If you have used marijuana extensively for a long period of time, you are going to experience some withdrawal symptoms. For some individuals the withdrawals are more severe than for others. It depends on body chemistry, degree of abuse, and other factors like whether you were using the drug to cover up some other problem.
For people that use marijuana to make themselves more comfortable in social situations, they may experience extreme discomfort and anxiety coming off the drug. Similarly individuals that used it for other reasons like appetite boost or to help with insomnia generally will experience some sort of a crash while their physiology changes to adapt to life without the drug.
Factors that influence marijuana withdrawal include:
1. Time Span
Did you smoke marijuana for a week? A few months? A year? 5 years? 10 years?
2. Frequency
How often did you smoke marijuana? Was it daily? Twice a day? Thrice a day? All day everyday?
If you smoked marijuana heavily for the past decade and used it at a high frequency (i.e. 3x per day), chances are that your withdrawal symptoms are going to be more severe than someone who has only used this substance for a few months a couple times per week. In fact the person who only used the drug a couple times a week may not experience any withdrawal whatsoever, while the individual that was addicted for 10 years may not be able to cope without the drug.
Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms:
- Anxiety – You may feel more anxious in social situations and develop some sort of generalized anxiety. This is the exact opposite of how relaxed you felt while using the drug – your brain is trying to compensate for the chemicals it received while you used marijuana.
- Appetite changes – If marijuana helped boost your appetite, you may not feel hungry at all while coming off of the drug. In some cases, people actually feel hungrier coming off marijuana – it totally depends on the case.
- Cramps – Some people notice stomach cramps and digestion problems. Others may feel achy.
- Cravings (for marijuana) – At some point in time, most people will experience a craving to use marijuana again. This is because you stimulated your brains pleasure center and kept feeding it chemicals to make you feel good. It wants its fix, and knows marijuana makes you feel good, so you will likely crave the drug.
- Depersonalization – You may feel like you are not the same person or are going crazy. This is usually a result of intense anxiety. You may have never felt this way before; your brain chemistry has been thrown out of whack.
- Depression – Many people experience some sort of depressive symptoms when coming off of the drug. You may feel sad and as though you have lost all zest for life.
- Dizziness – Some individuals report feeling dizzy. Try not to lose your cool if this is happening, just accept it as a symptom.
- Headaches – Another common withdrawal symptom is that of headaches.
- Insomnia – Not being able to sleep at night is a problem, but one that you need to tackle head on. Try learning some relaxation techniques or getting more exercise during the day to help tire yourself out at night.
- Irritability – You may experience anger or frustration with the world when coming off of the drug. No one wants to get mad at little things, but this will eventually pass with enough time.
- Mood swings – Some people experience extreme changes in mood when trying to quit this drug. You may feel alright one minute and then raging mad or depressed the next.
- Nausea – Feeling nauseated, especially before, during, or after eating is common.
- Sleep disturbances – You may experience crazy vivid dreams or have disrupted sleep where you wake up in the middle of the night.
- Sweating – Some people end up sweating more than they normally would during withdrawal.
Note: It is known that marijuana stays in your system along with cannabinoid metabolites for between 4 to 21 days after your final ingestion. Some speculate that once the THC and cannabinoids are fully excreted, discontinuation symptoms become more prominent.
When will the marijuana withdrawal symptoms subside?
Depending on the length of time and frequency that you used marijuana, time period for withdrawal varies from person to person. Most people will notice that they are completely symptom free after 90 days. It also depends if you tapered off slowly or just quit one day randomly in “cold turkey” fashion. I think cold turkey is the best way to quit, but probably the toughest for your body and brain to re-adjust to normalcy.
Don’t freak out if you don’t return to normal after 3 months of withdrawal. Keep pushing forward and accept all of the symptoms that you experience without freaking out. Engaging in healthy activities like socializing, exercising, eating healthy foods, and staying busy will help you make it through this difficult time.
Fortunately marijuana withdrawal is easier than many other drugs – so consider yourself lucky. If you aren’t able to withdraw on your own or deal with symptoms, you should consider consulting a professional. If symptoms are still too extreme to manage, you may want to look into a rehab facility. Most people can quit with the help of family and a good social network.
I smoked for 20ish years and went cold turkey 7 weeks ago I had all the withdrawal symptoms. They do get better as time goes by, some symptoms do come back weeks or months later but you need to tell yourself they will pass and some day never come back. Thanks to a this site and all who posted on it, helped me understand what was happening to me and gave me hope and courage to make it through the horrible feelings. Good luck brothers and sisters you will make it just take it step by step and think of your loved ones.
Hey everybody, so I quit smoking weed cold turkey about 3 to 4 months, I smoked weed everyday for 8 years. When I initially quit cold turkey I had very mild anxiety and some shortness of breath. My breathing seem to be somewhat OK up until this point coming up to the fourth month. Lately I have been coughing up lots of phlegm with some black stuff in it, but most of the time is white sometimes yellow phlegm. I have also lately started to feel nauseous all the time.
I have also been getting pins and needles in my face and my fingers, the pins and needles does not occur that often. I am more worried about my breathing. I’m just wondering if it’s common for these types of symptoms to surface months after quitting, or do they generally appear closer to the time you quit? I have also done many lung tests/blood test and everything seems to be ok. Any insight or personal stories relating to this would be a big help!
Hi Jay. I am currently close to two months clean from daily Marijuana use. I am going through the same thing. I’m not experiencing the withdrawal symptoms others are, except for a little insomnia. I have, however, had trouble with coughing phlegm. It didn’t start right away, maybe a week or two after stopping. So I have more or less been coughing phlegm for the last 5-6 weeks. I see that you wrote this on the 11th of october 15, are you coughing still, and how much weed did you smoke?
I’m currently a month into quitting pot after smoking heavily at night for almost 10 years. I still experience, insomnia, night sweating and palpitations but it’s getting better all the time. Here are some suggestions that have helped me and others that I know:
1) If you can’t go cold turkey try smoking a very mild Indica strain ( low THS around 6%) as opposed to strong Sativa strains or hybrids which stimulate and speed up the heart rate much more and lead to serious sweating for many people. If you ween yourself off slowly with a very mild strain, your body will adjust and pretty soon a “non-smoking day” will go by unnoticed. (If you get a Sativa or strong strain by mistake, throw it out immediately)
2) Exercise. Your body is waking up and needs movement and stimulation to detox. Running, walking, yoga, swimming.Do whatever feels right and try doing it when you usually smoke. I started evening yoga classes because that’s when I was susceptible.
3) Diet. You’re detoxing and your body needs help! Ginger, garlic, green juices, lemon, apple cider vinegar. The ginger , especially in a juiced form, acts as an expectorate and you will see that you may start coughing up lots of dark mucus afterwards. This is good! Also, lots of Vitamin C, B vitamins and grapefruit is excellent for cleansing. Unsweetend cranberry juice mixed with water also acts as an astringent and can be drank all day like “Cranwater”. If it’s too tart take Cranberry Juice capsules.
4) Insomnia can be a huge problem and I am still challenged by this. What does help is avoiding coffee, tea after 2 pm daily and also herbal teas are comforting and calming. I do not recommend getting a prescription sleep aid but if necessary get a very mild type for only one week. You do not want another addiction.
4) Saunas. They will also speed up your detox and cleanse your pores and you will sweat less on your own if you do a major sauna sweat.
5) Socially, try hanging out more with people who don’t smoke.
6) Mediation. 15 minutes a day to get back to center, clear the mind and get back to self. I do Transcendental Meditation but there are many forms.
Good luck everyone! We can do this!! Love, M
Hey homies. Read all the stories and I’m starting to feel a bit at ease but I’m scared as f***. I’m hoping its withdraws that I’m getting and nothing else. I’ve been a very heavy smoker for the last 4 years. (I know it’s not 20) durning these last few days I’ve been experiencing heavy withdraws from smoking more then 5-6 times a day and maybe more on some occasions. I’ve gotten bad panic attacks and just recently my chest has been having really bad pains. Almost tingly.
As well as my right arm and terrible headaches. It’s mostly the chest pain that’s been freaking me out. Jus recently I started coughing as though I have some kinda liquid coming up. I’m scared I may have been smoking to cover up something bigger but I just don’t know.<< then that could just be the damn anxiety. On top of all that I even vomited this morning and afternoon. Could all of that be the anxiety as well? This sucks. I'm scurrd. Even made a doc appointment on monday.
Hi all, Thank you for all the stories and the honesty- it’s reassuring and inspiring to know so many others are determining to get away from it. I’m giving up, again, and feeling a bit lost without my usual weekend pursuit: getting hiiiiggggghhh! I’ve been a heavy and daily smoker for about 20 years and have been using a ‘wean off’ method, recommended by my bro (also ex long term heavy smoker). I am having longer periods without (have only bought 5 grams in last six weeks which is not much compared to 3 months ago where I was smoking 5 grams in 10 days!), and am also prolonging periods between purchases.
It’s probably not a method that works for everyone but feels like a more sustainable approach for me. My sleep patterns are all over the place, as is appetite and mood, I’m taking a couple of co-codamol a day to help with headaches and tightness in jaw and face, and am smoking more rollies (they will be my next addiction to tackle but am, unfortunately, not strong enough to quit both my long-term addictions at same time). What has been pivotal in my being able to break up with Mary Jane, or putting some distance between us, at least, is seeing it as a co-dependent relationship.
In many ways, MJ has been a constant companion, and I used to feel guilty for thinking badly of her, which would heighten cravings, rationalize my usage etc. I’ve had to cut links with people who are still heavy smokers, am on my knees asking for Divine assistance when I’m feeling the urge, being patient, non-judgmental and understanding of why I chose to use and reprogramming my neural connections, to name just a few techniques that are helping.
I’m a faith practitioner and have found that seeing my addiction as a kind of idol worship (you will have no gods besides Me) is strengthening my resolve. I am also recognizing the cravings come in waves, and when I am caught in the grips of one, I treat them like menstrual cramps, with the understanding that they will intensify, peak and then recede. I am doing energy healing on myself when s**t feels tough (laying on of hands, visualizations, qi kung, etc), but the irony is that in some ways MJ helped me deal with my energetic sensitivities in the first place.
Unless one is growing their own, in soil, without chemicals, the ‘it’s natural so what’s the harm?’ argument doesn’t really stand in our current times where the mellow herb has become a caricature of itself. When I see people I know who smoke a lot with terrible marks under their eyes, lack of motivation or drive, etc and I see a reflection of myself in them, it renews my desire for positive change. May the Divine refine our appetites so we seek out purer ‘highs’; let’s weed out the weed so there is more space for flowers to grow. Onwards and upwards!
Have now been clean 10 weeks. Currently going through a tough time at work, but feel so much more able to deal with it. I am totally committed to staying off the bud, even with the temptation to have ‘just one bang’ when my friends smoke. I still have vivid dreams far more so than I did before I started smoking and some are anxiety related, but nothing like the nightmares I experienced when I first withdrew 10 weeks ago.
I am more engaged with friends now and am fully involved in certain areas in my life that I had neglected whilst smoking. It really has made a huge and positive difference to my outlook and I feel actually, better about my life than before I started smoking. To all those sharing their experiences here, thank you and please hang on in there, I assure you things will be better as a result of quitting permanently.
I have been smoking for the past 16 years everyday about 10 to 15 blunts a day. I have decided to quit. I have made it just 1 day so far. I feel like I’m going crazy. I am crying one minute then feeling like I could put my fist through a solid rock wall the next. I’m hoping tomorrow will be better. I know I need to do this. I’m just glad that I have never used any other drugs or alcohol. But I will say weed hasn’t ruined my life like I’ve seen alcohol do to people.
I’ve been smoking weed heavily since my junior year of high school (17 yrs old) I am now 22 and could say I smoked everyday 3 times a day for the past 4 years or so, still able to go to college and finish, but I got high everyday like I said because I felt like that was my only way to stay sane and handle all the stress and responsibilities of being a young student in their early 20s. Funny thing is when I was younger (at 17) I knew that marijuana was my drug of choice and would never do anything worse…
I saw it as a “here and there” type of thing, but I never would have imagined I would become so dependent and be an everyday user. I now can’t eat without smoking first every time, doesn’t even matter if I’m starving to death. I’ll still feel like I’m gonna throw up if I try to eat without smoking first, and I really think this is the thing that is bothering me the most. The nauseous empty feeling that I have without marijuana it truly sucks and sickening I could say it’s the worst feeling I have to go through and I just want it to go away :(
My husband smoked pot non-stop for about 10 months and now he is withdrawing. This is day 8. The weird thing is that he says he feels fantastic and has no withdrawal, but he is not behaving like himself. He is very erratic and argumentative. He is being mean to me, yelling at me about stupid things, etc., and he usually never does this. He’s normally a very even-minded person. He believes that pot has cured him of depression permanently, but I am growing more concerned with his behavior.
I don’t think it cured him of anything, but instead has caused him to become unstable. While he was smoking it, he would get crazy ideas that made no sense, and tell me ridiculous things., but that was only when he was really stoned. Now it almost seems like the withdrawal induced some sort of mental illness. I am hoping it is temporary and he will be his old self again soon. It’s very sad. If his symptoms don’t abate soon, I may have to leave for my own sanity.
I am trying to help him, but he doesn’t think he needs any help and that he is doing great. He’s not, and I don’t know what to do. All that pot smoking led him down a bad path, and I’m worried that he may not come back from it. I know that pot can be harmless for many people. I smoked it on and off over the years, but never every day or even every month. I think it’s like alcohol. Most people can have a drink, and be fine, but some people can’t. They drink and drink and can’t stop. They become alcoholics and feel they must have alcohol to live.
I think it’s the same with pot. I don’t believe pot will ruin everyone’s life who smokes it, but there IS a chance someone will get addicted to it if they have the right genetics/propensities. It’s those people who experience withdrawal. I hope my husband makes it through this and never smokes it again. It just doesn’t agree with him, even though he definitely thinks it does and that it’s a wonder drug. All it has done for him is make him think bizarre things, become erratic, and now that he’s withdrawing (because I insisted), he’s mean. It’s no wonder drug.
Just wanted to update that things are getting better, although they first got much worse. Pot turned my husband into a jerk, quite frankly, and made him think idiotic thoughts. We fought almost every day for a month about really stupid things. It turned him from a nice man who was sensible and loving, into a creep who was mean. He also thought he was a”different” person and behaved erratically and unlike himself. It was awful.
Finally, after about 6 weeks off pot, he started behaving a little more like his old self. He is still not completely himself, but things are definitely going in the right direction now. I guess for some people it really can take months to overcome the effects of pot use and withdrawal. I had assumed he would be better within a week or two.
For anyone who is struggling with pot abuse or withdrawal, your real self is good enough and you don’t need any drug to make your life complete. In fact, daily drug use will make your life incomplete, although drugs will often make you think the opposite–that you can’t be happy without the drug. It is a lie! Don’t believe it.
Thank all of you who have written your stories here. It has helped me to deal with what was happening in my own life with my husband.
I’ve smoked marijuana for the past 21 years, and a daily user for the past 17 consuming up to 3/4 of an oz a week. I very much so enjoyed it, but its not worth risking my job over so I quit 5 days ago. I feel sick in my stomach, headaches, sweating, vivid dreams among other things. Never imagined how difficult it would be but I’m not giving in, as hard as it is I will persist.
Hey brothers and sisters, I had my first joint at the age of 11, chocking I know and smoked everyday, at least 4 a day since the age of 15, I am now 42!! I can honestly say that I don’t really know who I am without it. I went on holiday this summer and decided not to take any with me. It was so weird, 10 days of hyper-reality everything was so bright, intense, mental!! thank God there was the ocean, nature lots of wildlife and sports.
I have smoked a few time since and it was complete hell every time. Terrible anxiety, self loathing, confusing, paranoia and even some self harming. I have so many of the symptoms described that I actually find it hilarious! I sweat like a pig at night, I stammer and can’t find my words, my head is killing me, I second guess pretty much everything that I do or say. The worst is the emotional confusion that it leaves me with.
I don’t understand why I still crave it when I know perfectly well that my body rejects it as it would reject a poison. I seem to got through this scary anthropomorphism, I miss it as I would miss a loved one! I tell myself ” How lovely it would be to have a spliff” “how relax I would feel” when it is completely false. Every spliff is like a spiritual rape. Very confusing and incredibly scary… but I will push on through.
I think I now need to make the full commitment and so here it goes: “Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Lilonna and I have quit smoking skunk. I am a recovering weed addict and everyday is a battle. May God and my brothers and sisters recovering weed addicts help help me on my path of self discovery.” Peace (and a f*cking good night sleep) to you all.
I have been smoking marijuana for 16 years every day about 2 times a day. I have taken a few breaks in between, the longest being 3 months. Out of anything in my life quitting smoking marijuana has been the most difficult thing to do. I started smoking in high school to “fit it” not realizing the effects it would have on my life.
I’m 31 now and have finally put that chapter of my life behind me but not without so pretty severe withdrawal symptoms. The biggest symptom would be anxiety, followed by headaches and insomnia. Almost every other symptom listed in marijuana withdrawal I have also experienced, waking up totally soaked in sweat, dizziness, irritability, depersonalization, tremors, and the list goes on. Like most sites say, the symptoms go away or are barely noticeable after around 90 days!
That’s all it basically is folks, if you can last 90 days you will then start to get your true self back! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, the brain and body are amazing creations and with nutrition, exercise and constant learning (new languages or playing instruments, etc.) you can once become much better than your previous self. Believe! Drugs are not the answer, there only a temporary making agent!
Tim, your comment has given me hope. I am 31 and quitting right now. It’s been 2 days and I even have a spliff of weed left in my grinder and am contemplating smoking it tonight, but part of me just wants to throw it away. The last couple of nights I have been waking up several times through the night absolutely dripping in sweat. Nightmares and anxiety have also occurred. I have smoked it for 15 years, with the last 5 years being every single day (after a hard break up).
I smoked because it felt like I could deal with losing my ex if I was stoned and the habit has just continued. I have always defended weed and still probably would. Weed for me was a reward after a long day doing a shitty job that I hated. It was a way for me to write songs on my guitar. I am about to start my final year at University and, although I have smoked weed through the first 2 years and I am still doing okay, I feel that if I quit then I could maybe do even better? I hope so.
If not I will be back here to tell anyone who reads this. But this is my experiment, I want to see if I can be a more productive human being without weed being the centre of my life. So far, sweating at night and not being able to sleep through the night are the only things that I have experienced but there is a long road ahead and I am scared of what will happen after reading some of these comments. But I am determined and I hope when I get home later I am able to throw out that last bit of weed and give up for good. Wish me luck!
I did it. It’s been three months today since I quit smoking weed. Am still very grateful for this website where I learned that the withdrawal could last so long. That is what has given me the strength to hang in there. Thank you Gloom, and everyone who has left comments on this site. I still have temptations, and everyday life issues, some of which have been very painful to deal with, but for a change I’m dealing with issues instead of escaping into a cloud of smoke, and am becoming emotionally and physically stronger.
Before, for many years, I used weed to cope with life, but finally couldn’t help but realize that instead of weed helping me cope, it was actually making me less able to cope, as my constant altering of consciousness was causing uncontrollable mood swings and brain fog. Also, uncontrollable “munchies” caused me to always be overweight and not feel good physically. Now, my mental clarity is so much better, and I’ve lost 10 pounds (need to lose about 15 more), and feel much better. Thanks again to everyone whose comments on this site continue to greatly help me, and I hope what I’ve shared here will help others.
On day 3 after about 3 years of daily usage 3-4x / day. First thing in the morning, first thing when I got back from work. Late at night, and then before bed. The best thing to do is to try and get some exercise. Yes, I feel some anxiety and some tiredness. But I ran 2 miles each day and already feel better. I didn’t sleep particularly well last night, but enough. I also quit cigarettes about 3 weeks ago. So my lungs should be happy!
I recently stopped smoking marijuana after having smoked it for almost six years on a daily basis. I’ve experienced headaches, anxiety, extreme mood swings, and nausea after quitting. Fortunately for me my symptoms were gone within a week of quitting. I was actually surprised that my symptoms subsided so quickly being as though I was in “LOVE” with the mary-jane lol. I think what may have made it easier is the fact that I slowed down from smoking three times a day to just smoking once at night every night back in January.
I literally just quit 2 weeks ago and I cant lie I feel great. It actually feels pretty good to actually deal with all of my problems without turning to marijuana. I’ll definitely miss the relationship I once had with it but I feel so alive now! I’m a social butterfly once again, whereas when I was smoking, I turned into a complete introvert.
I hear you! I feel the same way. I’ve been smoking for about 10 years, there were periods where I smoked 3 or 4 times a day and some days only once. I did it mostly to cope with life, and in reality, I was just masking my life, not pursuing my goals or dealing with the hardship of life. I feel like I have wasted many years, lost opportunities and deceived loved ones all because I wanted to get high.
I am on my second day of not smoking. I’ve quit before for short periods and got back to it because life became boring. The last time I quit for 1 month and I felt great, I didn’t even miss it. I felt more alive, more social, my mind was much more clear and I was more motivated. My symptoms lasted for about 5-7 days, mostly anxiety, insomnia, irritability and vivid dreams.
Today, on my second day, I feel unmotivated, it is hard to focus on work. One moment I am happy and in peace, 30 seconds later I want to shoot the first person I see. It is crazy what marijuana withdraw symptoms are. And pot smokers say it is not addictive… These symptoms are certainly real.
I’m currently in day 4. The withdrawal symptoms I am experiencing are insomnia, anxiety, depression, mood swings, I have the sweats and the shakes. No headaches, some slight dizziness/feeling of confusion however I am noticing quite distorted vision? Not blurry, spotted, blank, or involving things that aren’t actually real, the best way to explain it is the kind of vision you have upon first waking up in the morning and everything seems to be moving a lot slower than usual. Can anyone say they have experienced this?
Yes, I experienced that same symptom, except for me it was happening during the last few weeks I was still smoking, and then cleared up quickly when I stopped. It was pretty scary to me, and helped inspire me to quit.
Well, in two weeks from today it will be three months since I quit smoking weed. It’s been hard and I’ve had temptations, especially when depression sets in. The depression was pretty bad for awhile, especially since at the same time I was betrayed by someone I mistakenly thought of as a friend. Turns out I am beginning to realize, due to genuine friends, that I was a victim, and was blaming myself as I am told victims do.
Anyway that story is too long to go into more detail here. Just wanted to say that I’m still hanging in there in spite of having had to deal with a lot, and am very thankful for this site and the real friends I am so fortunate to have. As always, I read all the comments others make here, and wish us all the best. It would be nice to hear follow-up comments from those of you who are staying clean, or at least trying. Please wish me continuing success also, and I’ll post another comment in two weeks to let you all know if I made it that far.
Well, wish me luck, cause I will need it. I’ve been a heavy smoker for almost 20 years and the last couple years, I’ve been smoking a real lot. This last year I stayed home and I started using a lot of marijuana, sometimes more than 10x a day. Availability is not an issue and I thought that it made my life worse instead of better. I really can’t remember who I am anymore, have no clue of how my mind will react to lack of weed.
To make matters worse I had my share of mental issues (not really crazy, but depression and hyperactivity, along with rage bouts were my unwelcome friends for as long as I can remember) and that was one of the reasons I picked the habit. I would swear that marijuana was the best thing that ever happened to me, but right now I’m really on doubt about that. My marriage is always being rocked by my anger bursts, I still have my days of depression and lately I have seen that I simply don’t have energy to do pretty much anything.
I am in a somewhat comfortable position in life, no I don’t have money but my family is stable. I live in my parents’ house backyard apartment and my wife is the bread maker these days. No biggie but the fact is that I can’t find enough disposition to keep our small house clean. I was blessed with a lot of intelligence but unfortunately, none of it is emotional. I am smart but not wise. I am satisfied but not happy. I am rested but not tranquil.
I really can’t find a way to control my use of weed. I am not sure if I will be able to quit, it has been years since I went one whole day without it. And even if I manage to stop, I’m not sure who’s the person under this coat of THC that permeates my soul. I am not sure life is worth living, with or without marijuana. Pretty sure I have a lot more issues that will come by if I take this decision.
BTW I already take anxiety meds, they help me cope with the side effects of marijuana (mood swings and anxiety). So basically I will probably have to go big pharma all the way, because I almost sure I can’t live my life without some kind of chemical interference.
I have smoked like a train for about 15 years and but a month & 1/2 ago I stopped the first week I just couldn’t bare the withdrawals, so I puffed on a joint a few times. But I know for the last month I haven’t smoked at all. I think about smoking everyday and I’m learning to live my life without being high and its still hard.
Yes it has gotten a lot better than the first 2 weeks, but I still can’t sleep at night. I’m angry a lot and it seems as if I just don’t have any motivation to do anything. I try to be happy but I’m not. I tell myself it is just the withdrawal but I don’t know. I have smoked so long, I don’t know who I am without smoking. If this is the real me I don’t like this person very much.
Almost daily smoker here for ten years. Except I have stopped several times sometimes for months the most I stopped for was over a year. I had to separate myself with “friends” because I knew they would be smoking green. It becomes old and more like a chore. Hang out smoke weed and do pretty much nothing. You are also wasting your time and making these pot shops rich.
At the end you have to stop for yourself. What happens if you don’t quit and go on vacation cold turkey, that’s gonna be one crappy vacation. I went out of the country for a wedding once and I felt like crap. I have about a week sober from weed. Night sweats started as soon as I quit. I ate at a restaurant and I was cold and shivering, the a.c. was on but it wasn’t on high. I have high irritability.
I feel like I’m getting sick feel light headed with some body aches. I had bad shortness of breath for the first three days. Feeling like I couldn’t quite get a correct breathing pattern. I have less mucus and don’t have to blow my nose as much. Now there is a lot of talk about legalizing it but you will still get in trouble for depending on what type of job you have. This is simply for the money not because they just had a breakthrough in research.
These shops put extra stuff in the weed to make it grow faster, have different scents etc. They buy bad batches with mold and bugs and still sell em or give it to you as a “gift” in some of the worst joints possible. I feel bad for having this weed take over my life in the recent years and not living up to my potential. Feel like reconnecting with friends and family for the time I have wasted.
Hey everyone, I want to start off by saying I don’t feel alone anymore. I had no idea this many people experienced the same symptoms I’ve been having. I have smoked all day everyday for the last 7 years! I smoked weed like some people smoke cigarettes, a joint an hour. I quit cold turkey about 2 weeks ago and I had horrible withdrawal symptoms!
No appetite, not sleeping, and ridiculous night sweats. I lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks! I felt so weak and had no motivation for anything. I have never felt so unhealthy in my life! I still don’t feel myself. Although most these symptoms have decreased I still get night sweats every night. Anybody else experience night sweats this bad? If so, how long did it last? I’m proud of myself and I can honestly say this experience made me never want to smoke ever again!
In four more days it will be two months since I quit pot. I’ve looked at other websites but this has been the most helpful one for me. Thank you, GLOOM for all you do for others while dealing with your own struggles. I’ve been slowly feeling better, though some days I feel worse again. I’ve suffered all except one of the symptoms I’ve read about on this site, until now.
The one symptom I hadn’t experienced was bad, vivid dreams, even though insomnia has been the worst symptom for me. Now, after all this time off pot, I had about the worst, and very vivid dream of my life last night. Even after I woke up and realized it was only a dream, I was still very shaken up, and so afraid that it might have some basis in reality that I turned on my porch lights just in case anyone was lurking outside.
I took an herbal calming medication, and it took about a half hour to get over the fear and feel okay, and then was able to go back to sleep for the rest of the night. I am wondering why it has been so long since quitting pot before having such a bad dream, as in all the other accounts I’ve read of bad dreams people have from withdrawal have happened shortly after quitting pot. I have a couple of ideas but am not sure.
One is that yesterday I had to finish a craft for a birthday present today, which took most of the day, and I drank a lot more coffee than usual to keep going. The other idea is that maybe it was due to the power of suggestion from reading about the bad dreams of others. If anyone else hasn’t had their bad dreams until a long time after quitting pot, or has any ideas about the belated cause of mine I would love to hear from you. Thanks.
I think you are absolutely correct about the reason for your belated nightmare. I did have nightmares early on after quitting that seemed to go away, but I had a similar experience recently after consuming too much caffeine. Also, suggestion is a very powerful thing.
Thank you Brandy for your helpful reply. I hope you and everyone on this forum are hanging in there and feeling better and stronger. I’m finding that as the fog clears I’m able to notice other things more, such as the effects of caffeine. Also, with my mind and emotions being more clear and sound I can see how some of my behavior when smoking pot was a little crazy sometimes.
It is still hard in some ways, especially in accomplishing much. I was so dependent on smoking pot before doing anything, that now I have a hard time getting going without it. I still often spend the majority of the day unable to get started, and just end up watching a lot of TV. I do get one or two chores done at least, and sometimes go half the day or more keeping busy, which is an improvement, since the first 3 or 4 weeks I hardly moved at all.
I’ve read your posts and have noticed that I quit about 3 weeks before you. I also had the same symptoms you mentioned. Didn’t call 911 but was close to it. You and others on this forum have given me the strength to get this far. If it wasn’t for the information I’ve gotten here, especially about how long the symptoms can last, I doubt I would have lasted this long because I wouldn’t have even realized I’m still in withdrawal.
Instead I would have thought I just had some other problems and needed the pot to feel okay, which is what the sellers had me thinking was the case. Thanks again, and continuing wishes for success to us all.
You’re absolutely welcome Carol. :) Good luck to you!!
I used bud daily, and heavily (up to 60 pounds worth a day), for 7 years of my life from 16-23. I quit cold turkey about 3 weeks ago. At first I felt fine, I fact happier, chattier etc., but now 3 weeks in I feel anxious, dizzy (in fact most of the symptoms) all the time. But the worst is anxiety. I’m struggling to deal with it. Any ways anyone can suggest to help? Thanks.
Anxiety has been bad for me too. Besides finding a lot of strength in reading what others share here, I’ve been using relaxing herbal teas, and getting exercise, but mostly being gentle with myself, and when all else fails just going to sleep or distracting myself with TV. Hope this helps.
I first found this site and left a comment 10 days ago, and have finally decided there’s more I want to say. First of all, this is the first time I’ve ever found a place where countless people are all having basically the same symptoms as myself. If I hadn’t found this site I really doubt I would have stayed off pot as long as I have, which has been since May 29th, almost eight weeks.
I smoked pot since my late teens, with only brief times of abstinence, and am now in my late sixties. There were 3 or 4 times when I briefly got into heavier drugs, due to getting involved with company doing them, but it’s been many years since the last time and I have no temptation there, either to do those drugs or to be involved with people who do them. Then there was a time a few years ago, when I didn’t have access to pot that I got into drinking beer and wine in excess.
My only real desire though was always for pot, and when I found out about four years ago that I could get a prescription I was very happy to quit drinking, and have smoked pot ever since. I have had 4 or 5 beers total since quitting pot, but they didn’t make me feel good and I’m beginning to realize that if I want to ever really feel good again, if that’s possible, I probably need to stay clean from everything. While I was still smoking pot, I felt at times that it was doing me harm in a few ways. First of all I used it for anxiety.
For a long time it kept me feeling good mentally, but eventually I had to smoke more and more. Then finally one day I was at a gathering with some friends who don’t smoke (that I know of), and when the pot wore off I had a “blow up” with one of them over a misunderstanding which resulted in my not being welcome around that group anymore, which has been very heartbreaking. The particular person I blew up at was someone I needed to distance myself from for other reasons, but it shouldn’t have happened the way it did.
Anyway, I very much valued the association with the group in general, and so realizing that pot had been the cause of my unstable mind and temper, I finally gave it up a couple of months later. It still hurts to not be wanted around by them, but now all I guess I can do is keep trying to be a better person, starting with keeping a sound mind. I do still have family, and some other longer term friends, who don’t use pot or any other drugs, and I’ve told them about my pot addiction and what I’m going through, and they have proven to be real friends by still loving and wanting me around.
I don’t get to see them as often as the friends I lost, but at least they are still there, and I’ve sure learned the hard way to be a better friend and family member, starting with keeping a stable mind by not altering it with pot. As for my withdrawal symptoms, for about the first month I was a vegetable on the couch, with severe depression, severe fogginess of mind, and severe insomnia. Gradually I forced myself to do one or two chores a day, then was back on the couch. Now, for about two weeks, I’ve finally gotten back to keeping active all day, except for maybe a brief nap in the afternoon.
Also, for the past four days, I’ve even gotten back to the crafts I love, and there are several people who have said they would like to market them for me. I do still suffer from insomnia. It’s getting better, but sometimes gets bad still, so I have to really work at ways to get proper sleep. The fogginess and depression are still issues, but have greatly improved. The best improvement I’m noticing so far is in my stableness of mind since I’m not constantly altering it anymore.
Am also eating healthy now, instead of going on junk food binges from munchies, and am just beginning to do a little walking on my treadmill again and other exercises. I still have occasional temptations, but not too bad, and have so far stayed clean, and hopefully always will. To conclude, I want to say thank you again to the person responsible for this website, and for all the input from everyone (though am sorry you are all suffering also).
I’m feeling like getting all I’ve needed to say to someone out on this site is a great help. Before finding this place, even though I felt pot was harming me, I could never find anyone to substantiate that. Naturally the sellers would always convince me that it was good medicine for anxiety, which I naturally wanted to believe since I loved the high so much, and others had no definite opinions.
Perhaps it is good medicine for people with some serious or terminal illnesses, but like other medicines it can be very addictive, and only harmful to those of us who don’t really need it. As for it’s role as a medicine for anxiety, a person can also get temporary relief by drinking alcohol, which we all have long known can be addictive and become harmful. Finally, good luck to us all.
I’m 1/2 to 2 weeks clean from using basically every day all day for over 20 years. Literally she was my best friend, not kidding you I’m actually tearing up just writing about her. We did everything together and now it’s like I’m grieving the death of a loved one, I don’t know how else to explain it. I have almost every symptom minus the dizziness…so far. By far the insomnia is the worse went 3 whole days without sleep before crashing last night, hope I get some tonight but not holding my breath.
How much longer am I going to feel like this? I workout a lot, eat healthy (I’m vegetarian), sit in sauna to detox, drink loads of water. I guess the worse part is, without MJ I feel so lonely, like my childhood dog died. It’s horrible and I feel pathetic admitting this. Ugh I just want this monkey off my back for good. Basically from what I’ve searched up I’m going feel like stepped on doggy doo for another 10 weeks or possibly longer. I just want to crawl in a hole and die until it’s over.
Hi, You need a distraction!. You are consuming/doing all the things to help detox. I found I couldn’t eat anything but healthy stuff and couldn’t stomach coffee for a couple of weeks. I know how you feel about giving up a friend, but it’s a sh*t friend. I have found going out for a walk really helps, fresh air and nature, are an emotional boost. It also helped me sleep. It does get better, honestly.
I’m on week 10 and only think about weed if I can smell it and I was a stoner for a similar period of time and smoked every day too. I would say my symptoms fully stopped after about 5 to 6 weeks and the intense withdrawal stopped after 2-3 weeks, it does get less intense day by day… Get a good book to stop you thinking about weed at bedtime too. Hope that helps and stay strong! Sam
Hey guys, I’m 21 and I’ve only smoked for about a year but I jumped straight into heavy smoking as all my friends are “stoners” like I smoked blunt after blunt all day long. I loved marijuana but as of July 8th I’ve been cold turkey clean, now I know a year isn’t really THAT long of a time to be smoking but after my first week I got so hooked that I was literally letting pot run my life. I smoked at the minimum a half eighth a day because that’s just what I would buy, let alone when I would match my friends.
I smoked on average I would say… 4-5 gram blunts a day all the way to ounces a day and hash and dabs on top of that. Not to mention edibles. My friends can go straight to the dispensary and get whatever they want so we always had the best weed and wax and edibles on top of the amount. Anyway, now I have the worst insomnia and anxiety ever. Constantly having the anxiety feeling, like literally constantly. From the moment I wake up to the moment I attempt to fall asleep.
The past few nights I will start to nod off and two seconds later I will feel my heart pound and I’ll wake up instantly in fear. The past 9 days have been the worst days of my life honestly. For the first few days I couldn’t eat at all, 1 or 2 SMALL meals like maybe poptarts or a bowl of cereal and that was it. If you say there are no withdrawal symptoms from this DRUG then you are still being blinded by the positive effects of THC on your brain chemistry but once you take that away from your body, you WILL feel the effects.
I only smoked for a year before but I let it control my life, I was selling things I owned just to get 25 for a half every single day if I didn’t have the money, lost friends, noticeably became less caring and less intelligent, I still feel like I can never focus and still have a foggy mind. I’m just hoping I don’t have to feel these symptoms much longer because I feel like I’m going insane with constant stress and anxiety.
Have been smoking about 3 joints a day for about a year and a half, always after 14:00 hours and have been forced to stop smoking for about a week (due to proximity, as illegal where I am currently with draconian laws). Must say I wasn’t aware of any withdrawal effects until I found this site (ignorance on my part more than denial). Was suffering with insomnia and slight headaches along with a dent in my usual positive attitude and couldn’t understand what the cause was, but assessed that it might be THC withdrawal hence my finding this site.
Prior to smoking I was very positive, and to a large degree I still was during smoking, but it has definitely had a negative effect overall. I was probably a mild user, but these withdrawals along with short term memory loss have made me realise that there are most definitely unwanted side effects. I am fortunate in that I have discovered the side effects relatively early and along with being a mild user feel confident that I will be back to normal soon.
I am just thankful I have been made aware by sites like this that embolden my determination to quit. Thank you to all that have taken the time to share their experiences you have been a great help. I wish you all the very best for your futures.
I first posted on this site when I had been weed free for ten days. I was experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms at that time (panic attacks, crippling depression, nightmares, sweats, suicidal thoughts, etc.) I am now on day 25, and my symptoms have subsided to a much more manageable level. I still get sad and anxious sometimes, but not nearly as bad as before. I have been eating very healthy and drinking a lot of water, which I think helps. I also go on walks pretty regularly and this helps lift my mood. Hang in there everybody. It gets better with every day that passes. You can do this. :)
Very happy to read this… I mean not happy for those that’s struggling but happy to know I’m not the only one feeling like S***. I found this forum right when I was going to give up pitifully… I’m only on day 1! This sucks so bad already stomach cramps and vivid dreams so far but already I feel the cloud over my head and eyes is getting smaller. My dad is fatally ill right now due to vascular disease from smoking! He just lost a leg :( I am quitting because I don’t want to end up with vascular disease and I need the focus to take care of my dad at home. Wish me luck and I pray everyone here succeeds!!
Hi Anne. I do wish you luck. You have a lot to deal with taking care of your dad but you can do it. Isn’t it ironically funny that although we’re not happy that others are struggling also, we couldn’t succeed if they weren’t?! Hang in there, and so will I.
Am so glad to have found this site. After many years of smoking pot off and on, mostly on, I became a heavier than ever user the last couple of years. It’s now been one and a half months since I quit, and have been experiencing severe depression, anxiety and depression, though it’s slowly lifting. Also, many years ago I did some experimenting with drugs, and quit smoking cigarettes 13 years ago, so am completely clean, except that I did drink a 24 oz. beer yesterday which I’ve since realized is probably not a good thing to do either.
I have much more I’d like to say as this site feels like a safe place to get it all out, kind of a soul cleansing, and a testimonial that also helps others, but for now just want to say thank you so much to everyone else who has shared here. It makes me realize how real, and common, my own withdrawal symptoms are, and that gives me a lot of strength to hang in there.
I’ve been a smoker for 9 years. At least 3 times a day. Today is my third day going cold turkey. It sucks. I don’t crave it as much as some. I do however feel less than par. My heads is a fog, which I can deal with. The worst is my stomach. I have no appetite at all and its starting to make me feel worse due to not eating. I try to eat and feel nauseous. To everyone in my position or one like it keep your head up.
I’ve been a everyday smoker for the last 10 years! I’m currently 29 and don’t want to enter my 30s dependent on pot. I’m a college graduate, own my own business, and have no social issues other than some anxiety. I’ve used it to self medicate more as I’ve gotten older… It stopped doing the trick.. I would feel more anxious vs feeling relaxed. I’m currently on day 7 and I’ve dealt with bouts of anxiety and much cloudiness.
The hazy feeling is the worst part of it all but coming here and reading these comments before bed has helped me understand that this is part of the process. Does anyone else feel like they are detached from reality? The haziness is by far the worst part. The one cool aspect of all of this is the vivid dreams… It makes me look forward to going to sleep. I quit for a year about 4 years ago but started up again and I regret it very much.
All that progress out the window. I recently quit for a month and a half while my little brother was in town but as soon as he left I picked it up again. The problem with me is that there’s no grey area. I either smoke everyday (one hitter in the morning/afternoon/night). I can’t just smoke occasionally. I’ve used the excuse of self medication for a while but I think I’m really up for the challenge this time. This is a great forum for people trying to get over the addiction hump.
I quit smoking weed ten days ago after being a fairly heavy smoker for years. The second night I was shaking and sweating uncontrollably, and on the 6th night I thought I was having a heart attack and called 911. The last two days I have been crying uncontrollably, feeling extremely depressed and lonely, and have had suicidal thoughts. I have had terrible headaches and diarrhea, and I feel like I’m losing my mind. I have also had multiple panic attacks and live in constant fear of having another one.
Before I stumbled across this site tonight, it never even occurred to me that these symptoms could be withdrawal from weed. I’ve never even heard of such a thing. Reading about all the things other people have gone through sure makes this easier to bear. At least I know I’m not completely insane, and it will get better with time. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. You’ve helped me immeasurably.
I can identify with the panic attacks and living in fear of having another one. It feels like a ticking time bomb in my brain… Like a 24/7 thought of having another one. I think the best way to deal with it is to prepare for the attack and when it happens to try and get into your own head to make sense of what’s actually going on… I can’t tell you how many times I thought I was on the verge of death but I started asking myself “but did you die?” Trust me, I know it can be crippling.. Just today I ended my practice session (I’m a HS coach) a bit early because I felt the onset of a panic attack. The pot has a lot to do with it. I’m hoping things get better with time, I’m confident they will. Stay strong.
Thank you for your advice on the panic attacks, you actually helped me get through the last few I had. I’m doing a lot better now, and I know you will be soon too. Keep your head up.
I stumbled upon this site after Googling marijuana withdrawal symptoms. Here’s my story: I am 50 and never got into smoking weed except when I was in High School. For the next 32 years I never smoked weed, though I drank several beers every night to unwind from work. Well, I decided my job sucked so I went and got my medical marijuana card from a doctor. That was 8 months ago. I still never smoke it, but I started having the edibles.
I topped out at 2 cookies a day and came very quickly to depend on the drug to get me through my high stress job. I’ve never had an addictive personality, but the edibles really calmed me down, gave me a great buzz and just changed my personality. I was always very Type A, impatient, demanding and bitchy. With the edibles, I became mellow, non-argumentative and a joy to be around. My husband was amazed, my coworkers suddenly adored me.
But my tolerance quickly went through the roof. I had to eat more and more bud to get that sweet body high. Within 6 months my edible habit was costing me $175 a month. I lost my motivation to exercise and spent hours lounged in front of the TV, when I had never watched TV before. I decided to quit. I confess I relapsed within 4 days. I felt so abysmal I went back to the edibles.
I literally felt those 4 days like I had cancer. No appetite, extreme lethargy, inability to sleep and a vicious hair trigger temper. All of you who have quit, I tip my hat to you. I am too weak to stop and don’t want to experience the agony of withdrawal.
Stumbled upon this message board today after quitting cold turkey 10 days ago and my life has been a wreck due to the horrendous withdrawal symptomology. I have had a medical marijuana prescription for five years and have consumed high amounts of THC/CBD on a daily basis to cope with stress, anxiety and chronic insomnia. Recently, my job was eliminated after 15 years of employment, and being new in the job market, mandatory drug testing is required.
I quit my consumption to procure a new job which has been rough as I am changing careers and I am under tremendous stress both physically and soon to be financially. My symptoms include severe insomnia (I also take meds as I have a sleep disorder and they are not working), headaches, body aches, acid reflux, sweaty palms, night sweats, anxiety, depression, anger, hand tremors, dry mouth, constipation and bloated stomach. What compounds the issues is that I stopped drinking cold turkey 20 years ago after being on a 10 year binge.
This event nearly killed me which has altered my brain chemistry indefinitely. I had the will power and common sense to know that I was in bad shape. Stress and job pressure led to my alcoholism. I have not had a drink since. I know that I am not alone and anyone who reads this, I wish them the best.
Right now, I am a mess. At the ago of 58, I don’t have all the time in the world to live and hopefully, I will pull through this like everyone else.
Hi, Just wanted to say thank you for all of the comments and support that people reading this blog have added. I have been a smoker for over 20 years (39 years old) but have been smoking daily for the last 4 years without break. I stopped cold 20 days ago and am experiencing most of these symptoms. I have been a heavy drinker and used other substances but smoking was my drug of choice. I thought I was going crazy and started to post rationalism my ‘need’ for it until I started reading the comments here and read so many similar experiences.
I have a good job and lead a big team of people and have 2 small children. I thought that smoking gave me increased focus and creativity but like any compulsive behavior it escalated and started to own me. I would love to be able to occasionally puff but I do not think this is possible. I just want to get to day 90 and I am determined to do it. These symptoms are very real and when you are in your own they can be frightening. Incidentally the first 10 days were very easy for me, the trouble has started in the last 2 and I have a lot anxiety,anger, trouble sleeping, irritability and of course VIVID dreams.
It was so great to hear about your similar experiences and I hope everyone who is struggling can find strength to keep going! If I can do it, you can too :) I just hope that it gets better for everyone. I don’t hate on MJ, it just became too much of a crutch for me. Wishing you all peace, love and calmness away from this drug if you want to. -Snowman
Moved to Amsterdam 20yrs ago. Been smoking 2 grams or more a day of the “good stuff” since. Decided it had to stop, 24hrs in and I feel rough, sweating, headache, some body cramp, zero appetite and as irritable as hell. Sleeping was a mess, took hours to fall asleep and woke every hour or so. Spent the last few hours convincing myself not to just have a small joint to take the edge off.
I started mj as a transitional medication after cancer treatment. As the tumours shrank, my need for pain meds diminished, but kicking morphine proved tough. I smoked a bit of weed, never had any more trouble with morphine withdrawal, however I did develop a habit with weed. My doctor suggested that I keep it to 0.5 grams a day max, I took his advice. But even at this level, the amotivational syndrome was quite noticeable, and was effecting my life.
Time to stop, and I was surprised to discover that this drug does also present some withdrawal symptoms. In my case, it was night sweats, persistent tiredness, and vivid dreams. I loved the dreams, it had been a long time with what seems like no dreams at all, but the tiredness was no fun, and the night sweats freaked me out at first… This was one of my primary cancer symptoms. No looking back after stopping, vibrant life returned.
I have been smoking weed everyday for the past 5 years on average 10-20 blunts per day. I realized that weed had taken control over my life when I stole weed from my merchant and got arrested. I cannot sleep at night and I can’t eat or I feel weak and have stomach aches or feel angry and depressed. Weed has stopped me from reaching my potential and right now my life is a mess and I am trying to fix my life once again. Weed is not good for anyone!!!! The withdrawal symptoms are killing me!!!
I decided after 9 years of getting high everyday to finally stop for good. I have quit cold turkey twice before while I was pregnant with my kids, but started up again once they stopped breast feeding. As for withdrawal symptoms, before I thought it was just pregnancy symptoms, but now that I have quit for 10 days while not preggo, I see that the headaches, and “brain fog” as I like to call it, are in fact withdrawal symptoms from the drug.
What keeps me going are my motivations to quit. I quit for my kids who are getting old enough now to question and mimic, I quit to regain my short term memory for school, and finally, I quit for myself to stop the guilt I would feel from being high (kids, money spent on it instead of them etc..). The first 24 hours I felt empowered, clean, more energetic and proud.
Since then I have had cravings which I subdue by keeping busy, headaches and a harder time falling asleep. Once I get to sleep I find I sleep through the full night instead of waking every 2 hours. My husband still tokes & he still occasionally forgets and goes to pass it to me. I have successfully resisted so far. He is supportive, telling me he is proud of me for quitting.
Even though he still tokes, he is also adding to my determination to stay MJ free. Find a friend, family member, or find online forums such as these for support. It really does help to talk through a craving as it happens and have someone listen and give you support/strength to get through it. You can do this… I can do this!!
Its been a whole day for me. yesterday I had the weirdest day of my life. I got angry, sad, depressed. I had way too many emotions coming up. I was sweating like crazy and I flipped on someone for no valid reason. I haven’t eaten in like 24 hours and I’m still not hungry… All I’m saying is I hope it’s not 3 months cuz I’m having a real hard time living like this.
Depends on how much you were using or abusing. Living on an island where it’s very hard to find regularly, you can go days and weeks without smoking. The first couple of days I’m always irritable but I push through those days knowing it gets easier. It does get easier, I wouldn’t go as far as saying 3 months, I went 1 month without back in march due to not being able to find any… after 2-3 weeks I stopped caring. I think it would be harder if it’s easily accessible though, I know if I was able to find it on the regular, I’d probably have a harder time saying no.
I smoked weed for 2.5 yrs daily, all day everyday (2-4 jays) and am on my 2nd day of sobriety. Quit cold turkey, and probably the worst symptom I’ve had so far were last night’s sweats. I tossed and turned in bed and sweated profusely for about an hour. I understand this is my body detoxing, but it still felt like some pretty heavy sh*t. Some people have it worse, and I can’t even imagine. Even though living life sober and doing everything I used to do high while being sober feels kind of weird, I am certain quitting is the right decision. I want to concentrate on my life instead of escaping it, face reality instead of numbing my senses. Just hoping the withdrawal symptoms go away fairly quickly.
Withdrawing from heaving cannabis use certainly does have effects. I am on my second attempt, so know what to expect (unfortunately I had a bereavement and found weed to be a crutch). I gave up for 5 years, 5 years ago and I can’t take it or leave it. I just love weed, but am very aware that it is destructive in many ways (Health, work, relationships). I have given up for Health reasons as I had been coughing up a lot of black phlegm and getting mild paranoia.
I am on week 5 of no weed, and have started with the vivid dreams , which I know will subside in a few weeks. I have gone through the dizziness, nausea, anger, irritability – (although I am still irritable). I have been eating a lot of fruit (esp things with luteins that help eye health) and veg… drinking lots of water\herbal tea… but the most helpful thing I can recommend is getting out for a walk and exercise – it’s amazing how a country walk can relax you and lift your mood.
It isn’t easy going cold turkey, but it does get better. The main problem I have found is knowing what to do with the time I spent smoking, it’s almost a hobby. Getting a social circle who don’t smoke is almost essential as it is very tempting to go back to toking, especially when you can smell it around you.
There is a lot of misinformation about weed, it can effect everyone differently and it’s not helpful to belittle peoples experiences of giving up. A person giving up weed is going through some mental anguish and in the very least detoxing. I have definitely experienced physical withdrawal… and my partner has experienced my anger and frustration.
Follow your convictions, reward yourself with something that you consider a treat (probably best not have a j!) and take it day by day. It can take a few months to feel normal and you may not even remember what is normal (I smoked 1.5 oz pcm mainly skunk from ages 18 to 34, then 38 until 42, so I may be very different if I had never smoked… smoking weed was my normal). Good luck, it gets better.
I’ve been smoking ganja since I was 12 years old and now 31 have decided to quit. I was smoking half an OZ a week on my own and at around 25 years old, I got addicted to meth… which I was smoking morning lunch and night along with the ganja. My drug habits was costing me up to $750 a week and I also was taking 100mg of Zoloft a day for the past 10 years to help with my anxiety and depression. I stopped taking Zoloft 1 year ago, I’ve been clean from meth for 4 weeks now and are on day 4 cold turkey with the ganja.
I have been pretty good up until today but now I’m suffering insomnia, nausea, emotional highs and lows, muscle pain and anger. I know it’s going to get worse before it gets better, but I am determined to make this happen. I’ve got no friends left in my life at all because of my substance abuse. Personally for me meth was the easiest to kick, but the ganja is harder because of my dependency for 19 years. I wish everyone all the best and to stay strong, believe in yourself and don’t hate yourself if you lapse. Keep your chin up and try again. GOOD LUCK.
Hi guys. So I’m back to say it’s been a full month since I stopped smoking weed after 16 years everyday. I’m here to tell you to keep going, push through all the symptoms cause it DOES get better, although I still get the headaches now and again I am feeling more and more like a new person. I know it may feel like it will never end and that the symptoms are just too much to put up with but do not give up. I hope we all get through this, let’s live healthy and happy lives without the weed. Thinking of you all. ❤
Well I guess everyone is different, I am a child of the sixties and smoked a lot, I decided sometime in the nineties to quit one day don’t remember why but did not have one withdrawal. But those that say it has no ill effects on the body are just idiots. It will affect your lungs, brain cells and a host of others. But saying that humans are always going to look for some mind altering drug natural or not life is hard and it seems we need an escape from time to time so as someone else mentioned… moderation moderation moderation.
Of course if your ill medical pot is the key instead of all those pain meds they push on the public. Lastly I would rather pot be legal than alcohol any day of the week, I have over all my years watched people do every drug known to man and drink every kind of alcohol and have also watched these people do harm and many die and not one has ever passed away or done harm from smoking pot but then again back then we kind of were really responsible we would not smoke an ounce and get behind the wheel of a car I have seen some real knuckle heads in this day and age.
So the moral to the story if you’re going to smoke do it in moderation and maybe not get behind the wheel of anything if you have to smoke on a daily basis maybe you need a life reevaluation. Which is OK if we don’t learn something new everyday then we are not living.
I’m finishing day 4 of the cold turkey method and seem to be right on track with the symptoms I read about. First night sweating like crazy, second day and night head pounding. 3rd night could only got 1.5 hours sleep! I really appreciate all these comments with others’ experiences getting off weed. I can laugh about my symptoms as I know what’s causing them, roughly how long they’ll last, and that this is the “normal” course of freeing oneself from MJ. And I didn’t even smoke that much. Less than an ounce per month, but pretty much every evening a doob of pretty powerful stuff.
I though about quitting a few times, but just wasn’t ready. When it cost me my family, I quit right there. I don’t crave it at all. One just has to be ready. I am actually happy to have these symptoms…it means that I am going through what I need to go through and be free of this. I haven’t felt better in years, even with 1.5 hours sleep, a headache and stomach a little off. Bring it on! :-)
First let me say that I know everyone’s experience and body is different. I only hope my story will inspire someone. At 40 years old I smoked weed every day for 25 years. I also took a lot of downers valium and xanaax. I held a professional job and have a wife and son. I recently had a tragic wake up call and decided to man-up and grow up. It has been a month since I have been clean and cannot believe bow much better I feel. I experienced absolutely no withdrawals. In fact I sleep better, I have tons of energy, and am a lot more patient. I accomplished this by sheer will.
Hi all my name is Gav from Oz. I’m on day 5 of quitting choof after a solid 20 years of smoking bongs mornings, days and nights on a daily occurrence, sometimes up to 30 bongs a day, every waking hour basically and also in the middle of the night to supposedly knock myself back out, as in the end I did not even get the benefits of a good night sleep smoking 4 bongs before bed. I’ve had a few brief spells of choof over time, but always managed to slip back into old habits harder even each time.
But this has to be it. I’m 34 and just want to live a healthy active life. I always been motivated, played sports and never not worked in my adult life as well as having a relationship with MJ the whole time. But seriously enough is enough for me. Time to get out of an unhealthy comfort zone and although I’m having a bloody hard time with many symptoms that are stated on this forum. I feel I have to do it. I m not one who holds any regrets in my life and have had a bloody good time.
There are though some serious health effects and fogginess in my head that I have been feeling in later times that has overwhelmed the positives of being stoned, which means now is the time to stay quit and apply my mind and body to activities that I have felt being stones has held me back. So please pray for me and forgive for any foul language I may have expressed at people who either talk absolute crap or don’t need the support that I’m taking comfort in from this forum. I just don’t appreciate people come on here and ridiculing others here or just being a hero. To all others going through what I’m going through, be strong, it’s bloody tough,
I didn’t pay attention to how old these comments are but I wanted to share too — I am currently on day two, cold turkey, and the withdrawals you all speak of (nausea, anxiety, headaches, loss of appetite and trouble sleeping) are all so real. But that aside, I want to wish everyone strength to continue, be strong and know that you made this decision for a reason, let’s do this!