Is cannabis addictive?

Cannabis's potential for addiction is a nuanced topic with varying expert opinions.

1. Nir Eyal emphasizes that while cannabis doesn't have the same chemically addictive properties as substances like nicotine, about 9% of users develop cannabis use disorder (CUD) 1.

2. Andrew Huberman and Matthew Hill draw a distinction between dependency and addiction. They note that while many habitual users may not see themselves as addicts, they exhibit signs of dependence, such as irritability without access to cannabis 2.

3. Jeff Hoffman asserts that cannabis is addictive, as recognized by medical standards, but it has a much lower fatality risk compared to alcohol or opioids. He highlights its potential benefits in reducing reliance on other drugs 3.

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     1

     Understanding Technology Use

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     2

     Cannabis and Addiction

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     3

     Cannabis Insights

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     4

     THC and Addiction

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     5

     The Cannabis Conundrum

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     6

     Vaping and Addiction

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     7

     Cannabis Use Debate

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     8

     Cannabis Use Study

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4. Steve Goldner and Peter Attia rate THC's addictive potential lower than substances like alcohol and tobacco. They mention ongoing research into using CBD and THC to help people recover from addictions to harder substances 4.

5. Ben Shapiro references data indicating that nearly 6% of American teens and adults have CUD, countering the conception that cannabis is non-addictive 5.

6. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, according to Andrew Huberman, points out that particularly among teens, about one in six can develop CUD, underscoring the addiction risk in younger users 6.

7. Dr. Staci Gruber, in a conversation with Neil deGrasse Tyson, acknowledges that CUD is real and that previous "gateway drug" theories are less supported by current evidence 7.

8. Lastly, Ryan Sultan highlights a study showing that non-addicted cannabis users outnumber addicted ones by four to one among teens, indicating that most users do not develop significant problems 8.

These insights collectively suggest that while cannabis is less addictive than many other substances, it still poses a risk for a significant minority of users, especially among younger populations.