Does Quitting Weed Cause Depression or Anxiety?
Weed has a notorious reputation for affecting people in vastly different ways. Some people claim they barely experience any negative side effects, while others claim quitting makes life extremely difficult. This polarity in how people experience weed’s effects and side effects makes it challenging to quickly answer the question “can quitting weed cause depression?”
However, the short answer to that question is absolutely a “yes.”
In this article, we will cover the potential side effects of weed withdrawal, how long you can expect them to last, and much more!
Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms are negative side effects that occur after repeated use of some drug or chemical. The severity and timeline of side effects will increase depending on how severe an individual’s marijuana addiction is. For example, someone that has consumed weed for just a week consistently will likely have normal function within a few days. However, a person that has substance use disorder and has used marijuana for months or years might have a much more difficult time quitting weed.
Other factors such as underlying mental health disorders and individual reactions to marijuana play significant roles in how one experiences withdrawal symptoms.
So, now we understand what causes and worsens marijuana withdrawal symptoms, what are some of the common side effects of prolonged marijuana use?
Depression and Mental Health Issues
Depression and other mental illnesses are becoming increasingly common among younger individuals for a variety of reasons. Excessive and prolonged drug use is one of many causes of depression and anxiety. This repeated use can also cause imbalances of chemicals in the brain that regulate mood and happiness (dopamine and serotonin).
So, although weed affects everyone differently, there is a definite chance for depression, anxiety, and much more to occur.
The good news is that many of the mental health issues caused by marijuana are temporary and treatable! Keep reading to learn more about “can quitting weed cause depression or anxiety.”
Mood Swings From Quitting Weed
Mood swings refers to any rapid changes in mood that can be from one extreme to another. Quitting weed, especially cold turkey, means that your brain is not receiving as much dopamine as it is used to. This lack of dopamine can cause a variety of side effects, including depression, anxiety, mood swings, and more.
If you feel relaxed and happy one moment, but sad or depressed the next, this good be a sign that you are experiencing mood swings. You might find it very relieving to finally understand why you are experiencing such intense mood swings. Understand that these side effects are only temporary, even in severe cases.
Can quitting weed cause depression or anxiety? The answer is an extremely solid yes. However, the type of depression you might experience is not likely to be chronic or lasting forever (unless you had chronic depression prior to weed use).
Negative Psychological Symptoms
Above are a few of the common psychological symptoms that you might experience, but there are also many others. Below is a list of some of the mental side effects you may experience during marijuana withdrawal:
- Depressive symptoms
- Irritability or anger
- Lack of pleasure
- Boredom
- Anxiety disorder
- Panic attacks
These are some of the most common psychological side effects experienced by withdrawing cannabis users. The severity and length you experience these symptoms will vary depending on a variety of factors. Talk to a psychologist or psychiatrist about how to handle symptoms that are long-lasting.
Negative Physical Symptoms
Going cold turkey with weed after drug abuse on a regular basis can be physically challenging as well. Below is a list of some of the side effects you may experience when withdrawing from marijuana:
- Sleep problems
- Night sweats
- Stomach pain
- Suppressed appetite
- Increased heart rate
These symptoms are just a few of that you might experience when initially going cold turkey from weed. Remember also that weed affects everyone in a slightly unique way, meaning you might experience slightly rare physical side effects not experienced by everyone.
Should You Quit Cold Turkey?
If some of the cannabis withdrawal symptoms are too intense, such as sleep problems, you might consider slowly weening yourself off weed instead of going cold turkey. For example, reducing your normal weed dose by 50% or 25% at first might be most realistic for you. Over time, you drug use should be reduced by 75% and eventually 100%.
You can reduce your use of cannabis slowly, but not for a super long time. Remember the goal is not to trick yourself into using a lower dosage for a long time, but to completely stop weed usage.
Keep reading to gain more info about “can quitting weed cause depression or anxiety?”
Seeking Professional Help
Admitting that you have a marijuana problem to a family member and seeking professional help will be one of the most difficult parts of your recovery process. However, a social support group can be one of the most effective ways to deal with addiction.
Finding a therapist that specializes in addiction treatment allows you to understand your addiction, behavior, thoughts, and emotions on a much deeper level. Find a therapist that can also perform cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to maximize benefits.
Therapists can also teach you new ways to combat cannabis use disorder as well as severe withdrawal symptoms. There are mental and cognitive strategies you can learn, such as how to respond to certain thoughts or emotions optimally.
Cannabis is An Addictive Substance
Many claim that marijuana is not an addictive substance. However, data certainly suggests that weed creates at least a moderate psychological dependence in long-term users. In addition to psychological symptoms, some may experience physical symptoms of withdrawal.
Understand that you will reap positive changes after avoiding weed for long enough. Cannabis cravings will subside, sleep will improve, appetite will return, and much more will improve!
One of the most difficult parts of transitioning to sobriety is not knowing how long it will take you to return to your normal state. This range, unfortunately, varies from person to person, and could be anywhere from a few days to a few months. This depends heavily on your genetics, how much you use weed and for how long, and whether or not you are going cold turkey.
Understand The Withdrawal Process
It is a very good idea to understand that withdrawing from any drug will be a process with highs and lows. Become mentally prepared to handle lows (such as a drug lapse) and how to appropriately handle them. Mentally preparing for how to handle highs (such as one week sober) is important too. Remember it is best when you rely on a treatment center or some sort of social support system.
After making it to a month sober or longer, you might be tempted to have weed again. However, this is a common trap and you must not lose sight of why you quit marijuana in the first place. Even allowing yourself to have a drug once again can bring you right back to old addictive patterns.
Conclusion
Substance use, especially weed, is a common problem in the United States and all over the world. Many people report becoming physically and mentally addicted to marijuana, which causes physical and mental side effects when withdrawing. Although quitting cold turkey is an effective method used to stop drug use, using a more gradual approach might work best for you. It is also extremely important to remember that you are never alone when attmempting to quit weed.
Can quitting weed cause depression or anxiety? The answer seems to be a resounding yes, and the health of your mind should be at the top of your priorities. Using the above tips can make a massive difference at reducing depression, anxiety, and other side effects from quitting weed!