What Happens When You Quit Marijuana?

TL;DR

Quitting marijuana can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, headaches, and mood changes. It takes about four days for the brain to return to its baseline functioning after quitting.

Transcript

• Right now, 55 million Americans use marijuana, and in Canada marijuana dispensaries are popping up everywhere like their Tim Hortons for weed and I in Toronto can even order these whittle THC drinks delivered to my front door from the Canadian government. Thanks, Justin. Weed is being pitched to us as kind of amazing, right? Well, a recent survey... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤢 Withdrawal symptoms from quitting marijuana can range from physical symptoms like nausea to psychological symptoms like mood changes.
• 😪 Chronic cannabis use may lead to sleep problems, affecting overall sleep quality.
• 🧠 Marijuana affects the brain by mimicking natural neurotransmitters and increasing neuronal activity, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels.
• 😒 Desensitization and downregulation of endocannabinoid receptors can occur with regular marijuana use, affecting short-term memory and the ability to experience novelty.
• 🥳 Days five to seven are the most challenging when trying to quit marijuana, especially for individuals with marijuana dependence.
• 😣 Marijuana dependence is generally considered less severe than dependence on other substances.
• 🥳 The brain takes about four days to return to its baseline functioning after quitting marijuana.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the withdrawal symptoms of quitting marijuana?

Withdrawal symptoms can include nausea, headaches, depressed mood, difficulty sleeping, sweating, anger, nervousness, decreased appetite, and strange dreams.

Q: How long does it take for the brain to return to baseline after quitting marijuana?

It takes about four days for the brain to return to its baseline functioning after quitting marijuana.

Q: How does marijuana affect the brain?

Marijuana increases neuronal activity, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels, leading to euphoria, pain modulation, and anxiety.

Q: Does chronic cannabis use affect short-term memory?

Yes, chronic cannabis use can lead to decreased short-term memory due to desensitization and downregulation of endocannabinoid receptors.

Q: Why are days five to seven the most challenging when quitting marijuana?

Days five to seven are the most challenging because withdrawal symptoms are still present, and it's harder for individuals with marijuana dependence to resist the urge to use.

Q: How long does it take for withdrawal symptoms to disappear after quitting marijuana?

Withdrawal symptoms typically disappear after 28 days of abstinence from marijuana.

Q: Can long-term marijuana use have lasting effects on the brain?

Yes, consuming too much marijuana during brain development, such as in adolescence, can result in long-term neurophysiological effects.

Q: Is marijuana dependence less severe than dependence on other substances?

Most scientists agree that marijuana dependence is less severe than dependence on alcohol, cocaine, or opiates.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Withdrawal symptoms from quitting marijuana can include nausea, headaches, depressed mood, and difficulty sleeping.

• Chronic cannabis users may experience sleep problems after quitting.

• Marijuana affects the brain by increasing neuronal activity, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels, leading to euphoria, pain modulation, and anxiety.

• Long-term marijuana use can lead to desensitization and downregulation of endocannabinoid receptors, making it harder to quit and affecting short-term memory.

• Quitting marijuana can be challenging, with days five to seven being the most difficult, especially for those with marijuana dependence.

• After 28 days of abstinence, withdrawal symptoms disappear and the endocannabinoid system returns to baseline functioning.