Whether they use weed for recreational or medicinal purposes, people can develop withdrawal symptoms when they stop. These withdrawal symptoms may include cravings, restlessness, irritability, and sleep problems.

There are many misconceptions about whether people can become addicted to weed (cannabis). In reality, it is possible to become dependent on or even addicted to cannabis with regular use.

This article will explore how and why a person can develop withdrawal symptoms from weed, as well as how to treat them.

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People who use weed regularly and then stop abruptly can experience some withdrawal symptoms.

While many people use cannabis without experiencing withdrawal effects, regular use can develop into cannabis use disorder. In severe cases, this condition can be a form of addiction.

Experts define cannabis addiction as continued cannabis use despite negative consequences in a person’s life, such as issues relating to their family, job, or relationships.

A 2022 review of research highlighted that weed withdrawal symptoms typically peak within the first week of quitting. However, they can last up to 3 weeks or more.

Symptoms of withdrawal can include:

Other research included in the 2022 review suggested that females may experience more severe cannabis withdrawal symptoms than males. However, more research is needed to determine whether this is true.

Cannabis is the name for dried extracts from the plant Cannabis sativa. This plant contains numerous cannabinoids including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and terpenes, with THC contributing to the primary intoxicating effects associated with cannabis use.

THC defines the potency of cannabis products. The more THC the cannabis contains, the greater the effect on the brain. Terpenes determine the aroma and flavor of cannabis. A few have been found to have activity at cannabinoid receptors, contributing to the medicinal effect.

Using weed regularly means that the brain and body get used to a regular supply of THC. When this supply stops, the body takes some time to adjust to not having it. This causes uncomfortable physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.

Once the brain and body have adjusted to not having THC, the physical withdrawal symptoms will stop. People may still experience psychological cravings for some time.

Confiscated samples indicate that cannabis potency has steadily increased over recent decades. The THC content has risen from around 3.96% in 1995 to 16.4% in 2022.

This means that the current effects of cannabis, including withdrawal, may be more extreme compared with their effects in previous decades.

The mood difficulties and physical discomforts of cannabis withdrawal often peak within the first week of quitting and can last up to 3 weeks or more, according to a 2022 review of research.

Though the physical effects of withdrawal will stop after the drug has left a person’s system, the psychological symptoms can last longer.

Older research states that brain receptors called cannabinoid 1 receptors start to return to normal after 2 days without cannabis, and they regain normal functioning within 4 weeksTrusted Source of stopping the drug.

People may feel cravings for cannabis after they have stopped using it, especially in contexts and settings where they are used to using cannabis.

A 2024 study on the United States population noted that 30.3% of people who used cannabis in the past year had cannabis use disorderTrusted Source, which is a form of substance use disorder.

There are many places that people can go for support with stopping cannabis use and coping with withdrawal symptoms.

People in the U.S. can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s national helpline on 1-800-662-HELP (4357). They offer a free, confidential 24/7 helpline for people facing mental health or substance abuse problems.

People can also speak with their doctor or professionals at a local health clinic about cannabis withdrawal. Specialists can recommend local resources, including detoxification centers and support groups.

The type of treatment a doctor recommends may depend on whether or not the person has any cooccurring conditions, such as a psychiatric illness or an addiction to other substances.

Some current treatment options include:

  • Rehabilitation or detoxification centers: Though many people will not need to use an inpatient rehabilitation service, people with severe cannabis use disorder, reduced social functioning, or cooccurring psychiatric conditions may benefit from these services.
  • Outpatient therapy: Outpatient rehabilitation programs involve working with a psychotherapist or other mental health professional and attending sessions on a consistent basis.
  • Support groups: A person may be able to find local or online support groups to connect with others with cannabis use disorder.

Withdrawal symptoms are different for everyone. They also vary in severity based on the length of time a person has used cannabis.

While withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, they are not usually dangerous in comparison with withdrawal from alcohol or opioids, which can be life threatening.

For a person who uses cannabis daily, slowly reducing use might make quitting easier. If a person only occasionally uses cannabis, they might be able to stop altogether.

If a person is ready to quit cannabis use, they will need to make sure to take care of their body during the peak withdrawal period within the first week.

People can try to ease the symptoms of withdrawal using the following methods:

  • drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated
  • eating a varied diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables
  • avoiding foods high in added sugar, which may make a person feel worse
  • avoiding caffeinated beverages, which might make symptoms worse
  • getting plenty of sleep to allow the body to rest
  • trying to get some exercise each day to stay active
  • getting support from family and friends for motivation and accountability

The FDATrusted Source has not approved any medications to treat cannabis use disorder. However, research into treatment is ongoing.

For example, an Australian study is investigatingTrusted Source the use of 100 milligrams (mg) of cannabidiol (CBD) alongside cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat the condition.

According to the CDCTrusted Source, research has linked cannabis use with numerous negative health consequences. These may include:

However, a 2017 reviewTrusted Source noted that evidence linking cannabis use to cardiometabolic risks, such as heart attack and stroke, was unclear. Further research into this topic is necessary.

A 2021 study notes that cannabis exposure in adolescence may alter brain development. However, the authors noted that there were limitations to the research and further large scale studies are needed.

People can become dependent on, or even addicted to, cannabis. They may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug.

A person might experience poor sleep, mood swings, or stomach problems.

Resources are available to those who are interested in quitting weed or cannabis.