What To Expect When You Quit Smoking Weed: The Whole Picture

You’re tired of smelling like weed and all the looks you get. You’ve had one too many poor performance reviews at work. Your partner stormed out of the house last night because you forgot to pick up dinner and bought a bag of marijuana instead. You’re ready to put the joint down for good, but you’re not sure what will happen once you stop.

Not knowing what to expect can make quitting feel even more intimidating, but we’re here to help. In this guide, you’ll get the complete picture of what your withdrawal journey may look like and what long-term changes you can expect.

Keep reading below to learn what happens to your brain and body when you quit, the typical withdrawal timeline, and potential long-term benefits you may experience.

Table of Contents

• What Happens When You Quit Smoking Weed?
• A Timeline of Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms
• What Are the Long-Term Health Benefits of Quitting Weed?
• Tips for Coping With Marijuana Withdrawal
• Struggling With Quitting Weed? Robin Recovery Is Here To Help

What Happens When You Quit Smoking Weed?

For people who use weed regularly, stopping can lead to a temporary adjustment period. There are a few things that can affect the intensity and duration of withdrawal symptoms, like frequency of use, route of use, amount/potentcy, and co-use of nicotine or other substances.

You’ll likely experience some withdrawal symptoms like sleep disruptions, cravings, anger, and restlessness. Your withdrawal symptoms will likely be different or vary in intensity from someone else's, so it’s important not to judge how you’ll be affected based on how others were.

If stopping weed use is harder than you expected, learn what programs are available through Robin Recovery that can help.

What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Smoking Weed?

While not every person who quits smoking weed will experience every withdrawal symptom, here is a list of physical symptoms you might encounter

• Trouble falling asleep/staying asleep
• Decreased appetite
• Headache
• Sweating/chills
• Shakiness
• Stomach discomfort
• Nausea
• Restlessness

What Happens to Your Brain When You Quit Smoking Weed?

Mental and emotional withdrawal symptoms can occur alongside the physical ones; however, remember that not everyone quitting weed will feel each of these either. These symptoms may include:

• Cravings
• Irritability
• Vivid dreams
• Anger
• Anxiety/nervousness
• Depression
• Difficulty focusing

A Timeline of Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

Despite what some people may say, marijuana is addictive and can lead to cannabis use disorder. Marijuana withdrawal symptoms can make quitting difficult and stressful, but the benefits make it worth it, and the symptoms tend to follow a predictable timeline.

If you or someone you know is struggling with marijuana withdrawal symptoms, contact Robin Recovery to learn more about our detox and outpatient programs. Our caring staff would love to help you or your loved one through this difficult transition.

Week 1

During the first 24–72 hours after quitting weed, a person will often begin to notice cravings, irritability, anxiety/restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disruptions.

On days 2–6, withdrawal symptoms typically peak. You may also find that throughout the first week you experience appetite changes, headaches, stomach pain, sweating/chills, nausea, and shakiness.

For those dealing with multiple withdrawal symptoms, it may seem like it’s never going to end. But it will! And making it through the first week is a significant achievement.

Weeks 2–4

At the beginning of week 2, most people notice that their physical symptoms ease. Cravings are likely to continue and may appear sporadically for a while.

During weeks 3 and 4, the most common symptoms remaining are depression and anxiety, sleep disturbances, and brain fog.

While you’re not done yet, it’s important to remember that making it through the first month means the worst is usually behind you and there’s a light at the end of this tunnel.

Beyond 1 Month

After one month of not using marijuana, your body should have passed through the majority of the physical withdrawal symptoms. However, for some, particularly those with a long history of use, sleep disruptions, vivid dreams, and mood changes may linger.

It’s important to understand that persistent physical pain, nausea, vomiting, or weight loss that interferes with your daily life and activities are not common marijuana withdrawal symptoms, and you should talk to a health care professional if you experience them. The same goes for extended periods of depression, which could be a sign of clinical depression.

If you begin to feel like life isn’t worth living, or are having thoughts of harming yourself or others, reach out for help immediately or call/text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

What Are the Long-Term Health Benefits of Quitting Weed?

The early withdrawal symptoms that come with quitting weed may make you not want to put it down, but rest assured that it’s worth it in the long run. Here are some of the positive results you’re likely to experience after you stop using marijuana.

Physical Benefits

The physical benefits that come from stopping weed can be one of the biggest motivating factors to keep you from starting it again. These include:

Less cough, irritation, and mucus production: Breathing easier is by far one of the biggest long-term benefits that previous weed smokers say they’ve gained.

More consistent appetite: Marijuana use can alter your hunger cues due to irregular eating patterns; some people eat a lot when high and then avoid food when they’re not.

Less risk of accidents: You’ll likely have improved coordination, better decision-making, and faster reaction times in your daily life than when you were impaired, reducing the risk of injuries and car crashes.

Improved sleep quality: While some may use THC to help fall asleep, it may do more harm than good. You may experience sleep disruptions and vivid dreams during the initial withdrawal phase, but your sleep should improve over time.

Mental/Emotional Benefits

The mental and emotional benefits can be just as rewarding and life-changing as the physical ones. Weed directly affects your brain function, including memory, learning, attention, decision-making, and emotions.

Improved work and school performance: Your cognitive function, like concentration, motivation, and memory, often gets better after quitting, potentially making it easier to excel at school and work.

Stabilized mood: While marijuana may make you feel calm and relaxed, using it long-term has been linked with anxiety and depression. Once the first withdrawal stages have passed, many notice a leveling out of mood swings and a reduction in anxiety and panic.

Stronger relationships: Quitting weed may reduce the number of fights you have with your family, friends, and partners over finances, reliability, and presence.

Clearer thinking: Many former weed smokers report that they no longer suffer from the brain fog after withdrawal.

Financial independence: Most don’t realize how expensive it is to smoke weed until they’re no longer spending a large portion of their paychecks on marijuana. They’re shocked at how easy it becomes to put money away or pay off outstanding debt without this habit.

Tips for Coping With Marijuana Withdrawal

Marijuana withdrawal can be unpleasant, but a variety of lifestyle changes and coping skills may ease some of the discomfort and become part of your daily routine, helping reduce the effects of sudden cravings and improve your overall well-being, including:

• Staying physically active, which may help manage stress and discomfort
• Keeping your friends and family in the loop and reaching out if you need support
• Avoiding situations that are likely to trigger cravings or lower inhibitions
• Participating in activities you enjoy
• Practicing relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation
• Creating/maintaining a consistent, structured sleep routine

Struggling With Quitting Weed? Robin Recovery Is Here To Help

If you’re having a hard time quitting weed, you’re not alone. The team at Robin Recovery has years of experience providing compassionate treatment and care to those struggling to put their marijuana use in the rearview mirror.

Whether it’s marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, or another substance, we offer programs that can help, including:

• Intensive Outpatient Program
• Outpatient Program
• Partial Hospitalization Program
• Counseling & Therapy
• Detox

Contact Robin Recovery today and let’s get started on your road to sobriety.