When we speak of withdrawal, we refer to the sensation a person experiences when abruptly stopping the use of a drug. This syndrome manifests with a series of symptoms that vary depending on the frequency and intensity with which the person consumed the substance. The symptoms that appear may be physical, emotional, and psychological in nature. In the case of marijuana, it is a drug that causes alterations in the brain. For this reason, when consumption stops, a physiological response is created that is known as withdrawal syndrome.
This response will vary in intensity depending on the level of addiction of the person, and will present through physical and psychological withdrawal syndromes. Not everyone who stops using marijuana will necessarily experience withdrawal syndrome. However, symptoms are much more likely to appear the longer this drug has been smoked. Compared to other substances such as alcohol or cocaine, the severity of cannabis symptoms is not significant. Similarly, the intensity of these symptoms will differ between individuals. Someone with very low dependence on marijuana may have no symptoms or they may be so mild that they can manage them on their own.
Symptoms of Marijuana Withdrawal Syndrome
Cannabis creates addiction and therefore withdrawal. Going through withdrawal syndrome is not a simple task. Cessation of use affects each person differently, depending on various factors such as the marijuana consumed, quantity, age of the user, or metabolism. Users who smoked for very long periods generally experience more severe side effects than those who did not use as intensively or who did so for less time. The symptoms of cannabis withdrawal syndrome can be physical or psychological.
Physical symptoms:
- Excessive sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Muscle spasms
- Stomach pain
- Fever
Psychological symptoms:
- Feelings of anxiety
- Extreme tiredness or fatigue
- Sudden aggressive reactions
- Decreased appetite
- Irritability
- Feelings of sadness or depression
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia, nightmares, etc.)
Depression and insomnia are the most characteristic symptoms of marijuana withdrawal syndrome, along with nightmares and irritability. As for physical symptoms, headaches are usually common and can last for weeks. Excessive sweating is a symptom that shows how the body tries to naturally eliminate the toxins that this drug introduces into the body.
How Cannabis Affects the Brain’s Dopaminergic System
It has been observed that marijuana withdrawal syndrome is closely related to the way consumption of this substance affects the brain’s dopaminergic system. The dopaminergic system is responsible, among other functions, for releasing the dopamine that makes a person feel pleasure when doing something they enjoy such as eating, dancing, or having sexual relations. When smoking marijuana, this system can release up to ten times more dopamine than when engaging in another pleasurable activity. Similarly, the tendency to repeat cannabis use is also ten times greater than repeating another pleasurable behavior. This can cause the person to lose interest in other activities.
Given this, it is reasonable to see that the person who stops smoking marijuana, after having done so for a prolonged period of time, will tend to feel apathetic, distracted, and unmotivated. Not only will they no longer show interest in activities they previously enjoyed, they will also withdraw into themselves and be more agitated or even aggressive. They will likely try to incorporate things into their life that replace the sensations that cannabis use produced. However, it is most likely that they will have difficulty getting those things to cause the same sense of well-being that marijuana gave them. This is explained by the fact that the amount of dopamine released will be less than what occurred when they smoked. Therefore, having willpower and not relapsing into drug use will be the greatest challenge the addict faces.
The Role of Amotivational Syndrome
Amotivational syndrome is a cluster of sensations that appear after prolonged cannabis use. Despite being closely related to the period of greatest drug use, its presence can also persist during the withdrawal phase. This amotivational syndrome consists of the difficulty in feeling pleasure beyond marijuana use. This affects memory and attention capacity, as well as emotions and motivation in general. This sensation of generalized apathy will be greater the longer the period of drug use has been.
Additionally, amotivational syndrome carries a series of symptoms that affect both emotions and executive functions. Several may present simultaneously or individually, and among them we find:
- Difficulty making decisions
- Problems establishing goals
- Lack of motivation to do things
- Losing interest in work or school
- Not giving importance to people or things
- Showing passivity
- Difficulty completing tasks, to the point of being unable to finish them
- Withholding responses
- Not considering the consequences of actions taken
- Showing indifference
- Lack of interest in what requires effort
- Neglect of oneself
- Problems with concentration and attention
- Lack of interest
- Not being aware of the state one is in, inability to engage in introspection
Even if a long period of abstinence has elapsed, the risk of relapse is high. Therefore, it is very important to remain alert and respond to any sign that suggests cannabis use may have resumed. At CCAdicciones we have the best professionals to help you if you are addicted to any drug or have any other addiction. Contact us if you believe you need help to regain control over your life.
