Is Cannabis Addictive? The Science Behind Cannabis Use Disorder

Is cannabis addictive? This is the question at the center of the age-old debate. The U.S. has made considerable progress over the years in terms of normalizing cannabis usage. Weed, once talked about in hush-hush tones, can now be sold, bought, and consumed freely in several U.S. states. However, anti-weed advocacy groups remain adamant about their claims that weed is harmful and addictive. To these groups, cannabis is still ‘The Devil’s Lettuce’ and should be done away with. 

But is there empirical evidence to support their claims? Not quite. Several recognized bodies, including the Dutch Government, believe weed is not as harmful as other narcotics. Compared to other substances, cannabis is relatively safe and cannot cause death, even in cases of overconsumption. However, overdosing on cannabinoids can still leave lasting effects potentially harmful to the human body. Research published in JAMA Psychiatry in 2015 revealed that cannabis addiction only becomes a serious possibility under certain conditions.

So, is this concerning news for you? Not at all. As long as you’re consuming certified products in recommended quantities, you can relax and enjoy your sesh. But to better understand the matter, let’s take a brief look at what is known as Cannabis Use Disorder.

What is Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD)? 

As per the National Library of Medicine (NLM), Cannabis Use Disorder is “a problematic pattern of cannabis use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.” So let’s break that down.

As the definition suggests, Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is a problematic pattern of cannabis use, which indicates that the patient cannot control how much weed they consume and how often they do it. This is a common, fairly intuitive benchmark for most addiction disorders. If you’re consuming more quantities of something more often than you want to, you’re likely addicted to it.

The second part of the definition points towards clinically significant impairment or distress, another key aspect of any addiction disorder. Any medical condition is considered a disorder when it affects your ability to do everyday tasks or worsens an existing condition like anxiety, both of which are symptoms of excessive marijuana use. 

Signs and symptoms of CUD

These are the signs of Cannabis Use Disorder according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC): 

• Consuming more weed than you want to. 
• Failing to quit consuming or smoking marijuana one or more times. 
• Spending a lot of time trying to procure weed and consuming it. 
• Constantly craving weed. 
• Consuming marijuana despite facing flak for it at home, work, or school.
• Consuming marijuana despite it straining one’s personal and professional relationships. 
• Consuming marijuana in high-risk situations, such as driving or taking care of a child or an elderly person. 
• Continued marijuana consumption despite imminent mental and psychological problems like increased anxiety.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop consuming marijuana. 

This list accounts for everything from the social and psychological aspects of excessive weed consumption to the high-risk situations it can put a person in. The withdrawal symptoms mentioned in this list can range from general anger and increased irritability to unsettling dream patterns, nausea, and even insomnia. 

This is why it is essential to listen to qualified professionals like doctors, chemists, and certified retailers about when and how much weed you should consume. While marijuana isn’t harmful in and of itself, an excess of anything can cause you bodily problems. Remember what your mom said?  Everything is good in moderation.

Diagnostic criteria for CUD 

Coming up with standardized diagnostic criteria for CUD is difficult since the idea of being ‘addicted’ to weed is highly subjective. However, unlike other addictive substances like alcohol and narcotics, cannabis doesn’t pose any fatal harm to the consumer, even if a lot of it is consumed. This is why marijuana use disorder is usually diagnosed based on the effect that prolonged cannabis can have on a person’s ability to lead a normal everyday life.

In other words, a person can only be diagnosed with CUD if consuming weed has started to stop them from working, showing up to school on time, and maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family or is causing significant distress in their daily lives. 

The National Library of Medicine states that a person can be diagnosed with CUD if they show any two of the nine signs listed by the CDC within 12 months. Self-diagnosis of the disorder is, of course, discouraged because the doctor knows best. Therefore, if you suspect a friend of yours might be suffering from CUD, you should get them to talk to a registered doctor. 

How does CUD happen?

To understand how a person can develop a marijuana addiction, you must understand what cannabis does to the human body.

Everything you experience after consuming weed, from the desired ‘high’ to an increased appetite, food cravings, and in some cases, even anxiety and paranoia, is due to the cannabinoids present in marijuana. The human body makes cannabinoids to control these functions (appetite, cravings, mood, and sleep). Whenever needed, these cannabinoids are released naturally by the body, which triggers the human brain to perform the required functions. 

The cannabinoids in weed trigger your brain the same way, but in variable amounts, leading to a distorted sense of space and time, more than natural hunger. In addition, when you consume too much weed, your body adapts to the presence of a LOT of cannabinoids by reducing its production. Then when you try to stop consuming weed, your body is left high and dry without the cannabinoids it needs causing a disbalance in all these functions.

Medical Research on Cannabis Addiction 

Research on marijuana dependence and its long-term effects on the human body is still preliminary, which means there’s still a lot to test and find out.

 

While some widely accepted research papers have proved that consuming marijuana over a long period can lead to cognitive decline, more research is needed to cohesively prove the hypothesis. Medical research related to marijuana use disorder can be categorized into two broad types: 

• Studies on the long-term effects of marijuana addiction. 
• Studies on the neurological aspects of CUD. 

Studies on the long-term effects of chronic marijuana use

A study titled Long-Term Cannabis Use and Cognitive Reserves and Hippocampal Volume in Midlife was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in early 2022. The study sought to test the hypothesis that long-term cannabis use can affect a person’s cognitive functions and cause their hippocampus (the part of the brain that controls balance and memory) to shrink. 

The IQ of all the participants in the study was assessed at ages 7,9,11, and 45 to track the gradual change with age and marijuana consumption. Testing showed that long-term cannabis users among the participants had lower IQs (-5.5 IQ points on average) and poorer learning and processing abilities compared to their childhood.

These participants also complained about more memory and attention-related problems. The research was one of the first to conclusively prove the long-term effects of continued marijuana use on a person’s cognitive and problem-solving abilities.

Another study regarding the long-term effects of cannabis use was published by The Center for BrainHealth, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, the University of Texas, in 2020. The study (titled Interaction of Cannabis Use and Aging: From Molecule to Mind) sought to explore the connection between long-term cannabis use and accelerated aging of the brain. The study found that the effects of continued cannabis use were more imminent in adults who had been consuming it somewhat regularly for 30 years or more than adults who had started more recently.

Participants who had been using marijuana for over 30 years were more vulnerable to neurodegenerative disorders and cellular degradations due to reductions in energy metabolism. In simple words, participants who had been consuming weed for 30 years or longer had comparatively weaker nervous systems, which made them more likely to develop neurological disorders. 

Studies on the neurological aspects of CUD

A 2022 study titled Use of Marijuana: Effect on Brain Health by the American Heart Association explores the neurological effect of long-term marijuana use on the human body. The study found that cannabinoids might play a more central role in the human neurological system than previously thought.

Cannabinoid pathways were found to affect several important things like regulation of neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and overall neurodevelopment in people. So along with a higher risk of cognitive impairment, long-term users were also at a greater risk of losing some control over all of these critical neurological functions, making them more vulnerable to stroke and other nerve disorders. 

The researchers also issued a disclaimer stating that marijuana is a mostly harmless drug, and the results, while concerning, were only found in participants with heavy consumption patterns over decades. 

How to Treat and Avoid CUD 

Like other substance abuse issues, there is no foolproof method for treating CUD. Therefore, doctors usually avoid using a one-size-fits-all approach for treating CUD patients and instead focus on proactive prevention and a personalized therapeutic regimen.

Each patient’s relationship with cannabis is different, and so are the treatment options. However, here are some of the most common methods used to help CUD patients beat their marijuana addiction. 

Therapeutic support options 

Support groups can prove to be highly beneficial for drug abuse patients. People undergoing therapy for CUD often face social stigma, which prevents them from taking active measures to rehabilitate themselves and treat marijuana addiction. Social support groups can be a safe place for these patients to discuss their progress and be in the company of peers who wholeheartedly support their journey toward betterment. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a form of psychological therapy used to change long-term behavior through therapeutic intervention. In CBT, drug abuse patients are made to realize negative thought patterns and certain destructive behaviors like consuming marijuana, even in high-risk situations.

The patients are then asked to reflect and work with a psychologist to try and change these behavioral patterns slowly. CBT essentially breaks down a person’s addiction into small thought and behavior patterns that are worked on one by one. 

Lifestyle changes and other preventative measures 

The statement ‘prevention is better than a cure” is more than a cliche. Preventative measures are known to reduce substance abuse rates considerably, especially among high-risk individuals like teens from low-income backgrounds.

Active medical intervention through awareness campaigns, counseling, and substance-control measures can help people understand how important it is to consume weed the right way, in limited quantities. Frequent consumers can be asked to cut down or talk to support groups/therapists who can help guide them. 

FAQs 

Are some methods of consuming weed unsafe? 

Marijuana isn’t a harmful substance in and of itself. Whether or not consuming marijuana is unsafe depends on your method and quantity of consumption. For instance, high-THC products like concentrates should not be consumed directly but mixed with other edible products like cakes, syrups, and cream. In addition, you should know that smoking marijuana through joints and vape pens are known to cause lung injury.

Can anyone get addicted to weed? 

There are several complex risk factors that determine who is at the highest risk of cannabis addiction. People like teenage children belonging to low-income neighborhoods where weed is more readily available can be considered high-risk individuals when it comes to CUD. However, CUD, like most other addiction disorders, can affect anyone if they continue smoking high amounts of weed for a considerably long period. 

Is there cannabis withdrawal?

Yes, cannabis withdrawal is a real phenomenon commonly observed in heavy consumers of marijuana. The most common symptoms of this condition are headaches, anxiety, irritability, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms usually last for a few weeks after quitting cannabis consumption and generally don’t require medical intervention. However, if these withdrawal effects are severe, then medical intervention is recommended.

Can you have a physical dependence on weed?

There is no evidence to show that marijuana is physically addictive.

How can I help a person with CUD? 

CUD patients are often troubled by social stigma, which makes it harder for them to seek help and get better actively. If you know anyone at risk of developing CUD from marijuana abuse, you should start by addressing your concerns and telling them you’re ready to help if they want to quit. You can then direct them toward marijuana addiction helplines or other treatment options to help them stop. 

Learn More With Body and Mind

At Body and Mind, we are passionate about educating our valued customers on the effects of cannabis. To ensure accuracy in all our products, each label is 100% lab-tested with comprehensive information such as composition and potency precisely printed on them for convenience.

You can visit one of our many dispensaries in California, Ohio, Arkansas, and Michigan or shop with us online for a well-informed, high-quality weed experience that you’ll remember for years.