Marijuana Withdrawal Syndrome: Symptoms and Causes

Discontinuing marijuana use causes some people to start feeling very bad. Why?

The use of any drug is harmful to the person regardless of the type or frequency of use. However, when these habits cease, rather unpleasant symptoms can also appear.

In the case of cannabis the consequences of marijuana withdrawal syndrome are not necessarily as severe are not necessarily as severe as those caused by heroin or cocaine. However, they tend to be quite disabling. Below, we explain this syndrome, its symptoms, its causes and its treatment.

What is marijuana withdrawal syndrome?

We understand by withdrawal syndrome to marijuana the reaction that originates in the organism when a consumer addicted to this substance abruptly stops taking it..

This reaction can be more or less intense depending on the level of addiction of the person, and will manifest itself through physical and psychological withdrawal syndromes.

The withdrawal syndrome does not necessarily appear in all those people who stop using marijuana.. However, the longer a person has smoked marijuana, the more likely it is that withdrawal symptoms will appear.

The severity of symptoms is usually not as severe as with other substances such as alcohol or cocaine. Also, the intensity of the symptoms will vary from one substance to another, the intensity of the symptoms will vary from person to person.. For example, a person with a very mild dependence on cannabis may have no symptoms or they may be so mild that they can manage them themselves.

On the other hand, all those users who have developed a severe cannabis use disorder or addiction will undoubtedly require treatment by a professional. or an addiction to it, will undoubtedly require treatment by a professional.

How does marijuana work?

Marijuana is a substance made from the hemp or cannabis plant. It is considered to be one of the most widely consumed drugs in the world.The number of consumers is increasing year after year.

The most common way of consuming marijuana is smoked either alone or with tobacco. However, in recent years there has been a tendency to drink it or to ingest it as an ingredient in some culinary preparations such as pastries.

Due to its effects, cannabis is considered a psychoactive substance. That is to say, it alters the brain functions of the person who consumes it. Although a single plant contains over 400 different chemicals, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main active chemical component, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main active chemical component causing the changes in the body. chemical component that causes the changes in the body.

When a person smokes marijuana, this component present in inhaled smoke is absorbed by the lungs, which transfer it into the bloodstream. Once in the blood, THC reaches the brain where it acts on cannabinoid receptors.

THC triggers a series of chemical reactions in the brain that lead the person to experience a feeling of happiness and relaxation. experience a feeling of happiness and absolute relaxation very characteristic of this drug.

This pleasant sensation is due to the fact that most of the brain areas involved in the experience of pleasure, the perception of the senses and time, thoughts, concentration, memory and movements are the ones with the most cannabinoid receptors, are the ones that harbor the most cannabinoid receptors in the whole brain..

One of the main disadvantages of THC is that it is deposited in fat cells. is deposited in the fat cellsThe body needs much more time to eliminate them compared to other narcotic drugs.

What are the symptoms of this syndrome?

The symptoms associated with marijuana withdrawal syndrome are very varied and its onset varies according to the level of withdrawal. and its appearance varies according to the level of consumption of the person. These symptoms can be divided into psychological symptoms or physical symptoms.

Psychological symptoms

• Irritability.
• Sudden aggressive reactions.
• Feelings of anxiety.
• Feeling of sadness or depression
• Sleep disturbances (insomnia, nightmares, etc).
• Tiredness or extreme fatigue.
• Decreased appetite.

Physical symptoms

• Headaches.
• Excessive sweating.
• Stomach pain.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Muscle spasms.
• fever

Of all these symptoms, insomnia and depression are the most characteristic of marijuana withdrawal syndrome, as well as nightmares and irritability. of marijuana withdrawal syndrome, as well as nightmares and irritability. As for physical symptoms, headaches are common and can last for weeks.

Through excessive sweating, the body tries to eliminate the toxins that this substance infects the body naturally.

How is it diagnosed?

There are a series of pre-established guidelines for the diagnosis of marijuana withdrawal syndrome. These guidelines consist of a physical examination and a series of questions about the symptoms. In addition, medical personnel may order a blood or urine test..

Regarding the diagnostic criteria established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), the person must meet a series of criteria or requirements in order to be diagnosed with this syndrome. These requirements are as follows.

Criterion A

There must have been an abrupt cessation of marijuana use. In addition, this consumption must have been chronic for several months..

Criterion B

The person must have 3 or more of the following symptoms for one week after cessation of use:

• Anger or aggressiveness..
• Anxiety symptoms.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Lack of appetite and weight loss.
• Depressed mood.
• Restlessness.

In addition, all of these symptoms must be accompanied by at least one of these physical symptoms:

• Abdominal pain.
• Muscle contractions or tremors.
• Hyperhidrosis.
• Fever.
• Headaches.

Criterion C

The above symptoms must generate clinically significant discomfort in the patient. clinically significant discomfort in the patientand interfere with the patient's usual functioning.

Criterion D

Marijuana withdrawal syndrome will be diagnosed when all of the above criteria cannot be better explained by another disorder, condition or disease, including abstinences fromincluding withdrawal from other substances.

Treatment

Because the symptoms of this syndrome are mild in most cases, most patients attempt to manage these symptoms on their own.. However, especially in severe cases, treatment by professionals will promote rapid remission of symptoms and increase the likelihood of success.

These withdrawal symptoms can be treated with medications such as paracetamol, aspirin or non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs.The treatment is always prescribed by a doctor, who will review each case appropriately. It is also important for the person to drink plenty of water and try to rest.

Psychological support will help the patient to maintain motivation and avoid relapsing into marijuana or other drugs.

Bibliographical references:

• Curran, H. V., Freeman, T. P., Mokrysz, C., Lewis, D. A., Morgan, C. J. A., Loren H. Parsons (2016). Keep off the grass? Cannabis, cognition and addiction. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 17(5), pp. 293 - 306.