn to.

The Edge Treatment Center maintains valued relationships with many of the nation’s leading drug detox centers. With our help, you’ll be able to find the right weed detox center for your needs and budget.

We’ll be there for you once you’re done, too. Our effective marijuana addiction program will help you build a life where you don’t need to rely on weed to enjoy it. Don’t wait – reach out to us now and we’ll get started.

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If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, there is hope. Our team can guide you on your journey to recovery. Call us today.

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