What to Expect when Quitting Marijuana/Cannabis

Marijuana/cannabis impacts your body and quitting or cutting back means your body will need to adjust. The severity of withdrawal can be affected by how often you use, how much you use, and how potent the product is that you use – more frequent use, a greater amount, and more potent products increase the odds of withdrawal. You may experience some of the following withdrawal symptoms when you stop using or cut back:

Loss of appetite or nausea
Changes in mood (anxiety, irritability, depressed mood, feeling withdrawn, etc.)
Fever, chills, sweating
Headaches
Restlessness
Sleep problems (insomnia, bad or vivid dreams, etc.)
Cravings

Unfortunately, some of these withdrawal symptoms are the same reasons that people use cannabis (i.e., to help sleep, to regulate mood or deal with mental health concerns like anxiety). Withdrawal symptoms typically start 24-48 hours after stopping use and will typically be at their worst within 2-6 days and are usually over within 3 weeks.

Remember that there are alternatives to using marijuana/cannabis that can help treat common concerns, so consider exploring some of the options below.

Mental Health Concerns

Get connected with your campus counseling services or other support services that can help
Reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or text the Crisis Text Line (text MOSAFE to 741-741)
Getting your body moving by working out, doing yoga, or getting outside can boost your mood and help relieve stress
Talk to a friend, family member, or other trusted person in your life

Sleep

Establish good sleep hygiene (healthy habits, behaviors and environmental practices) to help you sleep!

Check out Tips for Better Sleep from the CDC and Mastering Sleep Hygiene: Your Path to Quality Sleep from the Sleep Foundation

Exercise and movement can also promote better sleep so consider getting your body moving by working out, doing yoga, or getting outside
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, marijuana/cannabis and other substances for at least a few hours before you go to sleep

For more coping strategies when quitting/cutting back, download this helpful document with coping strategies and make your own personalized quit plan!

If you use cannabis, at some point, you should take a tolerance break (or T-break). Your body builds up a tolerance to cannabis, meaning you need more to get high. A T-Break could help you save money, reset your tolerance, and balance your use. Click here to access a free T-Break Guide (print option available).