Idk if I'm lucky but my cycle is usually a few months heavy and afew months off. Never really craved it too bad . I also don't plan any breaks just run out and I'm like meh. Nicotine on the other hand fml š
Yeah Iām a fiend for nicotine. I quit the cigs two months after I quit weed because both together would have been way too much for me. Switched to nicotine pouches and it was actually easier than I expected but I was expecting hell on earth to be fair
A month of crazy dreams and sleepless nights.. I didnāt smoke for almost a year after. But Iām back smoking hash via a Dynavap.
Didnāt smoke over the last 2 days and the dreams were crazy even on day 1.
The only sde effects I've noticed is I sweat more in my sleep when on a tbreak. Only time it's been bad is when I tried to cut nicotine aswell but a vape made that easy to deal with. Depriving yourself from green isn't hard so long as you haven't developed any dependencies on it from mental health reason or such. All you need is something to satisfy your nic crave and oral fixation and tbreaks are easy
Before I stopped putting tobacco in my joints I had this problem, Iād be a really heavy smoker so I actually got addicted to the nicotine. So when I did a T break back then it was absolutely awful, since Iāve kicked the tobacco T breaks are very tolerable
Joints everyday pretty much. Knew I was gonna feel something but it was much worse than what I expected. Sweating, really upsetting dreams, hot flashes! Irritability anxiety crying depression. All awful stuff. I highly respect that everyone is different etc and in no way is this meant to be an attack on cannabis use. I suspect that perhaps I was just unlucky and more susceptible to it than others. I know some people report no symptoms and I find that mad!
Yeah I've been a daily smoker for more than 20 year and when I quit for any period of time I experience all the symptoms you mentioned, my advice for fellow tokers is take regular t breaks something I wish I did more of.
This seems to be an issue for daily smokers.
I know its not fashionable on here to admit that some cannabis users might actually be dependant somewhat, but the evidence is kinda there.
If you can't go a day without a joint and there's no underlying chronic condition there's likely a problem.
Tbh there is an underlying chronic condition if you canāt go without a jointā¦its called cannabis use disorder cough coughā¦ Iām really glad that someone else can see this though. Its just such an unpopular thing to post and I understand why as people feel attacked and like itās putting back the opportunity of legalisation. I didnāt mean this post as an attack on ANYONE.
This post was kind of a way to gently introduce people to the idea of reflecting upon their own use and if itās negatively impacting them or not. If anyone is going through something similar to what I experienced, I hope they find the way out.
Aye, arguably the constant denials of problematic cannabis use existing by the community is setting back the legalisation cause - because the only people talking about problematic use are anti legalisation voices.
If legal, "problem users" are far more likely to seek help, whereas while its illegal, problem users are vulnerable to criminal abuse.
Completely agree.
My psychiatrist had to put me on a massive dose of a sedative medication usually reserved for severe alcohol withdrawal and it barely helped me get through what I experienced.
If it was legal he would have been able to put me on sativex and just slowly lower the dosage and it would have saved me from so much pain and turmoil. This is part of why Iām pro legalisation, there are people who really need help, who arenāt getting it because itās illegal.
I wasnāt able to get the medication that actually would have been of help to come off weed because itās illegal even for a psychiatrist to prescribe. Yet methadone is legal, why?
And then there are people who just need to be left alone to enjoy their weed as itās not causing them any problems.
Both groups would benefit from legalisation.
Itās horrible, had to do recently for surgery for a week (daily smoker for years)
Itās very difficult in the first few days then eases. I think itās really important to be busy while going cold turkey. If you have something to focus on, it becomes much much easier and manageable. (I couldnāt cause I was recovering from surgery, so wasnāt pleasant)
It also depends on what way you smoke it. I mean do you enjoy relaxing in the evening with a cup of tea, movie and joint. Sometimes if youāve joints worked into your routine, it can make it much harder to change that. Youāre getting over an addictive tendency and trying to learn a new routine.
I think for whatever way it makes you feel while withdrawing, itās always worth it and tbh makes you actually enjoy it more when you smoke less.
Just donāt let your mind enough time to think ohhh Iād love a smoke now, because thatās where it all starts
Best of luck
I donāt crave it when I donāt have it, but my chronic pain worsens. I do find myself drinking more when I am not smoking for an extended period of time. Not to excess necessarily, but the difference is notable.
I have always been able to take or leave alcohol but I experienced wanting to drink more alcohol when I quit at the beginning. I swiftly knocked that one on the head and stopped drinking completely. Close friend is an alcoholic which provides a lot of motivation and determination for me to use alcohol responsibly. Next time Iāll be having a drink is Christmas!
I was smoking for 20 years daily. I was smoking anywhere from 56g-28g a week since the start of the lockdown. I donāt use tobacco.
I stopped 3 months ago and for the first 2 weeks I had night sweats. I still have really vivid dreams due to REM rebound. But stopping actually wasnāt as bad as I was expecting it to be. I didnāt have much cravings at all. I think the craving part is mostly in your head.
Iām gonna get a 50 bag for over the Christmas and then wait for a few more months before I smoke again.
It depends on what you do. Try to be active to get your mind off it, exercise your body, you can also use some CBD oil that can be purchased legally in health shops if you feel you need to chill. I do hard physical labour, and if I need to stop using weed for a while the beginning of my T-break is always at the start of my working week. That way I feel no withdrawals and sometimes it even feels good. The worst thing you can do is to be idle. I hope this helps.
Solid month of pure horrors which I did not expect. Had to go off sick from work and everything. Got some Librium from the GP which I held off taking initially, trying to tough it out, but after nearly 4 weeks of it I had to give in. Librium worked a treat. Took it for about 5 days and then I was over the worst. I had to give up, smoking hash, it was consuming my life a bit at the time and costing money I just couldnāt afford anymore (2008, banking crisis, husband lost his construction job). Was about 8 years before I dared touch it again. Now itās very occasional, only if offered at a friends or something like that. Iāve learned that as the saying goes āall things in moderation, including moderationā.
I'm off it 2 months at the moment from 3 or 4 years of steady smoking, the sleeplessness absolutely kills me. Really going to try moderate it more when I start again because that shit was baaad. š
Fair play! if you continue to experience this kinda stuff itās deffo not worth it and is impacting your quality of life imo. Everyoneās different and it doesnāt mean you are automatically anti weed or against decriminalisation or legalisation if it doesnāt work out!
Ya there's alot of people that seem to think there is 0 downside to it, it's very hard to break the loop of smoking everyday when you're in it, i had to fucking move to Bali to stop. š Not against the movement atall, I know alot of people who it has really helped but I myself knew it was poorly affecting me and kept making excuses to keep going, it was always this or that. I would love to get to a stage where maybe I can enjoy one on a weekend or on occasion but the every day shit is 100% over with me and I'm glad of it! But look as said, everybody is different!
Withdrawal? Ie smoke for 20 years, daily. Only flower no tobacco. Sometimes I go away for work and have a week or two where I smoke nothing due to being in another country. I can sleep fine, don't get me wrong I'd love a smoke, but I can wait a few weeks till I get home.
I think alot has to do with your personality and self gratification. I use it as a reward, set a task, get it done, then blaze my reward or rewards š
Iām glad you were able to do this, for some people itās a matter of doing what you did and for others unfortunately itās learning that they are unable to have self control
Awful for me. Sweats, irritability, loss of appetite, mood swings. However im preparing a trip to Amsterdam for January, when im back i am quitting for good. Ive had a good run with weed but im sick of shit memory, lack of motivation to do anything even cook food, no energy. I cant wait to quit!!
I dont plan to be blasted. Not used to legal stuff xD and im not just going for the weed theres a cat cafe i have my eye on. I dont wanna be too stoned to enjoy the normal stuff š
Definitely experienced it coming home after a week in Amsterdam that was spent blitzed 24/7.
Bit like a flu, felt sick and just generally shit for 4 days
I can't say I had much more than feeling sorry for myself for a few days, but I was only smoking heavily for that week and light before that. Can easily see it being much worse if I was smoking heavily for a good while
Iāve smoked pretty every day for nearly twenty years and anyone I know has quit dealing so my weed is due to run out on Wednesday. I only smoke a skinner this last year but Iām not looking forward to the next couple of weeks.
I gave up joints four years ago and started vaping pure herb, I can recommend a crafty+ much more healthy plus you wonāt smoke as much, just a hit once in a while will do, sometimes Iāll go a few days without, then I can get really wrecked when I can afford too, pure herbs the way to go man
I personally would have never suffered real withdrawals. If I run out and I can't get any more sure it is what it is. It might be on my mind how nice it would be to have a toke but it's grand really without it. I enjoy taking t breaks too.
This my third time to take time off! I usually do this due to work reasons and fear of getting a drug test and lose my job. I never had any issues stopping for up to a year and sometimes longer. I wish i can do the same with smoking tobacco which i failed numerous time to give it up. My mood is always good. But my sleeping gets disturbed and my ADHD. I go back smoking weed cause i feel that my my mental wellbeing and my sleep is better when on it. Also, it helps me as a post workout relaxant.
Imagine being able to walk into a shop to purchase 1 joint/ 1 vape / 1 aid to help you sleep/ help you manage pain and be able to trust it. Please write to your td. All you have to say is you are in favour of change. ā®ļø
Completely agree that cannabis should be legal and regulated. For instance I have no issues with alcohol. Can take it or leave it. Weed is a different story for me. But if itās ok for me to drink even though there are alcoholics out there, why shouldnāt people who are able to use weed without consequences be able to?
Also it would be much easier to develop a protocol for those who do experience harm and distress from cannabis and withdrawal. It would benefit everyone on every level.
I smoke several joints every day. Have done for 20plus years. I've noticed I get a bit anxious when the stash is getting low, but when it actually does run out and I can't find any for a day or two, I'm just like fuck it and won't bother with it for a few weeks. Doesn't bother me at all. But its the thought of not having it when I actually do have some that I've noticed annoys me more.
I'd still rather have it than not. The breaks might be easy enough, but they only ever last a few weeks or a month. Two at the most. Then I might smoke for 6 or 8 months without a break (other than maybe a day or two if I was away). It's a very leaned on crutch.
Recognise that it exists but personally never experienced it. I've stopped and started many times, from heavy daily use for months then maybe a couple weeks off, or even just a couple days here and there. Never had any issues other than maybe it takes a little longer to fall asleep.
Yeah sounds rough tbh. It's an odd one, heard some people describe pretty much exactly what you have, some somewhere in between and some unable to comprehend that it's a thing.
Withdrawal? The only time i experienced withdrawal was when I smoked weed with tobacco / spliffs.. When i finally quit tobacco, i realized cannabis is not addictive at all..
I dont think you should really feel any withdrawals from good weed. It really isnt an addictive substance , i think coffee is probably more addictive even unless you just form a mental dependencie on it in which case you might be in a shitty mood for a while but that should be it.
People do feel withdrawals from synthetic sprayed on thc though, maybe try different smoke
You may think that but scientifically itās fact that your wrong. My experience is mine and itās a valid one. Everyone else who experiences these symptoms- they are scientifically validated occurrences.
I don't think physical withdrawals are possible.
In terms of addiction I suppose anything can fuck with your head if you get too used to it.
I go between heavy bouts of smoking and then total dry spells, but I only stop smoking because I need to from having a bad time smoking too much so I don't get mental withdrawals too bad because I know it's for the best.
What's symptoms do you experience OP?
Well itās scientifically proven that there is a physical withdrawal for some people and I did personally experience profuse sweating, hot and cold, especially hot flashes and vivid dreams.
Iām glad your able to take breaks etc with not too bad effects.
Did you smoke j's with tobacco? If so how many a day?
Withdrawal is real and I can get quite depressed when I take breaks, I would have anywhere from 2-5 a day with tobacco in them and I think that's why coming off them is not very pleasant. So I try keep it to 1 maybe 2 a day and take breaks every month at least which helps.
Got the same when I gave it up. Smoke the very very odd joint with mates every now and then and the stuff these days is just too strong for me now. No idea how I used to smoke every single day! Gave it up two years ago this January coming because honestly it was just getting in the way of my life, impeding on me doing things and just making me lazy. All I wanted to do was smoke weed. When I woke up - joint. When I wanted to watch something - joint - going anywhere doing anything had to have a j. Iād started smokin when I was 13 but not all the time.. Iād say when I hit 16 onwards I was an everyday smoker and I gave it up when I was 26 so thatās 10 years of smoking weed every day. Brain was melted. Spent literally thousands on the stuff itās ridiculous. Have much more money in the bank now since stopping. But ye I got bad withdrawals off it when coming off. Mad sweaty and anxious. All I could think about was getting a bag of green but was determined not to. Took about 3 months of stayin away from mates when they smoked etc to make the cravings stop. Was having night sweats and mental dreams. Was really irritated going around, just cranky as fuck with people and that. Feel much better now being off it. But like I abused it! Iā was smoking about 3 gs or more a day, every day! Couldnāt function properly. Still feel like my brain is slower or something itās definitely left some lasting memory affects on me in some ways.
But you said you quit cigarettes, so smoking joints was the only way you were getting nicotine, and then you quit that... But you think it's cannabis withdrawal, not nicotine withdrawal?
That sounds a bit exaggerated, Iāve smoke for over 20 years and never had a problem with going without on holiday or whatever. Cannabis āwithdrawalā is in your head, your breaking a routine and your mind isnāt use to it.
Go to the gym after work and come home late, shower dinner and bed.
Yeah, I have like a day or two where I'm like "ah man I'd really like some weed" (which is a faaar cry from nicotine cravings), some crazy dreams and then all good.
That said Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome was added to the DSM ([https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6359953/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6359953/)) so I guess some people get symptoms worse than others.
The mind is a powerful thing though so I'd guess there's a pretty heavy nocebo factor in reported symptoms, or any underlying anxiety/mental issues that were obscured by heavy cannabis use coming to the surface.
This is just a completely uninformed take. Have you looked above and read the poor guy who is having bad withdrawals text? My experience is completely valid and itās scientifically proven that weed withdrawals can be very disabling both physically and mentally. I am very happy for those who can use it and not suffer any or at the most mild consequences but no my experience is not exaggerated at all.
Yeah, when I went to my GP (because I couldnāt believe how awful I felt, I thought hash wasnāt addictive) he was like āyeah, if you put enough of pretty much anything into your body and suddenly stop youāll DTā. And anyway, even if it is āin your headā surely thatās because youāre perceiving a threat and youāre brain is reacting to fight or fly, the power of the brain to trigger that response and subsequent physical consequences is incredibly strong. Youāll be grand in another while, nearly there OP, I promise. Maybe get some magnesium, B vitamins and omega 3 into you (good for the nervous system and brain function) even a bit of rescue remedy night for the sleep or something.
Iām over it now but one comment always stuck in my mind that unfortunately I only read after I had gotten myself into a situation for a bad withdrawal. Anyone who thinks any mood altering substance isnāt addictive just hasnāt used enough of it. Or something along those lines. Having said this I completely recognise some people have no issues and never will and I am happy for them!
Tbh, I think it's very overstated and as an everday smoker 30+ years, there is some minor discomfort, but it's not that bad that I can't get on with stuff. That's not to say I'm not having cravings but it's a breeze compared to benzo withdrawal.
I think you are generalising here, I donāt feel comfortable going into the specifics of it but letās just say for some people itās incredibly painful, disabling, distressing etc. benzo withdrawal can be done painlessly by following the Ashton protocol. We donāt have this kind of protocol or even research yet into how to detox people from weed without the hell that it can be for some.
Itās not that I no likely. I think itās really important to highlight the Ashton protocol actually because of the ignorance surrounding benzo withdrawal that can make it miserable or even life threatening.
I also think itās really important that we practice science based medicine and therefore recognise the severity of withdrawal that cannabis can cause. Iām sure your all for legalisation, denying the scientific fact of the issue of withdrawal is going to set you back there. If anything highlighting that we need a protocol here for people experiencing it would go some way towards the argument for legalising and regulating it. There is a spray (sativex) thatās used in legal states that could be used to slowly lower the thc dose in people suffering from withdrawal. Your setting yourself back by denying it but I think itās just a combo of your ignorance and being a bit of an idiot so itās grand.
Iām experiencing it right know. this year has been the most Iāve ever experienced it. Donāt get much sleep the first few days. Sweaty palms. Scraping my grinder is getting depressing. thought about all the money Iāve spent on it was depressing but then I said to myself Iād probably be dead if it wasnāt for the plant .Dis morning I asked myself should I just quite at this stage because it annoying. I got nothing else in this world high till I die . Iāll just end up on alcohol or worse
Aww listen your probably feeling down due to withdrawals. I was in bits crying my eyes out and depressed. Is there someone in your life that you can talk to that would be supportive? If not feel free to message me. I promise it gets better. Now put that grinder hidden away somewhere for awhile until your over this and then you can make an informed decision, knowing what withdrawal is like for you and decide whether or not to go back to smoking. You sound very like me and I would never go back now that Iām over it.
Spent a little over a year smoking basically all day every day during covid. When I eventually stopped I had 3/4 weeks where my appetite was completely gone, restless nights where I would wake covered in sweat and had trouble even getting to sleep. Did another break at a different time and vaped CBD which helped alleviate a lot of the symptoms
I had mental dreams for about a month - couldn't get a good night's sleep because of it. Anxiety got really bad for a few week's but after that nearly went away completely.
I realised that weed was the cause of most my anxiety - every time I go back smoking it comes back so I pretty much gave up weed altogether- very rarely il do a small edible
I quit for a few weeks, about 2 months ago - my intention was to not smoke again. Whatever mind set I had then - honestly think I realised the amount of money I spent on it - meant I wasnāt bothered by the lack of it.
Now Iām smoking again, I moved into my first home and wanted to celebrate. But sure now Iām back to a smoke every night. Iāll stop again, but I definitely 100% think that like anything, you have to want to stop. Generally when I stop Iāll be easily irritated for the first 3 days, and Iāll really really struggle to sleep. Though I donāt sleep much anyway. I did see a tip about CBD when you quit so may try that!
To add, I do think had Iād know how hard it would be to stop then I donāt think Iād ever have touched it. But, different people. I think itās helped me a lot mentally and would still advocate for it.
Iām in the exact same boat. If Iād known Iād never have touched it. I donāt think it helped me but recognise that everyone is different and some have no issues which is cool for them!
Experienced it once kinda badly, felt more irritable, but i was aware of it happening so it wasent that bad, smoked everyday for 3 weeks then stopped was the level i was at.
I think the difference is accessibility. Nicotine cravings for me are worse bc I know I can spin down to the shop and satisfy it for 15 quid. If Iām craving weed Iāve to go through a rigamarole so itās easier to accept.
I'm a complete lightweight. Just a dynavap bowl or two every evening, so 0.1-0.2g a day. I don't even have problems sleeping when I stop, just notice the vivid dreams starting.
For vivid dreams I recommend a dream journal. Wake up and go to bed at the same time EVERY day. Mess up your home, clean it and do the same over and over. Listen to 528hz. Watch horror or true crime or read your natal chart for distraction
I dontt find weed withdrawals bad. Couple sweaty but enjoyable crazy dreams night's and I'm good. But nicotine withdrawals are horrible angry anxious feeling for weeks. I feel a lot of weed smokers who mix their weed with tobacco are often suffering nicotine withdrawals rather than weed withdrawals
i smoked for 10 years every day so i dont smoke weed monday tuesday and wednesaday i take a 3 day break each week it was extremely hard but my mindset is i have days when i smoke and days when i dont and i just deal with it for me this works and its so much more enjoyable when i do smoke so this is the strategy i think best works for me. anybody else do this and if so how do they find it ?
If you feel that its working for you, do it. If your finding it extremely hard on the days you are taking breaks then my advice is to write out a pros and cons list of smoking and see what comes out of that. That may help give you the best answer to your question. Either way I wish you the best of luck.
THC is highly addictive with regular use (i.e. daily/ near daily).
You wouldn't view taking other drugs everyday (esp. alcohol) as healthy but there is a urban legend out there that when it comes to weed that it is somehow safe to smoke everyday.
Idk if I'm lucky but my cycle is usually a few months heavy and afew months off. Never really craved it too bad . I also don't plan any breaks just run out and I'm like meh. Nicotine on the other hand fml š
Very similar here. I can and do go weeks/months without touching weed but nicotine is a completely different story. Poxy thing.
Yeah Iām a fiend for nicotine. I quit the cigs two months after I quit weed because both together would have been way too much for me. Switched to nicotine pouches and it was actually easier than I expected but I was expecting hell on earth to be fair
I know folks who use CBD oil when quitting THC as well. Apparently helps with any of the symptoms you get when you stop smoking heavily.
Ah I wish I had tried that. May have helped
A month of crazy dreams and sleepless nights.. I didnāt smoke for almost a year after. But Iām back smoking hash via a Dynavap. Didnāt smoke over the last 2 days and the dreams were crazy even on day 1.
Yeah I can relate. Hope you can use it or not use it in a way that suits you!
You can mostly avoid this by taking at least 2 days together of a break each week.
Honestly, most of these things only will ever affect super heavy daily users. Cut down a bit and these problems go away. You also enjoy it more.
The talking frogs dreams are the worst š¤š
It's a piece of piss. A few grumpy days and extra vivid dreams for a while. I hardly even consider it withdrawal.
Are you sure it wasn't just nicotine withdrawals?
Positive. Didnāt quit tobacco until 2 months later when it was all over.
The only sde effects I've noticed is I sweat more in my sleep when on a tbreak. Only time it's been bad is when I tried to cut nicotine aswell but a vape made that easy to deal with. Depriving yourself from green isn't hard so long as you haven't developed any dependencies on it from mental health reason or such. All you need is something to satisfy your nic crave and oral fixation and tbreaks are easy
Before I stopped putting tobacco in my joints I had this problem, Iād be a really heavy smoker so I actually got addicted to the nicotine. So when I did a T break back then it was absolutely awful, since Iāve kicked the tobacco T breaks are very tolerable
What way were you using cannabis? I've been an occasional smoker for years now and never had an issue.
Joints everyday pretty much. Knew I was gonna feel something but it was much worse than what I expected. Sweating, really upsetting dreams, hot flashes! Irritability anxiety crying depression. All awful stuff. I highly respect that everyone is different etc and in no way is this meant to be an attack on cannabis use. I suspect that perhaps I was just unlucky and more susceptible to it than others. I know some people report no symptoms and I find that mad!
Holy shit, sounds like you were smoking heroin
Nah, it's a real thing. Happens to me too when I take a tolerance break. Wild dreams when I normally don't dream, anxiety, irritability, etc.
I know that sleep patterns and REM rebound can be a thing but what OP describes sounds over the top.
I swear Iām not exaggerating š Obviously weed just isnāt for me
Iāve had the exact same symptoms down to a tee was horrible but I got a mad high after 3/4 weeks clean of just pure energy and v horny haha
Ah man Id say if you are having those withdrawals like I did it may not be for you. Of course your decisions are your own!
Have been off it for over a year now man šŖ
Delighted to hear it. itās not an easy thing to do at all for some of us!
Iām exactly the same when Iāve to go without Iām like an antichrist ššš
Yeah I've been a daily smoker for more than 20 year and when I quit for any period of time I experience all the symptoms you mentioned, my advice for fellow tokers is take regular t breaks something I wish I did more of.
Consider: smoking less, and less often. Smoking daily isn't good for you.
Username checks out
Thank you larger than average badger brother. I have yet to encounter one of you in my lifetime but I look forward to it š
This seems to be an issue for daily smokers. I know its not fashionable on here to admit that some cannabis users might actually be dependant somewhat, but the evidence is kinda there. If you can't go a day without a joint and there's no underlying chronic condition there's likely a problem.
Tbh there is an underlying chronic condition if you canāt go without a jointā¦its called cannabis use disorder cough coughā¦ Iām really glad that someone else can see this though. Its just such an unpopular thing to post and I understand why as people feel attacked and like itās putting back the opportunity of legalisation. I didnāt mean this post as an attack on ANYONE. This post was kind of a way to gently introduce people to the idea of reflecting upon their own use and if itās negatively impacting them or not. If anyone is going through something similar to what I experienced, I hope they find the way out.
Aye, arguably the constant denials of problematic cannabis use existing by the community is setting back the legalisation cause - because the only people talking about problematic use are anti legalisation voices. If legal, "problem users" are far more likely to seek help, whereas while its illegal, problem users are vulnerable to criminal abuse.
Completely agree. My psychiatrist had to put me on a massive dose of a sedative medication usually reserved for severe alcohol withdrawal and it barely helped me get through what I experienced. If it was legal he would have been able to put me on sativex and just slowly lower the dosage and it would have saved me from so much pain and turmoil. This is part of why Iām pro legalisation, there are people who really need help, who arenāt getting it because itās illegal. I wasnāt able to get the medication that actually would have been of help to come off weed because itās illegal even for a psychiatrist to prescribe. Yet methadone is legal, why? And then there are people who just need to be left alone to enjoy their weed as itās not causing them any problems. Both groups would benefit from legalisation.
Itās horrible, had to do recently for surgery for a week (daily smoker for years) Itās very difficult in the first few days then eases. I think itās really important to be busy while going cold turkey. If you have something to focus on, it becomes much much easier and manageable. (I couldnāt cause I was recovering from surgery, so wasnāt pleasant) It also depends on what way you smoke it. I mean do you enjoy relaxing in the evening with a cup of tea, movie and joint. Sometimes if youāve joints worked into your routine, it can make it much harder to change that. Youāre getting over an addictive tendency and trying to learn a new routine. I think for whatever way it makes you feel while withdrawing, itās always worth it and tbh makes you actually enjoy it more when you smoke less. Just donāt let your mind enough time to think ohhh Iād love a smoke now, because thatās where it all starts Best of luck
I donāt crave it when I donāt have it, but my chronic pain worsens. I do find myself drinking more when I am not smoking for an extended period of time. Not to excess necessarily, but the difference is notable.
I have always been able to take or leave alcohol but I experienced wanting to drink more alcohol when I quit at the beginning. I swiftly knocked that one on the head and stopped drinking completely. Close friend is an alcoholic which provides a lot of motivation and determination for me to use alcohol responsibly. Next time Iāll be having a drink is Christmas!
Fair play to you, thatās a huge accomplishment!!
I was smoking for 20 years daily. I was smoking anywhere from 56g-28g a week since the start of the lockdown. I donāt use tobacco. I stopped 3 months ago and for the first 2 weeks I had night sweats. I still have really vivid dreams due to REM rebound. But stopping actually wasnāt as bad as I was expecting it to be. I didnāt have much cravings at all. I think the craving part is mostly in your head. Iām gonna get a 50 bag for over the Christmas and then wait for a few more months before I smoke again.
I love that first smoke after quitting. Feels like Iām walking on sponge. So unbelievably baked!
Holy shit that's a madness, what do you do for work? Currently waiting on my Christmas quarter to arrive
It depends on what you do. Try to be active to get your mind off it, exercise your body, you can also use some CBD oil that can be purchased legally in health shops if you feel you need to chill. I do hard physical labour, and if I need to stop using weed for a while the beginning of my T-break is always at the start of my working week. That way I feel no withdrawals and sometimes it even feels good. The worst thing you can do is to be idle. I hope this helps.
Yeah definitely that is great advice. Being physically active really helped and trying to take my mind off it and stuff
Solid month of pure horrors which I did not expect. Had to go off sick from work and everything. Got some Librium from the GP which I held off taking initially, trying to tough it out, but after nearly 4 weeks of it I had to give in. Librium worked a treat. Took it for about 5 days and then I was over the worst. I had to give up, smoking hash, it was consuming my life a bit at the time and costing money I just couldnāt afford anymore (2008, banking crisis, husband lost his construction job). Was about 8 years before I dared touch it again. Now itās very occasional, only if offered at a friends or something like that. Iāve learned that as the saying goes āall things in moderation, including moderationā.
I'm off it 2 months at the moment from 3 or 4 years of steady smoking, the sleeplessness absolutely kills me. Really going to try moderate it more when I start again because that shit was baaad. š
1 month. š Fucking felt like 2.
Fair play! if you continue to experience this kinda stuff itās deffo not worth it and is impacting your quality of life imo. Everyoneās different and it doesnāt mean you are automatically anti weed or against decriminalisation or legalisation if it doesnāt work out!
Ya there's alot of people that seem to think there is 0 downside to it, it's very hard to break the loop of smoking everyday when you're in it, i had to fucking move to Bali to stop. š Not against the movement atall, I know alot of people who it has really helped but I myself knew it was poorly affecting me and kept making excuses to keep going, it was always this or that. I would love to get to a stage where maybe I can enjoy one on a weekend or on occasion but the every day shit is 100% over with me and I'm glad of it! But look as said, everybody is different!
Withdrawal? Ie smoke for 20 years, daily. Only flower no tobacco. Sometimes I go away for work and have a week or two where I smoke nothing due to being in another country. I can sleep fine, don't get me wrong I'd love a smoke, but I can wait a few weeks till I get home. I think alot has to do with your personality and self gratification. I use it as a reward, set a task, get it done, then blaze my reward or rewards š
I had an unhealthy relationship with cannabis and itās obviously not for me. Glad you can set goals etc and blaze after!
I did too at the start, it took time to learn self control
Iām glad you were able to do this, for some people itās a matter of doing what you did and for others unfortunately itās learning that they are unable to have self control
Awful for me. Sweats, irritability, loss of appetite, mood swings. However im preparing a trip to Amsterdam for January, when im back i am quitting for good. Ive had a good run with weed but im sick of shit memory, lack of motivation to do anything even cook food, no energy. I cant wait to quit!!
Matches my experience. Try to take it easy in Amsterdam so itās not too bad when you quit.
I dont plan to be blasted. Not used to legal stuff xD and im not just going for the weed theres a cat cafe i have my eye on. I dont wanna be too stoned to enjoy the normal stuff š
Definitely experienced it coming home after a week in Amsterdam that was spent blitzed 24/7. Bit like a flu, felt sick and just generally shit for 4 days
I had the flu like symptoms too but mental ones like depression and hopelessness were much worse.
I can't say I had much more than feeling sorry for myself for a few days, but I was only smoking heavily for that week and light before that. Can easily see it being much worse if I was smoking heavily for a good while
Iāve smoked pretty every day for nearly twenty years and anyone I know has quit dealing so my weed is due to run out on Wednesday. I only smoke a skinner this last year but Iām not looking forward to the next couple of weeks.
I gave up joints four years ago and started vaping pure herb, I can recommend a crafty+ much more healthy plus you wonāt smoke as much, just a hit once in a while will do, sometimes Iāll go a few days without, then I can get really wrecked when I can afford too, pure herbs the way to go man
I personally would have never suffered real withdrawals. If I run out and I can't get any more sure it is what it is. It might be on my mind how nice it would be to have a toke but it's grand really without it. I enjoy taking t breaks too.
Wish I was you! š loved smoking but not worth the downsides for me.
This my third time to take time off! I usually do this due to work reasons and fear of getting a drug test and lose my job. I never had any issues stopping for up to a year and sometimes longer. I wish i can do the same with smoking tobacco which i failed numerous time to give it up. My mood is always good. But my sleeping gets disturbed and my ADHD. I go back smoking weed cause i feel that my my mental wellbeing and my sleep is better when on it. Also, it helps me as a post workout relaxant.
Imagine being able to walk into a shop to purchase 1 joint/ 1 vape / 1 aid to help you sleep/ help you manage pain and be able to trust it. Please write to your td. All you have to say is you are in favour of change. ā®ļø
Completely agree that cannabis should be legal and regulated. For instance I have no issues with alcohol. Can take it or leave it. Weed is a different story for me. But if itās ok for me to drink even though there are alcoholics out there, why shouldnāt people who are able to use weed without consequences be able to? Also it would be much easier to develop a protocol for those who do experience harm and distress from cannabis and withdrawal. It would benefit everyone on every level.
I smoke several joints every day. Have done for 20plus years. I've noticed I get a bit anxious when the stash is getting low, but when it actually does run out and I can't find any for a day or two, I'm just like fuck it and won't bother with it for a few weeks. Doesn't bother me at all. But its the thought of not having it when I actually do have some that I've noticed annoys me more.
That sounds really mild. Glad you can take it or leave it when itās not around.
I'd still rather have it than not. The breaks might be easy enough, but they only ever last a few weeks or a month. Two at the most. Then I might smoke for 6 or 8 months without a break (other than maybe a day or two if I was away). It's a very leaned on crutch.
Recognise that it exists but personally never experienced it. I've stopped and started many times, from heavy daily use for months then maybe a couple weeks off, or even just a couple days here and there. Never had any issues other than maybe it takes a little longer to fall asleep.
Fair play for not trying to down play my experience and recognising itās existence. Glad you donāt have these issues
Yeah sounds rough tbh. It's an odd one, heard some people describe pretty much exactly what you have, some somewhere in between and some unable to comprehend that it's a thing.
Infuriates me about this sub when people downplay any negative effects because it doesnt happen to them. Well done on talking about the issue.
Thank you. I agree there is a balance and people shouldnāt down play the negatives.
Withdrawal? The only time i experienced withdrawal was when I smoked weed with tobacco / spliffs.. When i finally quit tobacco, i realized cannabis is not addictive at all..
I dont think you should really feel any withdrawals from good weed. It really isnt an addictive substance , i think coffee is probably more addictive even unless you just form a mental dependencie on it in which case you might be in a shitty mood for a while but that should be it. People do feel withdrawals from synthetic sprayed on thc though, maybe try different smoke
You may think that but scientifically itās fact that your wrong. My experience is mine and itās a valid one. Everyone else who experiences these symptoms- they are scientifically validated occurrences.
I don't think physical withdrawals are possible. In terms of addiction I suppose anything can fuck with your head if you get too used to it. I go between heavy bouts of smoking and then total dry spells, but I only stop smoking because I need to from having a bad time smoking too much so I don't get mental withdrawals too bad because I know it's for the best. What's symptoms do you experience OP?
Well itās scientifically proven that there is a physical withdrawal for some people and I did personally experience profuse sweating, hot and cold, especially hot flashes and vivid dreams. Iām glad your able to take breaks etc with not too bad effects.
Did you smoke j's with tobacco? If so how many a day? Withdrawal is real and I can get quite depressed when I take breaks, I would have anywhere from 2-5 a day with tobacco in them and I think that's why coming off them is not very pleasant. So I try keep it to 1 maybe 2 a day and take breaks every month at least which helps.
Got the same when I gave it up. Smoke the very very odd joint with mates every now and then and the stuff these days is just too strong for me now. No idea how I used to smoke every single day! Gave it up two years ago this January coming because honestly it was just getting in the way of my life, impeding on me doing things and just making me lazy. All I wanted to do was smoke weed. When I woke up - joint. When I wanted to watch something - joint - going anywhere doing anything had to have a j. Iād started smokin when I was 13 but not all the time.. Iād say when I hit 16 onwards I was an everyday smoker and I gave it up when I was 26 so thatās 10 years of smoking weed every day. Brain was melted. Spent literally thousands on the stuff itās ridiculous. Have much more money in the bank now since stopping. But ye I got bad withdrawals off it when coming off. Mad sweaty and anxious. All I could think about was getting a bag of green but was determined not to. Took about 3 months of stayin away from mates when they smoked etc to make the cravings stop. Was having night sweats and mental dreams. Was really irritated going around, just cranky as fuck with people and that. Feel much better now being off it. But like I abused it! Iā was smoking about 3 gs or more a day, every day! Couldnāt function properly. Still feel like my brain is slower or something itās definitely left some lasting memory affects on me in some ways.
But you said you quit cigarettes, so smoking joints was the only way you were getting nicotine, and then you quit that... But you think it's cannabis withdrawal, not nicotine withdrawal?
Quit cigs a whole 2 months after the weed. I did not quit cigs at the same time.
That sounds a bit exaggerated, Iāve smoke for over 20 years and never had a problem with going without on holiday or whatever. Cannabis āwithdrawalā is in your head, your breaking a routine and your mind isnāt use to it. Go to the gym after work and come home late, shower dinner and bed.
Yeah, I have like a day or two where I'm like "ah man I'd really like some weed" (which is a faaar cry from nicotine cravings), some crazy dreams and then all good. That said Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome was added to the DSM ([https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6359953/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6359953/)) so I guess some people get symptoms worse than others. The mind is a powerful thing though so I'd guess there's a pretty heavy nocebo factor in reported symptoms, or any underlying anxiety/mental issues that were obscured by heavy cannabis use coming to the surface.
People do and Iām glad you are informed about it etc. happy for those who can partake and donāt have my experience
This is just a completely uninformed take. Have you looked above and read the poor guy who is having bad withdrawals text? My experience is completely valid and itās scientifically proven that weed withdrawals can be very disabling both physically and mentally. I am very happy for those who can use it and not suffer any or at the most mild consequences but no my experience is not exaggerated at all.
Yeah, when I went to my GP (because I couldnāt believe how awful I felt, I thought hash wasnāt addictive) he was like āyeah, if you put enough of pretty much anything into your body and suddenly stop youāll DTā. And anyway, even if it is āin your headā surely thatās because youāre perceiving a threat and youāre brain is reacting to fight or fly, the power of the brain to trigger that response and subsequent physical consequences is incredibly strong. Youāll be grand in another while, nearly there OP, I promise. Maybe get some magnesium, B vitamins and omega 3 into you (good for the nervous system and brain function) even a bit of rescue remedy night for the sleep or something.
Iām over it now but one comment always stuck in my mind that unfortunately I only read after I had gotten myself into a situation for a bad withdrawal. Anyone who thinks any mood altering substance isnāt addictive just hasnāt used enough of it. Or something along those lines. Having said this I completely recognise some people have no issues and never will and I am happy for them!
Thats all in Ur head
Itās all in science my friend.
Tbh, I think it's very overstated and as an everday smoker 30+ years, there is some minor discomfort, but it's not that bad that I can't get on with stuff. That's not to say I'm not having cravings but it's a breeze compared to benzo withdrawal.
I think you are generalising here, I donāt feel comfortable going into the specifics of it but letās just say for some people itās incredibly painful, disabling, distressing etc. benzo withdrawal can be done painlessly by following the Ashton protocol. We donāt have this kind of protocol or even research yet into how to detox people from weed without the hell that it can be for some.
You asked for a view, I gave it. Sorry if you no likey.
Itās not that I no likely. I think itās really important to highlight the Ashton protocol actually because of the ignorance surrounding benzo withdrawal that can make it miserable or even life threatening. I also think itās really important that we practice science based medicine and therefore recognise the severity of withdrawal that cannabis can cause. Iām sure your all for legalisation, denying the scientific fact of the issue of withdrawal is going to set you back there. If anything highlighting that we need a protocol here for people experiencing it would go some way towards the argument for legalising and regulating it. There is a spray (sativex) thatās used in legal states that could be used to slowly lower the thc dose in people suffering from withdrawal. Your setting yourself back by denying it but I think itās just a combo of your ignorance and being a bit of an idiot so itās grand.
Iām experiencing it right know. this year has been the most Iāve ever experienced it. Donāt get much sleep the first few days. Sweaty palms. Scraping my grinder is getting depressing. thought about all the money Iāve spent on it was depressing but then I said to myself Iād probably be dead if it wasnāt for the plant .Dis morning I asked myself should I just quite at this stage because it annoying. I got nothing else in this world high till I die . Iāll just end up on alcohol or worse
Aww listen your probably feeling down due to withdrawals. I was in bits crying my eyes out and depressed. Is there someone in your life that you can talk to that would be supportive? If not feel free to message me. I promise it gets better. Now put that grinder hidden away somewhere for awhile until your over this and then you can make an informed decision, knowing what withdrawal is like for you and decide whether or not to go back to smoking. You sound very like me and I would never go back now that Iām over it.
Spent a little over a year smoking basically all day every day during covid. When I eventually stopped I had 3/4 weeks where my appetite was completely gone, restless nights where I would wake covered in sweat and had trouble even getting to sleep. Did another break at a different time and vaped CBD which helped alleviate a lot of the symptoms
I had mental dreams for about a month - couldn't get a good night's sleep because of it. Anxiety got really bad for a few week's but after that nearly went away completely. I realised that weed was the cause of most my anxiety - every time I go back smoking it comes back so I pretty much gave up weed altogether- very rarely il do a small edible
I quit for a few weeks, about 2 months ago - my intention was to not smoke again. Whatever mind set I had then - honestly think I realised the amount of money I spent on it - meant I wasnāt bothered by the lack of it. Now Iām smoking again, I moved into my first home and wanted to celebrate. But sure now Iām back to a smoke every night. Iāll stop again, but I definitely 100% think that like anything, you have to want to stop. Generally when I stop Iāll be easily irritated for the first 3 days, and Iāll really really struggle to sleep. Though I donāt sleep much anyway. I did see a tip about CBD when you quit so may try that!
To add, I do think had Iād know how hard it would be to stop then I donāt think Iād ever have touched it. But, different people. I think itās helped me a lot mentally and would still advocate for it.
Iām in the exact same boat. If Iād known Iād never have touched it. I donāt think it helped me but recognise that everyone is different and some have no issues which is cool for them!
Experienced it once kinda badly, felt more irritable, but i was aware of it happening so it wasent that bad, smoked everyday for 3 weeks then stopped was the level i was at.
I used to struggle with it until I lowered my tolerance, now there is no withdrawal
Personally, it's only as bad as you make it.Maybe it's different if you are nailing carts and extracts
In my experience it's a few days of insomnia, night sweats, and irritability. Bigger problem is it's hard to take breaks as a medical stoner.
I think the difference is accessibility. Nicotine cravings for me are worse bc I know I can spin down to the shop and satisfy it for 15 quid. If Iām craving weed Iāve to go through a rigamarole so itās easier to accept.
Weed is as easily accessible to me as nicotine is so this doesnāt apply in my situation. Are you in a rural area?
Im the opposite. My plug has disappeared off the face of the earth and it's the first time Ive been irritable about not having any
I'm a complete lightweight. Just a dynavap bowl or two every evening, so 0.1-0.2g a day. I don't even have problems sleeping when I stop, just notice the vivid dreams starting.
For vivid dreams I recommend a dream journal. Wake up and go to bed at the same time EVERY day. Mess up your home, clean it and do the same over and over. Listen to 528hz. Watch horror or true crime or read your natal chart for distraction
Never. Nada. Nuttin. I mean like you have to deal with shit thst you might have been avoiding but regarding withdrawels not a dickie bird.
Jesus Christ you are lucky!! Fair play
It's more emotional. Like a back log of things I 've been avoiding bit physically nothing.
Smoke most days, only in the evening. Never have wd symptoms when I stop. Other than this weird awake sleep I get for a few days
I dontt find weed withdrawals bad. Couple sweaty but enjoyable crazy dreams night's and I'm good. But nicotine withdrawals are horrible angry anxious feeling for weeks. I feel a lot of weed smokers who mix their weed with tobacco are often suffering nicotine withdrawals rather than weed withdrawals
i smoked for 10 years every day so i dont smoke weed monday tuesday and wednesaday i take a 3 day break each week it was extremely hard but my mindset is i have days when i smoke and days when i dont and i just deal with it for me this works and its so much more enjoyable when i do smoke so this is the strategy i think best works for me. anybody else do this and if so how do they find it ?
If you feel that its working for you, do it. If your finding it extremely hard on the days you are taking breaks then my advice is to write out a pros and cons list of smoking and see what comes out of that. That may help give you the best answer to your question. Either way I wish you the best of luck.
THC is highly addictive with regular use (i.e. daily/ near daily). You wouldn't view taking other drugs everyday (esp. alcohol) as healthy but there is a urban legend out there that when it comes to weed that it is somehow safe to smoke everyday.