Quitting Weed

[nn-DreemMasterTree]

Hay guys hope you all feeling goood!

I probably could have called this thread cutting down on weed because i dont plan on never smoking it again, also i like all psychoactive plants including weed, though dont like using that word quitting because it sounds like i have a problem with weed, when i dont think its what id really call a problem either. sorry if I'm hard to follow I'm quite stoned and completely rambling:?
ANYHOW i am doing not 2 bad with this cutting back business myself although was still wondering if anybody could help me stop smoking(so much) weed by giving me suggestions, story's, anything. i smoke almost everyday and would like to get it down to around once a fortnight(I believe i can do this & would love to use weed in a more beneficial way for my body!) have you been though this or something smiler? would like to hear your story.

 

[endlessness]

The hardest are the first couple of days.

Ideally you add a new hobby or something that will use your time productively. Starting to do regular exercise (aerobic, sweating) or upping your normal exercise if you already do that is a good idea. So is eating well. Playing guitar, reading books, etc.. Doing the exact same as you used to do and just changing the non-weed thing is the worse, because everything will remind you of weed.

All of these things help symbolically and literally by creating new behaviors which take your time away from thinking about or smoking weed, which remind you of being healthier, which help with the elimination of fat-stored thc, etc.

I strongly suggest that when you do smoke, you only do it after you have had your daily/weekly responsibilities solved. This way you can just smoke and enjoy instead of having your conscience nagging on you from the back of your head

I feel the best thing to do for myself is not smoke during the week and smoke only weekends (though this week im guilty of breaking those rules ), and also avoiding the wake and bake thing. So durng the weekends I like to wake up and have a nice breakfast, get some work done, clean my room, whatever, go exercising, have good lunch and only then smoke. It saves up on weed, it encourages being more productive, and my conscience feels good

Wish you good luck, and do tell us if you find anything that works for you

 

[ibeing897]

I quit a couple of months ago... it was really really hard for me, I had up until that point been in the haze all day, every day for almost seven years.. when I first started it just got hold of me very quickly, it was surprising that I never stopped when I started... and I started at a pretty late age.. started smoking bongs, then moved on to joints when I moved to the UK, then I got onto vaporizing with a volcano about 3 years ago, that was a smart move in the right direction as all my lung problems went away, felt like it was very healthy for the body, but not really for the mind... it's not like I was in a fog all the time, I still got on with my work... but I'd wanted to quit for a few years, because I'd noticed that it would make me settle for things and made me reluctant to try new things, meet new people, that kind of thing, I felt like it would dampen the lows in life but I found habitual use also dampened the highs.... the problem with weed for me is that it's effects are long lasting, at least for me, if I got high I would be in the haze for about 4 days and the habit would take over again quickly. I've always looked at weed as a lifestyle choice but one that most people don't even realise they've made.

I just couldn't do it once a fortnight, it was all or nothing really, for me I had to quit completely.. because otherwise I'd just be thinking about the next time. how I quit was an interesting story, I had started experiencing health problems related to it, the doctors found a 3mm nodule in my left lung...this had a strong influence, but I was basically tripping on methoxetamine one night and I suddenly got deeply introspective, saw how weed was ruining my life and I literally imagined a key being turned in my head, from that point on I never wanted to smoke again... and I haven't... I did get some very hard withdrawal symptoms, shaking, inability to sleep for 5 whole days, huge irritability, epic boredom... but it did go away... and it was a big eye opener... I'm not recommending this as a technique to quit, but that's how I did it. It's a kinda fucked up way to quit... I think first you've got to want to quit, then you've got to get deeply introspective then go through some hard shit for a long time, but you can do it. Since quitting it took about 10 days for the haze to lift, then I started to notice things about being in it that I didn't notice before...

First thing that surprised me was paranoia, I had always assumed I didn't get that, but surprise, I did have a strange low level paranoia that was inhibiting my behaviour... also the obvious things like having way more time on my hands, the ability to do more work easier.. and it's cliche, but yeah, dreams have started returning in vivid form, and I'm still getting used to those because they are so vivid... can't believe I had stopped dreaming, I had read that before but I thought it was bullshit. Then finally the most embarassing thing I've realised is that my friends who are still smoking look like classic stoners, and it's probably because I'm straight now but they look high and they don't realise how out of it they are.. and I was one of them... yeah, it's been a real eye opener... I'll never do it again... I loved the stuff but that's my punishment for abusing it for so long, it's had it's day.

 

[nn-DreemMasterTree]

Thanks dudes, I'm starting to implement the regular exercise and eating well and your very right about it. Just need to commit to it more its funny when i smoke it kinda throws my patterns away and i start eating heeps of sugar staying up late and being generally lazy ect. Also knowing that i can enjoy myself on this level its just unsustainable, like so many things in this world! anyhow tomorrows another day I'll continue trying and thanks for input I enjoyed and will benefit from it

 

[nn-DreemMasterTree]

Quote. I've always looked at weed as a lifestyle choice but one that most people don't even realise they've made.
Me. I think you have a point here...

Quote. it's been a real eye opener... I'll never do it again... I loved the stuff but that's my punishment for abusing it for so long, it's had it's day.
Me. Its a hard one... :?

lbeing789 thanks dude

 

[Rooftop]

Smoked 6 years non stop, then quit 1 month, smoked 4, so on, and gradually reversed that pattern. Rarely smoke now.
IMO most important is to at least stop long enough to eliminate tolerance, at least one month. Hopefully, you won't, but if you start again, it'll kick your butt real hard and make you realise what useless quantities you used to imbibe, and make you think about the worth of it compared to your physical and mental well being.

Quitting, be it for weeks or months, is something I really congratulate myself for. Many say it's harmless, but I think it can quite profoundly alter your emotionnal patterns. I have many friends who still blaze every day after what is soon going to be 20 years, and I'm really happy I decided to slow down a long time ago.

Exercising is definitely a huge help. Maybe deciding of a minimum date of abstinence, and checking off the days on a calendar could help. For me, changing location was a big help, since I find it hard not to indulge when surrounded by smokers.
Anyway, the longer you wait, the harder it will get, so better sooner than later.

Good luck man, you won't regret it

 

[acolon_5]

Go slow.

I never cold turkey any habit, as it's never worked for me. Reduce until quitting is not a problem.

 

[proto-pax]

I haven't smoked in a week now, and my lungs already feel a million times better. I'll get getting an oil pipe soon and plan on using it as a vaporizer whenever I start up again.

 

[Elf Machine]

Ingest it. It's much more efficient, lasts longer, and good for your lungs. It's the only way I do it.

 

[Metanoia]

I've had some problems with cannabis in the past. I used to smoke it everyday, and if I didn't, I was miserable. When I would try to stop (I wasn't able to cut down because if I had some, I would smoke it) my appetite would go away and I wouldn't want to eat, my sleeping pattern would be completely screwed. It can become an addiction like many other drugs, I don't think it's harmless at all, especially if you're consuming upwards of 3 grams a day. I haven't smoked any for years now, and I'm much better for.

I'll never do it again... I loved the stuff but that's my punishment for abusing it for so long, it's had it's day.

These were my feelings for a while as well.

Ingest it. It's much more efficient, lasts longer, and good for your lungs. It's the only way I do it.

Then I realized this ^^ was the way to go. Eating it is a completely different experience, and I don't fiend for it that way. It's more psychedelic and obviously much better for your lungs. I can smear some cannabutter on toast and eat it, and I don't get the urge to do it again for a while, unlike with smoking it. Also, with smoking you get to a certain point and the high plateaus. When you eat a copious amount, you can go much further. It can become very trippy

 

[ElusiveMind]

Like endlessness said, find a hobby to substitute for your cravings... I've substituted mine for working out, swimming, or any other physical activity I feel like doing... I've never been in such great shape my entire life :lol:

 

[nn-DreemMasterTree]

Haven't smoked yet today... I was thinking a bit about smoking then i opened this thread.
I love all you guys! Such amazing people with beautiful words, Your better help than money can bye!

TRIPPY TRIPPING 2ALL!

 

[Mitakuye Oyasin]

Some really great suggestions here. A few things you might also consider is investing in a good vaporizer for those times you do wish to indulge it will be healthier for you to do so than smoking. You might also consider getting some edibles or making some cannabis oil or butter to eat or a tincture to drink. This method of consumption does two things, one it keeps you away from the physical act of smoking which can be mentally and emotionally (addicting? or habit forming for lack of a better word) and two it lasts a lot longer physically than smoking does. Be careful as a little goes a long way and it is easy to get too stoned by eating or drinking instead of smoking. remember also that it takes most people 1-2 hours for the feeling to kick in once you have consumed cannabis orally, so be patient and wait before you accidentally dose yourself too high, this is not a comfortable feeling for anyone who has ever experienced it before. While you would have to consume huge amounts before you ever do any damage to yourself physically, the mental ride from too much cannabis orally is not a fun ride and most who only smoke have never experienced what I am talking about before.

It is also very important to know what strains you have and if they are Sativa dominant or Indica dominant and also to know what reason you have for consuming cannabis when you want to. For instance I use Indica's for pain relief, but have learned not to use them during the day because they add a weight to everything and make me function a bit slower mentally. Sativa's are very up and creative (like a strong cup of coffee) and are great for daytime use, but lack the pain relief that the Indica allows. Personally I cannot have Sativa's past dinnertime as I will never get to sleep at all, even after hours of not consuming them - but that is just me and my strange tolerance to this particular medicine. Many people have no idea what they are smoking and what amount of Indica vs Sativa they have. Personally I think this is critical to know in order to have a healing beneficial relationship with the plant. The plant can be very healing if used properly and in moderation.

Basically what you are looking for is to find a balance between normal sober life and limited cannabis use. For some of us that is once or twice a week, for others it is once or twice a month or even longer. Best of luck to you on your journey.

 

[Metanoia]

You might also consider getting some edibles or making some cannabis oil or butter to eat or a tincture to drink. This method of consumption does two things, one it keeps you away from the physical act of smoking which can be mentally and emotionally (addicting? or habit forming for lack of a better word) and two it lasts a lot longer physically than smoking does. Be careful as a little goes a long way and it is easy to get too stoned by eating or drinking instead of smoking. remember also that it takes most people 1-2 hours for the feeling to kick in once you have consumed cannabis orally, so be patient and wait before you accidentally dose yourself too high, this is not a comfortable feeling for anyone who has ever experienced it before. While you would have to consume huge amounts before you ever do any damage to yourself physically, the mental ride from too much cannabis orally is not a fun ride and most who only smoke have never experienced what I am talking about before.

Yes, I probably should have said more than, "It can become very trippy". Eating too much cannabis can be a very harrowing experience for those who aren't used to eating it. I have had some seriously crazy experiences from eating too much cannabis. OBE's and complete psychedelic trips. Definitely warrants a warning.

 

[Wax]

I'm in the same boat my friend, I have cut back alot! from about an eighth a day to once a day now I'm down to once or twice a weekend.
I just want to get it all out of my system for a while, clear up my head, and then vape a bowl every now and then or eat some.
Everything in moderation is really the key to a healthy life.

 

[jamie]

It is strange how addictive cannabis can be. People always want to swear that it can never be phjysically addictive but it is when used heavily. I love cannabis but I wont smoke it heavily again becasue it got very addictive for me and I had all those withdrawl symptoms like I could not eat much..I couldnt sleep and felt anxious and miserable without it for a few days.

I wish people could just accept that cannabis does have that potential and still choose to love it anyway. Im so sick of hearing all these people in the cannabis movement denying that it can do this, or saying that it cant really impair you and anyone can just drive around baked..yes I have actaully heard people here involved in the medical cannabis movement say such a thing. It is rediculous how people can not just accept the truth about it, it makes us look like kids who are in denial about it.

I dont think it is just psychological either, or on the same level as all other psychedelics. DMT, mushrooms, ayahuasca etc do not seem to lend themselves at all to that type of use. Cannabis is a wonderful plant and I love it and it will always be a part of my life but people need to realize that in some instances it can be more of a brick on your shoulder than anything else.

For me I just stopped smoking it for about 6 months and then began to smoke maybe once a month after that. Now I smoke anywhere from once a night to once a week or less..whatever. I just do not smoke it chronically and if I smoke once a day for too many days I take a break from it. I used to smoke an ounce a week or more and NEEDED it all the time. I would loose my shit if I didnt have pot to smoke even for like one night. Now it doesnt bother me at all to just forget about it. I feel alot better about it's place in my life now and it is more of a medicine than ever.

 

[SHroomtroll]

Just took a break this week since i felt it become a problem again...

This time i will not touch it for at least a month or two.

Usually cannabis by itself is not hard to resist for me, it´s when i do psychs i wan´t to smoke it, preferably with a pinch of tobacco in.

 

[jamie]

I find cannabis sort of pointless and boring these days. I do enjoy it but it has a sort of self limiting aspect to it now that was not there before. I cant use it chronically becasue it just is completely uninteresting aside from more infrequent use. I guess once it stopped being a psychological crutch I realized there really is not a whole lot there compared to something like DMT or ayahuasca. It has its use for sure, but smoking weed all day just seems dull and borning now.

 

[MySmelf]

I smoked weed for about 10 years everyday until about a year and half ago. I quit for 3 months then only once or twice a month. Now I smoke it about once a week sometimes a little more but I use such a small amount now compared to before, two tokes and I'm good. I still have about a third of the eighth I bought last December!

I also don't feel like weed provides much by itself anymore so when I smoke I usually mix it with brugmansia leaf, harmalas, salvia, or DMT ( or a combination of the above ).
I also make butter with it for cooking which is definitely a nicer high. For some reason eating it has never been "trippy" for me. Eating too much just causes panic attacks and intense hot flashes. Though I've had some "trippy" highs from smoking certain strains like Blueberry and once I had a high with very shroomy OEV from mixing Sour Diesel and Afghan Kush.

I find a couple tokes before I go jogging really opens my lungs up and I can go a lot longer without getting winded.

After I quit smoking everyday I realized I had been living life in a kind of bubble. Weed provided this invisible protective layer between me and reality. At this point in my life I just don't want nor need that. Weed still has its uses as a medicine but to use it all the time defeats its usefulness IMHO.

 

[distracted]

I just barely quit smoking both weed and cigarettes about two weeks ago.
So I feel ya on this one. I smoked weed for the last time about a week ago, just to have a final go with it before I take a long hiatus. I realized that it was holding me in a sort of mental haze, and that high just wasn't as enjoyable when I was smoking all day every day.
Usually when I quit everything feels a bit off for the first few days, with marked irritability. On it's own its not terrible but boredom'll bite you in the ass if you let it.
This was a bit rough quitting both at the same time but I'm doin just fine most days.
My usual meditation + a lot more yoga's been helping me to not blow up all the time at little shit.
My personal advise when quitting any substance is to dive as deep as you can into the shitty emotions you feel, because the cravings will always be there, and if you learn to handle the worst of it, you can handle it at all times 8).
That being said, for me at least marijuana's not all that hard to boot after the first 2-3 days, just keep in mind smoking infrequently will most likely bring some of this back, but less intense each time.