Meh anytime I take a tbreak the first few days kinda suck but all I had to do was make sure I was getting enough activity through the day and got to sleep just fine. Only times I really felt the sleep issue in a tbreak is if I was just sitting on my ass all day
There is chemical addiction and there is psychological addiction. Weed might not be chemically addictive but it can sure be psychologically addictive which is true with most stoners.
Dude, coffee and tea are loaded with this incredible compound called caffeine. It’s like a chemical wizard that messes with your brain in two ways: chemically and mentally. Chemically, caffeine hooks onto these receptors in your brain, blocking this chill neurotransmitter called adenosine. So instead of feeling relaxed and sleepy, you’re all pumped up and alert.
But that’s not all, man. When you consume caffeine regularly, your body becomes physically dependent on it. So, if you suddenly stop guzzling that liquid goodness, you’re gonna feel some withdrawal symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and even crankiness. It’s like your body is saying, “Hey, where’s my daily dose of that buzz?”
And let’s not forget about the mental game. Coffee and tea can be habit-forming, creating this psychological attachment. You know, that warm mug, that familiar taste, it becomes a part of your routine, man. Plus, the stimulating effects of caffeine can make you crave that buzz, that laser-focused state of mind.
So, there you have it, bro. Coffee and tea aren’t just about flavor and ritual; they mess with your brain chemistry and play tricks on your mind. It’s like a wild ride, all packed into a cup.
I don’t agree with that chemical/psychological distinction. Weed and other drugs mess with your neurotransmitters/receptors which are fundamental to our psychological functioning, you can’t draw a line and say this is chemical addiction that causes you to vomit, sweat, and shake, and this is some higher level ”I want it cause it makes me feel nice” addiction. It’s the same thing, just not as severe. And heavy chronic weed use absolutely will cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms like headaches, irritability, mood swings, apathy etc.
Marijuana is absolutely physically addictive as much as people want to say it isnt. Mind you im someone who smokes the minute they leave work until they go to bed. So im not here to push any kind of anti-marijuana view point, but i do think we as stoners should be honest. Everyone i know who stops smoking weed has two very common side effects.
They have a lot of trouble getting to sleep
Wild/fucked up dreams.
I understand that this is a side effect of lack of REM but you cant say these aren’t physical withdrawal symptoms. Research is needed, but just because we all want it to be legal, doesn’t mean we should ignore the facts.
Marijuana is absolutely physically addictive as much as people want to say it isnt.
I mean it scientifically isn’t though. Physical addictions don’t just give you psychological withdrawals, they are physical. Your body becomes dependent on them to maintain homeostasis.
Cold turkeying drugs like opioids and benzos can kill you.
Just because the withdrawal symptoms aren’t as bad doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I said this before, research is needed. Going off of whats been said over the last 50 years of prohibition seems silly to me. And i for sure use marijuana to keep me in homeostasis. We need to stop saying psychological withdrawal doesnt have roots based in brain chemistry. I think everything we have begun to learn about mental health shows what little we actually know.
Dude those “withdrawal symptoms” are a joke compared to any other drug.
That said, I don’t know a single person who identifies as a stoner that isn’t completely and utterly mentally addicted. And the drug is so subtle, stoners rarely try to stop.
Cocaine, even a 2 day bender is incredibly hard on your body. If you’re a person with any kind of responsibilities in your life, you’ll be strongly incentivized to reconsider the habit in no time.
But weed, it’s meh. Most users can restrict their use to when they’re not at work, so it’s fine.
Which makes it more dangerous.
I’ve watched so many promising futures flushed down the toilet by weed. Motivation? gone. Real hobbies? Indoors in front of a screen only. At its worst, I’ve seen friends totally withdraw from socializing almost entirely. Social anxiety combined with the escape of being high was enough to dampen and deny the very real human need to connect with others.
Every single one of these individuals went through some form of depression that was was extended and exacerbated by escapism and addiction in the form of excessive marijuana usage.
I know that’s not everyone. There are people who use it in a healthy, balanced way.
But there are also a ton of people who get heavily addicted because it dampens the pain of something they’re going through. And that pattern can make it a lot harder to make progress and work through whatever that person is dealing with.
Anyone who’s spent any time around stoners knows this is true. And yeah, for a lot of people, it’s a gateway drug. I’ve seen plenty of buddies in college jump from weed to xans to oxy. It’s ruined lives. It made my best friend drop out.
And yeah, these people clearly already had issues. But that’s how drug addiction works. It preys on people who are going through something and it makes a bad situation way worse.
Weed can do the exact same thing. Doesn’t matter if it’s not physically addicting.
This comment hit the nail on the head. It’s no big deal to spend an evening after work getting high and watching movies. But then it becomes every evening. Now you can’t deal with daily life if you don’t get to smoke between work shifts. Maybe you show up to work high to take the edge off. Now you’re high all the time and being sober feels weird. Spending all your time just sort of floating in a dream because being high is your default state now.
Everything becomes more effort so you just stop bothering. Playing an instrument? This requires too much focus. I’m gonna go lay down on the couch. Socializing? I’m too high to drive, I’ll stay home today (man I’m so freaking lonely). It really truly is a trade-off where you sacrifice a fulfilling life for an easily tolerated one. At some point you start to realize this and increase your intake to try to make those uneasy thoughts go away.
Prolonged use of use of weed can reduce you brains motivation system which is something that people with ADHD already have a problem with. Long term use of weed may be risky idea for someone with ADHD. source: my doctor who gave me my medical card and my psychiatrist
Though I did read a thing that did say people with adhd do have a higher occurrence of marijuana use, despite its negative effects on their symptoms (with potential permanent impacts for users under 25)
Used weed for the past 20ish years to make my damned brain shut up and for sleep issues. I quit about 4 months ago after the realization that I might have adhd. Wanted to see if things got better after stopping. They really didn’t. I had no clue that this could be the source of my issues until recently so now I’m over here waiting for an appointment. Self medication and drug/alcohol use is apparently really common with undiagnosed adhd. But damned do I miss it. The first couple weeks where rough, and i do feel like I was having some withdrawal effects from quitting despite people saying it’s not addictive. It was literally giving me easy dopamine so your comment makes alot of sense.
This is where I’m at rn but I’m worried about trying to get medication to treat it.
Since I was a kid I’ve always had issues with motivation and organization. My default state is moderate messiness and disorganization, weed just makes me not feel as bad about it and stop stressing myself out.
I hear you on the meds. I’m not sure I’m to enthused about those but people keep saying they help so I don’t know. I also know I need to change my behavioral habits I’ve developed over the years but it’s not easy. Just going to go with whatever the psychiatrist says and gk from there. I’m just so tired of my own crap at this point. And yeah, weed made it easier to just be. And I don’t think you have to take medication if you don’t want too. Don’t think they will force it on you.
Hate that this has to be a worry. Makes it harder for people that actually need help to get help. If I was drug seeking there are easier options than going for a freaking adhd assessment. Oh well, try not to stress over it, and I know it’s hard not too but you can always go to another Dr. Just makes it a pain in the ass. Good luck of you do decide to go through with it.
Personally I thought weed was very addictive, but not in the traditional sense.
Take coffee for instance. When I stopped drinking coffee I had headaches, was a dick for a few days, but that’s it. Which is pretty easy compared to, say, heroin (so I hear).
With weed, I didn’t have any of that, but I craved the relaxation it brought. The feeling of not giving a fuck about anything for a few hours was great, and I longed for it. I still long for it sometimes. And I think that’s the dangerous thing about weed being labeled as “non-addictive.”
Just because you don’t have a physical reaction to abstaining, doesn’t mean the emotional reliance is nothing.
That’s pretty much a habit, I also get uncomfortable when I have to go out when I always have that day free. Peanut butter cups might not be a good example because the sugar is really bad for humans.
It’s not chemically addictive. Honestly people should really pointing fingers at smokers. Majority who smoke know the risks. Sugar is far more dangerous yet and they add it to everything. Weed on the other hand can help the majority with far less side effects then prescription pills. I’d take an edible or spray any day. Although it is far more fun to use a bong.
Good meme but honestly when do you see an angry smoker? Even if he breaks his piece, worst that happens is a bummed high.
It is physically addictive. Research has shown this already I am fairly sure. It’s not nearly as addictive as some other things like alcohol obviously. Psychological addiction also shouldn’t be dismissed.
Sugar is dangerous? Maybe refined sugars are - especially if you’re diabetic - but most sugars are actually natural and some form complex carbohydrates and fibres. It’s a lot more complex than this hot take. Sometimes even diabetic people need sugar in an emergency condition called hypoglycemia. It’s also not in any way a drug; really wish people stopped saying this. Also genetic material is partially made from sugars like ribose and deoxyribose.
There are real life consequences to smoking too much weed and this can include damage to your lungs and can negatively impact the brain. Brain problems is mostly an issue for people under 25 though so smoking after this age is less problematic. That being said it’s still much better than some other drugs like you say. Before people ask yes this includes alcohol as alcohol is quite toxic to brain and body when consumed habitually.
Weed can’t replace all prescriptions either. It’s just not as good at blocking pain as opiates even if it’s a lot safer. That being said if it helps you then that’s great - especially if it’s in edible form or spray form as this is healthier than smoking.
Not sure I’d agree with any study saying it is physically addictive, habitually I’d agree.
My point on the sugar though is it certainly does create addiction. It’s in so many things even products like jerky. I know lots of other things get broken down into sugar which is also the point. We would do far better without all the added sugar. It’s what creates future diabetics in the first place. There is so much fake healthy foods it’s ridiculous. Like…Wheat bread!? All sugar, better off with white if your gonna bother with bread. You’re body should be running off fat not sugar. People on keto for example can lower their cholesterol immensely vs the doctor recommend way. I’m just having trouble concerning the different between chemical ladden cigarettes vs shit that is available in stores. Now the one thing that I see a negative for weed is that it is a stimulant. Increases in heart rates could be an issue in older folks, for a potentially greater risk of heart attacks.
Not sure I’d agree with any study saying it is physically addictive, habitually I’d agree. So you’re willing to ignore science… that’s sounds like a river in Egypt to me mate.
Habit forming and addictive mean the same thing in medical terms. Cannabis has observed withdrawal symptoms like sleeplessness, appetite changes, and nausea that classify it as physically addictive. You’re ignoring these because it dosen’t suit your narrative and beliefs.
My point on the sugar though is it certainly does create addiction. I agree with this provided your talking about refined sugars. The point is though it’s not a drug. Sugars are a natural part of the human diet. They literally make up your DNA. Refined sugars are not natural though.
If you’re trying to argue weed isn’t at least a wee bit addictive, you’ve clearly never smoked it any actual length of time. I love weed, but let’s no kid ourselves lads.
As someone who smokes weed way too often… I do it because I’m addicted to it and anyone who says it’s ‘habitual not addictive’ or they’re just ‘medicating’ is in denial
As someone else who smokes way too much… I do it because I’m addicted to it. Most people don’t realize that habitual addictions are addictions, and just because weed doesn’t have physical withdrawal symptoms, doesn’t meant you can’t be addicted.
well I have been trying to quit and haven’t had a puff for like 3 days and I’ve been feeling like shit, whole body sore and persistent headache. I’m not sure if it’s withdrawal though or if I just caught a virus
Why? My guy, have you seen the world? Have you seen how people treat each other? If you don’t smoke I don’t know what the fuck you’re doing, but if it’s to be “a moral and upstanding citizen” I both laugh and cry at your blissful ignorance.
Of course i have nothing against people who take weed, i just personally don’t like the feeling of alcohol/weed or anything like that. Makes me feel like I’m not in control of myself. I hate not being in control of myself.
I don’t care if anyone smokes. Just don’t annoy me with it. People smoking in public places and giving you free lung cancer is my worst pet peeve.
Thats why I hate smoking more than drinking. Drinking doesn’t make me want to cough my lungs out and doesn’t endanger me directly when someone does it. Smoking does.
I seriously doubt you’re near enough second hand pot smoke to get cancer compared to like whatever’s ins the water or like idk I feel like micro plastics in your blood should be a bigger concern. But hey everyone’s entitled to their own version of paranoia. Gotta keep these meat suits living as long as possible, right?
I mean so do a lot of things that people enjoy. Bar dwellers smell like pee and vomit. Boiled cabbage smells rank aswell. Idk your point. I’m just saying you’re more at risk from other things than “second hand cancer pot smoke”. Does it smell bad sure but so do comic cons.
I meant tobacco with the whole lung cancer thing. But tbh you can’t escape poisening yourself if you have a fairly regular life. Cars, processed foods, plastics; all that kind of stuff is very hard to avoid for most people. With smoking I just really hate the smell (I’m hypersensitive) and the fact that smoker’s poor decisions often times directly impact the people around them
Yeah I feel you. Tobacco is terrible. I’m happy a lot of places have done away even with smoking sections. As for cannabis I smoke at home so I rarely find myself endangering others. But I guess it’s a respect thing. I wouldn’t blow my smoke in someone’s face much like they won’t force me to listen to country music.
My brother is definitely addicted. He smokes to calm himself down, but is just as angry, if not more, after. He’s been smoking so much for so long that he can’t even imagine what it’s like without it.
I mean, yes, weed isn’t the cause of his anger issues, but weed no longer helps him the way he thinks it does, or the way it might have helped him in the past.
Once you start consuming too much, it increases your anxiety and paranoia. You get panic attacks and shit. It’s fine for taking the edge off but you can’t control major psychological issues with it.
Yup. Wish he wasn’t so hooked onto the “weed can do no harm, it’s impossible” mantra. I’ve tried to explain it like water: it’s very healthy for us, but you can still drink too much and have dangerous health issues.
It is very hard to think clearly about addiction. Even if you can do it deep in your mind, it’s still hard to act on it or express those thoughts outwardly.
i dunno about all that. its different for everyone, just like any substance really. ive been smoking weed since i was like 13 and i have never had a panic attack and i dont think its the source of anxiety for me. im almost 40 now. i am def addicted tho, theres no argument there. but i describe it as like a bad habit. like watching too much TV or being too into WoW. its a mental issue
When was the last time you went 48 hours without toking? Do you even know what baseline is anymore? Would you even know if you are living with elevated anxiety? Most people don’t until it simply can’t be ignored anymore.
It also matters how much you are toking. I can toke every day and if I keep it under about half a gram it never seems to catch up with me. But if I go two weeks toking two grams a day, I’m a wreck.
Anyway, we shouldn’t put too much faith in our personal experiences when there are decades of data saying that it contributes to anxiety and (eventually) panic attacks.
lol ive never seen this data about panic attacks and anxiety. i go to the DR and therapist so im pretty sure im not living with elevated anxiety. and 48 hours is pretty easy to withhold. say if i go out of the country i dont smuggle weed in.
i think youre 100% on anecdotes. but i dont think we’ve had a lot of studies come out conclusively that say marijuana contributes to mental issues eventually
@Retirix_YT@ilikekeyboards If that’s truly how you feel, you shouldn’t say you think it doesn’t rock. That expresses disapproval, even if you don’t mean it to.
what you just said about weed is what religious extremists say about being gay - a much more harmful take than being anti-weed, imo. Just using this as an example to illuminate why your OG comment connotes greater judgment / hostility to people who smoke weed.
If it doesn’t rock for you then say that not that it doesn’t rock ya see?
What about caffeine? People act like “drugs are bad” is a reasonable stance, but they mean illegal drugs which just happen to be illegal, usually without good reason. Most adults are drug addicts, it’s just that the drug of choice is caffeine and they don’t see it as an issue because it’s legal and been normalized.
Animals have been doing drugs for longer than humans have existed. There are many benificial drugs that can help us with manually regulating bodily activity. Used responsibly, drugs can be great.
What about alcohol? Rapes, murders, even silly accidents like falling down the stairs and caving your head in is unfortunately quite common for the inebriated.
Loads of people had an argument too many and pulled the trigger during a moment of inebriety.
Yeah, the point is that drugs are fine morally. It’s when they’re abused they cause issues. There is some line that you’ve made up where drugs become “bad” but it is made up. Recognizing that it’s a made up line is important. I’m not saying you need to use drugs or anything like that, just realize that “drugs are bad” is a blatantly dishonest and untrue statement.
There are also plenty of psychoactive drugs that can be pretty helpful to human mental health. Marijuana also can have many health benefits, and it doesn’t cause people to do dangerous things usually. Most of the time it just causes people to sit around inside and not bother other people, unlike alcohol.
Drugs aren’t bad. Drug abuse is bad. Doing bad activities while on drugs is also bad, but the drugs are not.
Straight out of the addicts playbook. Former stoner of 10 years, I see the excuses. Needing drugs to walk through life is like needing a crutch. You are not stronger with them, they are an inhibitor to your natural greatness.
“I don’t need drugs, I want them”
Desire, when the pattern holds, becomes need. I used to think “yeah stopping weed is easy,” then would spend all the time in-between thinking “this situation would be so much better with weed.” So much so that I did absolutely insane things to get hold of it while I was living in China. My desire was very much in the realm of need, but I always made excuses to myself and my loved ones.
I rairly use caffeine (I was addicted at one point, noticed it, then drastically reduced consumption. I have a cup of coffee maybe every three days max.), and alcohol (Also not that frequently). I’ve also used Marijuana a handful of times and that’s it. I’m not an addict. I just recognize drugs have been used throughout history, often to great effect. I also recognize that the modern illegal drugs are political, not practical.
There’s withdrawal but of the four drugs i have been physically addicted to (caffeine, weed, nicotine, and SSRIs) it’s the only one I can cold turkey in under a week and feel fine.
Caffeine isn’t addictive. Your body acclimates to long term usage, and you will experience some withdrawal symptoms but this is classified as a dependency and not an addiction as it does not trigger the reward mechanisms like weed and or methamphetamine does. It’s an important distinction and is why coffee and tea are often served at [Addiction] Anonymous meetings.
It’s both. Nicotine is also both. Note how people at AA still often smoke. And how much coffee they’ll pound even after dinner.
The only drug I misclassified is SSRIs. Which don’t trigger the dopamine reward system.
And my comment was in light of OP and common language usage. People say heroin addiction and they mean heroin dependency. It doesn’t help anyone to be pedantic about these two words. And I say that as someone who has taken college level classes on pharmacology and alcohol and drug dependence and is very aware of the technical differences used professionally.
Every single person on this planet is addicted to one thing or the other. Basically we are genetically junkies. We strive for pleasure. Simple as that. I found pleasure in weed many years ago and I don’t have any moral or other intention to quit. I just don’t give a …
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