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5 things to know if you regularly use THC

cannabis

 

In college you may or may not choose to experiment with THC, whether medically, recreationally or as a part of your daily life.

Your wellness matters, and you have the power to choose your if and how to use. Health & Wellness Services is here to support you.

1. Know your 'why'

Like any substance, it’s important to be mindful of your motivations and intentions around your use. You may choose to use THC for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Relieving stress or anxiety
  • Relaxing
  • Socializing or bonding with friends
  • Sleeping
  • Medicinal benefits
  • Something else

If you choose to use THC, try identifying your ‘why.’ Reflecting on the reasons for use can help you stay mindful and evaluate the wanted and unwanted impacts it may be having on your life.

2. Recognize signs of tolerance, dependency and withdrawl

Regular THC use can lead to changes in your body and brain, including tolerance, dependency and withdrawal symptoms.

Tolerance

Using a substance over time can build tolerance.  Tolerance is a sign that the brain is changing in response to regular THC use. This can show up in a number of different ways including:

  • Not feeling as high as you did when you first started
  • Needing to use more frequently
  • Needing higher potency (like using concentrates rather than flower)
  • Using a higher dose  or quantity to feel the same high

If you experience symptoms of tolerance, you may consider taking a tolerance break (t-break) to help reduce your tolerance and cravings. If you use THC most days, consider taking a break from using it for about 21 days. This will help much of the THC leave your system and reset your body’s baseline.

Dependency and withdrawal

Dependence happens when your brain has changed enough that not using THC can result in unwanted and uncomfortable symptoms, including withdrawal.  

Identifying THC dependence can be tricky, because some of the top reasons people use THC are driven by withdrawal symptoms. For example:

  • Those who use to reduce stress and anxiety may experience worsening symptoms of anxiety, restlessness and depression when they stop or reduce their use due to withdrawal.
  • Those who use to sleep may also have increased insomnia when not using, due to withdrawal, and lack quality sleep when they do use.

Additional symptoms of THC withdrawal can include things like:  

  • Anger, irritability and aggression
  • Nervousness and anxiety  
  • Restlessness  
  • Decreased appetite or weight  
  • Depression  
  • Cravings or a strong urge to use again  
  • Sleep issues like insomnia, unsettling dreams or lack of quality sleep  
  • Tremors  
  • Headaches and sweating  
  • Abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea and vomiting   

Knowing what withdrawal symptoms look like and how they may be showing up for you can help you evaluate whether you are being affected by THC dependence. If you find yourself experiencing these symptoms after pausing or stopping your THC use, you may be experiencing dependency and withdrawal.

3. Take note of other impacts

While withdrawal symptoms are an important part in identifying dependency, THC use can have impacts on other areas of your life, too, including:

  • Relationships
  • Work
  • Academic performance
  • Mental health
  • Finances
  • Recreation or hobbies
  • Legal concerns

Craving or ‘needing’ THC despite these impacts can be an additional sign of tolerance or dependence.  

4. Be mindful of your mental health

If you or your friends use THC regularly, it’s important to be mindful of how THC can impact mental health. Regular THC use is correlated with a number of concerns, including:

  • Worsening existing mental health conditions
  • Increased suicidal ideation and attempts
  • Losing touch with reality
  • Delusions and paranoia
  • Hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t there
  • Disorganized thinking and speech

While some of these experiences are part of the high, they can also be connected to increased psychosis, where individuals lose touch with reality.

If you are worried about someone’s safety, call 911 right away. It’s also important to keep in mind that CU Boulder’s Amnesty Policy and Colorado’s Good Samaritan Law can protect those who call for help in drug-related emergencies. 

If you are concerned about yourself or a friend, but they are not in immediate danger, you can also call Counseling and Psychiatric Services at their 24/7 support line (303-492-2277). They can provide information and suggestions about what to do. 

5. Consider your use moving forward

Being mindful of the wanted and unwanted impacts of THC is necessary to help you make more informed choices about how you use. Cannabis impacts everyone differently, and there are many ways to modify your current use, including: 

  • Cutting back (using less often)
  • Using lower potency THC
  • Using a less THC per occasion
  • Taking a break (t-break)
  • Seeking recovery
  • Connecting with outside support

If you would like help exploring your relationship with THC, Health Promotion offers free substance use workshops for all students. The Collegiate Recovery Community also provides weekly support meetings, substance-free activities and other resources for individuals pursuing or in recovery. 

You can also sign up to participate in the CUChange LOTUS Study, which aims to investigate whether CBD could be a viable intervention for people who want to quit or significantly reduce their consumption fo high potency THC concentrates.