Symptoms of quitting THC: What happens when you quit joints? Published on June 4, 2024 by Masha Burelo Index Toggle How to quit marijuana? THC addiction and withdrawal syndromeHow long does marijuana withdrawal last?Why does marijuana withdrawal syndrome occur?What happens to the body when it gives up reefer?What are the effects of quitting marijuana?Symptoms of THC Withdrawal SyndromeDevelopment of THC withdrawal syndromeRisks of cessation of THC useHow to quit jointsStrategies for quitting THC Marijuana, whose active component is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), can cause withdrawal symptoms when its use is discontinued after a prolonged period of use. How to quit marijuana? THC addiction and withdrawal syndrome When marijuana use is stopped and the body stops receiving the amounts of THC to which it used to be accustomed, a series of changes in the body are initiated, manifested by symptoms of various kinds. How long does marijuana withdrawal last? Withdrawal syndrome usually develops within 2 to 6 days after abrupt cessation of THC use, peaking at 2 to 3 days (1). Why does marijuana withdrawal syndrome occur? The reason for the manifestation of withdrawal syndrome is due to chronic exposure to THC. THC is found in marijuana, or psychoactive-type cannabis, in concentrations of 15-30% THC or more, in some strains. Hemp-type cannabis strains have a THC content of less than 0.3%. What happens to the body when it gives up reefer? When a person consumes THC for a long time, his or her brain responds to the constant presence of THC by reducing the amount of CB1 receptors, which are mostly found in the brain, or making them less sensitive. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system, and are important for the regulation of mood, appetite and other functions. That is, regular marijuana smoking induces a desensitization and reduction of CB1 receptors, which are found mainly in the brain, eventually resulting in tolerance to the effects of THC (2). What are the effects of quitting marijuana? When stopping marijuana use, the brain takes time to adapt to the absence of THC and symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, insomnia and loss of appetite may appear. These symptoms are the result of the brain needing time to recover its normal balance without the influence of THC. Although some users choose to continue to consume THC but reduce their consumption, which effectively decreases withdrawal symptoms, continuing to administer THC to the body may reinforce the brain’s reward cycle and thus increase the likelihood of relapse. Symptoms of THC Withdrawal Syndrome Symptoms that arise from stopping marijuana use can last from days to weeks, depending on the level of use. Commonly reported symptoms include: Anxiety Irritability Depression Insomnia There are less frequent cases of headaches, chills, loss of appetite, sweating and abdominal pain (3). Development of THC withdrawal syndrome Some studies have described how THC withdrawal syndrome progresses. Initially, there may be insomnia, irritability and reduced appetite. After 7 days, the onset of mood changes appears frequent and includes anger, aggression, and depression, peaking at 2 weeks after stopping marijuana. On the other hand, sleep disorders may persist for a longer period of time (3). Risks of cessation of THC use The DSM-5 manual introduces for the first time the diagnosis “Cannabis withdrawal”. The picture is nonspecific, mild, and affects 12-20% of regular cannabis users who stop using cannabis abruptly (4). Withdrawal from marijuana does not imply a high risk of serious problems. However, additional treatment is required when other medical or psychiatric conditions exist, or with multiple substance use and dependence, when complications and withdrawal symptoms may be more intense. Not much is known about how the effects of marijuana combine with other drugs, but it is known that the use of several substances at the same time can intensify withdrawal symptoms. In addition,people who smoke tobacco together with cannabis experience more withdrawal symptoms compared to those who only use cannabis (9). Therefore, it is important to identify which substances have been consumed and to monitor withdrawal symptoms related to substances or combinations of substances, such as alcohol, nicotine and THC, that present a higher risk. The combination of different substances such as alcohol or tobacco (nicotine) can intensify withdrawal symptoms. How to quit joints The therapeutic approach must always be personalized and will depend on the professional assessment. It is recommended to see a specialized professional to treat addiction or dependence to marijuana use, or if you have doubts or concerns about its use. Strategies for quitting THC Although there is not much evidence in the scientific literature, clinical practice includes different approaches to help people who are stopping marijuana use, including psychological interventions, group therapies, psychoeducation, dietary and hydration advice, among others. Within the scientific literature, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which seeks to identify and change patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to cannabis use, stands out. It includes training in skills such as relaxation techniques, pleasurable activities, stress, mood and anger management, as well as goal setting (3). Although there are currently no medications specifically approved for the treatment of cannabis dependence, some studies have used antidepressants and anxiolytics to manage withdrawal symptoms and improve abstinence rates. However, the use of drugs must be strictly prescribed by a physician, and only in those cases in which it is deemed appropriate. In addition, studies have explored the use of CBD for the treatment of addictions, including marijuana addiction. CBD to Quit THC Note: This is an informational article and is not intended to prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. Its content can complement, but should never replace, the diagnosis or treatment of any disease or symptom. Cannactiva products are not medicines and are intended for external use. There may be new relevant scientific evidence since the date of publication. Consult your doctor before using CBD. The therapeutic approach must always be personalized and will depend on the professional assessment. It is recommended to see a specialized professional to treat addiction or dependence to marijuana use, or if you have doubts or concerns about its use. References Budney, A. J., & Hughes, J. R. (2006). The cannabis withdrawal syndrome. Current opinion in psychiatry, 19(3), 233-238. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.yco.0000218592.00689.e5 González, S., Cebeira, M., & Fernández-Ruiz, J. (2005). Cannabinoid tolerance and dependence: a review of studies in laboratory animals. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior, 81(2), 300-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2005.01.028 Connor, J. P., Stjepanović, D., Budney, A. J., Le Foll, B., & Hall, W. D. (2022). Clinical management of cannabis withdrawal. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 117(7), 2075-2095. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15743 Livne O, Shmulewitz D, Lev-Ran S, Hasin DS. DSM-5 cannabis withdrawal syndrome: Demographic and clinical correlates in U.S. adults. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2019 Feb 1;195:170-177. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.09.005. Epub 2018 Oct 22. PMID: 30361043; PMCID: PMC6359953. Masha BureloInvestigadora en cannabinoides | Doctoranda en Neurociencia Masha Burelo es Maestra en Ciencias Farmacéuticas e investigadora en neurociencias. Actualmente está realizando su Doctorado en Neurociencia en la Universidad de Aberdeen, [...]
