Cannabis withdrawal

Given robust experimental evidence of cannabis withdrawal, recent interest has focused on the extent to which medications may assist in the amelioration... 

An initial examination of the extent to which lithium may prevent cannabis withdrawal in rats was conducted by Cui et al. (2001), who reported that, at clinically relevant serum levels, lithium prevented the appearance of the cannabis withdrawal syndrome. The authors also noted that these effects were accompanied by a release of oxytocin, which they conclude is responsible for suppression of the withdrawal signs. 

In summary, research on the use of antidepressants to treat cannabis dependence, particularly among individuals with comorbid major depressive disorder, although limited, offers a promising avenue for the development of pharmacological aids to assist in the treatment of cannabis withdrawal. There are clear parallels between this literature and the existing research on the use of antidepressants in the treatment of alcohol dependence comorbid with major depressive disorder (see Chapter 1, Medications to Treat Co-occurring Psychiatric Symptoms or Disorders in Alcoholic Patients). 

Cannabis Withdrawal is not usually Symptoms are generally mild and... 

Emotional distress—including anxiety, depressed mood, and irritability—is a pervasive feature of cannabis withdrawal in human subjects (Budney et al., 2003, 2004 Vandrey et al., 2005, 2008). Likewise, pharmacologically induced cannabi-noid withdrawal in rats is associated with marked anxiety-related behavioral and physiological responses, as well as with activation of CRF-mediated transmission in the limbic system (Rodriguez de Fonseca et al., 1997). 

Smith, N. T. (2002). A review of the published literature into cannabis withdrawal symptoms in human users. Addiction, 97, 621-632. 

Budney AJ, Moore BA, Vandrey RG, Hughes JR (2003) The time course and significance of cannabis withdrawal. J Abnorm Psychol 112 393-402... 

Cannabis withdrawal peaks on day two to three and generally subsides by day seven. Unsettled sleep and vivid dreams may continue for two to three weeks. 

Budney, A.J., Hughes, J.R., Moore, B.A. and Vandrey, R. (2004) Review of the validity and significance of cannabis withdrawal syndrome. American Journal of Psychiatry,161,1967-1977. 

---