Proponents of cannabis generally dismiss the idea that there is a cannabis withdrawal syndrome. This study is a meta-analysis — a study which includes many studies that are deemed similar enough to lump together, in order to increase the numerical power of the study and, ideally, the strength of the conclusions. The authors included studies that go all the way back to the mids — a time when cannabis was illegal in the US, different in potency, and when there was no choice or control over strains or cannabinoid compositions, as there is now.
Medical cannabis patients, under the guidance of a medical cannabis specialist, are buying legal, regulated cannabis from a licensed dispensary; it might be lower in THC the psychoactive component that gives you the high and higher in CBD a nonintoxicating, more medicinal component , and the cannabis they end up using often results in them ingesting a lower dose of THC.
All of this is not to say that there is no such thing as a cannabis withdrawal syndrome. When the external chemical is withdrawn after prolonged use, the body is left in the lurch, and forced to rely on natural stores of these chemicals — but it takes time for the natural receptors to grow back to their baseline levels.
In the meantime, the brain and the body are hungry for these chemicals, and the result is withdrawal symptoms. Uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms can prevent people who are dependent or addicted to cannabis from remaining abstinent. The commonly used treatments for cannabis withdrawal are either cognitive behavioral therapy or medication therapy, neither of which has been shown to be particularly effective. Some researchers are looking at CBD, the nonintoxicating component of cannabis, as a treatment for cannabis withdrawal.
Some people get into serious trouble with cannabis, and use it addictively to avoid reality. Others depend on it to an unhealthy degree. The standard definition of cannabis use disorder is based on having at least two of 11 criteria, such as: taking more than was intended, spending a lot of time using it, craving it, having problems because of it, using it in high-risk situations, getting into trouble because of it, and having tolerance or withdrawal from discontinuation.
As cannabis becomes legalized and more widely accepted, and as we understand that you can be tolerant and have physical or psychological withdrawal from many medicines without necessarily being addicted to them such as opiates, benzodiazepines, and some antidepressants , I think this definition seems obsolete and overly inclusive.
Many of the patients that psychiatrists label as having cannabis use disorder believe that they are fruitfully using cannabis to treat their medical conditions — without problems — and recoil at being labeled as having a disorder in the first place.
Perhaps a simpler, more colloquial definition of cannabis addiction would be more helpful in assessing your use of cannabis: persistent use despite negative consequences.
If your cannabis use is harming your health, disrupting your relationships, or interfering with your job performance, it is likely time to quit or cut down drastically, and consult your doctor. As part of this process, you may need to get support or treatment if you experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, which may make it significantly harder to stop using. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.
Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Are there any supplements that can help with chemical balance in the brain to get off? The trouble with defining addiction in relation to negative consequences is that much of the harm from cannabis use is a result of prohibition.
The original study from which the data came was led by Mark Ilgen, Ph. Paper cited: "Progression of cannabis withdrawal symptoms in people using medical cannabis for chronic pain," Addiction. DOI: Body Work. Kara Gavin. January 08, AM. Credit: Andrea Scafasci. Long-term study in medical cannabis use The researchers asked the patients whether they had experienced any of 15 different symptoms — ranging from trouble sleeping and nausea to irritability and aggression — when they had gone a significant time without using cannabis.
Lara Coughlin, Ph. Future directions Coughlin and her colleagues hope future research can explore cannabis withdrawal symptoms among medical cannabis patients further, including the impact of different attempts to abstain, different types of use and administration routes, and interaction with other physical and mental health factors. Addiction and Substance Abuse. Acute Pain. Chronic Pain.
Drug Abuse and Misuse. Industry DX. If you cut down or stop cannabis, you may also experience: sleep problems strange dreams anxiety and restlessness irritability and anger sweats and chills changes in your appetite nicotine withdrawal if you smoke cannabis with tobacco How long do cannabis withdrawal symptoms last? Cannabis withdrawal symptoms usually peak about four days after you stop or cut down. They will probably be more intense if: you stop completely rather than cutting down you smoke cannabis every day or most days Most symptoms stop by 10 days but some people carry on getting them for up to four weeks.
Be kind and patient with yourself as your body recovers. Sleep problems You can expect a few sleepless nights when you give up cannabis, especially if you use it to help you sleep. To help you sleep better: Get up and go to bed at the same times each day — having a regular sleep routine helps to train your body to fall asleep at the same time each night.
Include calming things like a warm bath, reading or watching TV in your routine — whatever helps you feel relaxed and sleepy. Avoid going on your phone just before bed — the light from the screen makes it harder for your brain to switch off and go to sleep. Get out and about during the day — even a short walk in daylight hours will improve your mood and your sleep, and help with stress and anxiety too. Strange dreams Some people start having strange or disturbing dreams when they stop using cannabis.
Follow the sleep tips above till they pass. The trick is to find new ways to handle your anxiety. Writing your worries down can help. So can using simple breathing exercises to calm your breath.
Try our deep breathing tool Avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks as well. Irritability and anger Some people say they feel irritable and angry when they stop using cannabis. These feelings are normal and they will pass. Telling a close friend or family member how you are feeling can be a great source of support. Sweats and chills You may get flu-like symptoms like sweats, chills, headaches and muscle pains when you give up cannabis.
If this happens, look after yourself as though you had a cold or flu.
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