Reality of what happens to your body and mind when you quit weed with major change one week in

Warning: This article contains discussion of drug use and addiction

Planning to begin a detox from cannabis? Here are all the changes you can expect to take place in your mind and body.

Marijuana is considered to be the most widely used recreational drug across most of the UK, with statistics suggesting around 2.3 million people smoked weed within the past year, despite being illegal to own or sell.

The drug's legality, however, varies around the world, with countries such as Canada and several US states allowing recreational or medical cannabis use for their citizens.

However, with laws around the drug constantly changing, there have been numerous conversations about the safety of cannabis usage and the risks of addiction.

So if you're wondering about the dangers of prolonged marijuana use or planning to kick the habit altogether, here is what you need to know.

When it comes to recreational drugs, weed is one of the most popular (Getty Stock Images)

What happens to your mind and body when you quit weed?

According to guidance from American Addiction Centres, withdrawal symptoms will typically begin within 24 to 72 hours after you last use weed.

First week

Within the first 72 hours, frequent cannabis users can expect to experience symptoms such as:

• Anxiety or low mood
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Stomach Pain

Insomnia is considered to be a common symptom for anyone going through withdrawal, with statistics suggesting that three-quarters of those who go from regular use to completely quitting experience difficulty sleeping.

However prolonged and heavy usage can lead to withdrawal symptoms (Getty Stock Images)

The physical symptoms will typically peak around the third day, with some patients even vomiting or experiencing excessive sweating.

By the fourth day after beginning a detox, the physical symptoms will begin to ease, and these will be replaced by psychological side effects such as irritability, anxiety and depression.

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TIMELINE OF HOW WEED AFFECTS YOUR BODY

Cleveland Clinic explains that these symptoms are caused by neurobiological changes triggered by THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, your stress response, personality traits and overall mental health.

These will likely persist for the first week of detox.

Concerns about the drug and addiction risk have prevented several countries, including the UK, from legalising or decriminalising cannabis (Getty Stock Images)

Second week

Cleveland Clinic adds that, on average, marijuana withdrawal will begin to subside after two weeks; it can be longer depending on the amount of THC in your system and how heavily you were using the drug.

After 10 days, American Addiction Centres states that symptoms will begin to subside for most people and that the drug will completely exit the system after 30 days.

If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week