Is Weed Addictive?

Weed can be addictive, but not all weed consumers end up addicted. Addiction is a complex illness that is not always easy to describe. It happens for various reasons too.

Research shows that about 10% of weed consumers are likely to be addicted to it. The risk of addiction increases with early usage. This explains why people who use marijuana or weed in their early youth are likely to become addicted or become frequent users in adulthood.

Cannabis addiction seems to be more rampant among youth and adolescents. It is essential to have the addiction menace under control as early as possible.

 

What is Weed?

Weed which also goes by the name marijuana or cannabis, is dried leaves, stems, and flowers derived from the cannabis plant. They can be from the indica or sativa strains and contain THC and other cannabinoids. 

Weed contains chemicals that alter the functioning of the brain or mind. It is one of the most popular psychoactive drugs from the cannabis plant. It is native to the Asian continent, mainly the South and Central parts. Usually, weed is used for recreational and medicinal purposes, both traditionally and in modern times.

This product can be powerful and beneficial. However, it is essential not to abuse it as the side effects can be intense. 

 

How Does Cannabis Work?

Weed/marijuana is a powerful drug. It is consumed in various ways, the most popular being smoking and ingesting edibles and beverages. When smoked, the weed compounds find their way to the bloodstream and the brain.

Most users prefer smoking weed flowers because the impact is faster as it gets to the brain quicker than other methods. Once in the brain, marijuana works on the GABA nerve terminals. This, in turn, increases dopamine production hence the feel-good effect.

Weed contains THC, which is said to be an addictive component. But is THC addictive? To understand THC addiction, it helps to look at its structure.

The chemical structure of THC resembles the brain’s chemical anandamide. Due to this similarity, the body allows THC to change the brain’s regular communication, influencing memory, pleasure areas, concentration, and thinking.

THC attaches to the cannabinoid receptors (these are brain molecules). Once it attaches to this part of the brain neuron, it activates them and, in turn, disrupts physical and mental functioning.

Can You Get Addicted to Weed?

It is not strange to ask, can you get addicted to weed? Well, the possibility of this happening is 9 to 10 percent. While weed is one of the most used drugs in America, next to alcohol, it is easy for users to become dependent. However, the addiction is nowhere near as high as it is for nicotine products like you’d find at cigarette shops like Smokes Canada or Ciggy.

Addiction sets in when the dependency is irreversible, and users cannot function without ingesting weed. Additionally, addiction is often associated with overdose, just like other drugs.

But how does one know if they are addicted to weed and if the addiction they are struggling with is something to worry about? The good news is that there will always be signs and symptoms that show potential dependence. 

• One of the first signs of marijuana addiction is a loss of interest in things that excited you before. You may suddenly struggle with staying motivated with hobbies and tasks that bring you joy. All you want to do is take more weed.
• People who are addicted to weed also tend to struggle more with relationships. They never seem to maintain relationships of any kind. Most of them fall out with family and friends and jeopardize their work relationships.
• Another common symptom that signifies an addiction to weed is withdrawal symptoms. The user hardly operates normally without first consuming the weed. Many will be irritable, anxious, depressed, restless, and even experience chills and tremors until they have their first weed intake.
• You can also conclude that ‘i am addicted to weed’ if your tolerance level increases. If the amount of weed that seemed to get you the level of satisfaction before fails to do the same, then chances are that you are already addicted.
• You cannot stop even if you want to. Your weed addiction is a reality if you cannot operate without it. If all efforts to quit prove futile despite your desire, you should know that the addiction is already set in.

The problem with weed addiction is that it is difficult to stop without professional assistance. Get in touch with addiction experts who have the know-how and skills to help you overcome the addiction

Ways to Control Your Marijuana Usage

Marijuana addiction is real and can take a toll on users. However, all hope is not lost. If you are wondering if you can be addicted to weed and get out of it, the answer is Yes.

Since the addictive nature of weed is a sad reality users have to deal with, it is best to take temporary measures to control the addiction when you realize you could be a victim. 

There are a few ways to get this done.

• Decrease the amount of weed you consume per day. This may seem like a rocket since, but it is the easiest way to get control of weed consumption. Start by removing one of the smoking sessions per day and reduce gradually over time.
• Come up with goals to quit. Stick to them. Make sure your goals are small, achievable, and easy to execute. Take it a day at a time and focus on winning a small goal at a time. 
• Use Marijuana controllably. Treat it like any other substance you use recreationally; with time, you will get a proper dosage that does not lead to addiction.
• Have a budget. If you cap the amount of money you spend on marijuana purchases, then you can control the amounts and intake
• Get professional help. If you are too deep into addiction, consider having professional assistance at a rehab center.

Visit the Daily Marijuana shop and find all things cannabis. Find us listed on trusted sites like BCWeedDelivery.org and take advantage of our top-rated weed delivery services.

 

Reference

CBC (2020) Addiction (Marijuana or Cannabis Use Disorder)From: https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/addiction.html

BC Weed Delivery. (2023, April 1). Find the best weed delivery in BC and online dispensaries in Canada. Available at: https://bcweeddelivery.org/

Smokes Canada. (2023, July 8). Buy Cheap Cigarettes Online in Canada. Available at: https://smokescanada.com/

NIH (2019) Cannabis (Marijuana) DrugFacts. From: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana

Daily Edibles Delivery. (2023, April 1). Enjoy the Best Deals On Same-Day Weed Delivery in Vancouver. Available at: https://dailyedibles.io/

Jenny L. et al. (2013) How Does Marijuana Work IN the Brain? From https://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-abstract/75/4/299/18527/How-Does-Marijuana-Work-IN-the-Brain?redirectedFrom=fulltext