Marijuana Addiction: Find Out What You Need to Know

Some people can use cannabis for years on end without ever running into any problems. Others smoke the herb only for a short period before developing addictive behaviour.

At one end of the debate, the “Just Say No” crowd present cannabis as a dangerous drug capable of pulling anyone into a state of addiction. On the other side, cannabis advocates defend cannabis as “a plant, not a drug”, and deny that it poses any addictive qualities.

As with most matters, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

What Is Addiction?

We often associate the word “addiction” with a habit revolving around hard drugs. In truth, people can become addicted to just about anything, from food and caffeine, to the affection of other people^[1].

The exact root cause of addiction remains up in the air. Older models suggest it stems from a moral dilemma. Some frameworks suggest that it arises purely from the action of molecules activating receptors. Other addiction specialists point towards complex psychological deficiencies and childhood trauma.

Because addiction appears so multi-faceted, it’s important to explore it fully.

How Marijuana Acts In The Body

But where does cannabis fit into the picture? Why do some people quickly need to consume cannabis every day, whereas others have total control over their intake?

To find out the answers to these questions, it helps to understand exactly how the herb acts in the body.

• Chemicals in cannabis

Cannabis flowers contain a complex host of hundreds of different chemicals. These molecules exist in groups or families.

The psychoactive molecule that underpins the cannabis high—THC—belongs to the cannabinoid family. This group contains over 100 different molecules. All of them offer slightly different effects, but very few are mind-altering.

Weed buds also contain over 200 terpenes. These aromatic chemicals provide the unique smells and flavours of different strains, and they also work alongside THC to change the effect of the high.

• The endocannabinoid system

THC temporarily alters our consciousness by working through the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Made up of a series of receptors, signalling molecules, and enzymes, this system helps to maintain balance in the body.

This fascinating network occurs all throughout the body and plays a key role in metabolism, appetite, immunity, cellular communication, and memory. The ECS features two primary receptors: CB1 and CB2.

To operate this system, our body produces its own set of cannabinoids that are tasked with binding to these receptors. Interestingly, THC shares a similar molecule structure to one of our own cannabinoids known as anandamide, otherwise known as the “bliss molecule”.

The CB1 receptor occurs mainly within the brain and central nervous system. Anandamide binds to this molecule to regulate the ECS. Because THC shares a similar shape, it successfully mimics anandamide in the body and also has the ability to latch on to the CB1 receptor.

This mechanism of action underlies the psychoactive effects of THC. It enters the synapses between brain cells and activates CB1 receptor sites. Unlike most receptors, cannabinoid receptors are mostly located before the synaptic space, instead of after it.

This means that activation of CB1 allows THC to control incoming chemical traffic^[8]. This alters the flow of molecular information in the brain and gives rise to the high.

We agree that this simple process doesn’t seem to adequately explain the euphoria and increased connection to nature that people feel after smoking a joint. In truth, science doesn’t yet completely understand every aspect of this experience.

Marijuana Use Disorder

Addiction to cannabis, known as marijuana use disorder or cannabis use syndrome, can occur due to a myriad of different reasons. Regardless of the model of addiction at play, this condition comes about when an individual begins to use weed in an abusive way.

Cannabis produces a pleasant and enjoyable high. Some people bask in the occasional use of the herb. Others quickly feel they “need” this feeling to function at all, as those helps fulfil an empty whole caused by some other failing area of their life or painful past experiences.

Chances are you know plenty of people that use cannabis in a healthy way. However, data collected by the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that around 30% of marijuana users^[9] experience some degree of dependency.

The figures are actually quite striking. Approximately 4 million cannabis users in the United States met the criteria for marijuana use disorder in 2015, and almost 140,000 of them to the extent that they sought treatment.

• Symptoms

Addiction to cannabis can manifest in an array of symptoms. For some people, they are extremely minor. Although they may “smoke too much”, they remain fully functional. For others, consuming too much cannabis can begin to take a toll on their mental health and work life. Some of the worst symptoms may include:

• What separates normal social use from addiction?

Millions of cannabis users enjoy a healthy use of the herb. It helps them stay creative, relaxed, open-minded, and makes experiences such as parties much more enjoyable. But what defines "normal social use" compared to addiction?

When somebody cultivates a normal use of cannabis, they have full control over the herb, without the plant controlling them. They can freely choose when to smoke and how much to smoke during each session.

They can also make it through the day without intense compulsions to light up a joint. Their relationship to the herb doesn't take a front and centre place in their daily lives.

Healthy use of cannabis also usually revolves around social situations. Some people prefer to reserve their stash for parties or small gatherings, and other people also enjoy cannabis alone at home without ever becoming addicted.

In contrast, a person addicted to cannabis will experience chronic compulsions. They're more likely to crave the feeling of being high. They often "need" to use cannabis just to get through the day, instead of enjoying it as a treat once they've earned it.

• Possible causes of marijuana use disorder

Like the different models of addiction above show, addiction can come about for plenty of different reasons. While many of them undoubtedly play a role in cases of cannabis addiction, research also points towards a role within the reward system of the brain.

Regular and frequent cannabis use over many years appears to lower levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in motivation, reward, and pleasure. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that some people that become addicted to cannabis wrestle with negative emotion, lack of motivation, and sometimes mental illness.

After smoking cannabis, dopamine levels in the brain spike. Anything that causes this chemical to rise in concentration makes the brain perceive the behaviour as rewarding. The reward pathways in the brain quickly associated cannabis with a good time!

Once in a while, this biochemical state helps to soothe and inspire people. But chronic use can lead to a “blunting”^[11] of the dopamine system. It requires more cannabis to feel the same effect, and reduced levels could make other previously enjoyable tasks and hobbies less rewarding.

• Tolerance

If you’ve smoked cannabis for a long period of time, you’ll be well aware of how your tolerance to the herb changes. The first time anyone smokes marijuana, it only takes a couple of hits to feel the effects in all their glory.

Over the next couple of weeks, people find they need to start smoking more to feel the same effect. People that smoke weed for long periods of time can easily polish off a large bag of weed without becoming overwhelmed at all.

The difference here is tolerance. The more cannabis you smoke, and the longer you smoke it, the more you need to feel those original effects. Or you’ll need the same amount, but of much higher quality and strength.

This means that people suffering some cannabis addiction need to consume increasingly higher amounts of the herb to feel satisfaction. If they don’t grow their own, this can start to take a toll on their wallet.

• Responsible use

If people sometimes overdo cannabis, then what constitutes responsible use? The study of this subject remains quite subjective. Cannabis affects different people in different ways.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) has set forth the Principles of Responsible Cannabis Use^[12]. This document details the organization’s definition of the responsible use of the herb. Their categories include:

• Withdrawal

People that become addicted to cannabis can also experience withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to give it up. However, people who have smoked for a long time—without becoming addicted—can also experience these symptoms when they abruptly stop their consumption.

Marijuana withdrawal symptoms include:

Is cannabis dangerous?

Again, another nuanced topic! Compared to other drugs, both legal and illegal, cannabis boasts a far superior safety profile. Because the compounds within cannabis don't affect the breathing apparatus of the brain, unlike opioids and other drugs, they are associated with almost no overdose fatalities^[13] in human history.

However, cannabis can pose some issues. Instead of leading to overdoses, some of these downsides occur over longer periods of time.

• Effect on teens

Teenagers are more susceptible to the potentially damaging effects of cannabis. It can delay the development^[14] of some brain regions and increase the chances of mental illness later in life.

Is marijuana a getaway drug?

No. Many anti-drug groups tout this myth as a common propaganda point. Many people smoke cannabis for years without ever taking harder drugs. Research^[15] also shows that people without easy access to cannabis also end up taking harder drugs, without ever using cannabis as a “gateway” to these experiences.

Does legalisation impact addiction?

The legalisation of cannabis in some countries has led to much easier access. Millions of people can now legally purchase cannabis for both recreational and medicinal use.

When it comes to addiction, this liberal move may have a double-edged sword. Heavy and prolonged cannabis use may be increasing in some areas, leading some researchers to voice concern^[16] about increases in psychological and physical health.

However, the legalisation of cannabis has helped many who struggle with other addictions. The use of the herb can help people reduce the misuse^[17] of opioids, alcohol, and other harder substances.

Tips of using cannabis responsibly

While millions of people enjoy cannabis in a healthy way, others may need to monitor their consumption. These tips can help to keep your relationship with the herb optimal.