How Cannabis Users View Driving While High

Each of these symptoms reflects behavioral and physical signs that indicate cannabis use is impacting daily functioning, potentially leading to addiction. Dependence on marijuana occurs when the brain adjusts to regular THC exposure. Over time, the brain’s reward system adapts to this constant stimulation, leading to tolerance, meaning users may need higher doses to achieve the same effects. After regular use over time, they build a tolerance, where the effects of the substance are not noticed as much or at all. The person experiences symptoms when they stop using the substance, which makes them feel the need to use it again. You’re more likely to get CUD if you misuse other drugs, like alcohol.

Understanding Your Risk for Cannabis Use Disorder

Physical dependence may occur with mild withdrawal symptoms like irritability or sleep issues, but psychological dependence is more common. Yet, it doesn’t change the potential for misuse or the impact it can have on mental and physical health. Seeking treatment for marijuana addiction is a proactive step that can improve well-being and life quality, offering the tools needed to build a balanced, substance-free future. Treating marijuana addiction, or Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), involves a combination of behavioral therapies, support groups, and, in some cases, medications to manage withdrawal symptoms. THC, which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the part of the cannabis plant that causes the mental effect.

Common Physical Symptoms of Regular Marijuana Use #

Promising candidates for treatment of CUD that prevent relapse include naltrexone, gabapentin, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (Mason et al. 2012; Brezing and Levin 2018). With CB1R agonists as potential treatments, it is necessary to consider the abuse potential of these drugs. This guide delves into the complexities of marijuana addiction, exploring how the drug affects the brain, the development of tolerance and dependence, and the impact of addiction on an individual’s physical and mental health.

Symptoms of Cannabis Use Disorder

Treatments for CUD seem to target aspects of the binge-intoxication, withdrawal-negative affect, and preoccupation-anticipation stages described by Koob and Volkow (2016). “In fact, a glass or two of wine a day is considered is marijuana addictive healthy… Now, you certainly might see some sort of withdrawal symptom if someone’s been drinking for a few years and they abruptly stop doing that. Some are even dependent on the drug, using it daily and going through withdrawal if they try to quit, but they still remain functional. Instead of marijuana’s sedating effects, a person might get insomnia. And instead of marijuana’s characteristic dream suppression, someone in marijuana withdrawal might have intense, vivid dreams when asleep.

• Et al.’s 2018 review “Cannabis Addiction and the Brain” published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology.
• Despite its widespread use, many more studies are needed to understand how regular marijuana use may affect your brain and body.
• The use disorder, according to researchers, can morph into an addiction when the person can’t stop using the drug even when it interferes with their daily activities.
• Early use can disrupt brain development and increase the likelihood of addiction and other mental health issues later in life.
• The right strategy depends on the person’s lifestyle and the severity of CUD.