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If you’ve tried to cut back on marijuana and found it harder than expected, reach out to Royal Life Centers Oklahoma City. Our admissions team can answer your questions, explain your treatment options, and help you decide whether marijuana rehab is right for you. Call us anytime for a confidential conversation and a free insurance benefits check.
Marijuana detox is the period when the body adjusts after someone stops using cannabis. THC is the compound responsible for the high, and how quickly its effects begin depends on how cannabis is used. Smoking and vaping take effect within minutes, while edibles take longer to kick in and can produce effects that last longer. Regular use can lead to dependence, which may show up as cravings, increased tolerance, or withdrawal symptoms when someone cuts back or quits. Withdrawal can involve irritability, anxiety, trouble sleeping, reduced appetite, vivid dreams, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. This article describes symptoms typically starting within 24 to 48 hours of stopping and often peaking between days two and six. Some symptoms can last three weeks or longer after heavy use. The blog also covers professional support for managing withdrawal and introduces longer-term recovery options such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and peer support groups.
Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a naturally growing plant often consumed for its psychoactive effects. It’s derived from two main strains: Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. These plants contain tetrahydrocannabinol or THC for short.
THC is what is responsible for the “high” people feel when consuming marijuana. Another chemical found in these plants, cannabidiol (CBD), is non-psychoactive – its effects include things like reduced anxiety and inflammation. It’s the THC that needs to be eliminated during a marijuana detox.
People can consume marijuana in a variety of ways. The most common method is by crushing the plant up, rolling it up in cigarette paper as a “joint” or cigar paper as a “blunt,” and smoking it. However, people can also consume it as a marijuana edible. Believe it or not, it’s even possible to drink marijuana!
As legal restrictions ease, the number of marijuana products has proliferated, creating various new methods to consume it. As it becomes easier and easier to obtain, consumption will likely go up. However, prolonged use can lead to dependence, and for those who want to stop using it, a marijuana detox might be necessary to help the body adjust and flush out residual THC.
Regardless of how marijuana is consumed, the effects are largely the same.
Desirable effects of marijuana include:
There are also less pleasant effects marijuana brings. These include:
Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. However, as mentioned before, laws across the country are changing on this. Many states have passed laws decriminalizing marijuana or allowing it for medical use. The federal government has also de-emphasized marijuana enforcement. The Justice Department earlier this year also proposed moving marijuana to a lower level on the Controlled Substances List.
Marijuana goes by a plethora of names.
Some of the most common include:
These names can change or evolve over time, especially with the development of new strains and regional slang. Those who use marijuana regularly may need to go through a marijuana detox.
People use marijuana in a variety of ways, each with a different onset of effects.
The traditional and most popular method is to smoke it, and there are different ways to do that.
People smoke marijuana in:
When marijuana is smoked, effects are felt within minutes and typically last one to three hours.
Similar to smoking is vaping. While in both methods, marijuana is inhaled into the lungs, the difference here is that vaporizing heats marijuana to a temperature where cannabinoids are released as vapor without combustion, reducing the amount of harmful smoke. The two main ways people vape marijuana is with vape pens, which use cannabis oil cartridges, and dry herb vaporizers that vaporize raw cannabis.
As with smoking, the effects begin within a few minutes and last one to three hours.
Another method to consume marijuana is to consume it via edibles literally. Marijuana edibles are increasingly popular across the country and can be bought openly at any number of stores. Examples of edibles include baked goods like brownies or cookies, weed gummies or candies, and even drinks. Marijuana drinks are also increasingly available.
Consuming marijuana in this way has a longer onset of effects: between 30 minutes to two hours, with the typical high lasting between six and eight hours. The delayed onset can lead some to inadvertently take more, leading at times to overdose and the need for marijuana detox.
Marijuana is one of the most popular drugs in the world. According to the World Health Organization, about 147 million people consume cannabis. That’s roughly 2.5% of the global population.
In the United States, marijuana is not only popular but growing more so as time goes on. A 2024 Gallup poll indicates 17% of Americans have smoked marijuana the previous year. This is up from 11% in 2015. The poll also reports that 50% of American adults have tried marijuana at some point in their lives.
Some avoid smoking weed due to drug tests for employment. Urine testing is the most common way to test for marijuana. Traces of THC can remain in the urine for as long as a month, depending on frequency of use and other factors. Some things that drug tests for cannabis can be beaten using techniques like drinking plenty of water or apple cider vinegar. While these may assist in detox from cannabis, they aren’t a surefire way to pass a drug test.
Get confidential help from our addiction detox and treatment specialists in Oklahoma City. Call to join our rehab program today!
While many people discount the idea one could become dependent on marijuana, seeing it as a remnant of “reefer madness” hysteria, marijuana dependence is quite real. Dependence can emerge out of regular use, especially if someone is using high-potency strains like “dro.”. Over time, the body and mind may begin to crave the drug, making it hard to quit without help. For many, quitting involves undergoing a marijuana detox.
Signs of marijuana dependence include:
To combat these symptoms, a structured marijuana detox process can help. Detox is often the first step in recovery, providing the body with a chance to reset and flush out substances like THC on which it may be dependent.
Believe it or not, there are long-term risks to chronic marijuana use, and they can be serious.
Prolonged marijuana use among teens and preteens can have a variety of detrimental effects. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), long-term marijuana abuse has been linked to lifetime IQ loss and a variety of mental health issues.
Numerous studies have also found a connection between schizophrenia and marijuana consumption. It is believed that THC can aggravate or worsen schizophrenia tendencies in those who are already at risk for the disorder.
Lastly, while controversial, there is reason to believe marijuana is indeed a gateway drug for other substances.
Marijuana detox is the period after you stop using cannabis when your body clears THC and its breakdown products and adjusts to going without it. If you’ve been using marijuana frequently, you may experience weed withdrawal symptomssuch as irritability, anxiety, trouble sleeping, reduced appetite, and vivid dreams. Symptoms often begin within 24 to 48 hours after stopping and are usually most noticeable during the first week. How intense they feel and how long they last can vary depending on how often you use cannabis, how much you use, and the potency of the products you use.
Professional marijuana detox focuses on helping you manage withdrawal while your body clears THC naturally. A care team can assess your symptoms, explain what to expect, and help you find ways to cope with cravings, disrupted sleep, and changes in mood. Many people can manage cannabis withdrawal with outpatient support. More closely supervised care may be appropriate if you’re also withdrawing from other substances or if a mental health condition makes symptoms harder to manage. As withdrawal eases, ongoing counseling or peer support can help you identify what triggers cannabis use and build routines that support recovery.
As a person’s body adjusts to the lack of THC, a range of withdrawal symptoms may result. The severity and duration of these symptoms can vary based on factors like the frequency of use, the potency of the marijuana used, and individual differences.
If you are planning a marijuana detox, here are some symptoms to expect:
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms typically begin within 24-48 hours after cannabinoids leave the body, with most peaking within the second to sixth day of abstinence. With heavy users, however, some symptoms could last up to three weeks or more.
These symptoms may be scary, but you can certainly get through them with a professional marijuana detox program.
There are so many benefits to quitting weed. If you are seeking help with quitting marijuana, professional treatment may be a good option for you. Our drug rehab programs in Oklahoma City offer a medical detox program, with 24/7 support from specialists to help you get rid of marijuana from your body. After this is completed, you can take advantage of our other drug addiction treatment offerings, such as cognitive behavior therapy, and holistic treatment options, such as our nutrition, mindfulness, and life skills programs.
Give us a call at 866-881-1184 or contact us here to get started. Our friendly and knowledgeable team can answer any questions you may have.
Evan Gove
Our editorial team writes on addiction, mental health, and treatment access, with every clinical claim reviewed before publication.
Serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Aliya Health Group’s rehab centers in California, Arizona, and Washington State. Since 2016, she has impeccably managed the medical services offered by Royal Life Centers and Vogue Recovery Centers.
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