🧠 Tolerance, dependence, and addiction are not the same thing — here's what the science actually says about cannabis. Tolerance: With repeated THC use, CB1 receptors become less responsive, and more is needed to produce the same effects. Dependence: The brain adjusts to the regular presence of THC. When use stops, it needs time to recalibrate — which can bring withdrawal symptoms like irritability, anxiety, and disrupted sleep. This is neurochemical adjustment, not addiction. Addiction (Cannabis Use Disorder): A behavioral pattern where use continues despite negative consequences, with cravings and loss of control. Someone can be dependent without being addicted. The numbers: roughly 1 in 10 adults who use cannabis will develop dependence. But when use starts during adolescence — while the brain is still developing — that risk jumps to 1 in 6. 📊 Cannabis carries lower addiction risk than nicotine, alcohol, or opioids — but it is not biologically neutral. It interacts with real neural circuits involved in reward, motivation, and stress. And like any system in the body, those circuits adapt to repeated stimulation. 🔬 The takeaway? Informed decisions start with understanding the physiology. Follow for more anatomical awesomeness! #tiktoklearningcampaign #anatomy #humananatomy #THC #cannabis #addiction #cannabisusedsorder #dependence #tolerance #endocannabinoidsystem #neuroscience #brainfacts #physiology #anatomyandphysiology #healthscience #medschool #learnontiktok