It's ridiculous that socially/culturally we don't perceive weed as a "real drug." It's propaganda. Especially when practically all researchers and medical professionals will tell you it absolutely is a real drug and that there's no debate over it being addictive. And this isn't me saying weed is bad and scary or that it shouldn't be legal. I don't even plan to 100% quit - and I think it has benefits. That's also been shown by studies.
This is me saying people should know that it's not risk-free, it's not non-addictive, and the withdrawal can be brutal. People who use it heavily (so, think daily or almost daily) like I was will experience more severe withdrawals.
It's not just being irritable or having night sweats for a few days. Withdrawal from weed can land you in the hospital because it can cause severe insomnia, nausea, and psychiatric symptoms. It's even recommended that people who have comorbid mental illnesses not quit weed without some kind of supervision - and many people need inpatient care to detox.
I have gone through this now, and I've seen others go through this while being shamed by people in "recovery" communities because the "weed isn't a real drug; it's not addictive" thing is so deeply ingrained. We need to start respecting weed like the drug it is - and again this does NOT mean it shouldn't be legal or that it's bad, it means we need to have open conversations about healthy usage like anything else. We need to start being supportive of people who become addicted to it like we support other addicts.
While I've been detoxing for the past week, I've been coping with research. So know this -
Withdrawals can cause:
Weakness
Hypersomnia or insomnia
Psychomotor retardation
Anxiety and/or depression
Mania or psychosis symptoms
Restlessness and agitation
Changes in apetite
Nausea and abdominal pain
Tremors/shaking
Fevers and sweating
Headaches and muscle aches
Here's some more info on that.
Additionally, regular usage has multiple effects on the brain and body over time. These effects include altering the production of cortisol and thyroid hormones as well as imbalance of the sex hormones testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. Long term, regular use can result in a plethora of issues including changes in cognition, brain fog, fatigue, development of anxiety, depression, and other symptoms, changes in menstrual cycles and fertility, and low testosterone and/or feminizing effects in males. The good news is that these symptoms are considered reversible. More info here.
Anyone predisposed to chronic illness such as autoimmune diseases should be aware of how this may affect cortisol and other metabolism regulating hormones.
Anyone predisposed to mental illness should be aware of the potential for worsening symptoms.
Trans individuals on HRT may be particularly concerned with these effects, especially those on testosterone.
I want to reiterate that while I personally experience issues with low cortisol due to chronic illness, am mentally ill, and am a transmasc person on HRT who has noticed negative effects from heavy use over time - I do not plan to 100% quit. I do see benefits, and I like to enjoy substances. But I will be cutting back and I think it's important for others to be aware so that they can make informed decisions; especially younger folks who also grew up being told weed isn't a "real drug" or that it's "totally safe."
Not this making me debate if getting my medical card is a good idea now. But I just can’t handle the fact there is nothing that can treat my depression safely 🥲
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