A number of studies link chronic marijuana use and mental illness. High doses can produce a temporary psychotic reaction in some users. Use of the drug can also worsen the course of illness for patients who have schizophrenia. A series of large, longitudinal studies also shows a link between marijuana and the development of psychosis. Regardless of how THC is ingested, the substance acts specifically on the brain cell’s cannabinoid receptors.
- It’s often made from the dried leaves and flowers of the plant and even the seeds and stems.
- The use disorder, according to researchers, can morph into an addiction when the person can’t stop using the drug even when it interferes with their daily activities.
- Substance dependence, also called chemical dependence, is when a person experiences physical dependence on a substance but is not addicted to it.
- Studies have found those who struggle with cannabis dependence often find dissatisfaction in various areas of their lives, including relationships, career, and education.
- Some people find that marijuana offers a means of avoiding negative experiences, such as trouble sleeping, anxiety, or depression.
Daily or weekly marijuana use has been found to increase the chances that a person becomes dependent on the drug in the future. If you use cannabis infrequently, or abstain completely for long periods of time between uses, this has been found to lower the odds that you’ll develop a dependence later on. Even if not physically or chemically dependent on marijuana, some people will develop a psychological dependence upon the drug.
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For frequent users, higher potency can increase the risk of marijuana addiction. Today, marijuana is classified by the federal government as a Schedule I substance, which means the drug presents a high risk for abuse and is deemed to have no medicinal uses. However, several states have legalized marijuana for adult recreational use, and 23 states as well as the District of Columbia allow use of medical marijuana to treat certain medical conditions. People using marijuana run the risk of developing an addiction or a mental health disorder related to weed, researchers warn. Experts are still investigating why some people become addicted while others don’t.
THC is known as the substance that makes a person feel a “high,” while CBD often promotes a feeling of relaxation. In addition, it has been found that marijuana dependence may affect your ability to respond to the neurotransmitter dopamine, which allows us to feel pleasure. In one study, those who had marijuana dependence had fewer positive emotions, higher stress levels, and increased irritability. However, some who use marijuana develop the symptoms of addiction after chronic marijuana use. Marijuana also poses several other health risks that people should consider. This could cause you to rely more on opioids to ease the pain.
Medication for Underlying Conditions
When marijuana is smoked, THC passes rapidly from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the substance to the brain and other organs throughout the body. THC is absorbed more slowly when ingested through food or drink. Cannabis plant material can also be concentrated in a resin called hashish or a sticky black liquid called hash oil. Unlike opiate misuse, which can set in fairly quickly with heavy use, marijuana misuse can take months or even years to develop. A user might not immediately realize that they’ve crossed the line into addiction.
According to the DSM, tolerance to a drug happens when, over time, a person isn’t able to achieve the desired effects or “high” by using the same amount of the drug. They will need a larger amount of the drug to achieve these effects. Someone who is addicted to marijuana will prioritize their drug use over other aspects of their life.
How do people use marijuana?
Those who receive treatment for a marijuana addiction are predominantly individuals who have chronically used Marijuana on a daily basis. These are people who have tried to quit on their own many times but couldn’t do it alone. Due to the constantly evolving social landscape surrounding Marijuana, it can be difficult to determine if you have a problem and even more challenging to stop using. In the same way that alcohol is normalized, so too more recently and widespread is Marijuana, thus, the notion of quitting is nuanced.
Apps can track symptoms and behaviors in real time and offer a more accurate understanding of someone’s health. Apple devices offer free mental-health apps with basic services. A BetterHelp subscription costs $65 https://ecosoberhouse.com/ to $90 per week for access to its counselors, and an annual Calm membership runs about $70. Woebot is free, but it can be accessed only with a code given by a mental provider or agency partnered with the company.
Symptoms of Marijuana Use Disorder
No medications are currently available to treat marijuana use disorder, but behavioral support has been shown to be effective. Examples include therapy and motivational incentives (providing rewards to patients who remain drug-free). Continuing research may lead to new medications that help ease withdrawal symptoms, block the effects of marijuana, and prevent relapse. Medicinal marijuana is used to treat and manage a variety of medical concerns, including physical and mental health challenges. 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.
This classification is something that really grates people who support legalization of marijuana. A 2017 study reported that adult cancer patients are using marijuana to ease nausea and other symptoms. In recent years, there have been a number of studies that have highlighted the use marijuana in treating certain medical conditions. It makes the world more interesting to counteract the loss of pleasure in depression. For those with PTSD who experience nightmares, it shuts down the process by which dreams form in the brain. Studies of identical twins raised in different families support this theory.