Is Marijuana Addictive? | Marijuana

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The addiction to drugs like heroin, nicotine which is in tobacco, and even caffeine which is in coffee are far stronger on a chemical physiological level than anything that we’ve been able to document withdrawal from the use of marijuana.

The classic addiction that we imagine is addiction to opiates or injection drugs like heroine. You imagine the cravings. You imagine you get so sick if you don’t have the medicine or the drug. You go through chills. Your nose starts to run. Your eyes water. You’re sick to your stomach or vomiting and diarrhea. That’s called withdrawal syndrome.

Then there’s something called tolerance and that’s where you need more of the drug to achieve the same effect. Then there’s the addiction. The psychological compulsion you’re orienting your whole life around trying to find and procure this. Your personal, your social, you functioning suffers as a result.

That is our model of addiction. And then depending on how socially available the substance is, like for example tobacco is available everywhere, so people will very rarely experience all these withdrawal syndromes versus is your drug addictive choice as an opioid that’s hard to get, you’ll see varying degrees of behavior on the spectrum.

When it come to marijuana, we’ve tried to look for withdrawal syndromes. They talk about mild sleep changes. For people who have been using it heavily and then stop using it. EEG disturbances, little change in your brainwave pattern. Little bit of difficulty sleeping. Little bit of anxiety or reduces mood which kind of dissipates over time. Not that same all of a sudden change in your physiology where you’re extremely sick and can’t function. Also there’s no life threatening nature what-so-ever like there is when you withdraw from Valium or bensodiazapines which the withdrawal can kill you. Same thing with alcohol, withdrawal can kill you. Nothing like that with marijuana.

The main thing there is the behavioral and social conditions that would set up with a compulsive use pattern, prohibiting it, doing things on the sly. It turns out some people psychologically do report improved psychological function using the substance. As you would expect because the compounds have been shown to have anti-depressive qualities, anti-anxiety properties. So it’s possible when people are no longer using it abruptly that they revert to a state that might have previously been their prior state. Which was more depressed and more anxious. Though that’s always something to consider as well if you’re wondering if a substance is a withdrawal syndrome or really just a withdrawal of and agent that was helping improve the psychological functioning.

The bottom line is there have been studies done that they try to find what percentage of users of marijuana become addicted and they quote this figure, 9%. The Institute of Medicine does. Those are based on surveys where you have to answer questions like, “Do you spend a lot of time looking for this substance?” “Have you faced legal problems because of your use?” A lot of those answers might be more related to the social phenomenon of really trying to stamp out the use of marijuana rather than any actual chemical or physiological dependence or addiction on the drug.

50 Comments

  1. Benchpress33 on September 19, 2020 at 11:54 pm

    I know people who smoke weed and cigs and they say they can go months and sometimes up to 2-3 years without wanting a joint but cant go 10 mins without a cig so the argument that weed is addictive is bullshit



  2. M. freestyler on September 19, 2020 at 11:54 pm

    This video was the reason I tried weed, I gotta say that the video is kinda advertising for using that drug



  3. XiL on September 19, 2020 at 11:55 pm

    One should not underestimate the withdraw effect of the tobacco/cannabis use especially in Europe.

    It’s an estimated 78 million Europeans that has smoked cannabis ever in their live according to studies, and probly many of whom has done so with tobacco.
    The harm in that has to be taken into account.
    This is why a legalization would be extra important to get all over Europe.

    Enough with the blending of hash and tobacco as an alternative in Europe !
    We should demand safer ways to use this plant.



  4. Ayush In Awe on September 19, 2020 at 11:56 pm

    I think I’m addicted to marijuana. Well yeah I abused it and now I am a little bit addicted. Well time to take a long break.



  5. Crypto Current on September 19, 2020 at 11:59 pm

    Its most certainly not addictive. Iv been smoking since i was 12 im 32 now and never had an issue quitting. K2 and other synthetics are a different story (very addictive). Stay away from cigs and all other feel goods because they’ll trap your soul. I would let my kids smoke weed before i let them drink alcohol or anything else



  6. Tucker Seifert on September 19, 2020 at 11:59 pm

    People, just because YOU don’t experience any withdrawals doesn’t mean they don’t exist.



  7. hi pen :) on September 19, 2020 at 11:59 pm

    From my experience, it’s not addictive at all but it can cause derealization wether you’ve quit it or not



  8. CEO KD Bandz on September 20, 2020 at 12:00 am

    I LOVE WEED



  9. DerickRay1976 on September 20, 2020 at 12:01 am

    Cannabis is just mentally addictive, not a physical addiction. If you don’t have any one night, no big deal. Wait until you pick some up



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  11. Rod Finger on September 20, 2020 at 12:02 am

    Shut the fuck up



  12. opalakia on September 20, 2020 at 12:03 am

    Thanks for the Video clip! Excuse me for the intrusion, I would love your initial thoughts. Have you tried – Mackorny Marijuana Paradise Blueprint (Sure I saw it on Google)? It is a great one off guide for giving up smoking weed without the headache. Ive heard some decent things about it and my cooworker at last got excellent success with it.



  13. Max Olynik on September 20, 2020 at 12:03 am

    After I saw my brother cooking his brain with no end in the horizon, I went ahead and Googled this site I had been recommended β€œNemery Thentel’s Weed Liberator”. Reading every single word, I got a clear understanding and noticed that I was addicted as well, being worried about myself I followed his suggestions and am finally free after a few short weeks. I hope I can convince my brother to do it as well.



  14. Tympha Redbread on September 20, 2020 at 12:03 am

    its not weed that is addictive its the used to being high and all of a sudden you quit



  15. Hugo tiago on September 20, 2020 at 12:03 am

    I’m not addicted I smoke that s##t to keep me sane lol this world is messed up



  16. quartztoad on September 20, 2020 at 12:04 am

    All he really said is,its not as bad as the addiction to other drugs. That doesn’t really mean it isn’t addictive.
    Btw,my whole body is covered in cold sweat from fighting my non-addiction.



  17. ShortCardinalsFan262 on September 20, 2020 at 12:05 am

    Okay I smoke everyday so here it is

    MARIJUANA IS ADDICTIVE

    WHY LIVE IF IM NOT HIGH

    HELP.



  18. amazonaspie Helmick on September 20, 2020 at 12:06 am

    my brother is 14 he started smoking weed… it Is now all he talks about… if u give him money he will. buy weed… he will trade his stuff for weed… everything he use to love is forgotten… he smokes more and more… sends me videos of him being high and making homemade bongs…. he has gotten in trouble with the law more and more… and has now started popping pills… if weed isn’t addictive what am I witnessing?



  19. SALOMONIEZ PIZZAERIA on September 20, 2020 at 12:07 am

    Mind state only
    U can stops anytime



  20. MysteriousMr.Majestic on September 20, 2020 at 12:07 am

    Where can I buy weed?



  21. MrSupercar55 on September 20, 2020 at 12:08 am

    Not really. Only 10% of people who smoke pot meet clinical criteria for dependence.



  22. JakeSkellington on September 20, 2020 at 12:09 am

    I’ll tell you what. you never know how bad your back pain and anxiety are until you smoke weed one day and then stop and have it all flood back on you. it’s killer. medical marijuana needs to be legal everywhere. it’s the only thing I’ve had that has helped anxiety.



  23. Censorship Ingsoc on September 20, 2020 at 12:14 am

    I’m addicted to smoking Marijuana and I can say that everything this doctor is talking about is 100% accurate.



  24. DataLog on September 20, 2020 at 12:15 am

    I went on EEG scan while on weed, results were more than perfect.



  25. Schizoid Schizo on September 20, 2020 at 12:16 am

    People glorify weed like its as healthy as fruit. it’s still a drug it has many good sides but also bad sides, i’ve had a drug induced psychosis by it, and know some people in psychiatry who had troubles with Β it. altough the use and effect of it is way better compared to alcohol imo. I use it to self medicate and now 1 year off alcohol wich was way more distructive for me. just to wrap it up it has its good and bad sides



  26. The Herb on September 20, 2020 at 12:16 am

    The weed in this thumbnail looks so shitty haha



  27. Larry Kaplan on September 20, 2020 at 12:17 am

    The doctor narrating this feature seems to have missed a Β very potent quality of weed that can make it "psychologically addictive" to people. Β Marijuana can give people feelings of well-being, pleasure, and feeling more intelligent. Β But these feelings are part of the illusion-making quality of marijuana. Β As people of all ages get more anxious, the need for drugs like marijuana greatly increases. Β As a result, some people grow to feel that they must have it because they can no longer make their own naturally occurring pleasure-creating chemicals. Β Many people say that marijuana decreases anxiety. Β However, marijuana can actually make people feel more anxious than they were before they took the drug. Β The doctor in the above video did not mention that much more study of marijuana must be completed. Β In truth, only a small number of good studies have been completed. Β I feel that his viewpoint is somewhat naive Β because increasing number of children under 8 feel the need to use the drug. Β Why is that? Β Does our society abuse children so much that they are driven to pot?Or is Having very young children whose brains are not fully developed use pot is allowed in our society. Β This is not acknowledged by our doctor above and will cause major damage to our society. Β With people 8 and over using pot, our society is in danger.



  28. soheil rnr on September 20, 2020 at 12:19 am

    fuck this bullshit psychology…the world can be better if people stop killing each other for money..the weed doesn’t do any harm



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  30. tSwVxYas TswvyeEj on September 20, 2020 at 12:21 am

    The way you describes Marijuana is the same as counter medicines. I did take Clarintine, Zirtec, now I refuse to take them, I have the same behavior and health condition as described.



  31. Potato on September 20, 2020 at 12:21 am

    One day I found snuff tobacco on the side of the road now I’m addicted how do I stop please I’m 14



  32. Snowflex PxP on September 20, 2020 at 12:26 am

    That looks like tobacco lmfao



  33. Lisha on September 20, 2020 at 12:26 am

    It’s only addictive to those who have an addictive nature..



  34. Beegeezy on September 20, 2020 at 12:26 am

    Document me, buddy. I get some serious withdrawals. It’s real.



  35. Atanasko Jangelovski on September 20, 2020 at 12:28 am

    I smoke weed 4 years ago, and cigarettes 4yrs. I can’t start the day without tobacco (cigarette) and i key that i can live without ganjabut not without cigarettes. WEED IS NOT ADDICT…. πŸ˜›



  36. karen Morales on September 20, 2020 at 12:29 am

    ktff



  37. lysergicheadcase on September 20, 2020 at 12:30 am

    yes id say that it is. ive been smoking for about 8 years now, starting when i was ~13 yrs old. what i’ve come to see is there are varying degrees of mental strength or something like it in people. Some people can kick it whenever and don’t seek it out. Other folks like myself can’t shake it, and i’ve been trying to quit for several years now. Anyway it depends on the person, but you should be careful to keep it occasional



  38. ya ha on September 20, 2020 at 12:30 am

    The answer is yes. Marijuana is addictive. Out of all my years of smoking the people in most denial are pot smokers.



  39. xXSeventyVirusXx on September 20, 2020 at 12:33 am

    It’s cannabis not marijuana.



  40. zemorph42 on September 20, 2020 at 12:33 am

    The first time I quit marijuana, it went something like this: I had been smoking for ten years, then was arrested for an unrelated charge( don’t ask), and went to jail. I knew I could get mj if I wanted to, but 1. I couldn’t trust any inside sources and 2. There were better things for me to spend what little money I had on. The effects of quitting after ten years of use? I slept most of the next few months( 12-16 hours a day). I was seventeen. I stayed clean for the next 23 years with only one exception. And no effort.



  41. ese plataneno droopy on September 20, 2020 at 12:35 am

    if i dont smoke maryjane then i go insane



  42. DR BUILDDA WALL on September 20, 2020 at 12:40 am

    I smoked all day everyday for 2 months about 1&1/2 oz. Stopped (because I ran out πŸ˜‚) had no physical withdrawals. Why? I don’t buy the idea that I’m just immune to withdrawal from cannabis but, not to opiates/opioids…lol



  43. Dustin Ray on September 20, 2020 at 12:42 am

    Of course. If you like smoking weed, it’s addicting, just like anything else.



  44. First Name on September 20, 2020 at 12:45 am

    Those who become dependent to marijuana are just weak mentally Lol,Β 



  45. Ekaf Resu on September 20, 2020 at 12:47 am

    From my own experience I can defiantly say, that marijuana is addictive. In the beginning, of course not, but after a year or something you become physiologically addicted and it really is not easy to get rid off this addiction. Iv’e experienced it my self and seen it around me, so folks, marijuana IS serious drug and that as the same with alcohol – use it responsibly.Β 



  46. Davon Corrie on September 20, 2020 at 12:48 am

    Well I disagree lol I’m actually just as happy not smoking cannabis as I am so that statement is incorrect sir lol and I’m currently on a one month tolerance break and no "withdraw" at all.



  47. Cardell Epps on September 20, 2020 at 12:49 am

    Think it is im tryna quit to gt dis job but im so pissed off and irritated when i dont smoke it whats wrong with me?



  48. Samir Rewari on September 20, 2020 at 12:49 am

    marijuana is psychologically addictive like amphetamines.



  49. EugeneParallax on September 20, 2020 at 12:50 am

    It mostly depends on the age you start. It’s never good to try it being younger than 18, and going further down it goes worse. When you’re that young, you’re passing a phase of neural adaptation in which your brain embraces all the difference of responses to environment and forming it’s chemistry structure. Trying weed before that process is finished bears a risk to your brain giving a positive response to an effect, which makes it dependant on it in unspecific degree. It’s ok past 18s though.



  50. redneck wookie on September 20, 2020 at 12:52 am

    Marijuana is not addictive because I was on it for 3 years quit this was 3 years ago today