Stopping Marijuana can lead to Depression

Many people who smoke weed or who stopped smoking marijuana suffer from depression in one form or another. Some suffer from severe depression, others from a milder form of depression. There are tons of reasons for people being depressed, so let us stick to marijuana use and depression.

NOTE: I am not trying to give cannabis use the blame of people being depressed! I only want to make clear the connection between quitting weed and feeling down.

Signs of depression

Concentration problems
Low self esteem
Sleeping problems
Eating problems, either too much or too little
Strange pains
Tired and bored easily

And there are many more signs, but these are generally the more common ones. And as you might have figured out yourself, all these symptoms are interconnected. One leads to another. Having bad night’s sleep leads to pain in the joints, back and muscles. It also makes you tired and tedious. And eating too much can lead to sleeping problems. So it’s no use treating such symptoms one at a time, they must be seen and treated as one problem.

How does Marijuana fit in the Depression symptoms?

A major cause of depression is the lack of or a serious shortage of the neurotransmitters dopamine and /or serotonin. These are ‘chemicals’ produced by our brain that make us feel happy, saturated or satisfied. Many drugs, like XTC and amphetamines stimulate our brain to produce dopamine, therefore giving us the good feeling. But over time the brain gets worn out and produces less and less of these chemicals, making you feel hollowed out and tired. In one word: Depressed

Marijuana does not exactly do this, but it does something similar.

Smoking marijuana on a regular bases makes your brain get used to the THC. And

your body gets used to the nausea we call ‘High’. THC disrupts the natural production and effects of these neurotransmitters. It will only produce dopamine and serotonin when THC molecules enter the brain (this might not be biochemically correct, but I hope you get the point). Or you will not feel the proper effects of dopamine and serotonin because your brain is numbed by the THC.

This can be the cause of (slight) depression when you’re a regular weed smoker.

And it can work the other way round as well. As you stop smoking marijuana, the lack of THC disrupts the production neurotransmitters too, and this might lead to low down feelings and stronger forms of depression too.

Dealing with Depression as a cause of quitting Marijuana

Feeling depressed after you’ve quit marijuana is a common symptom. In most cases it’s a matter of perseverance and being patient. Over time, your body and brain will find their natural rhythm again and will start producing the right quantities of dopamine again. It will take about two weeks before you sleep easier and then most other symptoms of depression will disappear.

If depressions don’t reside, I advise you to seek professional help.

TIP: Healthy food. Cut down on meat. Try to eat protein rich, fresh ingredients. And beer is well known for its mild anti- depressive effects. But take it easy on the beer