Cannabis use has become more and more accepted in recent years. This is primarily because more and more states are making cannabis legal for recreational use. However, just because it has become more accepted does not make it any less dangerous. The truth is there are many negative physical effects of cannabis use and cannabis addiction.
Better Understanding Cannabis Addiction
Millions of people struggle with cannabis addiction every day. According to the peer-reviewed journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, “Given increases in cannabis use disorders, cannabis use is considered a contributor to global disease prevalence. In the United States (US), cannabis remains the most used psychoactive substance despite shifting views of its social acceptability and perceived harm. In 2022, 61.9 million people (22.0 %) reported using cannabis in the past year, while 42.3 million people (15.0 %) used cannabis in the past 30 days (i.e., current use), with use prevalence increasing over time.”
Many people minimize the concern about cannabis addiction because they think using it is simply a choice. While it may be true that it’s a choice early on, once an individual has the disease of addiction, they have lost the ability to choose whether to use it or not. Many people also fail to see the signs and symptoms of their cannabis addiction.
The Signs and Symptoms of Cannabis Addiction
Excessive cannabis use and cannabis addiction have some distinct signs in addition to some of the more universal addiction signs. While these signs may differ depending on the individual, some common signs and symptoms of cannabis addiction include the following:
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Smelling like marijuana (especially if one smokes it)
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
- Trouble breathing (especially due to vaping or smoking marijuana)
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
Many people think cannabis addiction isn’t real. However, as you can see, these signs and symptoms of this addiction are significant and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help sooner than later is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. It will also help you to avoid the less-talked-about physical effects of cannabis addiction.
The Less-Talked-About Physical Effects of Cannabis Addiction
There are many negative physical effects of cannabis addiction. The following are just a few of those effects:
- Extreme lethargy
- Brittle hair and nails
- Poor skin
- Excessive shifts in weight
- Heart palpitations
- Shifts in blood pressure
- Lowered libido
- Joint pain
- Issues with kidney and liver functioning
- Diminished gross motor skills
While these side effects may be concerning, the good news is there are many effective solutions to reduce or even reverse them. Some of those solutions exist in the realm of holistic healing.
Recovering From the Physical Effects of Cannabis Addiction With Holistic Healing Methods
The iconic yogi and spiritual teacher B.K.S. Iyengar famously said, “Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind, and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.” This statement is symbolic of how holistic healing methods like yoga and mindfulness meditation can be helpful for cannabis addiction recovery. Yoga and meditation have been practiced for thousands of years, and they are now being utilized in the recovery realm.
Yoga therapy offers a myriad of benefits for healing from the physical effects of cannabis addiction. According to the International Journal of Yoga, “Therapeutic yoga is defined as the application of yoga postures and practice to the treatment of health conditions. Yoga therapy involves instruction in yogic practices and teachings to prevent, reduce, or alleviate structural, physiological, emotional, and spiritual pain, suffering, or limitations. Yogic practices enhance muscular strength and body flexibility, promote and improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, promote recovery from and treatment of addiction, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of life.”
A Focus on Long-Term Success With Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This includes our approach to clients who are struggling to recover from cannabis addiction.
At Lantana Recovery, we only utilize recovery plans that are individualized and comprehensive and that offer a focus on the future. We also utilize a multi-angled approach with many means, methods, and modalities like psychotherapy, nature immersion therapy, and mindfulness meditation. This multifaceted approach also helps to minimize relapses.
The time for recovery is now. The key is to reach out and ask for help. There is no time to waste. A new life is waiting.
Many people believe that because it’s legal, there are no serious effects of cannabis use. However, cannabis addiction is very real. Aside from mental and emotional symptoms, there are many negative physical side effects of cannabis addiction. The good news is there are also many effective modalities that can help you recover from excessive cannabis use and cannabis addiction. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, mental health issues, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about cannabis addiction and how best to recover, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
