Weed (marijuana) is the common name for plants in the cannabis family. These plants are used medically and non-medically for their physical and psychological effects, including: appetite stimulation, pain control, euphoria and reduction of anxiety. When a person has been using weed or marijuana for an extended period, a sudden stopping can result in withdrawal symptoms--primarily loss of appetite, irritability, depressed mood and anxiety. The severity of the symptoms is proportional to the length of time the person has been using the weed and the quantity the person has been using. An article published in May 2008 in Medpagetoday.com cited the contention of Dr. David Gorelick from the National Institute on Drug Abuse that withdrawal symptoms associated with weed smoking caused many users to resume smoking again.
Loss of Appetite
Weed has been used medicinally for centuries to stimulate appetite. It's one of the most common medicinal effects of using this plant. The body becomes tolerant to the weed after chronic long-term use of the drug. It reacts in the opposite way if the marijuana is stopped quickly, resulting in the loss of appetite.
Irritability
One property of weed is a relaxing effect. Withdrawal typically has the opposite reaction, causing irritability. The patient may be moody, easily angered and generally upset. The irritability can be managed best by engaging in light to moderate daily exercise. This helps the person release stress and stimulates endorphins, the body's natural opiates, which help irritability. It's also helpful to develop a good sleep pattern. This helps align the body's various hormonal and biochemical cycles.
Depression
Depression caused by weed withdrawal is easy to see when we understand that one of the effects of the drug is euphoria. The best treatment for depression caused by weed withdrawal is to engage the patient in a light to moderate exercise program and develop good sleep patterns. The mood disorder is temporary and not always present.
Anxiety
Some people develop a sense of anxiety during weed withdrawal. Again, exercise and sleep are the mainstays of treatment. Patients complaining of severe anxiety due to weed withdrawal should seek professional medical advice, counseling and support.
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