It’s important to note that while marijuana can be addictive, the risk of addiction varies among individuals. Factors such as frequency of use, method of consumption, potency of the product, and individual susceptibility all play a role in determining the likelihood of addiction. Seeking professional help and support is crucial for individuals struggling with marijuana addiction. It’s a question a lot of people ask, sometimes because they’re worried about their own habits, other times because they’ve been told for years that marijuana isn’t addictive at all.
Weed Strains
Periodontal disease doesn’t just cause tooth loss but has also been linked to many other health issues, including heart disease and preterm labor. Biden said last year he supported decriminalizing marijuana. One of the studies included in the meta-analysis found that the risk of heart attack peaked about one hour after marijuana consumption.
- Cannabis use disorder, or marijuana use disorder, results from chronic cannabis use.
- Does somebody still have some 1970 pot sitting around or are we relying on old memories?
- What we do know is that more people are consuming weed regularly.
Higher Potency Factor
Using marijuana may raise your chances of clinical depression or worsen the symptoms of a mental health condition that you already have. Regular marijuana use for many years can put you at risk for this condition. One theory is that cannabis use is marijuana addictive could overactivate the cannabinoid receptors in your brain.
- THC is primarily responsible for cannabis’s addictive properties.
- But the mere presence of these symptoms, irrespective of the reason, is sufficient to diagnose cannabis use disorder, at least as the DSM criteria are now written.
- You could also try to set limits such as only using marijuana on certain days of the week, like the weekends.
- Some studies have found that people often engage in cannabis use to lessen their feelings of anxiety or depression, and that self-medicating in this way can often lead to drug dependence.
- Medications such as antidepressants may be prescribed to treat co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Marijuana Effects
Overall, study participants had a favorable outlook toward cannabis. They reported potential health benefits and expressed a desire for scientific research to investigate these potential benefits. While this is a serious medical concern, it can also be treated. Healthcare professionals can support by diagnosing and then providing talk therapy, medications, or a combination of the two. While it is possible to try and use the substance without becoming addicted, that is not the case for everyone.
A model for reduced use as an endpoint exists with treatments for alcohol use disorder. Consequently, the percentage of participants with no heavy drinking days is accepted by the FDA as a valid outcome measure in trials of medications for alcohol use disorder4. The FDA recently announced a new tool through which investigators can determine if proposed treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD) work based on whether they reduce “risk drinking” levels.