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Many of the adults of today grew up during the “just say no” period of education. Marijuana was categorized as if it were as dangerous as more dangerous drugs, like heroin, cocaine, and oxy. While it does not cause the damage that those do, there is still a need for detox when someone find that they are addicted to weed. Looking into the history of marijuana will quickly alert the researcher to the fact that it was made illegal for racial and political reasons, not necessarily for the safety of the public health. Yes, one of its components, THC, does provide a high; however, it also offers a plethora of health benefits, which has drastically changed its legal status in many states. It may be one of the most benign substances that can be abused, but it still provides the opportunity for someone to become addicted and ruin their life, from finances to relationships. Weed addiction can be hard to detect and while detox can be extremely uncomfortable, it is necessary to regain control of the decisions in your life.
Marijuana (also known as weed, kush, Mary Jane, pot, Chronic, and hundreds more terms) is a product of the cannabis plant. Every part of the plant can be used, whether oil is extracted from the matrix, the bud is dried and consumed, or the plant is used in textiles. It has been used for thousands of years for practical, spiritual, and medicinal purposes, as well as recreationally for its psychedelic effects. It can be baked into foods, smoked, and put into creams and lotions. The quickest way to get something in the body is through the lungs, so inhaling it creates the desired effect with minutes and lasts approximately two hours. When it is eaten, it takes 30 to 60 minutes to feel the effects and can last around six hours, depending on the amount ingested. THC is the component that produces the psychoactive effects, or the high.
Marijuana contains hundreds of cannabinoids that have shown promise in helping balance out various system in the body. It possesses sedative and anti-inflammatory properties that have been used for decreasing the symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), ulcerative colitis (UC), chronic pain, Multiple Sclerosis, and so many other health conditions. Marijuana’s cannabinoids are even an ingredient in two prescription medications approved by the FDA to reduce seizure severity and frequency in two specific childhood epileptic disorders.
The history of marijuana is a lengthy one. While parts of it can produce psychoactive effects, it has proven its usefulness in hemp products and medicines. People can form a mental addiction to anything and a physical one to many substances, and marijuana falls somewhere in the middle. The debate as to where it falls on the spectrum is highly publicized by the media.
Regardless of the results in political and social circles, marijuana has shown that it has overwhelming anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and pain fighting properties. To prevent or fight an addiction to pain pills, marijuana is an all-natural alternative. It has also been found to help people suffering from insomnia, anxiety, and depression when taking the appropriate dose.
With so many states recognizing the benefits of marijuana and legalizing it, there are select doctors who have become board-certified to be able to recommend medical marijuana to patients that meet the criteria. While the list of approved conditions differs between states, illnesses that generally find that marijuana produces positive results include:
While you cannot overdose on marijuana like you can on illicit drugs like cocaine, meth, and heroin, you can ingest enough to cause some severe mental and physical discomfort. This is especially true if you are using it in conjunction with other drugs, such as an acid tab. You may think that the acid has started to wear off to the point that you can consume your weed edible; however, marijuana enhances the psychedelic effects of any acid, mushroom, or other hallucinogenic drug. It can result in extremely intense audio and visual hallucinations, leading to a bad trip or overwhelming anxiety.
There are no recorded deaths from consuming too much weed; however, it can lead to long-term side effects, such as HPPD (Hallucinogen Perception Persisting Disorder). This condition causes lasting visual distortions and possible depersonalization once the trip has ended. There is also a concern for those who have mental health disorders who use mind-altering substances. They may want to refer to professionals instead of self-dosing.
A person’s body composition causes it to react differently to a drug when compared to their fellow human. One person can take Benadryl for allergic reactions and be fine while the next takes it and falls asleep immediately. Pain is something from which nearly all humans strive to avoid. Its purpose is to alert the body that there is a physical problem, but it can sometimes get out of hand even when the underlying issue is being treated. The body’s pain receptors may still be in overdrive. Pain is one of the most common reasons that people start down the path of drug use in the first place.
Research has shown that individuals who used marijuana before they turned 18 were four to seven times more likely to develop a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) as an adult. Researchers also believe that about four million Americans can be categorized as having a marijuana use disorder with only 138,000 of those recognizing it and are seeking Marijuana addiction treatment. Genetics play a strong predictor in who develops an addiction, but there are other factors and signs. How do I recognize that I might have a marijuana addiction?
When someone stops using marijuana and allows their body to eliminate the drug from their system, it is called detox. Marijuana is reasonably easy to detox from, especially when compared to other drugs, such as alcohol and cocaine, which can be life-threatening. While prescription medications may be necessary to help someone detox from other drugs, it is best to let weed clear the bloodstream naturally. When someone smokes weed, the effects of it last for about two hours but can be detected for 30 days even after only one time. An avid user may find that it is detectable for up to 90 days in their system, like blood and hair.
The intensity and duration of the withdrawal symptoms are different for each person, especially insomnia, which can last up to a few months, followed by depression, nightmares, and vivid dreams. Anger and rage are common symptoms as people progress in their sober journey.
There are no medications specifically made for marijuana detox. However, as the body readjusts to functioning without it, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications can help ease those symptoms. Detoxing is only the first step with relapse prevention being essential for continued sobriety. This can be accomplished with individual and group behavioral therapy, as well as 12-step programs, such as Marijuana Anonymous (MA). This is a peer group that meets to share experiences and support each other as they learn how to live without weed.
Detoxing from weed can be extremely uncomfortable, but it is not life-threatening. The biggest problem of trying to accomplish this on your own is the temptation of relapse. People know that simply taking a hit can alleviate the symptoms, so it is hard to fight that craving. There are methods that have been known to ease the side effects in some people:
While marijuana detox is necessary for someone to get back on track and stop focusing on the substance that has started to wreak havoc in their lives, letting it happen naturally is one of the best ideas. If someone keeps relapsing and cannot do it on their own, a weed detox backed by monitoring by medical professionals can help someone achieve and maintain recovery. It might be difficult for someone to determine if they have an addiction to marijuana, but when they figure out that they need to detox, it is never too late!