this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2024
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Just to clarify - there is no direct chemical addiction mechanism with mj. You can become emotionally or psychologically dependent on it but there's no physical addiction mechanism involved.
Without litigating terminology it is true that there are not like single receptor effects, or that there is a potentially fatal rebound. However it does mess with homeostasis in ways that can make it difficult to stop. Sudden cessation can cause difficult sleeping, anxiety, nightmares, appetite suppression, restlessness, and low mood. It's relatively easy to deal with compared to stuff that messes with gaba, opiod receptors, or dopamine but it's still much harder than changing what you eat or whatever.
Ye, it should always be clarified that while there is no physical / chemical addition, physiological addictions can also be detrimental and hard to break and WILL have negative side affects.
A litmus test I ask, is if someone consumes a lot of something that provides an easy dopamine hit (games, processed sugars, alcohol, etc) and if so warn them them to track their intake and take regular breaks (currently on one myself).