The timeframe from when we quit smoking weed until our bodies and minds adjust is when many individuals give up and go back to smoke. Here are some critical points to know about withdrawal symptoms:
It’s important to note that not everyone experiences withdrawal symptoms, and for those who do, it’s unlikely to experience them all at once. Don’t be scared to quit – within three weeks. You’ll be in a different place.
The most physically intense period tends to be the first three weeks after quitting. After that, the severity depends on the duration and quantity of your previous smoking habit, as well as individual physical differences.
Withdrawal symptoms can be grouped into two categories:
Explicit symptoms: These are directly associated with cannabis withdrawal.
Implicit symptoms: These are the ones often missed or not readily associated with cannabis withdrawal.
Explicit Symptoms:
Vivid nightmares and psychedelic dreams
Night sweats
Nausea
Headaches
Restlessness
Impatience
Emotional overwhelm and bouts of crying
Insomnia
Lack of appetite
Constipation
Decreased libido
Implicit Symptoms:
Apathy: Life may seem boring and meaningless, making it difficult to find joy.
Concentration difficulties: It might be hard to focus, and even if you manage to, it will likely be for short durations and require substantial effort.
Fatigue: You may feel like you need multiple naps throughout the day just to get by.
Discomfort: Nothing seems to feel right.
A sense of disconnection: It’s a challenging sensation to describe, but you’ll recognize it when you experience it.
Explicit withdrawal symptoms are easier to manage because we directly link them with cannabis, and we understand they are temporary. The implicit symptoms are trickier, as we may mistakenly believe that this is how life always feels without cannabis. If we fall into this belief, we could panic and revert to smoking.
Tips to ease this transition period include:
Regular exercise (it’s not a must, but it can be highly beneficial).
A healthy diet (very important!).
Drinking plenty of water (also very important!).
Meditation or mindfulness practices (even if it’s just for 20 minutes).
Seeking support from friends.
Above all, remember that this phase is temporary and that life will resume!
