Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome: Is It Real?

August 26, 2020

Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome: Is It Real?

Health & Wellness, Latest News, Marijuana

Earn 20 Speed Pass Points by commenting the blog post

Still dazed and confused about what may happen to your body after withdrawal? Read on to know the truth about the mystery of Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome.

Cannabis is one of the oldest plants cultivated by humans. Over the decades, it has been used for multiple purposes such as food, fiber, fuel, and medicine—the first reported recreational use of Cannabis wan in the Jazz era of the 1920s. The drug became popular again in the late 1960s, since then, the use of the drug has spread globally. It is the most widely used illicit drug in the world, according to the UNODC (United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime), which publishes the world drug report that approximately 4% of the world’s population have ever tried cannabis which equates to about 160-170 million people.

Benefits of Cannabis and its Uses

Current data indicate that cannabis works by interacting with a complex system in the body called the endocannabinoid system, or the ECS. Cannabinoids are active compounds found in Cannabis, which have effects on the body. Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids that our bodies naturally produce. Although we don’t have adequate research on ECS, scientists theorize that the body produces substances that stimulate its cannabinoids receptors, which are located in the brain, muscles, fat and digestive tract.

The ECS helps our bodies regulate pain, mood, appetite, motility in the gut, memory, emotions, stress response, immune function, and more. When a person ingests the plant-based cannabinoids in cannabis, such as THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol), which are similar molecular shapes to endocannabinoids, they fit into the same receptors and trigger reactions that result in either very high or very low levels of specific neurotransmitters, which the cells of the nervous system, as well as the other systems in the body, use to communicate with each other.

Conditions that might be improved by cannabis include:

Inflammatory bowel disease;
Multiple sclerosis;
Neuropathic pain;
Chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting;
Pediatric seizure disorders, and a wide variety of other illnesses

Patients who have tried numerous medications without adequate symptom relief are hopeful that Cannabis will work for them. While many patients claim that it reduces their gastrointestinal symptoms, there is little clinical research to date. Part of this is related to the illegal state of cannabis and past stigmatization, so researchers in many countries face legal barriers studying its medical effects on humans.
While some may perceive Cannabis as a “medicine” to such illnesses—it doesn’t completely equate that it is safe or a benign drug.

What is Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome?

Like any other addictive substance, heavy or prolonged cannabis use can increase a person’s risk of withdrawal when stopping. Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome—is a physical reaction of the body after you have stopped consuming Cannabis. Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome typically begins within 24 hours of last cannabis intake and usually peaks one to four days later. Depending on every person, every withdrawal is different. Whether you use it daily or often, everyone will experience different symptoms after you stop partaking it.

Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome Symptoms

The most commonly reported symptoms of Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome are sleep disturbances, including insomnia, night sweats, strange dreams, and nightmares. Other common signs and symptoms include irritability, anger, anxiety, depression, and reduced appetite.

Physical Withdrawals

For physical withdrawals, it usually lasts not more than a month. It is merely a short-term reaction of the body. Yet, again, every person is different. Everyone will experience various kinds of symptoms, depending on how much intake they consume.

Here are some of what common symptoms people may experience during a withdrawal:

Night sweats. It is the most common symptom of Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome. It happens during sleep—wherein you sweat a lot more than average because of the heat your body is producing.
Headache. Like how you quit anything, nicotine, or caffeine, headache is a common symptom.
Loss of appetite. Study shows that Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome will help you lose weight as it decreases your appetite.
Fatigue. You feel tired for no reason as you don’t have that much energy.

Mental Withdrawals

Some people appear to be more vulnerable to the mental health effects of Cannabis than others. Particularly with younger people and those with a family history of mental health problems. The earlier the person begins using Cannabis, the more likely they are to experience mental health problems such as schizophrenia, anxiety and depression, impaired cognition, poor learning outcomes, and harms relating to memory and recall.

Prevention and Treatments

Cannabis dependence is largely focused on reducing usage—often through a combination of treatment and medication. One medication that helps with the symptoms of Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome is an anti-anxiety medication called Buspirone. As yet, there are no effective/proven pharmacological treatments to help with Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome.

Although studies are underway, there are several psychosocial treatment options available to help cannabis dependent people cut down or quit. Research studies have shown that even a single session with a counselor can assist those dependent on cannabis to reduce their level of use and improve well-being. Most behavioral treatment involves individualized psychotherapy or group programs. One specific technique is motivational counseling, a goal-oriented counseling style that helps individuals explore and resolve their ambivalence about a behavior.
The intensity of treatment depends on individual circumstances. Some people respond to general education and information about managing craving and high-risk situations for relapse. In some circumstances, treatment may include inpatient management for cannabis, withdrawal, and rehabilitation.

Conclusion

As a quick recap, the THC in cannabis mimics naturally-occurring endocannabinoid neurotransmitters and creates positive reinforcement of usage through feelings of euphoria and negative reinforcement of use through withdrawal symptoms when usage is stopped, referred as Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome. In rare cases, long-term use can lead to dependence, which is the reliance on the cannabis/THC to function normally. The most effective treatment involves behavioral therapy, which consists of a lot of support from family and friends.

References:

https://www.osmosis.org/learn/Cannabis_dependence
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871618307142https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/marijuana/withdrawal-detox
https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0034