Marijuana has become widely popular in the last decade, often used to ease anxiety symptoms. It has also been legalized in many states. While it has medicinal purposes, many people use it recreationally as well.

But while smoking weed may feel calming, the dangers of marijuana addiction are very real. It can become a coping mechanism for some, often leading to a full-blown weed addiction. Luckily there are several ways to avoid this.

But is everyone prone to marijuana addiction? And how can you avoid it? In this article, we answer all of these questions and more.

 

Is Marijuana Addictive?

If you’re someone who’s new to smoking, you might have some questions. You may wonder, “can I get addicted to marijuana?”. In simple terms, yes, marijuana can be addictive.

Studies show that people who started using marijuana before the age of 18 are more likely to be addicted to it than adults. Others may develop an addiction to weed by using it as a coping mechanism for mood disorders.

Marijuana may dissolve stress, and certain strains cause feelings of euphoria. This sensation can become addictive to people who are constantly under stress or dealing with depression. Marijuana dependency is quite common, with 30% of users facing this addiction.

This happens because your brain gets used to the drug and lowers sensitivity to your body’s endocannabinoid system. Over time, users may consume more marijuana just to feel the same calming sensation. Once a person becomes addicted to cannabinoids, it can be hard to stop and may even interfere with their daily life.

Research also shows that the THC levels in marijuana are much higher now than they were in the 90s. This may also be a contributing factor in the increase in weed addiction.

 

Is Weed Physically or Psychologically Addictive?

Popular studies show that marijuana is both psychologically and physically addictive. In fact, people with marijuana addiction often experience withdrawal symptoms. Irritability, fatigue, and mood swings are just some of these symptoms.

Its psychological effects can lead one to continue using it despite its negative effects. Some of the side effects of marijuana include laziness, an increase or decrease in appetite, nausea, and paranoia. However, when it comes to addiction, often, these side effects don’t matter to the user.

The psychological effects of marijuana addiction can also cause users to use excessive amounts. Not only does this lead to physical addictions over time, but it can also make it worse. Physical symptoms of being addicted to marijuana are an increase in tolerance.

This is another reason why users may increase their intake of the drug. Physical addiction can worsen withdrawal symptoms as well. You may find it hard to sleep, eat or even relax if you have an addiction to marijuana.

Weed makes food taste better, which is why users with an addiction may lose their appetite while trying to quit.

 

Signs you May be Addicted to Weed

Now that we’ve answered the important question, “can you be addicted to weed?” let’s move on to the next. How can you tell if you are addicted to marijuana? Here are a few signs that can help you identify an addiction.

 

Unable to Control your Marijuana Use

If you find yourself using large quantities of the drug, you may be dealing with an addiction. Experts recommend not using more than 40 mg of THC in a day. People with marijuana addictions tend to amp up their usage as their tolerance increases.

This can be quite destructive in many ways, including financially. As a result, most users tend to take tolerance breaks every now and then to reduce their tolerance. A tolerance break can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 21 days long.

Taking a longer tolerance break is usually recommended to get the THC out of your system. This then allows you to enjoy the full effects of marijuana the next time you smoke it. However, if you find yourself unable to take a tolerance break, chances are you have a weed addiction.

 

It’s Always on your Mind

Can’t stop thinking about the next time you’ll score some weed? Or maybe you’ve just smoked and are already thinking about your next joint. These are all signs that you are addicted to cannabinoids.

This can lead to craving weed and can also affect one’s mood.

 

You Can’t Function Without It

Dependent people may find it hard to function without using marijuana. This can affect things like changes in appetite, sleep, and overall mental health. Marijuana users have also reported experiencing nightmares during withdrawals.

Although this symptom fades eventually, it can make it hard to quit. Another reason why people get addicted to marijuana is because of its ability to heighten the senses. This isn’t the case for everyone, but many reports heightened taste and sound.

Research also shows that marijuana addiction can lead to binge eating disorders. An increase in appetite is a side effect of marijuana, and it leads to what is called “the munchies.” Addiction may lead to these unhealthy habits and can make it hard to take tolerance breaks.

A good way to combat this is by incorporating smaller and healthier meals if you’re trying to quit. Exercising is also a good way to detox your body and build your appetite.

 

It’s Affecting your Relationships

There is a link between marijuana addiction and relationship problems. Although this isn’t the case with everyone, it isn’t rare. In addition, weed withdrawal can make you feel irritated and even angry.

Addiction to marijuana can make it hard to deal with these emotions without thinking about weed. You may also feel unsatisfied with your life due to addictions affecting your daily life. In fact, marijuana addiction may also lead to feelings of depression and anxiety.

Marijuana is also known to change the way you feel. It may make your emotions much stronger than usual.

 

 

What is a Weed Addiction Symptom Test?

If you’re unsure whether you have an addiction, you can always get a weed addiction symptom test. This self-test can be taken online and doesn’t require a lot of time. It asks a series of questions and can provide you with information.

Although you shouldn’t use it to diagnose, it can be a helpful tool. This is also a great way to tell whether a loved one may be facing addiction.

 

Marijuana Addiction Treatment

If you are addicted to weed, don’t worry because there are many ways to treat it. Whether you need some extra help or want to quit on your own, there are many handy tips. Here are just some of them.

 

Therapy

There is a link between cannabis use and depression. Although many people tend to feel relaxed after smoking, it might worsen symptoms over time. A good way to treat marijuana addiction is by seeking behavioral therapy.

This can help you identify your triggers and find other ways of coping with them. Therapy is a good way to release trauma in a judgment-free environment. In addition, it can help you identify the core of your marijuana addiction and help you regulate your use.

 

Find an Alternative

If you’re dealing with or are worried about developing a weed addiction, there are several alternatives you can try instead. One good alternative is hemp which is also extracted from the cannabis plant.

Hemp contains less than 0.5 % of THC and can also be smoked. This allows you to feel the satisfaction of smoking marijuana without affecting your tolerance. You won’t experience any of the psychoactive effects of marijuana when smoking hemp.

If marijuana withdrawals make it hard for you to sleep, try drinking valerian root tea. This can calm your system and help you feel sleepy. Lastly, you can also try using CBD products such as edibles.

Using broad-spectrum CBD may provide the same calming effects marijuana does without getting you high. This happens due to the lack of THC in broad-spectrum CBD products. You can find all sorts of CBD products, like bath bombs and even candy.

 

Healthy Lifestyle

An overall change in lifestyle is a great way to deal with marijuana addiction. Healthy habits like eating nutritious food keep you energized and focused. Also, exercising at least 30 mins daily is a good way to naturally lower stress levels.

These healthy habits can improve your sleep pattern and mood, making you less dependent on marijuana. In addition, habits like exercise allow endorphins to be released, enhancing feelings of happiness.

 

 

Wrapping Up with Marijuana Addiction

Being addicted to marijuana doesn’t mean that you have to go cold turkey as long as you can regulate your use and not depend on marijuana. It’s okay to enjoy weed and its effects, but allowing it to control your life and well-being is where you should draw the line.

Instead of smoking throughout the day, save your daily joint for before bedtime. Taking frequent tolerance breaks is also a good way to keep an addiction from forming.

We hope this article helps answer the question of whether you can be addicted to weed.

Marijuana is one of the most common drugs used for both medicinal and recreational purposes. After the federal government passed the Farm Bill 2018, the usage of Marijuana has skyrocketed in different parts of the US.

Using Marijuana within the legally prescribed limits is not harmful unless you are allergic to it. So can you be allergic to weed? The answer is yes, you can be allergic to marijuana.

Unfortunately, as devastating as it may sound, this is a reality, and approximately 10% of weed users may be suffering from this condition.

If you want to know more about weed allergy, its symptoms, and its causes, keep reading!

 

Can you be Allergic to Weed

Cannabis sativa has more than 100 cannabinoids, and you can be allergic to them. You can consume Marijuana in various ways, such as oral, inhaled, and topical. However, if your body does not accept these components, it can display a negative reaction.

Non-marijuana users exposed to cannabis daily, like workers harvesting cannabis or manufacturing weed products, can also fall victim to these allergies. Weed pollen is the biggest allergen in such products that can cause severe sensitivity in some people.

In the current years, marijuana allergy has become more common among users. So many people are becoming allergic to marijuana.

It could be due to the rise in weed popularity or weakened immune systems. However, more studies are yet to be done on this matter to fully understand why some people are allergic to marijuana.

 

Marijuana Allergy Symptoms

Weed allergy has similar symptoms to allergic reactions to other things. These symptoms are closer to pollen allergy reaction since weed pollen is the biggest allergen in these products. Some of the most common marijuana allergy symptoms include:

• Watery eyes
• Red eyes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Itchiness
• Shortness of breath
• High fever
• Nausea
• Congestion
• Vomiting
• Inflammation

 

According to some doctors, people who handle marijuana products daily can develop symptoms of contact dermatitis. It happens if they are allergic to marijuana. More severe symptoms of cannabis allergy include:

• Blisters
• Hives
• Burning/redness
• Dry skin
• Anaphylaxis

 

These symptoms can commonly be cured with over-the-counter allergy medication. However, this is something you should not take lightly.

Since Marijuana is a drug that interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system, it can cause damage to different organs if not treated. Therefore, make sure to visit a doctor if you notice any allergy symptoms after consuming or coming in contact with Marijuana.

In case of an Anaphylactic shock, your body can undergo severe trauma as your airways start shutting down. This condition can even cause death. So, take the symptoms seriously and get a test done to discover your allergies.

 

 

Causes of Weed Allergy

The most common cause of cannabis allergy is pollen. Most people are allergic to marijuana pollen and have severe reactions if they get in contact with it. It is because the weed plant releases a large number of anemophilous pollen, which can interact with human airways.

Since this pollen is transferred by wind, it can easily enter our nose or mouth. Doctors advise marijuana workers to wear a mask and gloves during work hours. You can also wear a full protective suit to avoid your skin getting in contact with the allergen.

Another reason could be that you are allergic to THC. It is the only psychoactive component in Marijuana and you can have a certain allergy to cannabinoids separately. Some people can also have a high sensitivity to this cannabinoid.

If a product has a high amount of THC or a user consumes more than the recommended amount of THC, it can cause hypersensitivity. Moreover, cannabis plants also contain the Cas s 3 protein, which can cause allergic reactions in some people.

 

Weed Allergy Diagnosis

Cannabis allergy is still a debated topic that is under research. However, a prick test is the most common way to test for allergies. During a prick test, a doctor will inject a small amount of allergen into your skin using a needle.

They will keep you under supervision to check for any reactions. If they notice physical or internal changes, they will put you on medication immediately. However, there is no standard test in the medical industry to identify surely if you have a weed allergy.

Doctors check your consumption history and how your body reacts after consuming minor doses. Skin testing is also a great way to find out contact allergies caused by weed exposure. This test provides better results than any other test.

Even though these tests are not standardized, they can inform you about the sensitivity in your body. You need to be careful while consuming any drug. So, make sure to start it in a small dose to see how your body reacts to it.

 

Weed Interactions

If you are on medication or have any other food allergies, you must consult your doctor before consuming weed. Marijuana can have a negative reaction when in contacts with drugs like sympathomimetics, anticholinergics, alcohol, and opioids.

Weed allergy can become more prominent if it interacts with other food allergens. Some common food allergens include nuts, tomatoes, grapefruit, peaches, bananas, apples, and eggplants. These foods have similar allergen properties as weed allergens, which can worsen the side effects.

Consuming these foods together with marihuana can also make you more sensitive to weed products, even if you don’t have an allergy. If you are physically exposed to these fruits due to your work, then the chances of nasal allergy are also high.

Go through the ingredient list at the back of your weed products to see if anything does not suit your diet restrictions. Moreover, if you have dust and pet dander allergies, the use of Marijuana can worsen the sensitivity.

 

What to Do if You are Allergic to Weed

The first thing to do if you get a reaction from marijuana consumption is to consult with a doctor. It can turn into a life-threatening problem if not taken care of properly. It is important to get an allergy test done to understand what is causing sensitivity.

Start with a minor dose and track your reaction to Marijuana. Once your doctor confirms the allergy, take allergy medication to wear down the reaction. You should avoid using marijuana-based products completely if you are allergic to their components.

However, you are medically advised to take Marijuana for a certain illness, consult with your doctor and take medication to minimize the reaction. Since there is no treatment for this allergy, the only way you can control it is by not exposing your system to marijuana allergens.

If you are an avid user of cannabis products and wondering how you can be allergic to marijuana all of a sudden, it means you are consuming low-quality products.

People also develop weed allergies after using it for several years. Therefore, make sure to use the highest quality product to ensure safety.

 

 

Wrapping up with Cannabis Allergy

If you are wondering, can you be allergic to weed? So, yes you can develop allergies to marijuana components. It can cause symptoms like itchiness, shortness of breath, inflammation, or nausea if you are allergic to the ingredients in your weed products.

Therefore, it is essential to start with a minor dose and consult your doctor immediately if you notice signs of an allergy. Moreover, if you work in a marijuana field and have constant exposure to its components daily, then cover your body, and face and take allergy medication to prevent damage.