Author: Carly Pontifex, BSc
It has long been argued by cannabis advocates that cannabis should be legalized because cannabis is not an addictive substance like alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, amphetamines or opiates. Now that cannabis is legal, it’s important that this topic is addressed head-on so that recreational users can make informed decision about cannabis consumption.
Before addressing the question “is cannabis addictive?” I have to define what I mean by addiction. Addiction is a disease. If you are addicted to a substance you’ll find yourself unable to stop consuming that substance even when there are clear negative consequences associated with usage. Are you missing work because of cannabis consumption? Is your habit a source of conflict in work or personal relationships, but you still can’t stop even though you’re trying to quit? If you use cannabis with high frequency but your life isn’t exactly falling apart, it’s more likely that you are dependent on cannabis without being addicted to it. If you are dependent on a drug your brain and body have adapted to its constant presence by undergoing changes at the cellular level and you are at an increased risk of experiencing physical drug withdrawal symptoms.
Dependence occurs when your brain becomes less sensitive to its own endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are the molecules found naturally in your brain that cannabis mimics. This decrease in sensitivity is called a change in your tolerance. Tolerance and dependence occur during the early stages of addiction as well, but something is only an addiction when you persistently experience severe impairments in your day-to-day life in addition to compulsive uncontrolled use. If you’re a teenage or young adult and your brain is still developing, you may be at a higher risk of increased use and this might have an impact your developing brain. You are also at increased risk for developing cannabis addiction.
If you’ve been a long-term user of cannabis and you decide to quit or take a break, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms include nervousness, aggression, irritability, insomnia, decreased appetite, stomach pain, depression, restlessness, headache, nausea, chills, sweating or shakiness. Depending on your personal history the duration of the withdrawal period can vary. You might experience withdrawal symptoms for around 1-4 weeks, although in severe cases symptoms can last for several months. Certainly, the withdrawal symptoms can be a major deterrent when trying to quit. If you want to use cannabis recreationally—well, it’s a free country, but it doesn’t hurt to be informed about the pitfalls and consequences of overuse. While cannabis addiction may not be directly comparable to addiction to highly potent stimulants or opiates, like any addiction, it has the potential to impact and shape your life. If you think you may have cannabis dependency or addiction, consider taking a tolerance break or abstaining entirely. Not only will you give your brain a break, you’ll save some cash as well. If you are planning on being an occasional consumer of cannabis, perhaps less than once a week, you are unlikely to experience much in the way of withdrawal—but be mindful of any changes to your patterns of cannabis use especially if you notice changes in your tolerance. Is cannabis addictive? It can be, but it’s far less common than cannabis dependency.
For more information on cannabis dependency and addiction:
https://www.healthline.com/health/marijuana-withdrawal#prevention
https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/tolerance-dependence-addiction-whats-difference
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/marijuana-addictive
https://www.mentalhealth.com/home/dx/cannabisdependence.html