Treatment for CUD and addiction is similar to treatment for other substance use disorders. The right strategy depends on the person’s lifestyle and the severity of CUD. Many addictive substances affect how the brain responds to dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain called a neurotransmitter. Medical is marijuana addictive experts believe it supports feelings of motivation and reward.
- As the chart indicates, the primary finding was an increased frequency of use during that initial 3-month period.
- They have a variety of strains and types to choose from, and the people who work there can probably suggest products you can try, based on the outcome you’re looking for.
- Some of these may treat mental health problems that worsen CUD.
- That number increases to 17% for those who start using as teenagers.
Is Weed Addictive?
- Cannabis—which can also be called marijuana —is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States.
- If you suspect marijuana use disorder, dependence, or addiction in yourself or someone else, help is available.
- Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website.
- For instance, one study of 84 CBD products found that 18 of them contained THC.
- Stopping cannabis use gradually may help decrease discomfort from withdrawal and lower someone’s risk of relapse.
In light of the legalization of marijuana, many people have wondered about the substance, its safety, and whether it’s addictive. Marijuana—also called weed, cannabis, and other names—is a species of plant that is used as a medical and recreational drug. At 12 South Recovery, we recognize that marijuana affects everyone differently. Some people use it recreationally without issue, while others find themselves relying on it to function, which can negatively impact mental health, motivation, and relationships. If marijuana use has started to interfere with daily life, it may be time to assess the effects and explore available support options. Objective assessment of use reduction for illicit substances presents a greater difficulty given variability and uncertainty of the composition and purity of illicit drugs purchased.
As marijuana use increases, so does evidence showing it harms the heart
Despite the risks, studies of medicinal marijuana use have shown effectiveness. Nearly 90 percent of people who use medicinal marijuana claim that it helps them to manage their disease and symptoms, and many find that they are able to decrease their use of other medications. About 10% of recreational users will develop problems serve enough to impair their work and relationships. Many more will come to depend on pot for relaxation and social purposes. This will be problematic if they don’t learn more effective coping mechanisms and come to rely on marijuana instead of solving their problems. When ready, most people will be able to quit with only mild withdrawal symptoms.
Why Weed Addiction Hits…Different
Here I highlight important work being done at NIDA and other news related to the science of drug use and addiction. In a process initiated under Biden, the DEA is currently reviewing marijuana’s classification. A hearing to consider the change was slated for Jan. 21 — a day after Trump took office — but was canceled and hasn’t been rescheduled. A White House official said “no action is being considered at this time” on marijuana. The super PAC previously went by the name “Legalize America,” according to federal campaign finance records. A lobbyist for Curaleaf, a marijuana company based in New York, is listed as the organization’s treasurer, and it is bankrolled by the cannabis industry.
- Consequently, the percentage of participants with no heavy drinking days is accepted by the FDA as a valid outcome measure in trials of medications for alcohol use disorder4.
- Along with having trouble breathing, you might feel like you’re having an asthma attack or have less oxygen in your lungs.
- Continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance.
- The primary psychoactive compound in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is crucial in its addictive potential.
How to Use Medical Marijuana
Contact us if you or are loved one struggles with marijuana addiction. Marijuana can also have side effects, such as impaired memory and cognition, increased heart rate, and anxiety, particularly when consumed in high doses or by individuals sensitive to its effects. Most scientists believe marijuana originated in Central Asia, specifically in present-day Mongolia and Siberia. The plant, scientifically known as Cannabis, contains various chemical compounds. The most notable compound in the cannabis plant is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
Medical School’s Kevin Hill talks about fearmongering and rosy myths, safe use and addiction
And heavy use may cause a lot of problems when you try to quit. You might have nightmares, insomnia, or bad sleep quality. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor about how to treat these symptoms. More Americans are becoming aware that drug addiction is a disease and not a character flaw, but many continue to find it difficult to believe that marijuana addiction is real. This could be because they experimented with weed at one point and didn’t develop a problem, but more Americans than ever are entering treatment for marijuana addiction.
Maybe you started using weed casually, something to help you unwind, ease stress, or just feel good for a little while. Over time, it became something you relied on more and more. You began reaching for it first thing in the morning, using it to navigate through the day, and finding it difficult to unwind without it. If you suspect marijuana use disorder, dependence, or addiction in yourself or someone else, help is available. Reach out to a healthcare professional such as a primary care provider or a psychologist for support. Substance use resources are also available in local communities and at the state level.
Cannabis use disorder, or marijuana use disorder, results from chronic cannabis use. It is defined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a result of either dependence or abuse of marijuana. There’s evidence that it was used in Central Asia and Western China to treat health issues such as arthritis, asthma, pain, and depression. Right now, medical marijuana is legal in 39 states, while recreational cannabis is legal in 24 states and Washington, D.C. Regular marijuana use may cause you to have more pain after surgery. This could cause you to rely more on opioids to ease the pain.