Study examines cannabis withdrawal symptoms

A recent study published in Addiction and led by a group of researchers from the University of Michigan and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Highlights concerns regarding «cannabis withdrawal syndrome.».

The two-year study was conducted on 527 patients treated with medical cannabis in Michigan.

Cannabis withdrawal and symptoms

To establish a baseline for symptoms of cannabis withdrawal, the research asked participants if they suffered from 15 different symptoms such as sleep disturbances, nausea, or irritability after spending «a significant period without cannabis.».

Next, based on the number of symptoms they experienced, the survey participants were grouped into three categories: mild, moderate, or severe.

According to the Michigan study, a «baseline» of 41% were in the mild category, 34% had moderate symptoms, and 25% had severe withdrawal symptoms from cannabis.

Over the two-year period, the researchers found that patients with mild symptoms generally remained in that category and were less likely to experience an increase in withdrawal symptoms. The researchers found that individuals in the moderate category were more likely to experience a decrease in symptoms over time, and that by the end of the 2-year study, only 17% remained in the severe category.

After the first year, 13 per cent had moved up a category, and after the second year, 8 per cent reported a worsening of their symptoms.

The severe group was composed of younger participants, ‘long-term’ cannabis users and individuals with identified mental health problems. Older patients were less likely to report difficult cannabis withdrawal.

"Some people have reported deriving significant benefits from medical cannabis, »but our findings suggest a real need to raise awareness of the signs of developing withdrawal symptoms in order to reduce the potential downsides of cannabis use, particularly among those who experience severe symptoms or symptoms that worsen over time,” declared Lara Coughlin, the study's lead researcher.

She also explained that patients may perceive cannabis with long-term symptoms as part of their underlying health problem and suggested they talk to their doctors about other pain treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy.

Some of the signs of cannabis withdrawal syndrome, in addition to a craving to use the drug, include: «anxiety, sleep disturbances, decreased appetite, restlessness, depressed mood, aggression, irritability, nausea, sweating, headaches, stomachaches, strange dreams, increased anger, and tremors,» according to the report.