Marijuana Withdrawals, Quitting Smoking

I have been smokin' weed errday now for about 15 months. I recently just stopped smoking, 4 days "sober" I guess one would say. The only thing that is difficult for me is sleep. I have found exercise and mental stimulation (reading, doing homework) to help put me to sleep at night. There are also many non-habit sleep aids out there that might be able to assist you in catchin some zzzs. But I think exercise is the best overall way of going about reducing the withdrawals. It doesn't even have to be strictly exercise though. I just play basketball for a couple of hours before I want to go to sleep and bam! I'm tired. Other than that the stop smoking has made me feel kinda good. I plan on smoking this weekend though. Hell yeah! I hope I get high as phuck since I haven't smoked in 4 days, it will be 6 by Saturday. Gonna go to the moon yall!!!! :)

I've been a heavy pot smoker for the past 8 years of my life. started when I was 16 and loved everything about it. started just fading $5 on a blunt with friends after school everyday. like many others I believed that weed was a wonder plant that could never be addictive. I was wrong. thought I'd be a stoner for life with no side effects. continued to smoke at least a gram daily because that was all I could afford.

I started to be more nervous and shy. I dreaded the idea of anyone knowing I was high all day by myself so I only stayed close with the few friends who smoked heavily. went from being one of the most popular guys in school to dropping out. all the hot girls that used to crush on me were now turned off. i used to be so outgoing and was always the life of the party but I started noticing a different side of myself. I was always blazed. anytime I would run into a friend, first thing they would ask is "are you high?" I hated that but more often than not, I was.

cut to 2 years later I get my first full time "adult job." I had tons of money now. had my personal stash. by then most of my friends had either quit or cut down drastically. I was the guy begging my friends to smoke only because I was always told that smoking alone was for losers. shortly after I gave up and started smoking alone on my lunchbreaks and all night after work with my girlfriend.

after all those years I'm now left with extreme anxiety every time I smoke with anyone else but my girlfriend. heart racing, sweaty palms, and an annual anxiety attack leading to me fainting. the last blackout left me with an ambulance ride, hospital bill, black eye and a deviated septum and ultimately led to my losing my job!

I can no longer afford to buy weed because if I could I would still be smoking. it's either rent/food or weed, and I'm still struggling. I'm on day 3 now. cold sweats, extremely irritable, mood swings, vivid dreams but also NO ANXIETY ATTACKS.

if I could turn back time I would just have smoked casually at parties and never started buying my own. I'd still choose pot over alcoholism or hard drugs. but weed in excess is very very bad! if you're new to smoking I'd suggest keeping it light and occasional. it's much better for you! don't ruin your youth. those are the best years!

 

THC is addictive, simply put, if you don't think any poison you ingest into your body over and over again isn't going to leave you dependent on it, you are  defending a plant that has a defense system full of poison to keep things away from it, yeah it's called nature, and humans abuse  it, maybe you should go do your research before 

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The addiction to marijuana is psychological.  The troubles you are having getting over it is because you have become used to living a certain way.  You are used to toking and getting that good feeling the plant gives you.  When you decide to stop for whatever you reason you are completely changing how you live your life.  And don't say that just because you can have some withdrawals means that the drug is addictive.  If you ate no meat for a year and then went back to eating meat you think your body wouldn't want to throw up?  It's completely unused to having the meat in it.  When it gets used to having the weed in it and you suddenly change that you are going to feel differently because your body is having to cope differently.  In this view everything is addictive.  Don't sit here and tell people not to smoke because its "addictive".  Why don't you quit drinking coffee and see how good you feel after; which some common withdrawals are nausea, headaches and irritability.  Are we going to sit and declare coffee illegal too? But this is neither here nor there.  If you want to feel better, I would agree with the person who said exercise and find a hobby.  You need something to fill up the time where you used to smoke weed.  It takes your mind off it and you will get over the "withdrawals" ten times faster.

Anything that is pyscological can turn into physical. Like when you are depressed some symptoms are aches and pains and your body feels run down. Everyone experiences different ways with everything. I dont care if people smoke pot cause im trying to quit. Im quiting for myself cause i dont like how i feel when i smoke well the after part and i dont like how it makes me lazy and eat alot. But for someone else weed may have the opposite effect. Weed is no different then alcohol and medications, if i drink i get happy and gitty and silly when my friend drinks he becomes an as****e and intolerable. so hense drinking is something he shouldnt do.  btw my boyfriend smokes and im trying to quit and he is smoking in his smoking room and not around me which is fine by me i wouldnt just push him out of my life cause he smokes weed its not like he is snorting crack of doing meth or something. he works 6 days a week all day to care for his family he doesnt let it rule his life but he uses it like his glass of wine at night since we choose to reframe from drinking. i dont know thats just how i feel.

I've been a pot smoker almost daily since I was 17 (almost 51 now), expect for about 8 or 9 months before I was pregnant and then during my pregnancy 26 years ago. I travel frequently so have always gone periods of time (up to two weeks) without smoking. But during those times, I've always felt a little off. Lately, my tolerance for marijuana has gotten so low that even a puff or two makes my heart race and I'm extremely anxious. So 8 days ago, I quit. It wasn't hard to stop but I do feel off. My appetite is fine but I dream alot, feel irritable, hot and cold, and just generally a little depressed. I feel better after yoga class or any form of exercise. Despite what some people say, I think these symptoms are withdrawal symptoms... and why wouldn't they be after nearly 40 years of daily use? If I gave up my daily coffee, I would feel off too so I don't really think there's any diffference. I'm happy with my decision to quit... marijuana just wasn't doing it for me anymore.

I'm not trying to post as a reply but this is my first time on this website, and I agree with the symptoms ppl are talking about, and also the ones who say its impossible to get addicted.Im only 16 and I smoke way more than any of my friends.I just got out of the dys programs, the system for juvies, it is court ordered.but I used to smoke a lot the first few months before I got locked up. When I was in custody I didn't smoke then, and the first week in the detention center I barley slept or ate at all, I just figured it was bc I was In frikkin jail,i always thought that ppl who say you CAN get addicted were stupid and didn't kno sh*t, but I've been out for two months and smoked every day (I'm not on color code/ piss test probation I'm on aftercare 3 month bc all I did was call a joke bomb threat,)) I ran out of money 2 days ago and can't get any more, I was wondering why I have literally eaten like one thing and had a protien shake, I have " the squirts" (from not eating) I've been up for over 24 hrs and have tried my best to go to sleep, drank just a little over reccomended dose to sleep and it didn't do sh*t I have definatly had anxiety, ... None of this could have been in my head bc I've never even heard of getting these symptoms from weed, and I thought u couldn't have withdraws from weed.. Idk, but my symptoms ended up bringing me here to a website with exactly my symptoms and the cause is the same, so obviously somthing can happen if you don't smoke.. I don't think it's that big of a frikkin coincidence.. And I don't kno what insomnia is but the only other side effects I've had that I didn't mention is depression.

Hi, I have been a heavy weed smoker for about 18 years, this is  very addictive and makes you think you need another all the time when you are Physically dependent - life is about choices - this is one of mine...a bad one..but one I continue to do it - i have only ever managed to quit cigerettes not weed - I am angry unfocussed and nasty without a joint - With one i am inspired calm and whitty..it doesnt make me giggle or sleep...i am so used to doing it, its the habbit i'm addicted to not the drug...very hard to quit - anyone who can help? Stop buying it i know the answers..just cant seem to get a routine that i can stick to without smoking a joint ?

First I would like to start by thanking everybody here for the time they dedicated to write down a few words on this matter. I took the time to read all of your reply's on this topic.

My name is Michael, I am 23. I am smoking cigarettes since 18 and cannabis since 19. I started by smoking it with my friends from time to time. I found it very interesting because we laughed until our stomachs hurt and because of the overall state it placed you in. In time I got to know dealers and get my own supply. And there I was on the high speed lane to becoming a pot-head.

Not even 2 years passed and by the time I was 21 weed was not just a "time to time" thing for me. I got to the point where I smoked 1.5 grams / day alone. Now some of you heavy(er) stoners might say that this is not too much, but for me 0.15 grams of weed / joint would have done the job. Also I want to inform you that I know a lot about this plant and I only had the good stuff.

Somewhere in November 2011 I ran out for just a couple of days and, in my case, anxiety attacks kicked in. Soon after I realized that I couldn't fall asleep, had no appetite, I woke up drenched in sweat, had mood swings, I was paranoid and overall a pretty negative person. I researched and researched on the internet to find out what's going on and unfortunately I didn't ran over this forum or a similar topic. I know why that didn't happen, first of all I was paranoid with mood swings so my searches were messed-up and second I didn't believe that cannabis had anything to do with it being that I just took a break for 2 days. I concluded at that time that I have some kind of bipolar disorder and the use of cannabis just brought it up to "surface". Then I stopped touching the weed telling myself that my brain is spaghetti already and I didn't want to make it worse. Not a bad decision at that time. After almost 5 months I was on the clear. The problem I had with falling asleep faded last.

After 5 months of not touching it, somewhere around March, I gave my dealer a call and got back on the 0.15 of a gram / joint schedule. I told myself that if I suffer from bipolar disorder and what happened to me was not just an episode of depression (I had problems with money and girlfriend at that time) then that state will come back in less than 1 year (a medic will conclude that you're suffering from bipolar disorder if you have more than 2 episodes in less than 1 year). Then I will know that it's bipolar disorder and quit for good.

If you research bipolar disorder you will probably wonder what connection I found between it and sweating so much at night. Well I was stupid enough to start jogging in November hoping that I would get better. I was diagnosed with pneumonia after I started coughing hard. So I thought that sweating was the way my body fought pneumonia.

Now almost 1 year has passed and something different triggered my attention that got me here. Loss of appetite. And when I say loss, I mean, I only eat from munchies (a co-worker made a joke about this yesterday, saying that he would name a restaurant "Munchies" for me :) ). So either I'm stoned and eat or un-stoned and cannot eat. I believe this happened because I forced myself not to eat while I'm a little stoned and only eat when I'm really high so I can somehow stabilize my weight. So even if I smoked, if I wasn't really high, I wouldn't get that specific urge to eat. Also I developed a tolerance and I need 0.30 of a gram / joint to get the same high.

What to do now?

First of all I want to tell you that when I first found this and start reading I was happy and sad at the same time because I found out that the nicest mood enhancer cannot be used on a daily basis without consequences. I kept reading and reading until I read what I was thinking, only 2 or 3 guys are thinking similar to me in these posts. I have a lot of respect for cannabis and it's one of the nicest things to have in my life. I love playing games with my friends while we smoke, I love having sex while I'm stoned, I like to dance while I'm high, I love to ride my motorcycle at 20mph in 30 minutes after throwing the joint and actually almost any activity I have daily. And sorry but no sir, I'm not quitting it for good. Ow! And in case you're wondering, I have a stable workplace. I have girls around me. Living a normal life. Now some may disagree with what I said and about to say but my resolution is to quit until I regain the appetite and than smoke only in the weekends and holidays. I would use less weed to get really high, I would have a hell of a lot more money and I would have a normal appetite. It was like that back in the day I started. Thinking there's no toll to pay, I derailed into smoking daily and I found the toll. If you are here, most probably you did too. Now depending of what kind of individual you may be, you might want to quit it for good or not. I personally find it too nice to quit and I consider myself the master of this drug, not viceversa.

Right now I'm in the 4th day of not smoking and I have weed (in front of me right now actually). I can't wait to get stoned again but not before I regain my appetite. In these 4 days I didn't have any major symptom except for the loss of appetite, feel a little lightheaded and snap out (that would mean getting nervous) pretty easy. But this seems to be easier than what happened to me last year. Anyways, I think I'm talking too soon.

Little advice for those that are feeling really bad right now: YOU WILL GET OVER IT, YOU WON'T REMAIN THIS WAY, YOU'LL BE NORMAL AGAIN. I remember being really paranoid and this was my biggest worry at that time, thinking that I've gone mad and won't be normal again. I even thought I had brain cancer, double personality because of the mood swings and I also found some blood infection that had similar symptoms. I happily and sadly announce you that it's the missing cannabis substances from your body that makes you feel this way. Speak with your best friend, tell him what you're going through, tell him that you're paranoid and tell him that he needs to help you stop worrying so much. Try to eat healthy foods, vegetables if you can or at least some fruits. I eat fruits rather easy. If you can't chew and swallow, chew as much as you can and get it down your throat with a glass of water. To sleeping I didn't find a cure except "keep trying" (took xanax, exercised a lot, nothing seemed to work for me). Anxiety is cured by talking with friends and detaching yourself from your own brain. Yes, it might sound weird but the more time you spend worrying about what's happening with you and what's happening inside your head, the worst it is. Also have in mind that only a few close friends will accept (and not even them will enjoy) your continuous whining. Nobody likes a person that is constantly complaining. It's hard but that's the truth. Think of it, as I did after 4 months mood swings and paranoia. "Ok, I'm mad, so what?". Only that because you read this and you know it will eventually go away, you can place the word "temporary" between "I'm" and "mad" :)

I hope I'll see some medical researches on this matter. Especially how to get over the withdrawals and what's exactly happening in the human body when it's missing the cannabis.

And you, the general guy that thinks it's totally ok smoke it daily, non-stop, it's ok. I was there too. You can continue. Nothing may happen to you. Only that I hope you read this before you let yourself eaten by paranoia, mood swings and the general idea that you've gone mad if it does.

All the love in the world guys.

 Read The Mood Cure. It has a chapter on marijuana and quitting. Also how to change your diet to alleviate some issues that pot helps with(anxiety,mood etc). Look into a supplement called True Calm. It's helping me w the withdrawl symptoms 

 

 

I think anyone who says they can speak for everyone because they smoked for 1 year is a fool. Ive been smoking since I was 18, now i am 25. I have tried quitting over the year and its extremely hard to over come the withdrawals for me. WITHDRAWALS = PHYSICAL DEPENDENCY . So your theory of pot not having any physical dependency is busted dead in its tracks. This form is for people who are trying to get information on how to overcome their problems that they are experiencing. So people stop killing other folks hope of stopping.

I have been an avid weed smoker for 6 years. At the time I was an all day all night smoker. I had a few, brief, breaks in between with no symptoms. Then I went to visit my sister for two weeks and it hit me HARD. I didn't even realize it was weed withdrawal at the time. I was on health forums constantly trying to figure out why I felt so horrible. Constant (pure liquid) D, heart palpitations, major anxiety with panic attacks, depersonalization, trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, and zero appetite. I think the sleeping aspect was the worst part. I had this paranoia that if I went to sleep, I would die in my sleep. Worst vacation ever. I got home, smoked again, and felt fine, never correlating the events.

About a year later I had a really bad trip and decided to take another break. Once again: massive anxiety, panic attacks, not eating or sleeping, etc. Same exact symptoms. The D was horrible, I wouldn't eat or leave the house, couldn't sleep... eventually I broke down, sobbing on the floor and had my husband take me to the ER. They did nothing for me except land me with a 3k hospital bill. I stopped smoking for about 2 months and began to feel normal so, once again, I started smoking.

Now I'm starting college courses and decided to should clean up for school. This is the first time I realized that the two were related. Like most people, I'd heard all my life that weed had no side effects and was not addictive. I had no trouble letting the weed itself go, I do miss it because I enjoyed it, but I never felt a NEED to smoke. All the symptoms started to come back so I decided to do some research and low and behold, many other people were feeling the EXACT same way I was. I still feel weed is a good thing for many people, even myself, at that time in my life. However I have always had a philosophy that once something interrupted my normal behavior or caused me to feel "not myself" it was time to drop it!

All I can say for those of you going through it: it WILL pass. Try researching vitamins, the time I landed in the ER I did research on vitamins and many helped the symptoms I experienced. Keep a very plain diet if you are experiencing stomach problems (eating saltine crackers helped a ton). Drink PLENTY of water! Exercise as much as you can, that one really helped me (and I'm not a very active person). I think the biggest help was staying around other people. Other people will keep you sane and be able to comfort you during episodes. Try to get out of the house as much as possible. This last time I forced myself to go to the movies rather than cancel the plans because I didn't feel good. It wasn't pleasant (3 hours in the Hobbit, lol) but I felt better for it. I know for me, night time is the worst. All my demons come out at night, so I began sleeping with the TV on and the lights on. Try to get as much sleep as you possibly can, sleep deprivation only worsens the anxiety. I hope you guys are able to stick with it and good luck to all of you!

Seems to depend on the way you smoke/type of weed you smoke, maybe even what you smoke out of. Most people seem to get the symptoms, me included. And people that say it's all in your head, it definitely wasnt for me. The first time i took a break i was a junior in high school (im a senior now), and me and my smoking group (we smoked multiple times a day since freshman year ish) decided to take a tolerance break for a month. We had been told there were no withdrawal symptoms and believed it. After about 3 days, we had about a combined total of 2 hours of sleep, all had woken up in sweat each night, and threw up multiple times. This had happened to each of us independently without hearing about each other. It seems to just depend on the person, but anyone who swears that there is nothing physically addictive about weed is certainly not correct. I had surgery last year on my knee and was given vicodin to cope with the pain for a few weeks. I got addicted immediately (completely my fault taking way to many at once to get high), and to be honest quitting weed was much harder.

You have clearly not been through the process. I have been smoking cannabis for 6 years. It has now come to the point where i told myself i had to give quitting a go. What you have seemingly failed to realise is that where physical side affects are not inherent to quitting cannabis, a mental addiction can display the exact same 'physical' side affects when going without. This may be the case with light smokers but to people that enjoy smoking cannabis as much as they smoke cigarettes, physical withdrawal symptoms WILL be apparent for the first week or two!

Marijuana its self is no addicting, that much is true, but the human brain can be addicted to activities or feeling. It is completely possible to be addicted to getting high or having extreme hunger/ drowsiness/ calmness that without weed the body doesn't respond to anymore at your normal levels. Weed also masks mental disorders and treats physiological problems (such as nausea) so it makes sense that those problems would arise after quitting a self medication regiment.