Those who have used marijuana regularly for several months or more are more likely to experience the most prominent withdrawal symptoms, as described by the American Psychiatric Association.
Schedule for Quitting Marijuana
Three or more of these symptoms must be present, including at least one physical symptom. Research that has explored the course of the symptoms of marijuana/cannabis withdrawal has suggested that there is a withdrawal timeline to be expected:
- A week or less after stopping, the symptoms appear.
- Within 10 days of quitting, people typically feel the worst effects.
- After the symptoms have reached their worst point, they gradually go better over the course of 10–20 days.
- If the patient resumes marijuana use, the symptoms will shortly disappear.
- How long and how severe symptoms last depend on how often and how much marijuana the user consumes.
For some individuals, there is always the risk that they will continue to suffer symptoms of lethargy, moderate depression, mood swings, difficulty with motivation, and occasional cravings for marijuana for weeks, months, and maybe even years after they have stopped using the drug.
In addition, there are relatively high relapse rates associated with any substance use disorder. Those who return to using cannabis after any period of abstinence face the risk of developing a cannabis use disorder far more rapidly than they did when they first started using.
Although the physical effects of cannabis withdrawal are not believed to be life-threatening, the emotional discomfort and despair that may arise from the process may lead some people to make poor decisions, increase their risk of injury, or even consider suicide.
As a result, it is recommended that those who want to quit marijuana, especially those who use it regularly or almost daily, do so under the care of a mental health expert.
If you suspect you or someone you love may be battling marijuana addiction and need assistance, call us today The expense of addiction treatment should never be a barrier to seeking the care you need.
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Symptoms of withdrawal
Symptoms of marijuana withdrawal include:
- diminished appetite
- mood changes
- irritability
- sleep difficulties, including insomnia
- headaches
- loss of focus
- cravings for marijuana
- sweating, including cold sweats
- chills
- increased feelings of depression
- stomach problems
These symptoms can range from mild to more severe, and they vary from person to person. These symptoms may not be severe or dangerous, but they can be unpleasant. The longer you used marijuana, the more likely you are to experience withdrawal symptoms.
To what end do marijuana withdrawal symptoms manifest?
Dried Cannabis sativa plant extracts are known as marijuana. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and terpenes are two of the plant’s chemical components; THC is primarily responsible for the euphoric effects of marijuana.
Cannabis’s terpene profile determines its flavor and aroma, whereas THC determines its psychoactive effects. The psychoactive effects of marijuana are proportional to the amount of THC it contains.
Regular marijuana users develop tolerance to the psychoactive effects of the drug over time. When this supply is suddenly cut off, the human body has to readjust. This results in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms in the mind and body.
Physical withdrawal symptoms will cease once the brain and body have adjusted to not having THC. However, psychological urges for cannabis may persist for some time.
Evidence from seized marijuana samples shows a steady rise in strength over time. THC levels have increased from 3.8% on average in the 1990s to 12.2% in 2014.
That could mean that the contemporary consequences of marijuana, including withdrawal, are more severe than they were a few decades ago.
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Withdrawal Timeline
In the first week after stopping, you may experience the worst of the withdrawal symptoms, including mood swings and physical discomfort, which can linger for up to two weeks.
The drug’s elimination from the body will end the physical consequences of marijuana withdrawal, but the psychological symptoms can linger for a while longer.
According to studies, cannabinoid 1 receptors in the brain begin to return to normal after just 2 days of abstaining from marijuana, and they fully recover after 4 weeks (Trusted Source).
People who have recently stopped using marijuana may experience withdrawal symptoms, particularly in familiar environments.