Half Life of THC causes deep withdrawls?

[GoldenBoy812]

I am currently debating a person who has brought forth some research that contends that marijuana has withdrawal syndrome, symptoms similar to those when one withdraws from tobacco, and other drugs.

click 1
click 2
click 3

Can anyone say this is without a doubt valid?

Also, are there any non biased databases that have reliable marijuana/cannabis research?

Thanks in advance :rastasmoke:

GoldenBoy812 Reviewed by GoldenBoy812 on 03-23-2008. Half Life of THC causes deep withdrawls? I am currently debating a person who has brought forth some research that contends that marijuana has withdrawal syndrome, symptoms similar to those when one withdraws from tobacco, and other drugs. click 1 click 2 click 3 Can anyone say this is without a doubt valid? Also, are there any non biased databases that have reliable marijuana/cannabis research? Rating: 5

[BuzzPion]

Tell the egghead to look at the reported symptoms in table 3. Then ask how much money could he make if he came up with a pill that would alleviate, and/or cure them. Ask further how much more he could make if that pill was safer than aspirin. Something you could not overdose on. Something that was easily self-titrated by those using it. Get where I am going?

I work in the medical field (epidemiology) and the studies referenced are not class A Gold-Standard type stuff.

Anyway, remember, arguing with fools...

[zeitgeist]

I know Ive personally gone through withdrawals the first time I went on a break.The first one did suck. But it was extremely minimal and nothing the average person can easily overcome. The nexts times I went on break the effects get less and less. I cant even imagine how withdrawals would be on a hard drug like herion

[TomStoner]

I've never had any problems taking a break and I've been using and growing for just on 30 years, just keeping busy for the first few days is enough to distract you from any of the mild withdrawal symptoms you might get, the person you are debating with has obviously never been an mj user or he/she would know better than to spout such shit.

Also, are there any non biased databases that have reliable marijuana/cannabis research?

No, most research is full of DEA propaganda, I'm sick of the way those pricks keep sticking their ugly faces into my lifestyle and I don't even live in the US!

[GoldenBoy812]

an abstract from the original debate:

There being no cannabis withdrawal, hence no physical addiction is a position that has, recently, been proven false. Further, the canaboid receptor antagonist, having been identified as the facilitator for the withdrawal, has also been associated with connecting to the opioid receptors, having some impact on modulating those, too. This is the first biological evidence that there may exist a "gateway' effect of marijuana. This research is very new, and needs more study before it can be identified as fact.

In heavy users, marijuana, when use is stopped, causes withdrawal, indicating physical dependence.

My stance was that marijuana thc itself is not physically or mentally addicting. It was the heating and activation of THC that allows it to be a desired feeling.

I plan on replying based on the fact that if a human being is consuming nearly any substance in a heavy fashion, the cold turkey removal of these substances will in the majority of cases cause these same symptoms of physical withdrawl.

IE: Sugar, coffee, food/water (lol), alcohol, chocolate, etc... Do you guys think it is a sound argument?

[TheSmokingMonkey]

Some of those studies have conflated tobacco use and marijuana use as the abstaining participants in the study were alternately (or jointly) made to discontinue tobacco *and* cannabis.

Other studies are more compelling, but the most reputable studies describe this: a mild, 3-5 day withdrawal period, not even as severe as caffeine withdrawal.

So - yes, THC may be addictive, but if it is, it's the least addictive addictive drug in the world.

Others have likened the withdrawal to chocolate withdrawal or shopaholic's withdrawal. This type of withdrawal indicates behavior patterning and reward systems rather than chemically-induced patterning and reward systems. Both are real and both involve alterations in reinforcing neurotransmitters, but it's quite a bit different in other ways.

Meh.
I like this topic

[silkyblue]

partnership for a drug free America made

peyote addictive

its a mental withdrawel

you get through it but


well you know

:thumbsup:

[JaySin]

I think it's a load of crap. I have never smoked cigarettes. I have on the other hand smoked marijuana to a good extent. I have also stopped on several occasions for anywhere from a week to a full year. I have never really experienced any real withdrawal symptoms other then thinking about how it would be nice to have some weed.

Now if this is comparable to tabacco, then all those people that can't quit are a bunch of whining pussies. Although, I doubt that is the case. So anything that says cannabis is comparable to tabacco in the forms of addiction or withdrawal, I would immediately disregard. Or even any other addictive drug for that matter.

4-20 will probably be the last time I smoke for about a month or so. I can pretty much guaranty that I will not have any withdrawals over that period. Every other time I have quit, I have felt perfectly normal and even felt like I had more energy at times.

[CultureCherryPopper]

You only draw conclusions based on your own experiences, sir, but you must think beyond yourself to the six billion or so other people. While it may not be a physical addiction, a psychological addiction can manifest itself. As a habitual smoker you are used to an act or a feeling, or a mindframe from smoking everyday, all day. To suddenly be thrust into a sober reality can change a person. Their world isn't the same as normal and it confuses them. It's kind of like coming down off acid. Truth be told, humans are creatures of habit and if you change someone's habit it bothers them. You might think yourself stronger, but really addiction is a disease.

[Help_Needed]

An observation - All THREE studies that are being sited were done by the same researcher team. This introduces the possiblity that researcher bias may have tainted the study. At very least, it indicates that they should really be considered as a single source, and not three seperate studies.

Second observation - Other researchers (don't remember exactly which studies, and don't have time to search, sorry) have reported that it is precisely because THC has such a long half life that withdrawl symptoms are so mild. A heavy smoker who suddenly quits will have quite a build up of THC in his system that takes a long time to burn off - a process that does not occur suddenly. This gives his body time to slowly adjust to the gradually decreasing levels of THC.