SERIOUSLY, is cannabis addictive or not?

[birdgirl73]

My thinking on this has changed pretty significantly since I have had my pharmacology and neuro-psychopathology classes this year and last in med school. I've also heard several really world-class level physicians address this subject, one of them our dean at Southwestern, who's a Nobel Laureate for his groundbreaking g-protein research, which relates quite closely to cannabinoid receptors.

According to what they're teaching today in allopathic (regular M.D. training programs as opposed to osteopathic) medical schools, the cannabinoid, opiate and even nicotine receptor systems are very very closely intertwined in matters of pain, reward, and addiction. Those various drugs/substances act initially through their own receptors, but they eventually trigger a generalized reward system in the brain that can also be triggered by other drugs. So even if, in concept, cannabis isn't physically addictive, it can, in the right brain chemistry--most likely a brain that is genetically susceptible to addiction in the first place--trigger an addictive response. That's not behavioral, either. It's those opiate-cannabinoid-nicotine receptors and their reward system/response working together and becoming systemically responsive to the other substances. I believe this is why some people really do develop a dependency on cannabis, which I've read hundreds of examples here about. There are always plenty of "No, no way"-sayers on this subject, but the people who experience this are very definitely in the grips of something more than psychological dependence. Any one with a propensity for addiction can get addicted to anything, whether it has withdrawal-type dependence or not. Food. Shopping. Gambling. Opiates. Weed. Alcohol. They're those folks who're destined to get hooked to something no matter what. This is why, for them specifically, they truly are addicted, often to multiple substances, and why, for folks who fall into this category, cannabis easily can be a gateway drug. Argue all you want, but for some people it is addictive and it does lead to other types of drugs because of that response linkage to the other receptors. In these people, there is also fairly marked physical withdrawal when they discontinue cannabis after heavy and repeated use, probably as a result of the withdrawal effects on the opiate receptors.

Here's some good info, and please don't dismiss it. These researchers are learning more and more every day about why this happens to some people and not to others. This is seminal and significant research about these receptors, including several very good links and excellent bibliographical sources.

The Why Files | 4. Recognizing drug receptors

[denial102]

I'd say the mental addictedness wears off after a couple days.
So, NO it's not addictive.


If you go on a break, once you're past the one week point you can go as far as you want even if people around you are smoking every day.

Good point THClord.. Admittedly you're fairly correct on a global basis, this seems to be the case. Still it is convenient to say it's not addictive because the "addiction" wears off ;-) Yes?

My thinking on this has changed pretty significantly since I have had my pharmacology and neuro-psychopathology classes this year and last in med school. I've also heard several really world-class level physicians address this subject, one of them our dean at Southwestern, who's a Nobel Laureate for his groundbreaking g-protein research, which relates quite closely to cannabinoid receptors.

According to what they're teaching today in allopathic (regular M.D. training programs as opposed to osteopathic) medical schools, the cannabinoid, opiate and even nicotine receptor systems are very very closely intertwined in matters of pain, reward, and addiction. Those various drugs/substances act initially through their own receptors, but they eventually trigger a generalized reward system in the brain that can also be triggered by other drugs. So even if, in concept, cannabis isn't physically addictive, it can, in the right brain chemistry--most likely a brain that is genetically susceptible to addiction in the first place--trigger an addictive response. That's not behavioral, either. It's those opiate-cannabinoid-nicotine receptors and their reward system/response working together and becoming systemically responsive to the other substances. I believe this is why some people really do develop a dependency on cannabis, which I've read hundreds of examples here about. There are always plenty of "No, no way"-sayers on this subject, but the people who experience this are very definitely in the grips of something more than psychological dependence. Any one with a propensity for addiction can get addicted to anything, whether it has withdrawal-type dependence or not. Food. Shopping. Gambling. Opiates. Weed. Alcohol. They're those folks who're destined to get hooked to something no matter what. This is why, for them specifically, they truly are addicted, often to multiple substances, and why, for folks who fall into this category, cannabis easily can be a gateway drug. Argue all you want, but for some people it is addictive and it does lead to other types of drugs because of that response linkage to the other receptors. In these people, there is also fairly marked physical withdrawal when they discontinue cannabis after heavy and repeated use, probably as a result of the withdrawal effects on the opiate receptors.

Here's some good info, and please don't dismiss it. These researchers are learning more and more every day about why this happens to some people and not to others. This is seminal and significant research about these receptors, including several very good links and excellent bibliographical sources.

The Why Files | 4. Recognizing drug receptors

You are way more researched than I am, and admittedly I was caught with my trousers down because I don't have the research bookmarked, I will have to have a dig around.

And yes, it is really good to see the talk about the specific receptors for THC, some people react different, and much like our beloved plants, our genetics varies widely too! Which means different reactions - for everyone. I can't generalise and I'd expect the medical community as a whole cannot either!

I hope other people continue to input data about this topic. There is, by my own admission some problems defining mental addiction, psychological addiction, and differentiating them between chemical dependance and psysiological addiction. In any case, from what I've seen I have to remain strongly in favour of some people will become what, at the very least, appears to be a strong mental addiction to this drug.

In my case, I would call it a medical dependance, uhh ahem :rasta:

I will be reading my pants off now.

Oh oh oh, one thing, I thought the behavioural system played an integral part on addictive and neurochemical responses; or at least how they are dealt with in any psychological reward system. Again, your clearly way more researched than me so maybe you can clear that up! :thumbsup:

Peace,
Denial

[Ganj]

Marijuana has no addictive chemicals in it, so physically, no it's not. However, just like anything with any aesthetic value whatsoever, you can become psychologically addicted to it. You can become addicted to video games, the computer, pot, etc., but that's nothing to do with the herb, it's all to do with YOU. :thumbsup:

On the flip side, one could argue that since smoking marijuana is SO FUN, it has psychologically addictive qualities.. As does music, and most everything else.. :hippy:

In layman's terms you THINK YOU GOTTA HAVE IT. People who are psychology dependent or addicted to anything probably fall in the category of "addictive personalities," which is partially why the majority of the population isn't all cuckoo for weed. They just can't dig it long-enough. Plus the stuff exposes you to some pretty wicked, out-of-ordinary things.

Fast-food is helping to start a trend of dependency and sooner or later our earnings are gonna be flushed down the drain, to interstate lodging and other forms of subtle conveniences which are aimed at keeping the "machine" up and running. And you know what I'm talking about! We come in but we don't leave this place. We're effectively trapped butwe don't gnaw to escape.

[Jay Matix]

Research suggests in selected people cannabis can be extremely mentally addictive, so much so it can occasionally be confused with a physical addiction and withdrawal.

True. WAY TOO MUCH SELECTIVE THINKING ON THIS SITE!

Not everything about cannabis is WONDERFUL for you.. when u abuse the drug there are a lot of things that are very bad for u. Any smoke, especially excessive smoke in your lungs is HORRIBLE for your lungs.. and weed is extremely mentally addictive for most people. (Especially heavy users) If you smoke daily/when u quit or go on a break u will have a bunch of WITHDRAWS.. For me it was IRRITABILITY! everything irritated me when i was on a break! Sleeplessness, loss of appetite, (& even anxiety & depression for some people i know) not to mention excessive CRAVING of the drug (hence "mental addiction") & the weed i smoke is so good most of my friends become extremly mentally addictive. I know a few people who thought "smoking weed was pointless.. smoked with me a few times.. then became daily smokers).. and i know a few girls that would do a lot for some weed!! haha

ALL in all anyone who says weed is NOT MENTALLY ADDICTIVE what so ever is
1. lying to themselves
2. are smoking some shitty weed

The people that i know who smoke on a regular basis (including me) find it VERY hard to on a break of just 3 or 4 days! I've never had anything that was as mentally addictive as weed is... I smoked cigs here and there but was never able to get mentally addictived to them like i am with weed.

[denial102]

[B]True. WAY TOO MUCH SELECTIVE THINKING ON THIS SITE!
For me it was IRRITABILITY! everything irritated me when i was on a break! Sleeplessness, loss of appetite, (& even anxiety & depression for some people i know) not to mention excessive CRAVING of the drug (hence "mental addiction") & the weed i smoke is so good most of my friends become extremly mentally addictive. I know a few people who thought "smoking weed was pointless.. smoked with me a few times.. then became daily smokers).. and i know a few girls that would do a lot for some weed!! haha

You are very much not alone :-)


Peace,
Denial

[Haro bmx 420]

First off, addictons to weed is bullshit seeing as people can quit and go back on if they chose, and to anyone who says it is addicting then awnser this question for me, my father is 50 years old and is addicted to alchohol, he littlerly cant stop so my question is, if he even puts his mind to quittng and cant, then how can people put their mind to quitting smoking marijuana and be sucessful? its all myth that you are "addicted" it has no chemials that are addicting just as everyone has said. So the debate is over that it is not physically addictive like achohol as an example but can make you want to smoke it more often, not an addiction

peace

[worm]

If its addictive, its definitely an addiction I accept willingly

[Jay Matix]

First off, addictons to weed is bullshit seeing as people can quit and go back on if they chose, and to anyone who says it is addicting then awnser this question for me, my father is 50 years old and is addicted to alchohol, he littlerly cant stop so my question is, if he even puts his mind to quittng and cant, then how can people put their mind to quitting smoking marijuana and be sucessful? its all myth that you are "addicted" it has no chemials that are addicting just as everyone has said. So the debate is over that it is not physically addictive like achohol as an example but can make you want to smoke it more often, not an addiction

peace

how can you say weed is NOT MENTALLY ADDICTING!??! U are in denial or haven't smoked good weed before!

I've been smoking weed everyday for a couple years and I can tell you weed is the most addicting thing I've ever done!! I know drug abusers that FIEND for weed more than cocaine.. just because the experience they had with weed was better!

[psteve]

True. WAY TOO MUCH SELECTIVE THINKING ON THIS SITE!

Not everything about cannabis is WONDERFUL for you.. when u abuse the drug there are a lot of things that are very bad for u. Any smoke, especially excessive smoke in your lungs is HORRIBLE for your lungs.. and weed is extremely mentally addictive for most people. (Especially heavy users) If you smoke daily/when u quit or go on a break u will have a bunch of WITHDRAWS.. For me it was IRRITABILITY! everything irritated me when i was on a break! Sleeplessness, loss of appetite, (& even anxiety & depression for some people i know) not to mention excessive CRAVING of the drug (hence "mental addiction") & the weed i smoke is so good most of my friends become extremly mentally addictive. I know a few people who thought "smoking weed was pointless.. smoked with me a few times.. then became daily smokers).. and i know a few girls that would do a lot for some weed!! haha

ALL in all anyone who says weed is NOT MENTALLY ADDICTIVE what so ever is
1. lying to themselves
2. are smoking some shitty weed

The people that i know who smoke on a regular basis (including me) find it VERY hard to on a break of just 3 or 4 days! I've never had anything that was as mentally addictive as weed is... I smoked cigs here and there but was never able to get mentally addictived to them like i am with weed.

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'.

[psteve]

how can you say weed is NOT MENTALLY ADDICTING!??! U are in denial or haven't smoked good weed before!

I've been smoking weed everyday for a couple years and I can tell you weed is the most addicting thing I've ever done!! I know drug abusers that FIEND for weed more than cocaine.. just because the experience they had with weed was better!

More BS.