Smoking marijuana is a popular past-time worldwide. Some even smoke marijuana almost anytime and anywhere – for them, marijuana is something that they need for the extra mood and energy boost. With so many dispensaries now available, it’s not a surprise that marijuana is getting more and more popular.
But marijuana isn’t always about fun and games. Without proper usage, marijuana could give you some unwanted effects that could make you dislike it. For some people who have used marijuana a lot, there are also symptoms of withdrawal that they need to watch out for.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned expert, consuming marijuana could cause some withdrawal effects. Therefore, it is important to learn about signs and symptoms of marijuana withdrawal, so you’ll know what to expect and do when they happen.
Causes of withdrawal
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms may be or may not be as scary or severe as you’d expect. The symptoms could be varied from person to person, and another thing is that the symptoms aren’t as common as the symptoms you get from other substances.
Especially from heroin, alcohol, cocaine, and opioids that can produce severe even fatal withdrawal problems. Still, many people who use or are planning to use marijuana should be aware of the physical and psychological symptoms that could happen.
The causes of the symptoms could come from when your body has to adjust to not having a regular supply of delta-9 THC. THC, as you may already know, is the primary psychoactive carrier in marijuana. The more you smoke marijuana, the more tolerance your brain develops for it.
More tolerance means more dependency on THC. And once the supply stops coming, your brain has to adjust to not having it again. This situation could create a new normal for your brain and creates some unpleasant symptoms.
Symptoms of withdrawal
Some symptoms of marijuana withdrawal that you should know are:
- Decreased appetite
- Irritability
- Sleep problems
- Loss of focus
- Headaches
- Chills
- Sweating
- Stomach problems
- Depression
- Cravings for marijuana
The symptoms may vary in severity from person to person. You may experience from mild to more severe symptoms due to many factors like how long you have been smoking marijuana and tolerance levels. While these symptoms aren’t dangerous, they can be unpleasant and annoying. Sometimes, it’s enough to force a person to smoke marijuana again.
Prevention and management
Preventing withdrawal symptoms from happening is always better than managing them later. You can prevent the symptoms by smoking marijuana moderately, and always calculate your dosage before smoking.
An even better idea would be consulting with your physician before using marijuana. Talk with your physician about why you want to use marijuana and what would be the best dosage for you.
If you think you’ve been smoking marijuana a lot for quite some time, you can try reducing your marijuana usage slowly until you get to the point where you can stop completely.
Doing it this way could reduce the chances of having withdrawal symptoms. And if you only smoked occasionally, you could even stop completely without too much effort.
Consult with your physician before stopping could also help a lot. They can give you all the options that you have and how to best approach them. You may not need any special instructions, but it’s always a great idea to consult someone about the best solution.
There are also some things you can do to make your symptoms easier to manage, especially during the first 24 to 72 hours after you stop smoking marijuana. The first is to always stay hydrated.
Drink lots of water and avoid any sugary and caffeinated beverages. Second, eat healthy foods – eat vegetables, fresh fruits, and lean protein — avoid junk foods that could make you feel sluggish and irritable.
Third, exercise regularly. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day to boost your natural moods and remove toxins via sweat glands. Last but not least, get some support.
I have mentioned your physician above, but you can always turn to your friends and family. Or other people who are going or have been through the same experience. They could provide more insight into how to handle your symptoms better.
Conclusion
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms are annoying and unpleasant. Users who are experiencing severe symptoms have more chances to smoke marijuana again. What you can do now are smoking marijuana moderately, practicing safe consumption, and taking care of your body better than before.
