The Benefits of Quitting Weed, Plus Tips to Help You Quit
Hope For Substance Use Disorder Sufferers
Marijuana use has been steadily increasing as more states decriminalize and legalize it, but that doesn’t mean that it’s safe. Marijuana use can still progress to become drug abuse or addiction, which makes it more difficult for people to quit – even if it’s negatively impacting their health, work, or relationships.[1]
Though challenging, quitting marijuana is not only possible but beneficial for you and your loved ones. Whether you’re wondering how to quit weed or you’ve tried in the past and relapsed, quitting early is often easier and may reverse some of the negative effects.
Key Points
- Cannabis (marijuana) is the most commonly used substance and is legal in many US states.
- However, due to the effects of THC, it can still lead to substance abuse, dependence, and addiction.
- The benefits of quitting weed include improved respiratory health, better cognitive function, improved heart health, and better mental health.
- Quitting weed requires a plan, support, getting rid of paraphernalia, and replacement hobbies.
- A commitment to detox and inpatient treatment is the most effective way to maintain sobriety from cannabis use.
Benefits of Quitting Weed
Whether you’re addicted to cannabis or a casual marijuana user, when you stop smoking weed, benefits may include:
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Improved Respiratory Health
According to the American Lung Association, marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke, which could lead to respiratory problems, chronic bronchitis, and lung cancer.[2] Marijuana smokers also inhale deeply and hold the smoke longer than cigarette smokers, increasing the amount of tar that enters their lungs.
Eliminating weed from your system gives your lungs a chance to rebound and recover from use. You’ll be less prone to bronchitis, lung infections, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory issues as well.
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00 02
Better Cognitive Function
Smoking weed affects the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, concentration, and decision-making. It can leave you in a “brain fog,” affecting your ability to focus and learn new information.
Though some cognitive deficits will remain after quitting marijuana, memory and learning begin to improve after you’ve stopped smoking weed for a while.[3]
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Improved Heart Health
The tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids in marijuana increase the heart rate and may increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. With chronic marijuana use, the heart becomes larger and inflamed.[4] When you quit weed, the swelling in the heart subsides, and it can function normally, reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other problems with the cardiovascular system.
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Better Mental Health
After the euphoria of marijuana wears off, many people feel depressed and anxious.[5] They may use marijuana as a means of escape from emotional, physical, or psychological stress, and though that works temporarily, it can make mental health conditions worse in the long run.
Fortunately, quitting marijuana can improve your mental health quickly. In fact, many people find a renewed sense of energy, motivation, and purpose after quitting marijuana.
Tips to Quit Smoking Weed
If you’re wondering how to stop smoking weed fast, here are some tips:
- Create a plan for how to quit marijuana and stay sober.
- Surround yourself with a support network to keep you on track while you’re going through withdrawal and cravings.
- Get rid of all of your marijuana-related paraphernalia, such as bongs, bowls, pipes, and vapes.
- Identify your potential triggers and strategize how you’ll handle them.
- Build a strong support network of healthy, supportive people who are committed to keeping you on track.
- Find a replacement for your marijuana addiction, such as physical activities or hobbies.
- Wean yourself off weed instead of going “cold turkey.” For some, this helps with the withdrawal symptoms and makes it easier to resist cravings.
Though these tips for how to stop smoking weed naturally can help, if you’re struggling with marijuana addiction, it may be best to seek treatment for cannabis abuse or dependence. With the help of a professional, you can develop a strategy to quit marijuana, manage cravings, and commit to abstinence.
Treatment for Marijuana Addiction
If you use marijuana often or have been for a long time, it can be extremely difficult to quit on your own. Professional help is effective in helping people quit weed and learn to manage their cravings for long-term abstinence.
Treatment for marijuana use disorder is similar to other substance use disorder treatment. It may include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of behavioral therapy that addresses mental health issues by identifying problematic behaviors and unhealthy thought patterns. Once identified, these patterns can be replaced with healthier behaviors.
Contingency Management
Contingency management is a type of therapy that relies on incentives and rewards to reinforce healthy behaviors like staying sober. Of course, some of the benefits you see after stopping weed may be reward enough.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Motivational enhancement therapy looks to resolve ambivalent feelings toward treatment and spark the internal motivation to treat substance abuse issues.
Marijuana use disorder may be treated on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
Depending on the needs of the person, it may also include conventional therapies like individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and support groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Stop Smoking Weed?
While some people smoke weed for medicinal benefits, for others, it simply feels good. There are costs to that advantage and considerable risks, however, which is why some people should quit. If you’re beginning to see the negative effects of marijuana in your daily life, you’re unsure what value it brings to your life, or you feel like you’re developing a dependency, it may be time to quit marijuana cold turkey.
Is There a Replacement for Weed Addiction?
Generally, you shouldn’t seek to replace one addiction with another. That said, taking up new hobbies or activities to focus your mind while you’re quitting can be helpful. For example, trying out a new exercise routine like yoga or Pilates, taking a class to learn arts and crafts, or getting into cooking can be good alternatives to weed.
What’s the Best Way to Stop Smoking Weed?
Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer for how to stop smoking weed that works for everyone. Your experience quitting marijuana will depend on your individual circumstances, use history, and other factors. But if you’re unable to quit on your own or wondering how to quit marijuana and manage the adverse effects, remember that professional treatment programs are available.
Cannabis use disorder – statpearls – NCBI bookshelf. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538131/ on 2023, June 21.
Association, A. L. (n.d.). Marijuana and lung health. American Lung Association. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/health-effects/marijuana-and-lung-health on 2023, June 21.
Crean, R. D., Crane, N. A., & Mason, B. J. (2011, March). An evidence based review of acute and long-term effects of cannabis use on executive cognitive functions. Journal of addiction medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3037578/ on 2023, June 21.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, October 19). Heart health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/heart-health.html# on 2023, June 21.
ScienceDaily. (2019, February 13). Cannabis use in teens linked to risk of depression in young adults. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190213172307.htm on 2023, June 21.
