how long do marijuana withdrawal symptoms last

Marijuana is not addictive, believe me, I have lots of experience on this issue.

Yeah withdrawal is the real deal, maybe not for everyone, but we're out there. I smoked every night for 3-4 years. While I was on it, it basically turned me into an A-hole. Made me notice that other people I know who smoke it are A-holes too when they're not high. I quit cold turkey (which I don't recommend at all) and was freaked the hell out for about a week. Panic attacks and vivid dreams were nuts, and I couldn't eat worth a damn. People always asking "are you losing weight?" gets real annoying. Cold sweats and sleepless nights were just terrible. But after that week I felt like a new person, like I said to myself "nice to have you back".

Needless to say I started up again because of my friends who knew I quit but still pushed me to do it (still my fault). I'm in the process of quitting again a year later and let me tell you it's way better to wein yourself off until you're down to a couple hits a night. Like any drug from a doctor, it's crucial you don't just stop taking it cold turkey, the brain just can't handle that and there's no reason to go through such avoidable pain. Now I'm taking a weak muscle relaxer for just a few days to curb the anxiety and will eventually take nothing else and let my mind and body get back to normal (the only way out is THROUGH). Anyway this sh*t is NOT harmless. Anyone who did me wrong in the least bit way, I would just drop them from my life instead of forgiving - even my closest friend who wouldn't hurt a fly, included. If we can't forgive, then god help us all. Messed up stuff.

Having said all that... I wouldn't go back in time and change a thing. I had a blast laughing my ass off at stupid sh*t and watching funny movies on weekends instead of wasting money at the bar just to get sick the next day or hit by some drunk driver. And hell, it was college anyway. It opened my mind and made me see things from a different perspective (I basically think and speak like Ghandi now). And hey, it's a natural plant in the end, not a man made poison like alcohol that actually kills brain cells AND people. And I still plan to toke up here and there, probably on the ocassional weekend, because when you do it sparingly sh*t gets real funny again like when you first started smoking, instead of just zoning out like you do after habitual smoking (like any drug I thinks it's fine if you don't abuse it, just don't fall back in the habit, don't buy any, just mooch off a friend lol).

Hope this helps someone going through the same thing. The withdrawal goes away for sure (based on my experience of 4 years smoking) And DEFINITELY get a hobby to take your mind off the withdrawal or you'll feel like you're in prison. And stay hydrated! Oh one more thing, I always thought I just wasn't a breakfast person, turns out the weed messed up my appetite. Now I wake up stomach growling can't wait to eat.

For you rude haters who say weed withdrawal is fake, who do you think you are telling people that what they're feeling with their own body is fake? Just because you didn't go through it doesn't mean nobody does. You definitely did go through it anyway, maybe just not as bad. Or maybe you didn't go through it because you're smokin the weak ass stuff instead of the chronic. Let me guess you pay $60 for a quarter? Yeah that's what I thought old man.

It's a fact, you feed your brain a specific chemical every day for years and if you just cut it off one day the brain will need time to learn how to handle it without it. Ever drink coffee for a long time then skip a day? Nice little headache you get, huh? That's because you're brain is used to working with caffeine. Same thing with marijuana.

I think the worst experience is the very first time you quit. Then if you take it up again and quit again it won't be so hard. So that might explain why people on here are claiming they know 100s of people who quit no problem for employment. Everybody's a doctor though...

Alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes are chemically addictive. Marijuana, Ibuprofen and many other types of drugs/chemicals are not. It's as simple as that.

I had been smoking cannabis since the age of 14 every day (practically) up until last week and i am now 19. I used to start every morning with a joint, even at school, just to take the edge off the morning, this carried on when i started work, i used to smoke about a tenners worth a day through the week about 1.2-1.7 grams, and at the weekend id do about 4 grams altogether, sometimes more, the weed was just about always top jack heerer or blueberry, sometimes getting the odd bit of citrus or grapefruit that i usually complained about. After finally wanting to save money and grow up a little i stopped altogether one day last week, after that i had about 2 days where i had trouble sleeping, weird dreams, waking up with cold sweats, and also had real trouble eating, that was the worst issue, the after i stopped i couldnt even finish a bacon and egg mcmuffin, when i used to get 3 at a time when i was stoned, after that i didnt have nothing else all day when i got home my tea was on the table and i could only have a couple of bites of steak, when i tried eating more it was like the food wasnt going down and when it did i gipped and was almost sick.. gotaa go post more ina bit

I am on my 5th day of not smoking, i been a regular for close to 7 years, i am having similar issues to the above thread, i use to eat lots of stuff all the time as i was high all the time.. when i stopped the thought of even biteing a peice of meat or food would make me sick to my stomach, i have been trying to force myself to eat smaller poritions to get by, its been very hard always feeling sick in the stomach how long did it last for you guys??  i also experience restless sleep tossing and turning, i just dont feel myself yet.

I'm 36 ad have been smoking weed for 17 years, smoked it everyday roughly had ten a day. Gave it up about a week ago.
feelings alot of anxiety, can't sleep or eat, up around 5/6 in the morning. kind of have to force myself to eat. my bank balance wasn't as good, my dope always came first, i found that it took over my life it became the highlight of my day. Right now i feel a little bit better without it, but nervous, bit of shakes and sweats. Been think that money should be going to my kids, instead of the dealers, who don't care what happens to me.
I went to a rehab clinic in southhall once every week, to get actupunchre and massages...which are great!
Also got herbal teas, my favourite has to be 'Happiness Tea' which consists of Lemon balm, Oatstraw, Rosebud Petals and Skullcap. Not really liking teh 'Sleeply Tea', which has camomille havn't tried Detox yet, whoch had pepermint. I would strongly recommend you try accupuncture, you need tgree sessions until you see the results, with all the money you would be saving, it its definetly worth treat you body adn mind after all the stuff you have been putting it through.

I hope everybody will stay strong and stick with it. To those who take just one or two, i strongly advise you give up, because one becomes two and it leads on from there. With the help of God, we all get through, will be praying and thinking of you all. Keep faith, and always have hope it would help you get through it. God bless, pray for us all !!!!

I am now on my 10th day of not smoking, i just want to let some people know that if you do give it time, things will start to return to normal very slowly, you did not become a pothead overnight and the reverse is true.

i have been smoking canabis everyday for five year ive stoped cold turkey five days ago i havent slept since had to take 4 nytols last night to noke me out i have the shakes cold sweats feel anxious depressed not my self anymore anyone no any substitutes or anything that will take the edge off and any tips

 

Why quit.. just slow down.. take breaks..

Drug is weakness.

Turned 36 this past April and I can say there has not been a day gone by in the last 21 years that I have not been stoned. While very true that Marijuana's withdrawl symptoms are virtually "NIL" compared to Opiates, Narcotics, Barbiturates, Caffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco; none the less they do exist. I find it rather insulting for individuals to come onto this site and post anything other than that truth.

As a grower for the past 12 years I have literally had as much smoke as I could smoke at my disposal. In fact my smoke has been featured in "High Times" on several occasions. Up until 8 days ago I smoked NO LESS than 3-7 grams a day. I haven't seen "swag" in years. Last night was the first night I slept longer than 2 hours. My irritability...well lets just say its been Explosively hostile (I kicked my cat across the room because she was meowing at me on the 2nd day. By the grace of god I didnt hurt her). I have been drinking water constantly, up to a gallon and a half a day because my mouth has been constantly dry. My mind is still very very foggy, not unlike the symptoms of low blood sugar (I actually checked my BS yesterday with an accu-check meter and I was in the normal range). Unlike others here who have had the nausea severely I've been lucky and had almost none. I DO SUSPECT that much of the stomach anxiety is a result of a persons change in eating habits. Lets face it, if you are used to munching up a storm and eating at least 3 meals a day and you suddenly change that: YOU WILL FEEL IT. It is much like "fasting" if you go into a fast suddenly you will experience stomach cramps, spasms and at times Nausea. I eat very little anyway so I believe this is why my stomach symptoms have been so mild.

RECAP FROM A UBER HEAVY POTHEAD:

1) Insomnia-Sucks, but getting better. Noticed that my 3 mile run in Phoenix heat this evening has kicked my ass and I actually feel sleepy.

2) Loss of Appetite-sucks! This is huge people. SOOOO many of the symptoms you are feeling are a direct result of a lack of sleep combined with a 
                                      a change in your normal diet- and this will mess with you.

3) Anxiety, Depression, Hostility-DAMN SCARY! Keep in mind that smoking for so many of us had become our main source, or I should say "trigger"  for are brains to release Dopamine ( the happy chemical).


My suggestions to help overcome these crappy symptoms are rather simple in principle but harder in action:

   EXERCISE>>>EXERCISE>>>AND EXERCISE SOME MORE...not only will this help your body burn down fats that hold THC but it will release       Dopamine helping to alleviate the Anxiety and Depression. Also it is a great way to naturally jump start your appetite again. Basic survival instincts will tell your body to eat as it burns calories-REGARDLESS if anything sounds good you will be hungry.

   WATER>>>>WATER>>>>>>>AND MORE WATER.. Water is the building block of our bodies. DRINK IT. It will help flush the toxins and rehydrate. It is also essential in helping to re-establish neuro-pathways that have been damaged by prolonged use.

   BE TENACIOUS IN YOUR GOAL!!... think for a minute the lengths you have gone through to score a sack..if you can do that for weed you can do the same for not smoking weed.

   BE HONEST AND OPEN WITH LOVED ONES.. This for me has been a very important quote: "Those who mind, don't matter....Those who matter Do not mind" Is it affecting you at work? Set a time to speak to your boss in private and tell him or her just what is going on. You might be surprised at how honesty can buy A LOT of leeway with your employer. Family cannot figure out why you are an as****e?...TELL THEM... I have already found myself having to cut loose several very long time friends because they just could not accept my new change.

Let me be clear..I do not think Marijuana is bad..or evil, just abused. In fact I do believe it should be decriminalized as we allow much harder, much more addictive drugs to be sold in our Grocery stores i.e., White Processed sugar, Tobacco and Alcohol. I do see a day when I will grow my own smoke again and be content with a joint once every couple of months. Like ANYTHING that brings pleasure thru the release of Dopamine our bodies can turn it into an addiction. My goal is simple..clean up and see what sobriety is like...that and I hate being controlled by anything..

So good luck everybody and I hope some of this insight has helped.

                                            -J in Phoenix

Pulsating veins on hands and feet. Numbness also. Does anybody feel this?
I feel ALL the others symptoms people are describing on the net, my withdrawal symptoms are unbearable.

I'm an everyday smoker and haven't quit smoking and don't intend to but I decided to take a few days break to let my tolerance levels breakdown a bit as I wasn't getting high from it anymore. I've noticed a few withdrawl symptoms such as nausea, lack of appetite and insomnia. However I wonder if my symptoms and those of some other heavy smokers may have more to do with caffeine withdrawl. When I'm smoking pot I drink alot of coffee, pepsi and coke which produce very similar withdrawl symptoms to caffiene.

i am 21 and have been burnin for about 8 years. i've quit before but its time to stop, at least for the time being. nausea, shakes, mood swings, and a static fuzz fills my head. it goes away eventually but to everyone out there, just realize...it only takes time. also, if you do relapse, dont smoke a sh*t load of weed the first time. i did just that and it brought on a panic attack that has stayed with me until this very day.