Marijuana Withdrawals, Quitting Smoking

Daily marijuana smoker for 10 years, quit about 2 months ago. I think the symptoms people are describing like insomnia, anxiety, etc. are problems that, at least in my case, got me started smoking pot in college in the first place. Pot helped me sleep, forget my troubles, and carry on. Now that I'm off it, anxiety is coming back along with vivid and odd dreams that keep waking me up for periods in the night, heart racing, etc. In the past, I could just smoke a bit and these symptoms would cease, and I felt fine. In other words, it seems to me that marijuana was my 'crutch'. It helped me to avoid learning how to deal with my anxiety. Now I need to face it myself. Wish I had a long while ago.

Hey all. I stopped smoking weed 2 months ago and have since felt like c**p. The first three weeks I felt what seemed to be anxiety and had numerous attacks which forced me to got to the ER about three times. Each time they run the usual blood tests, urine tests and conduct a chest X Ray and EKG. Each time they all come back fine with nothing abnormal showing up. After about a three weeks of feeling like this I finally started to feel better with my anxiety (thats what they say I have anyway). I attribute it to changing my diet, as I now eat less meat and more nuts, grains, fruits and vegetables (mostly raw). Even while I was having the bouts with anxiety I would still maintain my normal exercise routine (cardio either from riding my bike or paying futbol....soccer as its none in the states, for an hour or two hours a day 5 days out of the week). I started feeling good again, however after swimming in my pool for about 4 hours, a few hours after I got out I began to feel a lot of chest and throat congestion and an occasional sense of movement in some areas of my chest which last a second or so and are generally occur in different location in the front of my chest; these symptoms actually forced me to go to the doctor and get checked out, after having a full physical done the doctor told me everything looked good, although he said I had what appeared to be a viral cold after discussing my symptoms with him and letting him know that I did some swimming and diving for a long time in my pool (he said I could have gotten a virus from the pool especially if I got water in my nose, mouth or ears...which I did). After feeling progressively iller the next couple of days I went back to the doc and got checked out again, I explained all the same symptoms to him again and he now told me I had symptoms of Bronchitis (viral not bacterial, and no cough just a lot of mucus) so he prescribed me some antibiotics and an inhaler just in cast I felt I need to open up my airways. Again after a couple of days I felt really bad at night (a lot of chest pressure in the middle, severe congestion, rapid heart rate and fatigue) so I went to the ER to be safe as instructed by my doc. At the ER they monitored my vital signs (all normal) and ran the normal blood work and urine tests along with a chest X Ray and EKG. Again everything looked good and the doc said that it was not pneumonia, seemed to be just a viral bronchitis. SO he recommended I finish the antibiotics that were prescribed by my doc and he said that it could have just been another anxiety attack that got me to the ER that night, so he prescribed me some Ativan to help me relax when needed. Now I tend to over think a lot of things and focus a lot on minor issues, so I dont discount that it was just another anxiety attack, especially since I generally feel well after ( i also know from talking to doctors that you can feel chest pain/discomfort and tightness in your chest from anxiety, I also did some research myself); and generally when I am not thinking about I feel great, no chest movement or anything. Oh, and the symptoms have been improving, still a bit congested but substantially less, very rare do I feel the moving sensation in my chest. So I ask the community out there to share your stories on how you felt after not smoking weed anymore? How did you feel mentally, emotionally, physically, medically? I sited off a few different sources that after you stop smoking, around a month to a few months after, your body begins to detox or clean itself out and one of the symptoms of this is that you produce a lot of mucus and begin to expel a lot of it out along with some other toxins within it; i also read quite a few peoples stories that said they had a lot of mucus production after a few months of not smoking and some chest discomfort which subsided a month or so after ( I also noticed a few people discuss a symptom of withdraw, or better yet detoxing, thats called "quitters flu" which mimics all the symptoms of a cold/flu or respiratory infection). So again I ask all that are reading this:

how did you feel after not smoking anymore?
How did you feel mentally, emotionally, physically, medically?
did you have any physical symptoms after not smoking?
can you give a timeline of when your symptoms began/ceased and what they were (basic is fine)?

Thanks everyone that replies, supporting each other is always great and something the is much needed in this day and age. Always stay true to yourself and keep the good fight going♠.

God bless and thanks (very spiritual, not that religious)

Oh, and here is a brief history of my pot smoking:

Have been smoking for about 7 or 8 years, about maybe a joint (accumulated amount) a day give or take, usually using water filtration or a vaporizer; I stopped at age 25.

God bless and thanks (very spiritual, not that religious)

Then how come many of us cant keep our food down or feel nausous while we are trying to quit. something in the pot is helping us digest food

Dude I smoked weed for 7 years and I want to tell you people that weed is no longer grown the natural way they to chemicals and you take this into your system. Naturaly grown weed is less harmful but the indoor weed is not good and it makes you addict.

Dude I smoked weed for 7 years and I want to tell you people that weed is no longer grown the natural way, to manyo chemicals and you take this into your system. Naturaly grown weed is less harmful but the indoor weed is not good and it makes you addict. Any way you started smoking so you can stop it to. Weed is fun but not good for long term use

I am here reading because i quit weed after a couple years of daily usage. I need my motivation back to do my work and get some clarity. within the first day i had hot flashes, and woke up with them the next day - so i was wondering WHY. i don't think weed is what it used to be 'back in the day' when we all thought it was not addictive or hurtful - i was a daily user for pain and i could only smoke like a couple tokes when many years ago you could smoke your way through a bag in a few days. it's different now. and the side effects and withdrawal are different. i'm having symptoms and i didn't used to. i'm not looking forward to the next 2 weeks (I've not been able to quit because of them in the past year) but i AM looking forward to having my 'real' life back.

Weed, just like anything in the entire world that feels good, is addictive, and just like anything in the entire world that your body gets used to has withdrawals. If you think that weed isn't addictive then you are wrong. It doesn't have to have an addictive chemical like nicotine. Sex doesnt have addictive chemicals, it doesn't have any chemicals, and people are addicted to sex. all that is necessary to become addicted to something is it just has to feel good. then you get addicted to the feeling. and since there are side effects that accompany smoking weed, like increased appetite, feeling sleepy, etc. then when you smoke it alot, you body will get used to having an increased appetite and it will get used to getting sleepy. it will compensate and make it so that you dont get as sleepy and your appetite doesnt increase as much. then when you quit your body is in that mode, now youre appetite will be offset and you will lave a lower appetite, and it will be harder to get to sleep. id like to see anyone try and tell me that this is incorrect. ANYTHING IS ADDICTIVE. AND ANYTHING THAT YOUR BODY GETS USED TO WILL GIVE YOU WITHDRAWALS WHEN YOU STOP IT.

Marijuana is physical addictive! Insomnia, nightmares, anxiety...

not addictive ***edited by moderator*** ** inappropriate posting** I have been using for 10 years as well quit on and off its been 4 weeks and Im still sweating like a pig and irratable I just quit smoking ciggs nine days ago and its been way easier.....its allin your head hunnie what kinda c**p is that? lmfao naaaah it isnt all in my head this shyt is seriously bad

I'm not a doctor, and I don't have to be to know that marijuana is addicting, for sure, without a doubt - though not nearly as much as cigs. But it works the same way.

Like nicotene, THC stimulates the dopamine receptors in your brain. The stimulation of dopamine receptors is what activates the reward circuitry in our brains. The happy-happy gratifying feeling you get from eating good food, listening to good music, having sex, etc. You do it enough, or enough of it, and it creates more dope receptors in your brain- increasing the demand for continued stimulation. This is how people can become obese, music producers, sex addicts, etc. If you are constantly stimulating dopamine receptors in your brain, you are more likely to become "addicted" or develop an addictive personality. Usually it is the weak-minded and people who have very little self esteem and self dicipline who are affected most by this.

9 times out of 10 a proud pot smoker will tell you, as if it were a medical fact, that pot isn't addicting. That is simply false. I used to believe the same thing until I finally mustered up the nerve to lay off the stuff and do some simple research and fact checking. The population of overly confident, all-knowing pot smokers has hopefuly peaked and will fade. It seems like many are coming to their senses these days. Don't get me wrong. I'm not against pot or people who smoke it. I'm just somebody who one day realized that I don't want it ruling my life anymore due to it's addictive nature.

Lol.. omg at you all. You sound like a bunch of irritable withdrawing potheads. 8-|

Fact is, if you crave for something it is addictive right? be it physical or psychological.
Fact is, if you stop doing something you have been addicted to or doing for some length of time, and it has a negative effect on your body or mind, then those negative effects are considered to be "withdrawal symptoms" right?

Therefore smoking weed is "addictive" and it has "withdrawal symptoms" when you quit.

Does it really matter if it is scientifically proven or not?... not really. Science is a wonderful thing but even today it cannot prove everything and in some cases can still be wrong.

This topic appears to be some kind of outlet therapy for all of us quitters to have a bit of a vent.. its quite amusing to read to be honest.
Ok here goes

Hi,
my names Steve
Ive been smoking tobacco and weed for almost 20 years.. i managed to quit tobacco for 1 year around 5 years ago now. although the craving for tobacco is very much stronger than the craving for weed, the symptoms from quitting tobacco are almost identical to the symptoms from quitting weed. Im in my third week now without a joint and im struggling a bit. after the first few days i felt kind of good about myself. I noticed an improvement in my appearance and much more clear headed and an ability to interact in conversation with others much easier. But the dreams and nightmares have lead to sleep deprivation.. ie, i look in the mirror and look like sh*t, i cant be arsed talking to people, feel tired and lazy and irritable. %-) I've been searching the net to see if anyone has had similar symptoms and wondering how long they will last before i start noticing another improvement in my life from quitting the herb. Right now im thinking a spliff would improve my life.. at least just for a good nights sleep. I saw someone recommend Valerian tea.. i guess ill give that a go before i call my dealer for an eigth of tastey tastey :
Good luck guys

Been enjoying my mj for 6 yrs started out smoking only on the weekends. Now since I move to cali for college been smoking every other day if not everyday.. everyone smokes weed in cali lol. Finally decided I have a life to live and wanted to prove to my self that I'm not addicted.. its been 14 days the first week I felt great so full of energy and then the weed headaches kick in. Dam them !! Just a throbbing pain in my temples, never really hungry, feeling lonely, snap really easie , but seem to get plenty of sleep thank god. Coffee does not seem to get me as hyper as before I quite when. I have no motivation for the gym, but before went every day when I was smoking. I don't have craving not like cigs but withdrawing from weed is a lot harder mentally and phisically. Can't wait. To have the old optomistic me back. When will the headaches go away ? Detox is a b***h! I notice since I quit I smoke a lot more hookah should I slow down on that too ?

A 1999 review by the US National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine reported that marijuana's withdrawal symptoms, when identified, are typically "mild and subtle" compared to the profound physical and psychological syndromes associated with most other intoxicants, including alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine.

about a week after stoppping smoking i get sick to my stomache and barf everywhere and feel like sh*t for a few days. after i quit i was one of the ones who was really irratable. i wanted to kill everyone who lookd at me. i need to take antidepressants, this is the only thing that takes the edge off when sober. i take celexa also abilify works really well and really fast. to help u with school i would say to do anything to help u stay in school and it sounds like a bad idea for u to quit if it helps u with school, and quit when u finish school.

It is a scientific fact that cannabis is not physically addicting. All of these "withdrawal" symptoms you are all feeling are completely psychological. None the less, quitting weed can be a difficult thing and I am actually doing it right now to get a new job. I have quit before and it isnt exactly easy but you shouldnt get sick or have any actual physical illness from quitting. Someone said quitting pot is much harder for them then quitting cigs, I find this incredibly hard to believe because cigs actually are physically depended and when you quit, your brain tells your body that there are chemicals missing and your body reacts. I have never heard of someone having anxiety while quitting before, that was interesting to read.

Btw, I have been a daily smoker for 4 years. I just quit about 5 days ago but I have quit in the past without any problems. This time around I have noticed a significant loss of appetite but I feel it wont last much longer. No lack of sleep, no extra anxiety, some cravings during the times I used to smoke but overall it isnt very difficult. The hardest part is those first couple days just cause you want to get high so bad, you feel bored and maybe more awake then usual which makes you ancy.

TL:DR
Cannabis is not physically dependent so any withdrawl like symptoms you are feeling are all in your head. Its all about mind over matter, not hungry? Stuff the food down your throat. Feeling more anxiety? Take an ambien or do some relaxing activities. Quitting weed is one of the easiest drugs to quit. Easier than booze, cigs, and prescription pills.