Close to 50% of regular or dependent marijuana users will experience withdrawal symptoms after they stop or significantly reduce their cannabis consumption. These symptoms typically begin around days two to six after stopping and can last for three or more weeks.
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1. Anxiety
Anxiety is a common symptom of marijuana withdrawal and typically occurs within one to two days of stopping the drug. It tends to peak around day seven and then gradually improves throughout withdrawal. Anxiety develops during marijuana withdrawal because marijuana is often used to cope with anxiety.
A Word From Verywell
It is not necessarily the amount of marijuana consumed that can trigger withdrawal symptoms, but more about the regularity and consistency in which someone uses it.
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2. Irritability
Irritability and intense feelings of agitation come and go similarly to anxiety and will peak between days two and six before gradually decreasing. Irritability occurs during withdrawal because the psychoactive components in cannabis change the way the brain experiences relaxation.
3. Anger and Aggression
Feelings of anger and aggression during marijuana withdrawal can occur one week into withdrawal but usually peak at the two-week mark. They sharply decline in the third week of the withdrawal period.
4. Sleep Disturbances
Sleep disturbances, which can involve difficulty falling asleep, remaining asleep, or experiencing vivid and unusual dreams, tend to arise quickly after individuals stop using marijuana. They can last several weeks or longer.
5. Depressed Mood
People often experience depressed moods when stopping marijuana because of the way it impacts certain neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers in the brain responsible for mood stability and happiness. Feelings of depression peak around the seventh day before declining by day 21.
6. Appetite Loss
The psychoactive component in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), increases a person’s appetite by changing the brain’s hunger signals. When people stop using cannabis, the receptors responsible for hunger regulation are no longer receiving the same signals, leading to a loss of appetite. These effects typically occur during days two through six of cannabis reduction and improve after about a week.
7. Stomach Pain or Gastrointestinal Upset
Roughly three days after a person stops consuming cannabis, they will start to experience intense side effects in their gastrointestinal system. These can include stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. The physical symptoms tend to taper off around day four, but can continue up to 10 days.
8. Headaches and Flu-Like Symptoms
When you stop consuming THC, the body goes through an adjustment period. Without the psychoactive ingredient, bodily systems may have to recalibrate, leading to flu-like symptoms and headaches in rare cases.
Flu-like symptoms, such as chills or sweating, can also develop within a day or so of quitting cannabis. They peak again on day three before dropping off slowly throughout the rest of the three-week withdrawal period.
How Long Does Withdrawal Last?
Cannabis and THC will need time to get out of your system, and while that’s happening, you can experience withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the person and their consumption level, the symptoms can subside for up to three weeks.
In heavier users, that timeline could be longer, with some users reporting experiencing some symptoms (particularly psychological symptoms and sleep problems) for five to six weeks.
Why Does Marijuana Withdrawal Happen?
Marijuana withdrawal occurs when the regular use of the psychoactive THC is stopped.
When the body no longer has the THC it’s come to expect, specific signals and other processes must readjust to functioning without it. This readjustment period is what drives symptoms.
Who Experiences Withdrawal?
Not everyone who uses marijuana experiences withdrawal, and it varies depending on the person. According to research, certain people are more likely to experience withdrawal than others, including:
- Adults who use the drug do so in greater amounts with more regular use (as opposed to teens).
- People who use other substances, including tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs
- People who use more potent strains of marijuana or strains that have high levels of THC
- People who have preexisting mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder
How to Manage Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms
There are various ways you can cope with marijuana withdrawal, including:
- Get regular exercise.
- Eat healthy foods and stay hydrated.
- Get quality sleep.
- Use medications that can help with nausea, headaches, or sleep disturbances, such as pain relievers, antinausea drugs, and sleeping aids.
- Use delay and distraction techniques when you have the urge to use, such as talking to someone, watching a movie, or reading a book.
- Find a support group or ask your friends or family for support.
- Avoid situations that you are more likely to use in.
- Practice relaxation techniques.
Summary
Cannabis withdrawal does not affect everyone who decides to quit using the drug. Close to half of the people who stop will experience some or all withdrawal symptoms. Those who do experience symptoms of withdrawal will find it more challenging to stop using cannabis, which can lead to relapses.
If you or someone you love wants to quit using cannabis but is unsure of how or has failed in the past due to withdrawal symptoms, you can contact a healthcare provider for support.
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Understanding Marijuana Withdrawal: Symptoms and Management
Withdrawal from marijuana can present significant challenges for regular users. Studies indicate that nearly 50% of individuals who regularly or dependently consume cannabis may experience withdrawal symptoms upon cessation or reduction of use. These symptoms commonly appear between days two and six after stopping and can persist for three weeks or more.
Common Symptoms of Marijuana Withdrawal
The experience of withdrawal can vary widely, but the following symptoms are among the most common:
1. Anxiety
Anxiety is frequently reported by those discontinuing marijuana use. This symptom commonly begins within one to two days and tends to peak around the seventh day, gradually improving thereafter. The use of marijuana often serves as a coping mechanism for anxiety, contributing to this withdrawal symptom.
2. Irritability
Feelings of irritability can manifest alongside anxiety and typically escalate between days two and six before subsiding. This reflects the brain’s adjustment to the absence of cannabis, which alters relaxation responses.
3. Anger and Aggression
Experiencing anger and aggressive feelings can occur approximately one week into the withdrawal process, usually intensifying around the two-week mark. These feelings generally diminish by the third week.
4. Sleep Disturbances
Withdrawal can lead to significant disruptions in sleep patterns, characterized by difficulties in falling asleep or remaining asleep, as well as experiencing vivid dreams. Such disturbances often arise shortly after halting marijuana use and may last for several weeks.
5. Depressed Mood
A common effect of cessation is a depressed mood. Marijuana impacts neurotransmitters that play a crucial role in mood regulation and happiness, leading to feelings of depression that typically peak around the seventh day and begin to improve by the third week.
6. Appetite Loss
The psychoactive component of marijuana, THC, is known to stimulate appetite. When users stop consuming cannabis, the signals that regulate hunger become disrupted, often resulting in a temporary loss of appetite. This symptom generally surfaces between days two and six and improves after about a week.
7. Gastrointestinal Distress
Physical discomfort in the gastrointestinal system can begin a few days after cessation. Symptoms may include stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, which often lessen after about four days but can persist for up to ten.
8. Headaches and Flu-Like Symptoms
Adjustments in the body’s systems can lead to headaches and flu-like symptoms following the discontinuation of THC. Such symptoms may involve chills, sweating, and generally peak within a few days after stopping use.
Duration of Withdrawal Symptoms
The duration of withdrawal symptoms can vary based on individual factors and the extent of prior cannabis use. While symptoms usually subside within three weeks, heavier users may experience prolonged symptoms, particularly psychological effects and sleep disturbances, lasting between five to six weeks.
Understanding Marijuana Withdrawal
The withdrawal syndrome occurs when regular THC intake is ceased. The body, accustomed to the presence of THC, experiences a period of adjustment that triggers withdrawal symptoms. Not every individual will experience withdrawal symptoms, and susceptibility can differ widely.
Who is More Likely to Experience Withdrawal?
- Adults who consume larger quantities of cannabis regularly.
- Individuals using other substances such as tobacco or alcohol.
- Users of more potent cannabis strains, especially those high in THC.
- People with pre-existing mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression.
Strategies to Manage Withdrawal Symptoms
Effective management strategies can ease the discomfort associated with marijuana withdrawal:
- Engage in regular physical activity.
- Maintain a nutritious diet and stay hydrated.
- Ensure quality sleep is prioritized.
- Consider medications for nausea, headaches, or sleep issues, such as pain relievers or sleep aids.
- Implement distraction techniques when cravings arise, such as engaging in hobbies or social interactions.
- Seek support from friends, family, or support groups.
- Avoid environments that trigger the desire to use cannabis.
- Practice relaxation and mindfulness techniques.
Conclusion
While not every cannabis user will face withdrawal, a substantial number do, making the cessation process challenging. If you or a loved one are attempting to quit and face difficulties due to withdrawal symptoms, consulting with a healthcare provider can provide necessary support and resources.
For additional resources and support, visit With You.
