Sharon Stone has described a frightening health episode after quitting marijuana, saying her symptoms became serious enough that she sought help from a neurologist.
The actress spoke about the experience in an interview with Variety, where she said her choice to stop was tied to wanting to live without drugs.
"And because I think they put so much stuff in it now — they really do — when I stopped smoking pot, I also got sick," she said.
"I got pretty sick for a month. I went to my neurologist, and he said, ‘Sharon, I’ve had people dying in the emergency room from marijuana.'"
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Stone connected the episode to what she sees as the changed nature of marijuana today. She said, "It’s not like you’re pulling it out of the ground anymore ... It’s not like when we were kids."
The comments added a celebrity account to a broader warning from medical voices about stronger cannabis products and the possible risks tied to heavy use.
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel discussed research that casts doubt on cannabis benefits and highlights increased mental health risks, especially for teenagers.
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The report said modern marijuana, with THC potency listed at 70 to 90%, is linked to higher rates of PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD and bipolar disorder.
It also said cannabis use among Americans aged 12 and older has risen by 180% since the early 2000s, raising concerns about addiction and health issues.
Experts cited in the report noted that cannabis withdrawal itself is generally not considered a threat to life. However, they also said severe symptoms, underlying medical conditions or interactions with other substances can complicate recovery.
Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services at the Lindner Center in Cincinnati, told Fox News Digital that the cannabis products available now are sharply different from those used decades ago.
Tuell said THC levels in marijuana have increased from about 3% to 5% in the 1980s to as high as 30% in today’s cannabis products, while concentrates can exceed 90% THC.
"I do believe cannabis is addicting, especially with the high levels of THC."
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, higher THC concentrations have been linked to greater risks of dependence, cannabis use disorder, psychosis in some users and more severe withdrawal symptoms.
The report said experts are urging daily users to understand several risks and warning signs before deciding whether to keep using marijuana or quit.
Cleveland Clinic describes cannabis use disorder as occurring when marijuana takes over the brain's reward pathways and amplifies compulsive behavior.
The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, outlines criteria that may indicate casual use has moved into dependency.
According to Cleveland Clinic, quitting heavy, long term cannabis use can trigger withdrawal symptoms within 24 to 48 hours.
The report said users frequently experience severe insomnia, intense irritability, anxiety, appetite loss, sweating, headaches and stomach upset.
Tuell said acute physical symptoms typically resolve within a month, but mood swings and sleep issues can linger much longer.
Cleveland Clinic notes that cannabis withdrawal alone rarely requires hospitalization. At the same time, people with significant medical or mental health conditions, or those stopping cannabis while also withdrawing from alcohol, opioids or certain other medications, may benefit from medical supervision.
The report also said addiction experts strongly advise reducing THC intake slowly to cushion the impact on the nervous system and avoid severe rebound symptoms.
Mental health conditions often occur alongside cannabis use disorder, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Cleveland Clinic.
Those sources also said treating underlying mental health issues may help reduce problematic marijuana use.
"I strongly believe that CUD and mental health issues co-exist, and that mental health counseling can address the issues driving the addictive behaviors," Tuell said.
Are you feeling overwhelmed or hopeless right now? Have you been withdrawing from people or activities you usually enjoy? Are you having thoughts about hurting yourself, or feeling like things will never improve?
You do not have to handle those feelings alone. Support is available, and talking to someone can make a difference. You can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or by chatting online at 988lifeline.org. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to listen and help.
If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services right away. Even a small step, like reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional, can help create a path forward.
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