How Long Does Weed Paranoia Last?

Often deemed harmless, marijuana use comes with a variety of consequences for one´s health. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) warns about its detrimental effect on brain and mental health, daily life and activities, as well as child development. 

One of the effects less talked about is marijuana-induced paranoia. How long does weed paranoia last and how dangerous is it? The answers to these questions are not simple, as there are factors impacting them. We will guide you through them and answer both questions: how long does paranoia from weed last, and how long does paranoia last after quitting weed?

Understanding Weed Paranoia

Marijuana, cannabis, or simply weed, is an illicit drug often taken lightly, which is why its use is constantly growing. It´s one of the most commonly used drugs in America, and data on its use among those 12 years of age or older shows that in Florida alone, over three million people use it in the course of a year.

The weed paranoia, as well as how long it weed lasts, is related to the brain´s reaction to marijuana. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from marijuana acts on specific brain cell receptors, primarily causing relaxation. However, it also results in altered senses, hallucinations, mood changes, and altered perceptions of time, and can heighten feelings of paranoia or anxiety.

While anxiety is the presence of overwhelming fear and worry, paranoia refers to an irrational suspicion of other people, typically, someone is following, watching you, or trying to harm you. This response, in the form of heightened anxiety and paranoia, happens due to THC binding to, and overstimulating, the amygdala, the brain center responsible for emotional responses. The overstimulation goes in the direction of having more negative emotions that make one feel paranoid or scared. 

Marijuana-induced paranoia can be immediate, happening the moment the drug starts acting. It can also be prolonged or even happen as part of withdrawal symptoms. Understanding the factors impacting it can somewhat prepare you for the possibility of it happening. Still, it´s crucial to recognize when this is not a passing effect but a problem you should address. 

How Long Does Cannabis-Induced Paranoia Last?

Keeping in mind the cannabis effect timeline, we can try to answer the question: How long does weed paranoia last? The timeline effects depend on the way marijuana is consumed. 

If the mode of use is inhalation (e.g., smoking and vaping), the effects are practically immediate. They start within seconds or minutes, but the peak is some thirty minutes after consumption. However, the effects can last up to six hours or even 24 hours. The effects are postponed if ingestion is the consumption mode (e.g., edibles, oils). They typically start thirty minutes to two hours after consumption, the peak is around four hours, and the effects typically last twelve hours. In some cases, residual effects can be present 24 hours after consumption. 

Within those timeframes, weed paranoia can take place as one of the negative effects. It can be immediate, meaning as soon as the drug takes effect. It can last as long as all the effects last, but typically the duration will be 3–4 hours. Although not frequent, weed paranoia can last up to 24 hours. 

Some people also experience long-term paranoia after quitting cannabis, so another question frequently asked is: how long does paranoia last after quitting weed? 

Experts say that experiencing paranoia after quitting marijuana is not uncommon and is more likely to happen if a person already has a history of weed paranoia and if larger quantities of cannabis are consumed. Some factors affecting duration in this case are individual tolerance and sensitivity, as well as the dosage of the drug.

Additionally, research suggests that this long-lasting weed paranoia can be a symptom of cannabis withdrawal symptom (CWS). Typical symptoms of CWS tend to be behavioral and mood-related, but weed paranoia is also known to happen and, in this case, can last up to four weeks. 

If, even after this time, feelings of anxiety and paranoia are not going away, it might be a good idea to speak to your physician or seek other professional help to understand why this is happening to you and how you can address it. 

Factors Influencing Weed Paranoia

In the same way, there are factors contributing to becoming an addict, like having characteristics of an addictive personality, there are also factors contributing to experiencing certain effects from consuming cannabis; as well as the length of those effects, such as how long does paranoia from weed last.

• Genetics. There is research showing that your response to marijuana might depend on the location of reward-producing receptors in your brain. If most of them are in the front part, you will likely experience relaxation. If, however, most of them are in the back portion of your brain, you are at higher risk for weed paranoia. 
• THC content. Opting for marijuana with a higher THC content puts you at a higher risk of experiencing negative side effects. Studies have shown that a higher dose of 12.5 mg is more likely to cause anxiety and paranoia. The same effect is present when someone is using a lot of cannabis, even when its THC content is lower. 
• Sex and hormones. It seems that a higher estrogen level is related to a higher sensitivity to cannabis. Studies on animals show that sensitivity is about 30% higher, resulting in females being more likely to experience adverse effects of marijuana consumption, like weed paranoia. 
• Psychological factors. An Oxford-led study showed that weed paranoia is more likely to happen if the person consuming marijuana is worried, thinks negatively about themselves, and experiences unsettling changes in their perceptions. Also, a previous history of mental disorders can contribute to the likelihood of weed paranoia. 
• The use of other substances. Using cannabis with other drugs or alcohol can heighten the effects of marijuana. If someone is already prone to paranoid thoughts, weed paranoia is more likely to occur due to the joint effects of two substances.

Weed paranoia might not happen to everyone consuming it; when it does, there´s no rule about it happening again.

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Professional Help

All those struggling with marijuana use to the point of it impacting their lives are advised to seek professional help. Experts on substance abuse might suggest a drug detox Florida program to help your body cleanse from cannabis before addressing the psychological aspects of marijuana dependence.

If long-term weed paranoia is something you are experiencing, you can consult your healthcare provider or turn to facilities specialized in substance use, like We Level Up Lake Worth. Keeping in mind those factors that can contribute to the heightened sense of paranoia and anxiety, you would probably benefit from psychotherapy and holistic practices like mindfulness. We at We Level Up, Lake Worth, aim to provide crafted solutions with your needs, requirements, and particular conditions in mind. You can count on an evidence-based approach tailored to your specific situation. 

We would like to especially highlight the necessity of professional help in one particular case: cannabis-induced psychosis. This state is usually acute, and it´s treated as an emergency. Other than experiencing paranoia, symptoms like disorganized speech and thoughts, hostility and aggression, delusions and hallucinations, and even catatonia can be present. For this condition to be diagnosed, a person must show symptoms different from the typical side effects of marijuana use. Also, these symptoms must be clearly related to substance consumption. In the case of cannabis-induced psychosis, marijuana detox is necessary, followed by psychotherapy. 

Contact Us Today

Many factors influence the answers to the questions: How long does weed paranoia last? and How how long does paranoia last after quitting weed?. If you are in doubt and wish to know more, reach out to our drug rehab centers in Florida for information and advice.  

If, however, you recognize the struggles described as the ones you or your loved one are experiencing, contact our detox and rehab Lake Worth facility and ensure you are taken care of. Our professional staff is ready to help you.