Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

What Is Marijuana Withdrawal?

Marijuana withdrawal—also called cannabis withdrawal and weed withdrawal—describes the physical and emotional side effects that occur when someone who consumes marijuana regularly cuts back or quits altogether.

Cannabis withdrawal symptoms occur when the body has formed a dependence on the active ingredient in marijuana, called THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol).

Since your body is used to receiving regular amounts of marijuana, when the dosage suddenly changes, your body will have to adjust to its absence.

This adjustment period can cause some people to experience withdrawal symptoms like disrupted sleep or increased anxiety, among others.

What Causes Marijuana Dependence?

To understand marijuana withdrawal, it helps to have a general understanding of marijuana addiction (i.e., marijuana use disorder) and how it is caused.

While marijuana dependence (the factor that leads to withdrawal symptoms) occurs as a result of your brain receptors reacting to the cannabinoids in marijuana products, marijuana addiction is more about the impulse to keep using it.

With any kind of drug use, once the body becomes dependent on a substance, it can quickly lead to addiction (i.e., substance use disorder) as the person continues to use the drug to keep feeling the way they want or avoid symptoms of withdrawal when the drug wears off.

With marijuana use, THC interacts with specific receptors in your brain to create feelings of relaxation, euphoria, and altered sensory perception.

Over time, this can create a strong association between marijuana use and feeling good and can lead to cravings and compulsive use.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about 1 in 10 cannabis users will become addicted. Adolescents are especially at risk, as the addiction rate changes to 1 in 6 if the use of cannabis starts before age 18.

How Common Is Marijuana Withdrawal?

Marijuana withdrawal is more common than many people might think, especially among regular users.

Research suggests that around 30% of people who use marijuana may develop some form of cannabis use disorder, which includes dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

According to research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), this prevalence is even higher among young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 as a result of their developing brains being more susceptible to developing a physical dependency on cannabis.

Among people who use marijuana daily or nearly daily (including people who use medical cannabis products), the likelihood of experiencing withdrawal symptoms increases significantly.

Research estimates that 50-95% of heavy marijuana users may experience withdrawal when they stop or significantly reduce their intake.

Common Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

The severity and type of withdrawal symptoms you might experience after quitting cannabis can vary and will depend on things like how much you used, for how long, and your overall physical health.

However, for the most part, common symptoms of withdrawal will include the following symptoms.

Physical Symptoms of Marijuana Withdrawal

Cannabis withdrawal syndrome can cause some unpleasant physical effects, but these aren’t generally considered dangerous.

Physical marijuana withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Decreased appetite, potentially resulting in weight loss
• Sleep disturbances (insomnia, vivid dreams)
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Stomach pain or general abdominal pain

Psychological Symptoms of Marijuana Withdrawal

Marijuana withdrawal can impact your mental health as well. Physical symptoms like discomfort and fatigue—often exacerbated by sleep problems—are coupled with fluctuations in brain activity as your body adjusts to the absence of marijuana.

Common psychological symptoms of marijuana withdrawal can include:

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Cravings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in social behavior (i.e., self-isolation)

Duration and Severity of Symptoms

The general timeline for marijuana withdrawal varies depending on several factors, including how often and how much the person uses marijuana, as well as their unique physical and mental health.

First 72 Hours

Initial symptoms kick in during the first few days and often include anxiety, disturbed sleep, and physical discomforts like stomach pain and excessive sweating. The intensity of these symptoms usually peaks around the third day after the last time you used marijuana.

One Week to 10 Days

After the first few days, some physical symptoms will begin to decrease. However, other emotional and psychological symptoms (i.e., depression) can intensify. This phase can also include strong cravings and more intense mood swings.

Two to Three Weeks

Most of your acute symptoms will begin to subside within two to three weeks. Emotional and psychological symptoms will also normalize, and you will likely feel more like yourself again.

One Month and Beyond

After about a month, most of the main withdrawal symptoms will likely decrease substantially. However, some people may continue to experience mood swings and cravings.

While the physical presence of cannabinoids might leave the body within a few weeks, psychological and emotional symptoms can last longer. The entire recovery process can take several months, especially if the person is a long-time and/or heavy user.

How to Manage Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

People dealing with marijuana withdrawal symptoms can manage their experience through a variety of strategies, from lifestyle changes and home remedies to professional medical intervention.

Your unique situation will determine the best options for you, but if you are unsure, consult a doctor or healthcare provider before quitting.

Self-Help Strategies

Marijuana use and withdrawal are not considered life-threatening unless the person has other co-occurring substance withdrawals or health conditions.

Therefore, choosing a self-help route can be ideal for many people.

Some of the self-help strategies that might ease your marijuana withdrawal symptoms include:

• Getting enough sleep
• Staying hydrated
• Making sure to eat more nutrient-dense foods (like fresh fruits and veggies or lean meats)
• Staying somewhat active, like taking walks or doing yoga
• Deep breathing and other relaxation strategies
• Journalling
• Limiting caffeine intake
• Leaning on loved ones for support
• Engaging in your favorite hobbies

Professional Help

Sometimes, seeking professional intervention can be the best choice for you to help you get through marijuana withdrawals.

For instance, if withdrawal symptoms significantly disrupt your daily life (e.g., work, school, family, etc.), seeking help can give you the critical support you need to get back on track.

Other situations where professional intervention might be necessary include:

• The intensity of symptoms, including headaches, nausea, or insomnia, has become severe or unmanageable. Your doctor or healthcare provider can prescribe complementary medication to help ease specific symptoms.
• Psychological symptoms are putting you in a dangerous headspace. IF severe anxiety, depression, or mood swings start to make you feel hopeless or suicidal, it’s time to seek professional support to help you stabilize your mood.
• Symptoms last longer than the estimated timeline of a few weeks. You may need to be evaluated by a doctor to ensure no other underlying health issues.
• If you have pre-existing mental health issues or other substance use disorders, it’s a good idea to get medical input before you even begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. Co-occurring disorders can complicate the withdrawal process and potentially put your health and recovery at risk.
• You are unable to quit on your own. If you have tried to quit marijuana multiple times but continue to relapse, addiction specialists can offer you support and treatment options to help you successfully quit for good.

Additional Resources and Support Options

Whether you opt to manage marijuana withdrawal using self-help strategies or through professional help, you don’t have to go through it entirely on your own.

Here are some additional resources that can help you during this process.

Therapy and Behavioral Health

Counseling can be beneficial as you go through marijuana withdrawals, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a specific approach in psychiatry that focuses on changing negative thoughts and patterns in your brain.

During the withdrawal phase from marijuana, your therapist can help you develop coping strategies to manage cravings and reduce the likelihood of relapse.

Medical Detox

Supervised medical detoxification services are a common first step in any addiction treatment and are offered on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. It is an especially valuable option for individuals with co-occurring mental health or substance abuse concerns.

During medical detox, you can have healthcare staff available to monitor your vitals and help ease your withdrawal symptoms.

Support Groups

Support groups for marijuana withdrawals and addiction recovery offer guidance, motivation, accountability, and encouragement from peers who have been through what you’re going through.

Some examples include:

• Marijuana Anonymous (MA)
• SMART Recovery

These groups offer meetings online and in person to give you more options for attending.

You can also find online forums (via Reddit or other platforms) and even small local groups you can join.

Get Help for Marijuana Withdrawal and Addiction Today

Whether you’re looking for a full addiction treatment program or just need some additional support to manage marijuana withdrawal symptoms, you can talk to your doctor or healthcare provider for referrals and support.

Additionally, you can check out the SAMHSA online treatment locator or call them at 1-800-662-4357 for 24/7 information on centers and programs near you.