There are conflicting views on the addictive nature of marijuana and the effect that pot has on the body and brain. Regardless, many come to a point when they choose to stop.
When applying for a new job and the person makes it passed the interview, then there is the drug screening. A smoker may panic about getting THC out of her hair to pass the drug test.
Others quit because of changes in relationships or additions to the family. Others only want to “outgrow” the habit.
Whatever the reason, detoxing from marijuana is a bold step. The process is not easy and can take some time. As a result, it is important to know what to expect.
The Risk Of Pot Withdrawal Symptoms
There are physical symptoms to watch out for. There are often night sweats and general sweating issues to rid the body of toxins.
Toxin release also causes body odor and increased phlegm. Other physical effects include headaches for a few weeks, or a couple of months, loss of appetite for up to 6 weeks, tremors, and dizziness.
There are also psychological effects and sleep issues. Some deal with insomnia or poor sleep for a few months. There are some emotional mood swings as the brain chemistry alters and tries to return to normal.
This means anxiety, reduced libido, anger, and potential bouts of euphoria. The latter can be frustrating if it feels like a breakthrough is coming, but another period of anxiety follows.
Others have to deal with nightmares and vivid dreams. Marijuana use alters the way that people dream. With this barrier taken away, the colors and images of dreams can return.
With nightmares, this can be terrifying at first.
Even pleasant dreams can be alarming to someone not used to dreaming. There is a good chance that ex-users will dream about the drug in some way, and this will make things worse.
Why Do These Side Effects Take So Long To Subside?
These prolonged effects occur because of the main active pot chemical, the THC, is within fat cells and remains in the body for a while.
Detoxers should also remember that a sudden crash detox can stimulate the release of THC into the bloodstream. This makes it more detectable in drug tests. This is important for detoxing for work-related reasons rather than simply as a lifestyle choice.
Marijuana use blocks anandamide. Abstinence means that users are now open to this chemical and will experience new brain chemistry. The problem is that it can take a while to get used to this “normal” chemical level and interaction.
Some Aids That Can Help Here
Those struggling to detox from pot have options. Relaxation techniques, like hot baths, exercise, and other insomnia remedies, can help.
Ex-users are also advised to reduce caffeine and fat intake, increased potassium, and plenty of water to flush out the system. The sooner that the body can flush out the toxins, the easier it is for it to cope on a physical level. It may take a little longer for the psychological issues to pass.
It can be a slow process with pot detoxification, but this is normal.
Failure to recover in a few months is not a failure; it is part of the process. The best approach is to understand the side effects, prepare, take as many recovering aids as possible and ride it out.
With time, the addiction will pass, and the body will become accustomed to its new chemical signatures.