Gerrard Kaonga
Warning: This article contains discussion of drug use which some readers may find distressing.
A doctor who used to smoke marijuana every evening has spoken about how his body reacted after he decided to quit and the withdrawal symptoms he experienced.
While marijuana has often been roped in with some of the most dangerous drugs, following years of anti-drug sentiment, ideas around it have shifted significantly.
Things have changed so much that cannabis has been legalized in as many as 24 US states for recreational use. It is also legal for medical use in 40 out of 50 states.
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However, just like with anything, legality doesn't mean it comes without issues.
Chiropractor and certified addiction recovery coach Dr Frank Michalski, 36, has spoken about his experience with the drug, noting that he would consume marijuana every night between the ages of 19 and 27.
Speaking to UNILAD, he revealed that he developed an acute state of psychosis, as well as cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a condition that can have a whole host of debilitating side effects.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, this includes symptoms of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, malnutrition, weight loss, tooth decay and dehydration.
While the condition - which has recently been formally recognized by the World Health Organization - can occur after chronic marijuana use, not everyone who uses the drug long-term develops it.
Eventually, Dr Michalski decided to quit marijuana in its entirety and he noted that he went through ‘terrible’ withdrawal symptoms.
He said: “It was terrible. So you know, outside of coming out of an acute state of psychosis, then going right into a bout of like, insane insomnia, which is not good for psychosis, the insomnia was probably the worst.
“It made it very, very, hard to function day to day. The nausea and the body pain were extreme. I mean, I really like weightlifting. I wasn't able to return to weightlifting until probably, like, a year, two years after quitting cannabis because my pain tolerance was so screwed up.
“[Overall] insomnia, irritability, mood swings, anxiousness, like I had the whole gambit, like classics, all of our withdrawal symptoms that you would see with any other, any other substance.”
Dr Michalski emphasized he did not want people’s fear of the potential withdrawal symptoms to deter them from even attempting to kick their addiction, however.
He noted that while he faced these difficulties, he is aware some people have had very minor withdrawal effects and stopped consuming weed easily.
The 36-year-old also spoke about the immediate positives he saw in his body after quitting. He noted that he would get better sleep which came as a surprise as he believed that using cannabis would help him drift off faster.
Dr Michalski explained: “Cannabis is a sedative. I was falling asleep, but I wasn't getting restorative sleep. So, after I got through the withdrawals, better sleep was a big thing.
“Better recovery in the gym, my pain tolerance eventually rebalanced itself out... my testosterone eventually rebounded nicely after a period of time of quitting, which also led to more energy, more muscle, building more confidence, more drive.”
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can call American Addiction Centers on (313) 209-9137 24/7, or contact them through their website.