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What Causes Excessive Urination Post Marijuana Withdrawal?

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Posted on Wed, 9 Sep 2015
Twitter Wed, 9 Sep 2015 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 7 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on
Question : Can cuttinh back on marjuiana cause excessive urination?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
there are many reasons possible on this.

Detailed Answer:
First, can marijuana cause decreased urination. Yes if it changes fluid and salt intake or if it causes changes in lung function and oxygenation that change the body's hormonal regulation of fluids. Marijuana generally changes intake patterns. In a very few individuals it causes lung problems; they would have to be Severe to affect fluid retention.
Marijuana changes the perception of ones activities so it would change ones perception of urination. One could conceivably even have forgotten that one goes to the bathroom while one is under the influence of marijuana and not being under that alteration of perception, one would notice going to the bathroom more. Marijuana causes a small increase in stress hormone levels that is often perceived as pleasureable. Stress hormones even including decongestants and coffee change urination patterns and removal of them makes the patterns go back to normal. Marijuana has about zero effects on the kidney and bladder directly.

So, no, it doesn't but there's maybe a dozen ways in which it can make you think there's a change.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (10 minutes later)
I am not thinking that i am going more than i normally go. I am urinating up to 3 times an
Hour. I have been on antibiotics for suspected cysitits but yhe test came back negative. I smoke one joint an evebing to help with imsomnia. I am still on the antibiotics and since stopping marijunan on monday, today i am non stop
Unrinating?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
ah I see

Detailed Answer:
3 times an hour is an increase.
Ok, several possibilities:
first, is an infection. If the urinalysis shows inflammation then that can make someone urinate a lot. This would be shown also by discolored urine, pain in urination, not urinating much volume but going often.
second, some antibiotics (penicillan family) go straight thru the kidneys and act like taking an extra 30% more salt (so going more frequently and urine is about normal involume and lighter in color).
There might be diabetes or other disorder making more urine. These are not common.
There can be a yeast infection or STD causing inflammation and would NOT show up on standard urine cultures. These would cause inflammation and mostly be pretty obvious if they were there.
But if an increased amount of urine is coming out, then there has to be a source of it. One can have increased thirst associated with marijuana use and this can cause increased urination. (cotton mouth). but it will not affect the kidneys nor will there be a source of fluid from smoking nor stopping marijuana, so marijuana directly is not a common cause of increased urination.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (23 hours later)
Thanks for that. Urine is back to notmal now. However am feeling very sweaty and nausious today. Is that associated with marijuana withdrawal?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
That is very associated with marijuana withdrawal

Detailed Answer:
These can be entirely from psychological dependence and withdrawal. Symptoms like panic attacks are the most common and these are common side effects from any psychological dependence/withdrawal.
They tend to be mild
they tend to be about a week with tapering downward in even less time
they can be a reason why people go back onto the drug but are reasonably more of a reason to avoid using ever again!
mild medications like benadryl or zofran are usually helpful and these are quite safe medications (zofran is by prescription, though)

Frankly, having a positive attitude about this is incredibly important:
1) not panicking. There isn't serious consequences from marijuana withdrawal. This is about the worst, most people have less, it peaks early.
2) putting it into the context that is positive... the symptoms are part of an overall process of getting out of a drug habit that is good.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4211 Questions

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What Causes Excessive Urination Post Marijuana Withdrawal?

Brief Answer: there are many reasons possible on this. Detailed Answer: First, can marijuana cause decreased urination. Yes if it changes fluid and salt intake or if it causes changes in lung function and oxygenation that change the body's hormonal regulation of fluids. Marijuana generally changes intake patterns. In a very few individuals it causes lung problems; they would have to be Severe to affect fluid retention. Marijuana changes the perception of ones activities so it would change ones perception of urination. One could conceivably even have forgotten that one goes to the bathroom while one is under the influence of marijuana and not being under that alteration of perception, one would notice going to the bathroom more. Marijuana causes a small increase in stress hormone levels that is often perceived as pleasureable. Stress hormones even including decongestants and coffee change urination patterns and removal of them makes the patterns go back to normal. Marijuana has about zero effects on the kidney and bladder directly. So, no, it doesn't but there's maybe a dozen ways in which it can make you think there's a change.