Marijuana anxiety withdrawal

Guest · Guest

Hi everyone! Well, I'm currently on day 2 of not smoking pot.

I started smoking when I was 20, just once in a while if someone had some.

Around the age of 21 I began dating a girl who was a heavy smoker and I began to smoke every other day. As time went on, our relationship became very strained due to other drug addictions my GF had. I felt like shit because I could not help her and smoking pot was the only thing that helped ease my stress.

Eventually we broke up and at the same time I got a great job. This is when I started to smoke every day (good job=money for weed!) For years I rationalized my cannabis use by telling myself that I needed it to cope with stress and anxiety, and I'm not gonna lie, it worked GREAT!

Well, now I'm a few days shy of my 30th birthday and I don't want to smoke anymore. A few days ago I had a mild panic attack at work and this was the turning point for me. I had the panic attack because I was worried about not having any weed at home that day.

Another reason why I have stopped is because My wife and I have been unable to get pregnant (I've read this could be due to the way THC interferes with the way sperm cells work)

Also, THC increases estrogen levels in men and women, which can cause hormone related problems in the body.

So here I am, 2 days into abstinence. My symptoms so far are surprisingly mild.

The MAIN symptom I'm feeling is anxiety. Nothing too bad, but just enough to make me feel on edge.

My appetite is pretty low too, but I just force myself to eat anyway since I know my lack of appetite is totally psychological.

I think the main factor that determines how bad your withdrawals are is:

HOW BAD DO YOU WANT TO STOP

I do believe that the majority of cannabis withdrawal symptoms are psychological. That being said, our mind has an amazing amount of control over the way our body feels. What I'm trying to say is that the psychological symptoms bring on the physical symptoms (at least for me)

Some things you can do to make the withdrawals less intense are:

Eat a good breakfast! This is the meal that sets your blood glucose levels for the day and good glucose levels = a happy body and mind

Exercise, need I say more? The anxiety you feel is caused partly by adrenalin flooding your system (anxiety is a fight or flight response, just like stress) When you exercise, you counteract the adrenalin and thus you feel more relaxed.

Well, thats it for now, I'll post back in a few days for an update.

Remember, cannabis is probably the easiest addictive substance to quit.

Stick with it and you'll do it. STICK WITH IT. STICK WITH IT.

YOU CAN DO IT.

ehhhhnoooo · Newbie Joined: 29 Nov 2007 Posts: 17

I have been smoke for almost four years now. Though I have cut down considerably since this summer when I was smoking as much as a few g’s a day often alone. Each year I tend to try to quit for about a month. It used to work fine I never used to have anxiety. Recently I have had bronchitis twice this year within about 3 months. So I would say that I’m quitting for health reasons as well as for myself.
However recently I have been experiencing overwhelming anxiety and mild depression which makes it nearly impossible for me to get anything at all accomplished (I am a sophomore in college). I find myself with my heart racing and my hands sweating quite often sometimes shaking. My doctor recently told me this could be attributed to adderol that I’m prescribed to. I was wondering if it would be a good idea for me to inform him that I have been attempting to quit smoking. I went two weeks without but over thanksgiving break I smoked nearly every day. My anxiety is a lot less when I smoke but it is still somewhat apparent so I think that I have a problem to begin with. Should I ask my doctor if I should go on some sort of antidepressant of anti-anxiety drug? My life has been hell not smoking I feel incapable of focusing (not that I could when I smoked but that it would calm me down).
Smoking isnt even on my mind most of the time so i doubt that is the cause of it. But to say the least i have been dependant for nearly 3 years. So is this some sort of mental thing that will pass or should I try to seek some help from the doctors?

HarmonyHill · Newbie Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 9

Congrats on those who quit! I have never had a problem with bud, though.

In my experiences with it, I have come to realize that it is something to be done in moderation. You have to control how much you use & how often, just like sweets & other habits.

I do not believe that any anti depressants or anxiety drugs can replace bud. They are very different in make up. Adderol is stout stuff. Any chemical drugs are. I can concentrate on bud if used properly. I can pack it up & let it sit for months in a box too. Never touching it in between. You have to learn to control those things you ingest for medicinal purposes. Prozac Nation is a good movie that shows you the real truth about prescribed mind medicines. Be careful with what you allow your Doc to prescribe. I've known many that have become suicidal while using prescribed meds for anxiety, especially seratonin boosters. They are scary drugs when you have to help friends for weeks overcome suicidal tendencies that they have never had before due to prescribed meds. Do your research, please, on any prescribed drug & remember that bud does not need to be smoked, it can be cooked with oil & added to toast. The best remedy for anxiety is letting all meds clear out of your system, including bud then following an exercise program like walking 30 minutes three times a week or 15 minutes a day. This will help regulate your body. I'm talking about a relaxing walk, alone. You can accomplish much personal health care just saying no to any substances. Just be careful to wean off certain meds. It took 6 months for Zoloft to leave my body after I quit it. I was only on it four months. It was bad stuff. Swelling, tingling, ear infections, etc. was caused by Zoloft so I quit it. My migraines did not return either because I learned to change my food diet around.

Bud is hard for some to quit but it is really just breaking the habit & letting it clear your body. That's all.

Bud is not a gateway drug either, Alcohol is though.

sweetnick · Posted: 12/06/07 - 00:26 Post subject: serotonin role in marijuana addiction

It's been very well proven not so long ago by a experimental studie that marijuana use temporally increase serotonin level in the brain at least, went use in small amounts. That fact mitgh be the key to explain why it is so addictive on the mind and that espacially among depressive and bipolar peoples who often got a serotonin imbalance at the source of their problems. I suffer of depression and have use marijuana for the last 3 years. It is more addictive on me then on any of the peoples I know that also smoke it. The only clear differance between me and theses peoples is that I have naturally low serotonin levels in my brain unlike them. Evrey time I try to quit I feel my serotonin levels fall down significantly (Trust me, I well able to recongnize when that happen haven taken the SSRI's Celexa and having experimented big mood swings cause by my serotonin imbalance) and I get very depress, angry, irritable, feeling upset and mad at evreyone for no valide reasons. If you take the time to examine marijuana withdrawal effects and compare it to the symptoms of a lack of serotonin, It will become extremelly clear to you that serotonin play a major role in marijuana psychological addiction perharp evan more then dopamine(the pleasure and addiction chimical) in the case of pot.

More and more invidences point to this since marijuana does not raise dopamine levels significantly witch is why, so many peoples espacially, potheads trying to defend their habit, argu that it's not addictive like others drugs but don't be fool, a substance that elevate serotonin level and by doing so improving mood can be really addictive even without the involvement of dopamine in the process.
I'm so tired of hearing potheads saying that it's not addictive. I sorry but thoses who thinck that really fool themselves. As a pothead myself, I can turn down all theirs pathetics defensives arguments. At least, I one of those who can admit the real truth about marijuana.

Guest · Guest

I have been smoking for about 2 years straight, taking days off occasionally, intermittently. Reading these posts, I think I'm just under that level of serious addiction, as it is day 4 without smoking and the symptonms that were heavily present on day 2 or 3 are dying down. I started smoking when I was 18...I'm 20 now, do you think I could make a clean break now??? I still really like the drug, but i'm not a depressed person, I have an amazing girlfriend, and my life is great. I smoke just to ameliorate which is already good, along with writing poetry, and rap, which I enjoy high (and video games) But in all honestly, the withdrawls haven't been too bad (unless they're gonna get worse) but I doubt it because they've been getting steadily better. The only symptom that I found of great annoyance was the nausea, and that's just because I already have a week stomach - but even that's bearable. Alot of these people seem drowned in hopelessness, it's really no that bad, or maybe I'm just not yet at that stage of addiction. So yea, with that in mind do y'all think I'm not quite there yet? And if I stopped now could escape without much suffering? I hope so.

Dan

billymodulus · Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 16

I recently stopped smoking weed after many years of smoking.. i made this decsion because i wanted too.. My last hit was about 2and a half weeks ago. It was a real horrible skunk which was unpleasant to smoke. So after quittng i did get up totally soaked with sweat in the night but i thought this would have been that i have two blankets etc.. everything seemed normal until i was i couldnt sleep this particular night and went to work on 10mins sleep. while i was in work i sat down to the biggest thing that has ever hit me. Something just clicked and staright away i went anxious and my barin just couldnt focus on anything exect what had happened.. it is now sunday and i totally know it must be withdrawal from the cannabis.. i am unsure as what to do.. i am totally depressed like everyday seems like a week. my girlfired has gave me total support but i am worried that this will never pass.. or take a very long time etc.. i was never a really big smoker.. more like only 1 hit a night.. and i had already quit once before for 1 year and never had anyside effects. Is there no miracle cure for this feeling to dissapear so i can carry on with life? I am taking a total detox too now... ie herbal tea, exercise plan mediation at night. Can any1 help or let me know if they have recovered.. as i say i was only hit by this fear 2 weeks after i had already quit. i just hope this passes very quickly. If any1 would like to contact me over advice or similar problems that they have that would like to share plz reply to this post and i will send you my email address. hope this wasnt to long winded to read. many thanks

ps i never thought pot would do this me.. i never thought i would quit because i wasnt on it morning, afternoon, and evening person.. very occasionaly i would be smokingmore than 2 hit-3 hits a night etc. But the effects are real any1 thinking about starting the weed might apear to be a buzz at first.. but when you come off it your life will feel like nothing:(

HarmonyHill · Newbie Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 9

First off, Congratulations Billy, for quitting. Next, you should be told that you need to flush your system of it entirely in order to get past these symptoms. I can share a few helps. First is taking Niacin & drinking lots of water. This would be what I'd do. Here is another way to detox faster, Drink two lemon & hot water's a day & drink lots of water. Third, you could drink green tea , 4-5 cups a day & take a good multi vitamin with minerals plus drink a lot of water each day. These should jump start your road to recovery faster. Eat jello also but stay away from lots of sweets during your cleanse. For your nerves, I suggest buying Lavender essential oil & dabbing it behind your neck. It works very well to stay calm.

I hope this helps you. I'm sorry you are having such a bad time. It's worth it & your decision to quit is quite a noble one. Very Happy

billymodulus · Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 16

many thanks harmony hill, i am drinking lots of water and also taking a multi vitamin, i usually try and get a good intake of these anyway and i usually always go for a healthier option. I will try the green tea... what is more disturbing that if i could have even dreamt that i would have had withdrawal symtoms like this i would have never one near the stuff... as it goes i did like to smoke a joint on my own just for the 10 minute break from the world. Has any1 got an opionion on the beta blockers? would it be worth mentioning to my doctor that these would help? i usually dont take a paracetemol either only when i have cold/flu etc.... would it be best to sit this out on my own? also are my chances of reaching a normal state 100% guaranteed?

there are so many questions i would like to ask.. but any more advice / help / support would be great.. thanks harmony hill too.. i am taking the camomile tea at the minute.. ill try green tea as of tommorow.

keep posting Very Happy

HarmonyHill · Newbie Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 9

Billy, you're welcome. Another thing, I just thought of is a Colon Cleanse. It's not as bad as it sounds. A product called "Colon Clenz" at Walmart works rather well. The green tea will release your fat stores which is where the THC hides.

I smoked some last November. It had been a year since smoking any. I didn't really like it as I used to. Of course, it was a different straind though. I had no trouble kicking it since it had put my immune system down so far & energy levels. I didn't remember that part until I smoked again. I definitely don't hate the marijuana but it does weaken your body. Marijuana users completely heal from the use of it. Rest your mind about that. Meth users don't though. Sad

Most ol' hippies that appear dazed & confused, years after smoking are the ones that did a lot of LSD in their prime. If they do smoke weed later in life, then, yes, they will exhibit more "doh" characteristics due to them frying brain cells through chemical addiction. Sad

billymodulus · Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 16

thanks for replying again harmony hill..

i will just post further about my time smoking the cannabis.... i started when i was about 17 and possibly that got quite regualar and maybe daily based quite quickly.. through possibly a couple of years of maybe heavy smoking i suddenly took a total new direction and QUIT! i can even remeber my 21st birthday was training on weights and martial arts and my commitment to exercise and well being could have not been better... infact i was so obsessed with training that it caused a injury to my back.. to which day i still cant really train to well. The martial arts had stop.. but i have always had a skinny figure but muscular .. ( a bit like bruce lee) lol .. and was able to continue weight training on my upper body and some lower leg exercises. I have mainily kept a good series of training ever since.. apart form the last six months where i have quit in order to renivate my house with my partner. My diet in the last 4 years has possibly been ideal.. in term of i always try to get some fruit down and also when binging through work i make up for these days by having a slight detox of fruit or some health gimick fruit bar etc... so overall i would say there are far worse of.. people who i also know who eat nothing but crisp and chips and macdonalds and smoke pot morning.. noon and night. I am only ever a night smoker really.. plus these friends would smoke anything they could get there hands on.. ie If i got a very poor bag of skunk that did not get my high at all i would either give it to them or sell it etc.. i was never into smoking for sake of smoking.. i usually just enjoyed a quick hit really.

so from my last hit which was a tuesday i am not sure if it was 2weeks 2 days or 3 weeks 2 days to which i suddenly snapped into this world... my days seem really long and i cant wait to see if i am better the next day.. it is now sunday too and this has only been my fourth day so far.. i maybe feel a little better i cant really be sure.. what i can be sure about now that i dont want to ever smoke cannabis again because of this after math.

I am also in a big debate weather to take beta blockers which i friend reccomened.. he said that he had a really bad time comming off and encoutered a lot of stomach problems which lasted months for him... infact he never acctually told us that it was cannabis withdrawal until he recovered etc. So what happenes if i stay like this for months.. i really think it would be too much to cope with. i can talk to friend, parents girlfirend normally but i just have a constant thought about what has happened.. feels like a dark cloud is over my head and i am not the same person i was.. weather smoking cannabis or not.

If some boday said wait two weeks and you will be better then that would be ok for me.. because i would just follow a detox program.. which i am doing now.. but it seems hard to think that there will be an end to this..

any more comments would be welcomed with open arms... also any1 else who reads this and might be esperiencing the same plz feel free join in posting. This is a great site to tell people exactly how you feel and maybe get some good tips for a recovery that is if there is one Sad

cheera again harmony hill Very Happy

Marijuana anxiety withdrawal

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