We all remember the anti-drug programs taught in our schools. Programs like D.A.R.E. and icons like McGruff the Crime Dog told us to always stay away from drugs. One of the primary drugs they focused on was marijuana. These programs called marijuana and other cannabis products “gateway drugs,” which would start you on the path to becoming a drug-addicted junkie. Many of these programs screamed abstinence and used scare tactics to ensure you never tried drugs. In recent years, the stigma
around cannabis has shifted.
States in the US are legalizing cannabis, and there continues to be discussions of federal legalization. Furthermore, some cannabis products are already federally legalized in the US, like Delta 8 and HHC. “Say No To Drugs” does not make as much sense when you can find cannabis products on store shelves across the US. So, is it still true that these legal cannabis products can lead you down the dark path of drug addiction?
Cannabis is the victim of widespread misinformation from anti-drug programs. Still, it does not mean that using cannabis is risk-free. The information gap caused by abstinence-only anti-drug programs means that there are essential questions we must address about cannabis. Mainly questions like, “is cannabis addictive?” “are their withdrawal symptoms for cannabis use?” and “can cannabis cause an overdose?” have vital answers. Before you try cannabis products, whether marijuana or legal cannabinoids, this article will outline the critical information you need to stay safe while you enjoy cannabis.
Is Cannabis Addictive?
The answer to this question is both yes and no. In order to learn the complex nature of cannabis addiction, we need to begin by discussing physical and psychological dependency. When someone develops a drug addiction, they are considered to have developed a dependency on that drug. Although addiction and dependency may seem to be one-to-one terms, the difference between physical and psychological dependency is an essential distinction.
When someone becomes addicted to a drug like alcohol or heroin, they can develop a physical dependency. A physical dependency means the addict’s body needs the drug to survive. Therefore, if someone with a physical dependence goes cold turkey, it could literally kill them. Cannabis cannot cause physical dependence.
Consequently, you never have to worry about your body becoming physically addicted to cannabis. However, developing a psychological dependence is possible with cannabis.
Psychological dependence is classified as someone taking a drug even though they know it interferes with their life. Psychological dependence usually arises from other health issues, such as depression or anxiety. Sometimes people think that cannabis is the only way to make them feel better, so they use cannabis despite the consequences for their personal lives. Psychological dependence is no joke, yet it is not as severe as physical dependence. Physical dependence can result in lifelong withdrawal symptoms, whereas psychological dependence can be permanently overcome.
Overall, you can become addicted to cannabis, but not as you might have thought. Many hard drugs interfere with your body, so your body cannot function without them. The resulting physical dependence can have lifelong consequences for users. You can only become psychologically dependent on cannabis. Psychological dependence is no joke, but it can be overcome through positive methods like therapy, medication, and quitting. Just know if you are thinking about trying cannabis, you cannot get addicted instantly. Other hard drugs can cause physical dependence in just one use, but this is not the case with cannabis. A psychological dependence arises out of prolonged, continuous use of cannabis. If you use cannabis every once in a while, your chance of developing a psychological dependency is basically zero. Those who use cannabis daily need to be concerned about developing a psychological dependence, but those who use it on the weekend with friends do not have to be worried about addiction.
Does Cannabis Have Withdrawal Symptoms?
Yes, like almost all drugs, cannabis does have withdrawal symptoms. However, these withdrawal symptoms only occur after prolonged use. The withdrawal symptoms of cannabis are comparable to caffeine withdrawal. If you only have a cup of coffee once a week, you will not have any noticeable side effects when you do not have a cup of joe. If you drink three cups a day and abruptly stop, you will notice withdrawal symptoms like headaches and irritability. The withdrawal symptoms of cannabis are very similar, so those who use cannabis once or a few times a week do not have to be concerned about withdrawal symptoms. For daily users of cannabis, you should know the withdrawal symptoms of cannabis.
The withdrawal symptoms from cannabis are mild compared to other drugs but are nothing to sneeze at. For longtime users looking to quit or take a T-break, you should be aware of the withdrawal symptoms before you begin. The most dramatic side effect is your sleep schedule. If you use cannabis in the evening, your body is usually used to that as a trigger for sleep. Once you stop using cannabis, your body needs to readjust. Therefore, you will have some sleepless nights, maybe up to a week of restlessness. However, your body will be back to normal after a few days, and you can sleep soundly without cannabis. You also want to be concerned about decreased appetite, as your body will have to adjust to not having the munchies all the time. Finally, irritability and headaches can also occur, but these are not particularly concerning. The withdrawal symptoms are not fun, but they should be over in about a week.
Can Cannabis Cause An Overdose?
Cannabis cannot cause an overdose. Technically you can overdose on cannabis, but you would have to consume nearly 1500 pounds of marijuana in about 15 minutes. That means you would have to smoke nearly 40,000 joints in just a few minutes to overdose. Needless to say, overdosing on marijuana is impossible, but that does not mean cannabis is devoid of health risks.
When you use cannabis, it will lower your blood pressure. This means that some people may have health risks when they ingest cannabis. Those at high risk for a heart attack may want to avoid cannabis, as it will make your heart race even faster. Another risk is the possibility of a panic attack. Panic attacks can also be triggered by a racing heart and can be scary. Those with a history of panic attacks will want to take precautions before taking cannabis or avoid cannabis entirely. However, some people who suffer from panic attacks benefit significantly from cannabis products, so you may want to consult a doctor before you try them. Otherwise, you do not have to be concerned about overdosing when using cannabis.
Conclusion
Overall, cannabis is a very safe drug, but that does not mean it comes without risk. Cannabis cannot cause physical dependence, so only those who use cannabis constantly should be concerned about psychological dependence and addiction. Also, cannabis has withdrawal symptoms but only after prolonged use. Finally, cannabis cannot cause an overdose, but people with pre-existing medical conditions should be careful when trying cannabis for the first time. With this information, you should know abstinence is not the only safe way to encounter cannabis. Now that you are knowledgeable about cannabis, maybe you will “Say Yes To Cannabis.”