Is Marijuana Addictive?

It’s now legal to buy marijuana in Canada, and adults of all backgrounds are able to smoke as much as they want. Whether you enjoy the recreational effects of cannabis or the health effects, there are many things to enjoy about it. But, as with any substance, you should be aware of potential risks. One of the common questions many people have is- is marijuana addictive?

Unlike many prescription medications, marijuana is not physically addictive. No matter how much you smoke, you won’t experience any withdrawal symptoms. It’s also safer than many other drugs. With that said, if not used in moderation, some people may become psychologically dependent on marijuana. Here’s a guide to marijuana addiction and how to handle it.

 

Effects of Marijuana

Before getting into the addictive side of it, it’s important to understand the effects of marijuana. People use marijuana for both recreational and medical purposes. It has many fun psychoactive effects which make it highly enjoyable as a recreational drug. It also has many beneficial effects on the body- it can treat various health symptoms and even prevent certain illnesses and disorders.

The effects of marijuana can depend on the strain. However, in general, users will experience an instant surge of happiness and euphoria. The mental effects will enhance your senses and make you more creative. Meanwhile, it also gives you a powerful body buzz which relieves pain, inflammation, and physical tension.

Many people use marijuana for its medical benefits. The mental effects can help treat anxiety, depression, and stress. Meanwhile, the physical effects are highly beneficial for instant pain relief. It can help with a wide range of conditions from PTSD to arthritis. It also helps protect the brain, improve skin health, and even fights against cancer.

 

Is Marijuana Addictive?

The effects of marijuana can be incredibly enjoyable and beneficial for many people. However, as with any substance, it should be used in moderation. Marijuana is actually a lot safer than most other medications and drugs. Side effects are minimal, it’s easy to control your dosage, and you can not fatally overdose on marijuana.

Marijuana is also not physically addictive. While some substances induce withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit, weed will not give you any physical symptoms. If you use it in moderation, you’re unlikely to face any issues whatsoever.

However, like with anything, you can develop a psychological dependence. Users may begin to rely on marijuana to handle social situations or treat conditions. A study on marijuana dependence found that long-time users may report the inability to quit and the reliance on marijuana, either for personal or medical reasons.

 

How to Deal With Marijuana Dependence

If you feel like you can’t function without marijuana, then it’s time to take action. Thanks to minimal side effects and withdrawal symptoms, marijuana is a very safe substance to use. However, those who feel like they have become psychologically dependent on marijuana need to take steps to reduce their usage.

The best way to handle this is to reduce your usage. Those who enjoy marijuana for social reasons may still enjoy it on occasion. However, if you feel the need to smoke every morning, you may wish to take a step back and reduce your usage.

If you find that marijuana gets in the way of your life, either by interrupting your career, education, family or social life, then you may wish to take therapy. This can help identify the underlying causes of marijuana dependence and solve them.

Marijuana can be extremely helpful to medical patients. However, users should still avoid marijuana dependence. For instance, while marijuana can help rapidly tackle symptoms of anxiety and depression, it may become a crutch in the long-run. In cases like these, it’s important to seek other forms of treatment to help in addition to marijuana.

 

Can You Overdose on Marijuana?

The good news is that, no matter how much marijuana you smoke, it’s not overly dangerous. There are no recorded cases of death from marijuana use. However, while smoking too much marijuana is not fatal, it can still have consequences.

A marijuana overdose can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and severe anxiety and paranoia. It’s important to use marijuana slowly and not to exceed your limits. If you do find you’ve used too much, you can counteract the effects by drinking water, eating food, and resting until the effects wear off.

Some users with mental health issues may find that marijuana exacerbates their symptoms. If you find that you frequently feel anxious or paranoid while under the influence of marijuana, it’s important to reduce your usage or stop altogether.

However, using marijuana in moderation is unlikely to cause any serious side effects. Start off with a small dosage and don’t go over your limits.

 

How Much Marijuana Should You Use

The best way to avoid addiction or negative side effects of marijuana is to use it in moderation. While the side effects aren’t as severe as many other substances, it’s still important to avoid overuse.

Smoking and vaping make it easy to control your high and not go overboard. These methods allow you to take things hit by hit and stop when you feel high enough.

Other products, such as marijuana edibles, should be used with caution. These can induce a seriously intense high that lasts for many hours. The usual recommended dosage for marijuana edibles is 10mg of THC for a beginner. The same applies to products such as THC oils and tinctures.

 

Conclusion

Marijuana is not physically addictive. However, frequent marijuana users may become psychologically dependent. If marijuana usage starts to interfere with your daily life and you find it impossible to quit, you may be experiencing psychological addiction.

If you feel that you use marijuana too much, the best approach is to reduce your usage and only use it on occasion. Those who feel like they have become seriously addicted may need to seek psychological help. However, most users will not face any of these issues providing they use marijuana in moderation and avoid overuse. Marijuana can be beneficial for both recreational and medical purposes but use it wisely.