Marijuana is a popular recreational drug that is legal in many states in the U.S. It’s growing in popularity despite people not fully understanding the connection between marijuana and the brain. Let’s discuss the potential effects of marijuana use on the brain and what to do if you develop an addiction to cannabis.
The Ranch TN supports Nashville residents who are struggling with marijuana addiction and want help in managing symptoms and triggers. Our team has experience treating all types of addiction and will take the time to get to know you and the reasons you are here. We will then create a whole-person recovery experience based on your unique symptoms. You will then participate in our marijuana addiction treatment program and learn valuable skills to manage your symptoms and triggers more effectively.
Understanding the Effects of Marijuana and the Brain
Marijuana is a depressant that is grown naturally in many countries around the world. You smoke or ingest the flower to experience euphoria, heightened well-being, and enhance your mood. It can very effective in treating depression and anxiety, chronic pain, and arthritis and is used as an appetite stimulant.
What are some of the effects of marijuana and the brain? The primary psychoactive component of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It interacts with the brain’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating mood, memory, cognition, and motor control. The short-term effects of marijuana and the brain include:
- Euphoria and relaxation
- An altered perception and sensory distortion
- Memory impairment
- Impaired coordination and motor skills
- Paranoia and anxiety
- Reduced attention span
- A decrease in problem-solving skills
These effects generally will last anywhere from 1–4 hours or longer if ingested. If you continue to abuse marijuana, it can lead to serious complications, such as:
- Cognitive decline in younger users
- Memory and learning deficits
- An increased risk of developing anxiety and depression
- Amotivational syndrome or reduced motivation
- Possible changes to the brain’s hippocampus and prefrontal cortex areas
If you’re struggling with marijuana abuse, enrolling in a treatment program can help you stop withdrawals and cravings and learn how to manage symptoms and triggers.
Treating the Effects of Marijuana Abuse
Marijuana addiction is a growing problem in the country and the rate of addiction is increasing. In fact, 30% of people who smoke cannabis become addicted and require an addiction treatment program1. Much like legal alcohol, legal marijuana can be a problem for some people.
If you’re thinking of enrolling in a treatment program, here are some of the ways that they can treat the effects of marijuana abuse:
Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the best therapeutic options for treating all types of addiction. It focuses on the negative behaviors that are generated by the addiction and can lead to a relapse. We use various techniques to help you recognize triggering situations or people and find new behaviors to replace the old ones.
Additional types of behavioral therapy that can help with marijuana addiction include:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
Lifestyle Changes
Addiction affects all aspects of your life, and sometimes, you will need to make several lifestyle changes when you quit abusing marijuana. These changes include starting a new hobby, such as participating in a game or sport or joining a social club to meet new people.
Avoid triggering situations and people if they still remind you of when you would use drugs. Additional lifestyle changes include participating in yoga and meditation, eating healthy meals, keeping a journal, and other mindfulness practices.
Support Groups and Aftercare Programs
Talking with a therapist about your struggles with marijuana addiction is still one of the best ways to treat the effects of marijuana abuse. Aftercare programs allow you to participate in group and private therapy sessions where you can talk about any struggles with triggers and cravings and work on fine-tuning coping and communication skills.
Contact The Ranch TN Today to Join Our Marijuana Addiction Treatment Program
The Ranch Tennessee welcomes Nashville residents who are struggling with an addiction to marijuana and are ready for a positive change. When you first arrive at our discreet location, we will perform a full health assessment to determine the severity of the addiction. We will use this information to create a tailored treatment program that includes behavioral and holistic therapies along with medical support to ease any withdrawals and cravings.
If you or a loved one is struggling with a marijuana addiction, help is available. Call 1.844.876.7680 today or use our online contact form, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
Source: