Understanding and breaking Cannabis dependence

Cannabis abuse and Dependence

Cannabis is generally assumed as a non-addictive drug and hence is used for recreational purposes in many countries. But unfortunately, some studies have shown that Cannabis dependence develops in about 9% of its users. Though the resultant dependence is significantly less than that of heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and prescribed anxiolytics and slightly higher than that for psilocybin, mescaline, the hazards associated with cannabis intake leave long term ill effects on the health of the users and also may result in psychosis due to brain rewiring on rare occasions. Again, that depends on the frequency and the amount taken by the abuser. Nearly 10–20% of them develop dependence among those who abuse cannabis regularly. 

Prolonged use of Cannabis

Prolonged cannabis use is dangerous as it causes both pharmacokinetic changes (how the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted) and pharmacodynamic changes (how the drug interacts with target cells) to the body. These changes have shown decreased reactivity to dopamine in a user’s brain, suggesting a possible link to a hindering of the reward system of the brain and an increase in negative emotion and addiction severity. Also, daily use of Cannabis has been observed to shift the experience of pleasure to a higher threshold thereby requiring the user to consume higher doses of the drug to achieve a common desirable effect (known as a higher tolerance).

Gender Impact on Dependence

Just like in animals, males and females display different reactions to drugs depending on their genetic and hormone driven behaviour. For example, Cannabis use, which causes a wide spread relapsing illnesses in both males and females varies in degree of the effect depending on their brain anatomy and organization. Gender related differences identify factors which could provide a neurobiological basis in cannabinoid effects, for which gonadal hormones seem to play a crucial role.  Differences observed in the cannabinoid-induced effects related to cannabis abuse and dependence, have also been shown to exert sex-dependent effects in other physiological and behavioral aspects, such as food intake and energy balance (more evident in males), or anxiety and depression (more evident in females).

How does Cannabis effect your brain?

It is unrealistic to think that Cannabis doesn’t affect the user’s brain in negative ways because it is legalized for its therapeutic uses. One reason for its popularity is its versatility. It can act both as a medicine and a health spoiling drug depending on the frequency and the dosage of the drug taken. A real understanding of how cannabis interacts with all areas of life – from sleep, work and relaxation to our emotions helps break the habit at the earliest and find paths to recovery.

The psychoactive components in Marijuana affect the brain through a series of chemical interactions. The primary intoxicating chemical compound found in cannabis is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC, that stimulates release of larger-than-normal amounts of dopamine in the brain is partly responsible for giving the pleasurable high. THC, which is similar in chemical structure to naturally-occurring cannabinoids in the body, such as anandamide. allows THC to attach to the brain’s cannabinoid receptors and disrupt the endocannabinoid system’s normal functioning. 

How to break Dependence

Studies indicate that Tens of millions of people smoke cannabis every day. Some say they smoke to relax. Others accept that it simply makes life less boring for them or helps them fall asleep. Whatever, the reason, frequent intake of Cannabis results in addiction and addiction in turn results in devastating negative consequences on the health and life of a user.

The first step in breaking dependence is to acknowledge the dependence and seek professional help ASAP. Rehabs are the go-to places for Cannabis de-addiction as they consist of well-trained staff and doctors who design custom treatment programs for individuals and implement them in safe and controlled environments to make sure you have minimum discomfort. Also, team meetings and follow ups prove to be the ultimate motivations for recovery under guided recovery programs.