[kyleyeats]

Weed is chemically addictive. Your endocannabinoid system is downregulated for weeks after heavy use. You get withdrawal symptoms which are alleviated by use.

I've never seen the phrase "chemically addictive" used by someone who knew what they were talking about. It's only used by people who don't understand that neurotransmitters are chemicals too. Stop spreading this BS distinction.

[mtlmtlmtlmtl]

Yeah, a lot of the withdrawal symptoms are so mild or transient people don't think of them as withdrawal or even make the connection. And people seem to think that anything less severe than shivering and unbearable pain, delirium, doesn't qualify as withdrawal.

The most memorable withdrawal symptom from weed for me was the sweating. Cannabinoids tend to affect the hypothalamus which is sort of like the brain's control module for the endocrine system. And one of the things it controls is temperature regulation. So if you quit cold turkey that all gets outta wack and the sweating happens. Takes at least a couple of weeks to get somewhat back to normal.

[hirvi74]

Correct me if I am mistaken, but aren't withdrawal symptoms more indicative of a dependency than an addiction?

Cessation of SSRIs can have all kinds of symptoms depending on the time length of usage, but I have never heard someone claim to be addicted to SSRIs.

[marcellus23]

I agree with you. I should have put "chemically addictive" in scare-quotes to make it clear that I think the distinction is silly.

[kyleyeats]

My bad and no offense. I'm a reader darkly. Italics/asterisks are also good.