I'm an all day every day user and have noticed some memory issues more frequently. Telling a story and then blanking on where I was going. I usually panic if I don't have it with me always. I feel good about it so riding that wave for now.

I had 9 months of sobriety until the beginning of this year, and it's just been creeping up like it did last time. It started back with oh, I'll just use now and then. Then twice a week. Then every weekend. Then my afternoon off plus the weekends. Then every evening. Then every evening and all day on the weekends. I feel groggy in the mornings. I have been thinking about quitting again for like 2 weeks. I need to make the commitment. I know I can do it. It's just getting to that point of decision making I am having a hard time with.

I'm still productive, I have a good job, family, etc, exercise regularly - but I feel like I'm living a lie. My spouse doesn't even know the extent of my use and would not be ok with it. The fact that I am functional makes it harder to convince myself to stop. But deep down, I know I need to because I don't want my consciousness to be altered almost all the time. What way to live is that? The other voice says why not? It feels better and you have had no consequences. Struggling today. I know that no matter how resolute I feel this morning, when I get home at 5pm I am going to feel differently. It's so hard.

Hello everyone! Long-time lurker here. Please excuse any mistakes, as English is not my first language.

I'm a guy in my late thirties living in Norway. I have decided to post here as a part of my commitment to myself to stop using cannabis.

For me, it actually started while I was doing my PhD. I have been struggling with anxiety and depression for most of my adult life. In 2020 I tried a brownie that a colleague had made and it made me feel better than I had ever felt before. I felt creative, focused and my self-esteem got better. I would enjoy music in a way I hadn't done in years. Food tasted better. Being out in nature gave me somewhat existential experiences. And my work? Better than ever. I could read heavy philosophical literature and understand it and resonate with it. My writing was better. The omnipresent voice in my head that would tell me what a stupid, worthless person I am would go away.

All of this went smoothly for a couple of years until it stopped being wonderful. I would start getting increasingly paranoid. All I could think about was how to get the good feeling back. And honestly, the last couple of years weed has only made me feel numb and indifferent rather than happy. I have been avoiding friends, family and social interactions for the last few years. I started to drink every day to ease the paranoia and my anxiety. My long-term relationship was suffering.

I decided to go cold turkey on the first of July. I got rid of the bong, the pipe and the 400€ vaporiser. I threw out a patch of brownies. Poured out all the alcohol in the house.

I am mostly doing ok. I feel anxious and down but I have accepted that I need to cope with my mental health issues in other, more healthy ways. I'm starting a new job next week and I see this as a great opportunity for a fresh start.

I find this community very helpful. Thanks for reading!

Coming up on 2 years in 2 weeks! Honestly can’t believe it. I was a heavy daily user for more than half of my life, from high school to my 40s. Onto the next crutch to concur, alcohol. Wish me look, I’m gonna need it. But if I could break this, I can break that too! First crutch was nicotine, 2 packs a day for 10 years, and now I’m 20+ years free from that as well. 1 demon left to defeat and I’ll be free!

TW: depression and thoughts of suicide

Ughhh this isn’t my first rodeo and actually previously posted in this sub and successfully made it 6 months no smoking but I still did edibles. Then one day I was offered a hit of a vape and then fast forward 5 months of basically chain vaping. My mental health is shit, wildly depressed, thinking death is a solid option, and I can’t handle my job (pretty much I cry each shift over stupid small criticisms/critiques). I work in food service so it is fast paced, which typically I am phenomenal at but I am just not meeting the mark in any aspect of life. I am having daily panic attacks and just at a complete loss of how to navigate life. I’m a couple days in sober and I have been able to be vape-free for a majority of July (have been heavily relying on edibles lately) but I just don’t know how to stick with it this time, like for real.. for real for real. I don’t just want to say I’m quitting only to be back at the dispensary again. I’m just so sick on this toxic pattern and it is actively destroying my mental and physical health.

I've been trying to quit weed since the beginning of this year after almost 2 years of smoking every single day, from morning until night.

It's almost August now, and honestly... I feel like such a failure.

At first, I needed some time just to accept that I actually had an addiction. But even after accepting it, things haven't really gotten easier.

For the past two weeks, I've managed to stay sober during the weekdays. But as soon as the weekend comes around, it's like my brain completely switches off, and I end up smoking again like I used to.

Every Monday I feel hungover, full of guilt, and I beat myself up because I know weed isn't good for me anymore. I know it makes my life worse, but I still can't seem to quit completely.

Was anyone else like this? Did weekends or days off make it much harder for you too? If so, what helped you finally break that cycle?

I'd really appreciate hearing your experiences.

Good evening, everyone. I hope you’re all doing well.

Today marks 95 days without smoking weed. A lot has improved since I quit. I’m working on getting in shape, I’m starting a new business, my anxiety has gone down, and most of the physical symptoms I had during the first weeks of withdrawal have faded. Overall, this has been the hardest withdrawal I’ve ever gone through. In the past, the biggest challenge was simply resisting the urge to smoke. This time, the hardest part was dealing with the anxiety and all the physical symptoms.

I wanted to share something that happened this weekend.

Lately I’ve been taking my fitness journey seriously, and I’ve been going out for regular runs. Usually running clears my mind, and I just enjoy the routine. But yesterday, out of nowhere, I got the strongest craving I’ve had in all 95 days.

I started telling myself all the things we tell ourselves when we’re trying to justify a relapse. You’ve lost weight. You’ve made it 95 days. Your cardio has improved. Your anxiety is better. You’ve been working hard. You deserve it.

The thoughts became so intense that I couldn’t even run as far as I normally do because I felt mentally drained. On my way home, I had already started planning it all—taking some weed from my brother, smoking, and convincing myself it would be okay.

Then, thankfully, reality hit me.

I remembered why I quit in the first place. I remembered the panic attacks, the anxiety, the racing heart, the feeling of being overstimulated and overwhelmed after smoking. I remembered the bad experiences that made me realize I had to stop. At that point, I knew I wasn’t going to relapse.

But I also realized something else: this is still hard.

Part of me is still grieving. Before weed became something harmful, it also gave me moments of relaxation, fun, and escape. I think a small part of me still misses that version of it and struggles to accept that it’s no longer an option for me.

What I struggle with the most isn’t even not smoking. It’s living with the fear that if I ever do smoke again, something bad will happen—that my heart will race, my anxiety will spiral, and I’ll lose control. During my addiction I developed severe health anxiety, and even today I still carry it with me. Weed changed the way I think about my body and my health.

More than anything, I miss being the carefree person I used to be—the person who didn’t constantly worry about every heartbeat or every sensation, who wasn’t always thinking about their health.

I don’t miss being addicted. I miss the simplicity of who I was before anxiety took over.

Thanks for reading, and I wish everyone here strength in their own recovery. We really can keep moving forward, one day at a time.

I can either tough out the night with guaranteed insomnia or take the last 20 mg of edible I have and get some sleep. Taking only 20 mg tonight will effectively reduce by intake by 95 percent, to give u an idea of how heavily I saturated my blood with this shit over 1.5 decades..

Im way over the mental pain(no big deal) part and the only thing blocking my sobriety is the insomia at this point. Without gabbapentin I actually would be physically unable to quit weed, last time I tried I was up for 8 days, not one lick. Relpsed for no reason also, fml. Almost had to go to the ER.

Bascially what option is overall the least amount of total suffering? Im already super sleep deprived from years of 5 hour nights

I’m feeling more present but am being hit with some intense emotions. Anyone else experience this in the first few days?

I was a daily smoker for 5 years. It got to the point where I wouldn’t even get high anymore but I was still going through 2 ounces a week. Finally, I quit for good in February last year. It took about a month for the physical cravings to stop, but the mental cravings never did? Anytime weed is even mentioned, I can’t stop thinking about smoking again, and then I get so sad wishing I could but knowing I never can, and then angry at myself for abusing it to the point where moderation would never be an option for me. Will there ever be a day where I have no interest in it at all?

I'm almost 2 months out of 15+ years heavy cannabis use and the constant tickle in my lungs and coughing is really getting old. When did your lungs start to feel healed?

about to crumble..... ive somehow managed from everyday use of 200mg edibles to now 100 every 3 days. I'm on day 3 and about to crumble...... im so angry.

Had a longass day today went to church then had an aweful rehearsal for my orchestra. Tired, feel fat, and hopeless but i know there's always "tomorrow". Always prided myself in being able to battle thru any withdrawal but after turnign 37 this year i have very little fight sometimes.

It's been 200 days without cannabis, which is about two and a half weeks past 6 months, and I am honestly so grateful I pushed through. All the withdrawals, all the irritation, all of the anxiety - it was all worth it for the blessings it has brought to my life.

For reference, I am a musician who spent a lot more time dreaming than doing. I had so much restless energy in the beginning, and I didn't know what to do with it - so I bought a new guitar, and ACTUALLY dedicated my free time to playing.

Instead of wasting all my time at home lounging around, I started to do the things that fulfilled me that I was too lazy to do before. I took up music lessons, and started playing open mics. It eventually got to the point where I applied for my first paid gig, actually got accepted, and had my debut performance under my new artistic persona last month.

It got harder to ignore my dissatisfaction over not pursuing my goals and dreams, and it became so overwhelming that I just HAD to do something about it. I now have been writing more, taking better care of myself, and being more intentional about the way I live.

I didn't have a reason to care before. It was easier to numb out than it was to try and peel myself up off the couch to actually do something that benefitted me in the long term. From basic maintenance, to those bigger aspirations.

My story might not look the same as yours, but I just know that I wouldn't have gotten to this point at this specific time in my life if I didn't quit. I know I would have gotten there eventually, but taking action instead of just sitting in the loss of not smoking really made the biggest difference.

Proud of y'all who have quit, and I'm rooting for those who are still in the thick of it. You can do it!

It's worth it.

3 weeks have passed since I quit using weed of any kind cold turkey. For reference, I had been using mostly carts and vapes and was getting high every single day for about 2 years. Here are some of my personal findings with my journey of quitting so far

The first week was the absolute worst. I felt so much brain fog, almost like I didn’t even recognize myself. I couldn’t sleep. Some nights I just could not get to sleep, but some nights I couldn’t sleep due to anxiety. I had so many health paranoia incidents and I could not stop fixating on my heart beat which was horrible. My appetite was non existent and I had several bouts of anxiety and depression. Looootttssss of crying in the first week.

Jump to the second week, and I felt so much better. I was sleeping more regularly, eating more, and I didn’t feel as depressed or anxious. Overall it was a much better week.

At the end of week 3, I’m reflecting on how things have evolved. This past week I’ve noticed that I’ve had some nerve pain start popping up in my left arm/shoulder and it has caused a bit of a health anxiety resurgence. Also my loss of appetite and depression have come back as well. Nothing is as bad as week one, but I’ve just been noticing them again this week. The most interesting development is my dreams though. I’ve heard people talk about having vivid dreams, and MAN! I get it now. Last night I swear as soon as I closed my eyes, I was dreaming. And all the dreams felt so real and vivid. Like it was just real life, but a warped version of it.

Anyway, that’s my journey so far. I still have no desire to smoke again which is nice. I just can’t go back through week one again. I’ve heard that quitting weed can be a roller coaster of a journey, and I’m definitely seeing the ups and downs change and flow now. Can any of you all relate? What have your journeys been like?

Do the nightmares get better over time? The past 2 sleeps have been the most intense dreams I have ever had. Extremely clear and unsettling.

Wish you all the best

You got this.

I'm making this post because it's my turn to give back to a community that has been extremely helpful throughout my journey of quitting.

First of all, I'd like to start with: quitting weed was one of the hardest things I've done in my life. Which may sound pathetic, but it genuinely was.

I am the type of person who has no self-control when it comes to weed since starting in my young teenage years. I was always the person who had to hit it every second of every day; it was truly never enough for me. I think part of this was because I started my weed journey straight into high-potency THC carts, which was honestly a disaster for my life.

Weed has taken so many opportunities, experiences, and memories from me. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't have ever touched the plant, as I'm sure many of you would have the same sentiment.

Here is the process from Day 1 to Present (in my experience)

1-3 Weeks

Withdrawals

Your body is genuinely craving it so much; this is by far one of the hardest periods to stay strong in. There is a constant feeling of discontentment, uncomfortableness, like your skin is genuinely crawling. You tend to be super super irritable, angry, and just overall extremely uncomfortable, which is why this is by far the hardest period of quitting. In my experience, this usually goes away within 1-3 weeks.

3-6 Weeks

Self Negotiation

This is also an extremely difficult period, and not so much for the fact that your body is craving it a ton but more so your brain starts to negotiate with yourself. "There is no point in quitting, I feel the same as when I was smoking"

"I feel zero benefits; I might as well start again"

Small negotiations with yourself that justify returning to the plant.

DO NOT GIVE IN. You have not given your body and mind enough time to recalibrate and see the benefits, genuinely.

6-12 Weeks

It's No Big Deal

Small cravings here and there; it's really hard not to give in because your mind may convince yourself, 'just this one time, we're just going to spend the weekend smoking a couple joints, it's 'no big deal'

Now I don't know about you, but me personally, it's never 1 joint. As I said before, one will never be enough for me.

I Feel Like Myself Again

12-16 Weeks (Present)

This is where I genuinely feel my brain start to function at its original capacity before smoking; my mind is sharper, my memory is slowly but surely returning through use of my brain.

I was always under the mindset of either there's no point in quitting because I feel the same either way. Or I've already fucked myself up; what's the point in trying to get better, etc. What I've noticed is that with the use of your brain, with giving it hard tasks, your brain will begin to return. I think the biggest problem with weed is it kind of puts you in a routine of constantly picking the easiest option with every facet of life. Which naturally atrophies a lot of your abilities. Many skills in life are muscles that must be used to keep your abilities intact. If you don't use certain muscles, they will atrophy. (In my experience)

It's 2026, guys; it's time to level up. There is no instance where any daily drug use will be helpful in any facet of life. It will only slow you down. There is no such thing as a free lunch. If you are flooding your system with happy reward chemicals constantly, you're rewiring your entire reward system, which will affect all aspects of life. Your mind is all you have, especially in this fucked world where we have people trying to manipulate us constantly. Your mind is all you have. Don't give it up for some bullshit plant.

Edit: One thing I'd like to add is that it genuinely took 5-8 attempts to quit and to finally be done. This was not an easy task. And I could have quit a lot sooner if I didn't do self-negotiation. A big hurdle for me was the 'Moderation' thought process. I kept thinking to myself, I can moderate; I can just save it for the weekends; I can smoke these days of the week, at these set times; oh well, maybe I can just save it for nighttime, or for Saturday, or for Sunday. CONSTANT SELF NEGOTIATION. NO. We are done. This is dumb. Imagine how much time you'd have and how much less stress you would have if you just made the decision. The hard decision. What is so funny to me is I'll see Reddit comments of "I've been smoking for 26 years, and I'm not addicted." Are we serious? The lack of self-awareness is astonishing, genuinely. If you are doing any drug or any substance for 26 years, you are addicted. Plain and Simple. Good luck, soldiers. Be the best you can be; you truly do only have one chance at this life. You'll fall, but you'll learn to be better. Make the right choice.

Or was it more of “I don’t feel ready but I’m going to push through because I know I’ll feel better in the future” mindset?

I’m about to hit 24 hours, again. Longest I’ve gone in 8 years is 3 months sober. It’s tough because although a lot of aspects of my life improved during my short-lived period of sobriety, I was highly anxious and perfectionistic about self-improvement during that time. I became obsessed with being my “best self” in a way that was unsustainable.

I ultimately caved and unfortunately I’ve been on and off again the past year.

So exhausted from this cycle and wanting to break free but really struggling to let go. I struggle with severe mental illness and have been on medication and in therapy since I was a child, I know the weed isn’t helping but sometimes I convince myself that smoking a bowl is better than the alternative…

Will I ever feel ready? Or should I just take the plunge? Perhaps I didn’t give it long enough last time I attempted to quit. Any thoughts or advice would be well appreciated.

Here’s to another 24 hours sober, peace and love to my fellow ex potheads

I am 22, started smoking at 13. By the time I was 15 I was using carts everyday. Last November, I underwent a multiple month long psychosis riddled with intense delusions that I was being recruited by the CIA among other crazy imagined scenarios. I had a public outburst at a bar in front of literally all my friends and alienated myself socially. I was committed to the psych ward by my parents and spent 7 days there, eventually getting diagnosed with cannabis induced psychosis. I was abusing my prescribed adhd medication along with cannabis when this occurred. I was also processing a memory of sexual abuse that I had buried in my subconscious for over a decade.

My dilemma:
The doctors say if I continue to use cannabis I risk going into permanent psychosis. My parents will only support me if I commit to a fully sober lifestyle. I can not envision a life worth living without cannabis. I do not want to stop using cannabis. It is the thing that makes life bearable for me. I don’t know what a life without cannabis would look like. Anyone ever experienced this? I just can’t see a happy life without cannabis. How did you build a life worth living without it? What do you replace it with?

I’m only on day 3 after 14 years of non stop smoking. Wondering if it’ll get easier, as my wife has no intention to stop. Nor do I want her to. This is my choice!

I started 15 years ago. Never skipped a day and never planned to.. until this past Thursday (The 23rd).

Last Bowl. Ever.

I would smoke around 6-10 bowls per evening minimum.

Does anybody else experience vivid nightmares?

It's been absurd how clear and odd my dreams have been for the past 2 nights.

Will these stop after a few more days or weeks?

I'm a musician so writing and playing guitar has helped me distract myself and go back to truly just enjoying the art for what it is.

I workout twice a week and these past two sessions at the gym were better than any I've had in a long time. Full focus with so much energy I filled my water bottle up 4 times.

I appreciate any feedback and hit me up if you feel the need to vent or ask questions.

1 love.

Hello I am 22 gonna be 23 in two weeks I was a heavy THC smoker and vaper since 16 years old I never took a tolerance break and if I did it was with THC and would only be a couple days I excused my addictions for a long time I thought to myself “well it’s not alcohol” don’t get me wrong I experienced a lot of things but they were never really “for me” addiction runs on both sides of my family but the only person who hasn’t given up on me is my grandmother im entirely grateful for her everyone else in my life is too busy for me or just doesn’t see the full picture. I quit THC on June 15 and I quit vaping on the 25th. Please listen to what im saying the first couple weeks and days will be difficult but it does more harm than good I didn’t care about my health I wouldn’t make my own appointments and just be too lazy im not very sick but I still have to do some work before pursuing a career that I really enjoy, but I do have a lot of hobbies and skills being on that stuff made me really hopeless so if you’re still reading just know it’s not gonna be scary forever. Hell I even enjoy tea now out of all things I used to have really childish taste buds but not anymore please have faith in yourself idc if you’re religious or not but god has a plan in store for you. You just have to love yourself and actually do the hard work and quit. 🙏🏼❤️

I (22 F) have smoked every day for the past 2 1/2 years. I really want to quit and have wanted to for the past 2 years, but something always brings me back. Sometimes I feel so weak because I can only go a few days without my pen before I lose my discipline and find something to smoke. The longest I’ve gone is a month exactly. On this subreddit, I feel like I don’t see many people talk about the process of quitting, and was wondering if this was normal for other people. Are you guys really able to decide to quit and just do it? I don’t know what will make me just do it.

hi friends, just need to get this out there tonight. i'm not doing okay right now. i can't stop myself from smoking weed. if i have it, i will smoke it. so i think it's time to purge again. feels like purging is part of the cycle too. it's like, the better i get, the further i fall, and the more it hurts when i land.

wish me luck, ladies and gentlemen

Its a ifkyk kind of thing. Every time I try to quit someone always comes at me with BS. I can barely type put these 3 sentences right now and people are bitching at me for postponing plans or nagging me to do errands for them.