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Cannabis and withdrawal symptoms, do they exist? Yes! While they may not be physically harmful when compared with the dangers of other drug withdrawal, they can certainly be unpleasant and can vary in severity from patient to patient.
This article will explore withdrawal symptoms, the causes of cannabis withdrawal, how long they usually last and how you can manage them. Read on to find out more.
Understanding Cannabis Withdrawal
Some cannabis consumers don’t consider the withdrawal as serious, especially when compared to other drugs, because the symptoms are usually a lot milder and less dangerous.
When people think of drug withdrawal symptoms, they often imagine severe symptoms, like those often associated with harder drugs or certain prescription medications, such as opioids or corticosteroids.
Withdrawal from opioids, for example, can cause intense physical pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety and can even lead to severe complications with your health. Withdrawing from corticosteroids, especially if stopped suddenly after long-term use, can be dangerous and cause life-threatening issues like adrenal crisis.
But while it may not be as serious in symptoms, that’s not to say that cannabis withdrawal can’t be draining, and impact our lives in a negative way. Especially if you are consuming large quantities, regularly for medical reasons. That’s why it’s important to distinguish common withdrawal side effects and understand how to manage them.
What is Cannabis Withdrawal?
Cannabis withdrawal happens because your brain and body has adapted to (and come to expect) the regular presence of cannabis, or more specifically, the cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant. The main cannabinoid normally associated with cannabis withdrawals (and addiction) is THC, (tetrahydrocannabinol).
As your body begins to readjust to life without cannabis (or cannabinoids), you may experience a number of symptoms related to many different bodily functions. These can include headaches, trouble sleeping (insomnia), strange dreams, irritability, changes in mood and more listed further on.
Causes of Cannabis Withdrawal
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a network of receptors in the brain and body that helps regulate things like mood, appetite, sleep, and pain. When you regularly use cannabis, especially THC, it interacts with the ECS by binding to these receptors, contributing to how this system functions. Over time, your body gets used to this supply of cannabinoids from cannabis.
When you stop using cannabis, your body suddenly has to adjust without the extra cannabinoids it was getting from the outside. This can throw the ECS out of balance, leading to symptoms that impact your bodily functions and mood. The withdrawal symptoms are a result of your body trying to regain its natural balance without the regular input of THC.
Common Symptoms of Cannabis Withdrawal
Cannabis withdrawal symptoms can be challenging to identify. This is especially true if you're using medical cannabis to manage a health condition as it can be difficult to distinguish between withdrawal symptoms and the return of the symptoms that cannabis was treating.
Let’s break down the symptoms of cannabis withdrawal to understand exactly what they are and how you may be able to tell the difference.
Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
Insomnia, or trouble sleeping in general is one of the first withdrawal symptoms to often impact many ex-cannabis users.
If you use cannabis regularly, especially if it’s helping you with sleep, your brain gets used to the sedative effects of THC. THC interacts with your endocannabinoid system, which in turn helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
If you suddenly stop using cannabis, your brain won’t have the extra sedative support it was finding in THC to help you relax and fall asleep. As a result, your brain will need some time to adjust, which can cause insomnia and trouble sleeping in some people when withdrawing from regular cannabis use.
Strange dreams
Stopping cannabis use can cause strange, vivid and uncomfortable dreams, which might sound a bit spooky! Many people report that after quitting regular cannabis consumption, they experience an increase in nightmares or intense, real-feeling dreams. But why does this happen when you’re withdrawing from cannabis?
Consuming cannabis impacts your REM sleep and therefore your dreams. How exactly? Researchers aren’t exactly sure yet. Some researchers believe that cannabis suppresses the REM stage of your sleep cycle, but there’s only been a handful of studies on this, and some debate about whether it suppresses or interacts with it in a different way.
Regardless, this can be a positive for patients who suffer from recurrent nightmares from conditions such as PTSD, as cannabis can be a tool to minimise these dreams. However, when quitting cannabis, there’s a rebound effect, meaning you’ll experience much more REM sleep and, consequently, far more vivid dreams!
Irritability
When consuming cannabis regularly, the cannabinoids you take can help regulate your mood and emotions through their interaction with the endocannabinoid system.
If you stop using cannabis after regular consumption, your brain loses that extra support it was receiving from the external cannabinoids. As a result, your mood might become less stable, and you may find yourself feeling irritated, annoyed, or frustrated more easily.
This increase in irritability occurs as your brain adjusts to life without cannabis. It’s also not uncommon for people to feel more sensitive or emotional during cannabis withdrawal for the same reasons.
Anxiety and Depression
Some people use cannabis regularly to help them feel calmer or more emotionally stable, which can be particularly helpful for managing conditions like anxiety and depression. This can be similar to how antidepressants work to improve mood and help people manage their everyday lives.
When you stop using cannabis, your brain loses that extra support, which can lead to increased feelings of anxiety or depression as your brain readjusts.
As we mentioned, many people use medical cannabis to manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. So, when they stop using it, they might experience a return of these symptoms. This doesn’t necessarily mean new problems are arising, but rather that the original symptoms might come back as your brain readjusts.
Changes in Appetite
Your endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a role in regulating your appetite. When you use cannabis regularly, THC interacts with the ECS and often increases your appetite, leading to far more hunger. This cannabis-induced food frenzy is known in pop culture as ‘the munchies’.
This is also why cannabis can be so effective for people who need to stimulate their appetite due to medical conditions, or medication side effects.
If you suddenly stop using cannabis, your appetite may change as your endocannabinoid system no longer has the extra influence and stimulation. As your body adjusts to your lack of cannabis consumption, you might notice a decrease in appetite, or changes in how often you feel hungry.
Restlessness
Cannabis can help to calm your brain and body, which can make you feel more relaxed and less restless. If you suddenly stop using cannabis, you are stripping your brain of that calming effect and may start to feel restless, or unable to sit still. Restlessness during withdrawal is somewhat common and a normal part of the adjustment process.
Stomach Cramps
When you stop using cannabis, your digestive system might react differently because it no longer has the influence of cannabinoids. This can lead to stomach cramps or discomfort as your usual digestive routine is disrupted, alongside other possible gastrointestinal symptoms.
As your body adjusts to functioning without cannabis, it will need time to resync its digestive processes. This period of adjustment might involve changes in bowel movements, appetite fluctuations, or general digestive discomfort.
Other Common Withdrawal Symptoms
You might experience a range of other symptoms as your body adjusts, including increased sweating. This is due to cannabis affecting how your body regulates temperature.
Cravings for cannabis are also a common withdrawal symptom. Your brain and body, which have grown used to the effects of cannabinoids, might trigger strong urges to consume cannabis again.
Additionally, headaches can also occur during withdrawal. While these symptoms can be uncomfortable, they are generally temporary and should subside as your body finds its natural balance without cannabis.
How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
When you stop using cannabis, your body has to adapt to working without it. This can be particularly more impactful if you were using cannabis medicinally, as withdrawals and returning health symptoms can be tough on any type of medication.
At first, you might feel withdrawal symptoms quite strongly, like trouble sleeping, mood swings and changes in appetite. These symptoms are typically most intense in the first week or so after stopping cannabis consumption.
After a few weeks, your symptoms may start to feel better. Most people comment that around two weeks, they feel that the worst symptoms have improved.
By a month, many people start feeling better and are no longer experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, this is not always the case for those who are using medical cannabis to treat a condition or symptoms, as these symptoms may return when cannabis consumption stops.
Managing Withdrawal Symptoms
If you are using cannabis medicinally, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before abruptly stopping or reducing your dose. Your prescribed amount is tailored to manage your symptoms effectively, and suddenly altering this could lead to a decline in your health.
If you wish to stop or lower your dose, speak with your doctor first to discuss ways that you can avoid common withdrawal side effects.
Additionally, it's important to listen to your body during this process. Ensure you stay hydrated, eat regularly, and get plenty of sleep to help your body readjust more smoothly and efficiently.
Not a medical cannabis user but interested in finding out more? Visit Alternaleaf to get started.
Summary
- Cannabis withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, vivid dreams, irritability, anxiety, and appetite changes.
- Causes involve the endocannabinoid system (ECS) adapting to regular cannabis use, which leads to dependence and symptoms when cannabis is stopped.
- Duration of cannabis withdrawal typically sees intense symptoms in the first week, with improvement around two weeks and most symptoms subsiding by a month; medical users may experience ongoing issues.
- Management involves consulting a healthcare professional before making changes to cannabis use and maintaining good hydration, nutrition, and sleep.