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An experiment with marijuana withdrawal

regfairfield

regfairfield

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Joined
Sep 30, 2010
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ok a little backround. ive smoked since 16 ( maybe twice a year until i started regular recreational usage at around 22 ) and during the past 15 months i smoked daily on piff. i would say on average 1/4 a week. recently i stopped to see what would happen. i had a problem earlier in life with panic attacks and anxiety but got through it. honestly and i know everyone is different but the only noticeable affect is the insomnia...and it is real...3 hours is what you will get for about 3-4 days if your lucky...no anxiety,depression, or serious cravings. loss of appetite for about 2 days


timeline

days 1-2 loss off appetite, when stressed would like to smoke but is a fleeting thought ( i quit cigs after 7 years so i have willpower. )
days 3-7 insomnia and slight night sweats, not to soak your clothes but noticeable
day 8 i was back at baseline

my theory is most of the negative symptoms of withdrawal are the underlying cause of why people choose trees to self medicate..

i smoke to be happier, not to be happy.

anyone who truly respects marijuana knows smoking will not solve nor make you forget your problems like other drugs ( alcohol , opiates )

any questions for people thinking about quitting just let me know..
 
I've been a grower since I was about 13 or so.

When I finally got busted growing weed when I was 29, I was smoking an ounce a day, nearly the entire output of my grow lab.

I was immediately cut off.

Withdrawal was minor because it's mostly psychologic rather than physiologic. Cannabinoids taper themselves naturally by them being similar to a lipid and binding to fat cells. So it's actually one of the few things in nature that aren't technically addictive.

Sex (addiction) chemicals probably disturb the bodies chemistry (altering the reward system) more than exocannibinoids "disturb" the endocannabinoid system, or the reward system.

Dr. Bob Melamede suggests that eventually we will see the cannabinoids as essential nutrients which makes some sense as they actually resemble nutrients rather than drugs, chemicals, etc. being nearly the only non-toxic substance ever discovered.

Dr. Melamede, Associate Professor and Biology Chairman, Biology Department, University of Colorado, explains how the Endocannabinoid System functions as a "Global Homeostatic Regulator", balancing several organ systems. He theorizes that, "Free Radicals are the Friction of Life. Endocannabinoids are the Oil of Life."

Can't find the link but there is some evidence to support the idea that cannbinoids allow our immune system to use free radicals as "bullets" to kill invading micro-organisms. Our bodies use various anti-oxidants like vitamin c, a cyclable anti-oxidant (as opposed to melatonin, a non-cyclable anti-oxidant) to kill invaders.

02/12/08 - Interview with Robert Melameade

Dr. Bob: "So imbalances are what our illnesses are. And in many cases those illnesses are now recognized to, in part, be manifest as cannabinoid deficiencies, things like migraines, multiple sclerosis, and in varieties of illnesses are imbalances that can best be corrected by imitating how the body tries to do it and the body does it through cannabinoids."

List of Medical Uses of Cannabinoids compiled by Dr. Bob with pubmed links
 
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badweather said:
I've been a grower since I was about 13 or so.

When I finally got busted growing weed when I was 29, I was smoking an ounce a day, nearly the entire output of my grow lab.

I was immediately cut off.

Withdrawal was minor because it's mostly psychologic rather than physiologic. Cannabinoids taper themselves naturally by them being similar to a lipid and binding to fat cells. So it's actually one of the few things in nature that aren't technically addictive.

Sex (addiction) chemicals probably disturb the bodies chemistry (altering the reward system) more than exocannibinoids "disturb" the endocannabinoid system, or the reward system.

Dr. Bob Melamede suggests that eventually we will see the cannabinoids as essential nutrients which makes some sense as they actually resemble nutrients rather than drugs, chemicals, etc. being nearly the only non-toxic substance ever discovered.

Dr. Melamede, Associate Professor and Biology Chairman, Biology Department, University of Colorado, explains how the Endocannabinoid System functions as a "Global Homeostatic Regulator", balancing several organ systems. He theorizes that, "Free Radicals are the Friction of Life. Endocannabinoids are the Oil of Life."

Can't find the link but there is some evidence to support the idea that cannbinoids allow our immune system to use free radicals as "bullets" to kill invading micro-organisms. Our bodies use various anti-oxidants like vitamin c, a cyclable anti-oxidant (as opposed to melatonin, a non-cyclable anti-oxidant) to kill invaders.

02/12/08 - Interview with Robert Melameade

Dr. Bob: "So imbalances are what our illnesses are. And in many cases those illnesses are now recognized to, in part, be manifest as cannabinoid deficiencies, things like migraines, multiple sclerosis, and in varieties of illnesses are imbalances that can best be corrected by imitating how the body tries to do it and the body does it through cannabinoids."

List of Medical Uses of Cannabinoids compiled by Dr. Bob with pubmed links
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thats what i concluded, that most of it is a physical response to a psychological problem, similar to anxiety or panic...which can be controlled by the mind since it is minor...
 
I despise weed. I hate the garbage, it has caused more shit in my life than all the harder drugs I have used combined, and I have little interest in stoners as I find them to be boring and self centered burnouts most of the time. The side effects from this crap are severe, and everyone acts like it does jack shit. I hate weed, and ever since day 1, it has done NOTHING good for me. I have also smoked more of this trash in my life than anyone I know.

However, the withdrawal symptoms of my cannabis addiction have been strong enough to keep me stoned for a decade.

I am still chained in shackles, I haven't quit yet, but I'm in the process of doing so. After spending thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars on weed related shit, at least half my income or more for years, unforunately.

I know, that there is no 'self medication' here. I pretend that there is, but I use weed to ward off the withdrawal symptoms and cravings. My addiction steals my life away. I am grateful that today is a sober day, and weed is the worst thing that ever happened to me.
 
Im not saying you guys are lying, because I dont know you IRL, but every time I took a tolerance break from Cannabis after smoking for maybe a year straight I'd just be a little cranky the next day and thats it.

And usually I would take adderall to just take my mind off it

but Im sure your w/d are really debilitating
 
rave_itsrealfun!!! said:
I despise weed. I hate the garbage, it has caused more shit in my life than all the harder drugs I have used combined, and I have little interest in stoners as I find them to be boring and self centered burnouts most of the time. The side effects from this crap are severe, and everyone acts like it does jack shit. I hate weed, and ever since day 1, it has done NOTHING good for me. I have also smoked more of this trash in my life than anyone I know.

However, the withdrawal symptoms of my cannabis addiction have been strong enough to keep me stoned for a decade.

I am still chained in shackles, I haven't quit yet, but I'm in the process of doing so. After spending thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars on weed related shit, at least half my income or more for years, unforunately.

I know, that there is no 'self medication' here. I pretend that there is, but I use weed to ward off the withdrawal symptoms and cravings. My addiction steals my life away. I am grateful that today is a sober day, and weed is the worst thing that ever happened to me.
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really... you must be the kind of person that has issues with everything in life. How can you hate weed from the time you start and then keep smoking it? that is completely stupid. I've noticed that people with bipolar experience a significantly more intense withdrawal than any regular person but that's probably because their symptoms get out of control when they stop. Other than that, i don't know, if you hate something then don't do it. I wouldn't burn my hand on the stove every single day for 10 years and then complain that the stove is the problem.
 
I'm actually pretty sane as a sober individual. I got hooked on a recreational drug (weed) because it was a great time with friends, and it really seemed so benign at first. Unfortunately, using a lot of cannabis fucked my head up much, much worse than my combined use of mushrooms, acid, and Mdma. This is because it is the drug that best fit in with my lifestyle, and the only one I could use habitually and be a somewhat functional addict. Unfortunately, so long as I am a stoner, I will never reach my full potential as it numbs certain aspects of my personality, and although I was ok with this back in the day, my relationship with weed has really turned sour as of late. I'm totally cool with this, I just need to quit using weed, which is pretty tough because I'm used to consuming euphoric recreational drugs all day and life isn't the same without them anymore. Weed did a lot of good for me in terms of expanding my mind, but my recreational / spiritual use of cannabis developed into a serious addiction, that has been really tough for me to beat.

I thought cannabis was completely benign, like green tea. I overused it, got addicted, and that really fucked my head up. Overuse comes with an array of side effects, and I know a few others who are addicted to cannabis hardcore, but it's uncommon among the pot smoking population. It just seems, like with all drugs, there is a special minority of people who love it so much that they inevitably overuse and become slaves to it. I'm fine with every other drug - I use psychedelics, alcohol, and party drugs occasionally with no problems. With weed it's a different story, I have completely lost control. With weed, it's all or nothing for me, almost like an alcoholic having one drink and ending up in the gutter on a bender.
 
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well that makes more sense, you did get some great use out of cannabis but it turned on you recently. Same thing happened to me. I only take 1 or 2 hits at a time now maybe 3x a night and i have no issues whatsoever, but it doesn't really do much for me anymore.

I'm not saying you can't be addicted to cannabis or anything as you can be addicted to cheeseburgers or pizza but it seems only certain personalities or people let it get out of control while the vast majority don't have issues with it. If you look at the full cb1 cb2 agonist synthetic cannabinoids then you can clearly see that a cannabinoid can cause a pretty hefty withdrawal, not to mention addiction and other issues.
 
I've been smoking every for about a year now (though i was a habitual smoker long before this) and on the rare day that there is no way for me to smoke at all, i experience mildly bothersome cravings, restlessness, and boredom. Thats it for me. However i am not disputing the addictive potential of cannabis to others, this is just my experience
 
Robo, I had years of nothing but wonderful, mind expanding experiences with cannabis. I had some issues with life a few years ago though, which led me to start using cannabis habitually. I'm sane now, but I am left with a pretty intense habit. I have nothing against weed, I've done this to myself. I was really in a lot of pain when I was younger - I was very depressed, and my love for weed turned into an addiction at this sad time of my life, which I am now left to deal with. Unfortunately, ever since I started abusing weed from morning until night in order to cope with a phase of my life in which I experienced incredible sorrow, I haven't been able to control my use of the drug, even though I am no longer depressed.

The withdrawals arn't so bad. I get really bitchy for a bit, and crave it a lot, but I just need to man up and get through this shit (I'm going through it right now, I haven't smoked in 2 days which is the longest I've gone since 2011). I feel a bit like fucking garbage, but it really isn't so bad. Nothing near as bad as a fucking hangover, that's for sure! No. Where. Near. (I really hate hangovers more than ANYTHING in the world).

My first post was written in a very bitchy phase of withdrawal, I don't exactly agree with everything that comes out of my mouth the first day or 2 I am getting off of a long term, 3.5 gram per day habit. I'm feeling quite relaxed at this point in time however, and I haven't smoked anything today.

The #1 worst thing about the withdrawal is the bitchiness. I say shit to people that just shouldn't be said, and that I normally would never say and that I don't even agree with, and then regret it after. Normally I'm such a chill person, so it really sucks to have to deal with uncontrollable anger outbursts while I'm getting off this stuff.
 
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dude you claim in one post its given you "nothing but trouble from day 1" and then go on to say "nothing but mind-expanding" experiences.. sounds like your mind isnt quite made up. weed aint gonna help that
 
When I haven't smoked weed for a week or more I do feel it, but honestly if I smoke to often I can have just as many unpleasant physical side effects. Weed hangovers that last all day - where you don't feel like you're fully awake yet going back to sleep doesn't feel right either - are awful.
 
rave_itsrealfun!!! said:
The #1 worst thing about the withdrawal is the bitchiness. I say shit to people that just shouldn't be said, and that I normally would never say and that I don't even agree with, and then regret it after. Normally I'm such a chill person, so it really sucks to have to deal with uncontrollable anger outbursts while I'm getting off this stuff.
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Have strength mate, the shit will get better eventually... hopefully perpetually. I find clonidine helps, especially with the outbursts, but it makes you quite lethargic. Just vent out if you feel like that, be a little careful where but you don't necessarily have to feel bad, almost everyone vents out on the internet every once in a while in their own way.


Been a couple days without too, haven't slept since I smoked last time. Things are getting rather interesting, last time I tried this I lasted until I started seeing moving shadows and hearing things.
 
Trees_Please: consciousness expanding experiences can sure get you into trouble in a society where that type of thinking is suppressed - even feared - and the egomaniacs rule. Most people these days have completely lost touch with the cosmic nature of reality, and it makes it tough to fit in once you get yourself too far out. Well, especially if you choose to continue daily drug use once your mind has been knocked open. Weed helped me come to realize a lot of important stuff, and getting high is very fun as we all know, but in terms of quantifiable performance in society, it 100% did nothing good for me whatsoever, period.

FnX: I managed a 2 month break the other year. After a month or so my life was just so much better. I was happy, stable, and my interpersonal/communication skills were just through the roof superior, as well as my motivation and ability to think quickly and make good decisions. I smoked a joint, big mistake because I pretty much right away started fiending again. So I know that it needs to be cold turkey at this point, my brain is permanently wired to fiend cannabis at this point. I agree, about just finding the right time to vent, and making sure to stay away from weed which I usually reach for when I'm upset. I've done this before; I'll do it again.
 
^ever consider that you may have some sort of cannabinoid deficiency? or that your endogenous cannbinoids system doesn't work properly? i don't think there are any tests for it but shit i can't say i've ever been a fiend for cannabis. Opiates/benzos/stims are another story, i still get daily cravings for stims and opiates despite not using them anymore (or rarely).
 
All I know is I get strong daily cravings for cannabis when I'm not high, even though cannabis is no longer doing any good for me. Tons of people are addicted to stuff that doesn't do them much good - cigarette smokers for instance, a lot of them don't actually want to be smokers but nevertheless continue to purchase and smoke cigarettes because of the cravings. I believe that addiction can happen with anything, and depending on your personal characteristics, you will be drawn to use certain drugs in excess over others. Not many pot smokers get addicted to weed, but it can definitely happen. It's mostly all in your head, but that doesn't make it any less of a problem, so long as the cravings are keeping the user from ever being sober. I have used tons of other stuff with higher addiction rates, with no addiction problems. Hell, I am the type of person that can have a gram of coke and have it last 4 or 5 nights out on the town. I can have any other drug in my possession without feeling the need to use it, but weed is another story.

For a short period of time after my last smoke, about a day, I get incredibly restless if I do not continue smoking weed. It's an effect of the weed high itself, to make me want to smoke more weed. After a day or 2, when the weed is out of my system completely, I am pretty much very happy being sober, but I get temporary cravings for pot every few hours which I have to fight through. That first day or two, however, the anxiety is so bad that I carry the false belief that I need cannabis in my life. After the first couple days, it seems unbelievable that I have such feelings, because I start to feel a hell of a lot better. Life is so much better for me without weed, which makes my habit tough to understand. It only ever makes sense to me when I am stoned - once I come down enough, it's just like, what the fuck am I doing I don't even need that.

I don't even know if I am actually addicted. I think that once I get stoned, I become a different person who fiends pot, and that I might not come down enough for months, or years, to see that I don't actually require cannabis in my life at all. Nevertheless, this is the biggest problem that I have to face in life.
 
By the way, I don't even feel high anymore when I smoke that much weed. All of the positive effects of that initial high are lost - and I end up wasting a hell of a lot of weed chasing that first beautiful high. My life becomes really boring. It's hard for me to stop because once I've been sober a few days, I know how crazy that first high (trip) is going to feel. And I've never really noticed any long term effects coming off the stuff. But inevitably I end up chasing the high and burning myself out. It's just fucked - I have a big problem, weed is the only drug that I can't handle using in moderation. In theory, I should be able to hold off until the end of the day, or just use every few days, like a normal pothead. In practice, this never works - maybe for a while at first, but I always end up hooked and fiending for more. It's not uncommon for me to burn through a half ounce to an ounce in one week, but if I have been sober a couple days, all I need is the tiniest little pinch of good herb to become a space cadet on a wicked trip through my mind.
 
well definitely sounds like you are addicted, a very low percentage of people become 'addicted' to cannabis and i think the reason is either that they have decencies in their cannabinoid system or have some underlying mental disorder. I've smoked most of my life and don't ever fiend for cannabis, if i run out i don't even care, sometimes i go days without smoking and don't even realize it. It's so benign to me. There's also no amount of cannabis that will make me trip and i've eaten 1.5 grams of very strong edibles. I take psychedelics regularly and there's just no comparison. Maybe i just like different drugs, i'll fiend for stimulants and opiates like that but fuck the highs from those are insanely euphoric compared to cannabis.
 
People say cannabis can't induce temporary mental problems in otherwise healthy individuals, but I have experienced this. It's certainly not common, but it can happen. No drug is a perfect medicine.

Cannabis induces social anxiety, depression, and anger issues in my otherwise healthy brain. I know from my experience with taking breaks, that I simply don't have these issues off the stuff. I am normally a young man with a bright future, bursting with self confidence and enthusiasm over life. Smoking weed takes a lot of that away from me - I really suffer from anxiety problems and self confidence issues while stoned that simply are not there when I haven't smoked weed in a few days. Temporary depersonalization/derealization for sure. I can handle stuff like LSD just fine, but there is something about weed that wrecks me. My cannabis addiction, is the mental disorder itself that I suffer from.

Cannabis is a powerful mind altering drug, that definitely has the potential for abuse and the causation of mental problems that were not previously present. However, I have never noticed any long term effects from my cannabis abuse. I should be able to quit if I really put my mind to it.
 
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