{"id":3377,"date":"2020-12-22T20:55:35","date_gmt":"2020-12-22T20:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/?p=3377"},"modified":"2026-02-22T13:51:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T13:51:32","slug":"thc-withdrawal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/cannabis-and-your-body\/thc-withdrawal","title":{"rendered":"Identifying the symptoms of THC withdrawal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cannabis is not widely regarded as an addictive drug<\/a>, but withdrawal can still occur for frequent consumers. In particular, regular consumption of strains high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, can increase the likelihood of withdrawal symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here you'll learn how to identify the symptoms of THC withdrawal, how to treat those symptoms, and how to avoid going through withdrawal in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tIs cannabis addictive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Melanie Bone, a board-certified OB-GYN and cannabis specialist, says the answer is complicated. \u201cMarijuana consumers and practitioners usually proclaim it is safer than other substances because it is virtually impossible to die of an overdose of THC. That is true,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the improbability of dying of a THC overdose is only one side to the story. \u201cAnother often-heard comment is that marijuana is safer than other substances because it is not truly addictive, and sudden stopping may be uncomfortable but won't result in dangerous withdrawal the way alcohol and opiates do. While there is truth to this, there is definitely a risk of dependence, as well as difficulty with managing withdrawal,\u201d said Bone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To understand this better, it is important to distinguish between common addiction terms and how they relate to marijuana. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use:<\/strong> refers to consumption that is occasional and often addresses an immediate need, such as post-operative pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abuse:<\/strong> <\/em>consumption for an off-label reason, but still only intermittent. For example, both narcotic pain medicine and marijuana can be abused, but given the sporadic nature of abuse, cannabis is unlikely to be associated with addiction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habituation:<\/strong> <\/em>the use of any addictive medication whose removal might result in withdrawal.  Many patients who use narcotic pain medication long-term and those who use marijuana chronically may be habituated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addiction:<\/strong> <\/em>when a substance is required for its user to function or feel normal. The urge to use could result in the user committing a crime to obtain the substance. Without it, physical, emotional, and psychological withdrawal occurs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bone explained that narcotics are generally considered addictive because they quickly induce dependence in some people who have a tendency toward addiction. But with cannabis, \u201cConsumers can become dependent on it, and physical withdrawal does occur, but it is not life-threatening, like opiate withdrawal. In addition, there are many who can stop their use and restart without a problem,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet the United States has classified cannabis as a Schedule I narcotic drug<\/a> alongside heroin and LSD since 1970. However, there has been a recent push in Congress for this designation to be removed. Further, many medical professionals do not consider marijuana to be a narcotic drug. While cannabis may have some addictive potential, it's not as addictive as a drug like cocaine.  <\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"medical\n\t\t\t<\/a>Photo by: Gina Coleman\/Weedmaps<\/cite>
Many medical professionals do not consider marijuana to be a narcotic drug.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\t\t\t