To date, there has not been a recorded fatal overdose on marijuana. Marijuana can be a harmful drug in different ways but has not yet been found to cause a fatality strictly due to being high on marijuana. Some research estimated it would take tens of thousands of times the normal amount of marijuana to cause anything similar to an overdose. However, the likelihood of any average human being consuming that much marijuana without encountering other medical issues is small. For example, chronic use of marijuana can cause brain damage and/or lung damage. Marijuana is often considered a “safe” drug because it does not cause overdose or any severe medical issues. In fact, marijuana is used medically as a treatment for many illnesses, cancers, and diseases. Though the science on medical marijuana is still controversial, many countries and states have moved to legalize marijuana for both recreational and medical purposes. Recently, in America, treatment centers for opioid addiction have started using medical marijuana as a treatment, suggesting that the lesser of two evils is a way to reduce cravings, stave off the symptoms of withdrawal, and can even provide assistance in spiritual growth.
Using marijuana long term for addiction treatment is also controversial. Marijuana is an addictive drug. The active ingredient THC is a psychoactive meaning it stimulates the production of dopamine in the brain and causes mind altering symptoms to which one can become addicted. Though marijuana use is non-harmful physically, it can be harmful psychologically. Hallucinations, loss of motor control, impaired cognitive functioning, loss of judgment, psychosis, paranoia, anxiety, depression, and more are all common with recreational marijuana use. Today, marijuana is considered to be thirty percent more potent than strains of marijuana recreationally used in the past. The effect on the brain is much more severe.
Addiction in marijuana is marked by symptoms of withdrawal. People who become chemically dependent upon marijuana experience withdrawal physically and psychologically. Severe cravings are common in addition to feeling anxious or depressed. Sweating, shaking, being unable to eat, unable to sleep, and unable to focus are common as well.
Marijuana addiction is one of the most difficult addictions to abstain from for two reasons. First, THC is a fat soluble chemical, meaning it is stored in the fat. It takes many months for the THC in fat to break down and process through the body. Getting sudden sensations of being high on marijuana or cravings for marijuana can be triggering as well as confusing and lead to relapse. Second, because marijuana is so normalized, abstaining from it might not seem like a necessity.
Abstinence is proven to have the best rates of success for long term recovery in those with a chemical addiction problem. Smarmore Castle Private Clinic promotes abstinence for recovery. Our four to six weeks programmes are designed to bring patients to optimum health of mind, body, and spirit. Located just outside of Dublin, our clinic is a resource for men and women seeking healing in their lives. For information, call to speak with one of our caring staff members today at +353 41 214 5111.
