SERIOUSLY, is cannabis addictive or not?

[benvortec]

I've recently been arguing the fact that it is not addictive. I have read countless threads debating this. Is there really any conclusive evidence one way or the other? Thanks and Peace :hippy:

benvortec Reviewed by benvortec on 02-02-2008. SERIOUSLY, is cannabis addictive or not? I've recently been arguing the fact that it is not addictive. I have read countless threads debating this. Is there really any conclusive evidence one way or the other? Thanks and Peace :hippy: Rating: 5

[Purple Banana]

Here's another great link on the psychology of psychological dependence- although it substitutes chocolate for cannabis, it's a surprisingly similar physiological process:

Is Chocolate Physiologically or Psychologically Addictive?

EDIT: 2000th post :thumbsup:

[Dreadscale]

I still say people who really think marijuana is not addicting has not used it long term, I still say it is ignorant to assume it isn't when not enough research has been gone into it to say either way. I happen to have known some people that were severely psychologically affected and did show symptoms of withdrawal and addiction as defined in the medical dictionary.

There are cases out there folks, everyone is different. Just like the plants themselves,

Peace,
Denial

I began using Marijuana in the mid 70's and subtract the higher estimate of when I quit, 10 years ago, that would be roughly 33 years of use.
I believe that qualifies as long term use!

To my knowledge there are no physical withdrawal symptoms attributed Marijuana use, or the lack of. If you know of some documented cases please enlighten me.

Along with the treatment for addiction I have received over the years, I have also had psychological treatment. I have seen people with sever psychological problems attributed to smoking marijuana that was laced with another substance.
Underlying psychological problems could manifest themselves as a result of using marijuana, I guess, most certainly if it were laced with another substance.

If you are worried about addiction to Medical Marijuana, I suggest not using it.
There are other treatments available, but some have far worst sideffects. :hippy:

[denial102]

Here's another great link on the psychology of psychological dependence- although it substitutes chocolate for cannabis, it's a surprisingly similar physiological process:

Is Chocolate Physiologically or Psychologically Addictive?

I read a paper just like this! It's very interesting. I wouldn't call it unreasonable to assume a weak link between the psychological and physiological "feedback" - which links in with the research that birdgirl pulled out of her hat. Very much about dependancy, chemical or otherwise, neurological or otherwise, physically induced or otherwise! (Something that the reward system is based around - i.e. system feedback).

:thumbsup:

keep this coming peeopls
Peace,
Denial

[Purple Banana]

I wouldn't call it unreasonable to assume a weak link between the psychological and physiological "feedback" - which links in with the research that birdgirl pulled out of her hat. Very much about dependancy, chemical or otherwise, neurological or otherwise, physically induced or otherwise! (Something that the reward system is based around - i.e. system feedback).

Spot on, my friend. Like I had mentioned before, it's a very fundamental supply and reward system at a neurochemical level. I don't necessarily believe chocolate's psychologically pleasing attributes constitute an addiction or dependence close to that or cannabis, but the reward centers are set up in similar ways. Most people get tired of eating chocolate before they begin to develop a dependence on the slighter chemical activity that is much more pronounced in cannabis use.

[Jay Matix]

Again with the BS.
Can you cite any studies? Any clinical experiences?
I didn't think so.
Just because you don't want to stop smoking weed, and you get pissed off when you try NOT smoking it, doesn't mean you're 'addicted'.

there is no study on the "MENTAL" addiction of weed. Every person i know who smokes weed on a regular basis is in some way mentally addicted.. some more than others. I'll tell u right now I, LIKE MOST DAILY WEED SMOKERS AM EXTREMELY MENTALLY ADDICTED TO WEED (more to weed than anything else). Why else would people use the drug MORE AND MORE AND MORE... because they like the feeling that it brings.. they are "mentally addicted to the drug" now lying to yourself saying "EVERYTHING ABOUT WEED IS GOOD FOR U AND THERE IS NO MENTAL ADDICTION FROM WEED" is just denial.

[THClord]

Is chocolate mentally addictive?

[denial102]

Is 39 years long term enough?

Yes! Everyone is different though, I'm not saying you are mentally addicted, at the least I just would like to be pointing out everyone has different genetics and thus will have different neurological, hormonal and chemical reactions both physically and mentally :thumbsup:

Peace,
Denial

[psteve]

I still say people who really think marijuana is not addicting has not used it long term

Is 39 years long term enough?

[Purple Banana]

psteve- I think psychological cannabis dependency goes much deeper than a "personality disorder"... The DSM were the ones who, up until about 1973, also classified homosexuality as a 'mental disorder' under a DSM diagnosis, so don't be so quick to soley rely on that source for classification. New research is being developed all the time.

Like BG had mentioned, psychological dependency is far deeper-rooted; it's more into the neurological category than a personality issue. "Addicitve Personality," as they say, may project what may be a high sensitivity to the cocktails of neurotransmitters released in the brain when the person comes into contact with a substance; in this case we'll use cannabis as a relevant example.

When you smoke a joint, the THC/CBDs are carried to your brain, converted/broken down into various molecules our body can use, and we feel stoned. The receptors who (surprise) receive those chemical messages have been shown in some individuals to be overly-sensitive- that's why the term "psychological addiction" is more of a neurological predisposition.

When the pleasure-inducing chemicals are released in our brain on a regular basis from smoking pot, the receptors begin to become accustomed to the same chemical cocktails being released somewhat regularly. When those signals end abruptly, over a period of time, the receptors begin to become agitated, so to say, because of a lack of the feel-good chemical responsible for the high.

The main difference between physical and psychological dependence begins here. While physical dependence goes on to effect other parts of the body in a physical sense, psychological dependence remains in the brain with the neurotransmitters and other chemicals as the only physiological process in psychological dependence. That's the difference.

This can explain why some individuals can certainly feel emotional symptoms of psychological cannabis withdrawal, such as headaches, irritability, insomnia, ect. but do not have signs of physical withdrawal, such as fever, chills, sweating, and hallucinations. If these neurologically sensitive people experience such symptoms as a result of stopping their use of cannabis, then what is it?

psteve- did you get a chance to look at the links so generously provided by Bird Girl? If not, I suggest reading them, they're very informative and non-biased. Could you please supply us with some links from academic/non-goverment funded scientific sources that back your claim?

Here are some I found useful:

Dopamine Receptor Function And Its Role In Drug Use

Dopamine and the Dependence Liability of Marijuana