Is marijuana addictive?

ShortFuse_LPN, LPN · Dec 11, 2002

I think it is addictive...it is after all a drug. However, I feel it is probably less addictive than other drugs.

Stargazer · Dec 11, 2002

I've never heard or read anything that says that marijuana or THC causes physical addiction either. I do believe that certain people with addictive tendencies can become psychologically dependent on it (of course, the same could be argued of almost any substance).

Any addiction specialists here (paging Molly J!), feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the main danger of marijuana is that it has been shown to be a "gateway" drug to substances that ARE physically adicting.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Dec 11, 2002

Marijuana is NOT physically addictive. A person can become psychologically dependent on it, but the worst thing weed does is to rob one of whatever ambition he or she might have.....at least, while he/she is using it. It also helps one to relax, relieves chronic pain, and produces mild euphoria which leaves one still in control of one's body, and does not result in puking up one's guts a few hours later or feeling guilty about whatever one did during the blackout phase.

PsychoRN · Dec 11, 2002

Yup, I agree. It's not physically addictive but can cause psychological dependence.

emily_mom · Dec 11, 2002

My brother says no....:)

Kristy

sjoe · Dec 11, 2002

posted by Belinda: "I think it is addictive...it is after all a drug"

So is aspirin a drug.

The confusion in the original post is due to using the word "addictive" in two different ways, only one of which is accurate.

THC is not physically addictive, but can be habituating, just like reading, overeating, surfing BBs (oops), or watching TV can be.

The best books on addiction, IMHO, are by Stanton Peele, for further reading.

2amigos · Dec 11, 2002

Speaking from personal experience (hey, I was a child of the 70's), pot is only psychologically addictive if you're prone to addictions. I agree about the lethargy that it can cause while smoking it. Personally, if it weren't illegal, I'd rather have a joint once in a while than a drink. JMO.

Cheryl Moore

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Dec 11, 2002

Well I don't know about all of that, but I will say this, my pressures in my eyes are borderline for glaucome, so when I retire, I hope it is either legal or I can find someone willing to seel it to an old lady!

semstr · Dec 11, 2002

not physical, but for certain personalities psychological.

I don't give a s... about that stuff, but then I come from a country where it is not illegal to smoke it and so it is not that interesting any more.

Q. · Dec 11, 2002

It also helps one to relax, relieves chronic pain, and produces mild euphoria which leaves one still in control of one's body, and does not result in puking up one's guts a few hours later or feeling guilty about whatever one did during the blackout phase.

So does toradol and methadone.

Even if marijuana hasn't been proven of late to be physically addictive, too much of ANYTHING is bad - even water.

Luckily for me, I work with two cutting edge Pharmacology and Toxicology research fellows; I'll ask them what the latest research has shown.

researchrabbit · Dec 11, 2002

Originally posted by semstr
not physical, but for certain personalities psychological.
I don't give a s... about that stuff, but then I come from a country where it is not illegal to smoke it and so it is not that interesting any more.

I may be the only person in my generation who's never tried it; but it always seems a little odd to me that something you could grow in your backyard could be illegal to possess. Prohibition didn't work for alcohol; I don't think it's working for marijuana either. Might as well make it legal and tax it. Those countries who have legalized it don't seem to be having any problems with it.