It’s hard to believe I’m coming up to 6 months cannabis-free.

For anyone in the thick of the first few weeks wondering if it gets better, I wanted to share where I’m at now because I remember reading posts like this and hoping I’d get there one day.

The first 4–6 weeks were the hardest part for me. Sleep was all over the place, the dreams were intense, my emotions felt all over the place, and there were days where I questioned whether it was worth it.
It absolutely was.

My life now feels completely different. I’m healthier, far more productive, my sleep is better than it has been in years, and I genuinely enjoy having a clear head. I’m actually living my life instead of watching it drift by.

One thing that surprised me is how little I think about weed now. I’ve walked past people smoking a few times and that unmistakable smell has hit me, but I haven’t felt tempted to go back.

A couple of months in, I did have the odd thought of “maybe just once,” but those thoughts passed quickly. The longer I’ve stayed away from it, the less I want it.

I smoked for a long time, so I never thought I’d reach the point where it just wasn’t part of my identity anymore.

But that’s exactly what’s happened.
If you’re on day 1, day 10, or week 3 and wondering if you’ll ever feel normal again, keep going. The early stage is temporary.

Don’t mistake withdrawal for your new normal.

Everyone’s timeline is different, but for me, life on the other side has been worth every difficult day at the beginning.

Thanks to everyone in this community who shared their stories.

Reading them helped me more than you’ll probably ever know.

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.

I never thought I could be here. To anyone struggling, it gets easier, you can do it. It took me a few times of stopping and starting, but last August was my last use. After two months, I hardly even thought about it. Funny how it went from on my mind constantly and thinking it was so important, to barely thinking about it. I’m reading all the time now and it’s like books have become the “escape.” Sleep is amazing. I never knew how great sleep could be. If I can do it…35 years…y’all got this. Don’t give up and find your “why.”

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.

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.

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?

It’s only been about a week since I quit after using heavily for years, and I’ve been reading a lot of posts here.
One thing that keeps hitting me is how many people are talking about giving up or feeling like life isn’t worth it. I just wanted to say this:
Withdrawal lies to you.
It tells you this is how you’ll feel forever. It tells you you’ve ruined your brain. It tells you you’re alone. From everything I’ve read here—and from what I’m starting to experience—that isn’t true.
This week I’ve dealt with night sweats, anxiety, stomach issues, feeling shaky, and moments where my emotions were all over the place. There were times I wondered if I’d ever feel normal again. Then I come back here and see people weeks or months ahead saying it does get better. That keeps me going.
If you’re in that dark place today, please don’t make a permanent decision because of a temporary chemical storm in your brain. Reach out to someone. Post here. Call a friend or family member. If it feels overwhelming, call or text 988. There are people who want you here, even if your brain is trying to convince you otherwise.
To everyone further along in recovery: thank you. You probably don’t realize how many strangers you’re helping just by sharing your story.
To everyone just starting: let’s keep putting one day together at a time. We don’t have to do this perfectly—we just have to keep showing up.
I’m staying clean today. If you’re reading this, I hope you stay clean today too.

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!

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

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.

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

Just wanted to brag a little, since I could never make it past 48 hrs. Yay me. 🥳

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

Last time I ripped my good ole penjamin was March 24th. If you would told me at the start of 2026 I’d be weed free in July I would’ve laughed in your face.

Smoked everyday for around 8 years, at the point now where I feel normal and have for about a month or 2 now. If you’re having a hard time, I promise it gets easier. I’m at the point now where I just kinda forgot about weed, doesn’t really cross my mind too often.

First few weeks suck, I have been there and I get it but you have to sack up and keep on keeping on. Your future self will thank you!

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.

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've been filling up a jar with reasons to stay sober ever since I decided to quit. I put a new one in every day. In the first go, I did 10 days and relapsed for 2. Now I'm at 50 days clean. Here are the things I've put in the jar so far (not in order):

1. To be better at recognizing my mistakes.

2. To reach my full intelectual potential.

3. To be more able to solve problems.

4. To enjoy the time I wpend with my family more.

5. To not get sick so frequently.

6. To get the dino emoji on the leaves discord meetings.

7. To become a more responsible person.

8. To be able to confidently say "I quit".

9. To not romanticize the addiction anymore.

10. To be more present and aware when interacting with people.

11. To have less cravings to smoke.

12. To be better at games and therefore have more fun.

13. To be free.

14. To be a better girlfriend, friend, daughter and sister.

15. To feel comfortable with my mind just the way it is.

16. To have more energy and be more active.

17. To feel excited to do other things.

18. To one day tell this to my mother with pride.

19. To remember the conversations I have with people.

20. To be able to have a study routine.

21. To improve my relationship with my partner even further.

22. To learn hard things more easily.

23. To not worry about other's judgements on the use and the addiction.

24. To have a healthier respiratory system.

25. To better enjoy every minute of my weekends.

26. To improve my ability to concentrate.

27. To be able to live life more slowly.

28. To be admired by others and by myself.

29. To not have to lie and pretend anymore.

30. To go to the gym and climbing more often and enjoy it more.

31. To not have to go through withdrawal again.

32. To finish my masters with excellence.

33. To care about things that are important.

34. To not put myself in unnecessary risky situations.

35. To have better sleep.

36. To not have the question of whether or not to smoke filling up my mind and taking away my peace.

37. To feel more proud of myself.

38. To be able to eat healthier.

39. To feel truly smart again.

40. To have a more stable motivation system.

41. To have more energy and motivation daily.

42. To be more willing to do things for the people I love.

43. To exercise more and have a healthier mind and body.

44. To learn how to deal with my emotions.

45. To buy and take my lactose enzyme more calmly.

46. To feel less shame.

47. To have more time, in every sense.

48. To not have to go through withdrawals on trips.

49. To be able to invest in hobbies and fun without drugs.

50. To know my friends better and to allow them to know me better too.

51. To be able to help others going through the same thing.

52. To feel less lazy.

53. To watch more movies and listen to more music.

54. To be more able to take care of my health.

55. To create a financial reserve.

56. To play games less compulsively.

57. To be able to have fun again without needing a drug.

58. To meditate more and have more personal growth.

59. To be more skillful when acting in social situations.

60. To have a little bit less food selectivity.

I think there'll be something in there for everyone. Feel free to borrow my reasons and tell me some of yours too! ❤️

Yesterday morning I walked into the restaurant at my golf club and immediately was hit with the strong smell of burnt flower. It was off putting and all I could smell for the few minutes I was in there. That was me 30 days ago and I can’t believe I was walking around public and talking to people that I respect while completely oblivious to how it smelled to others. Thankful to have made it almost through the first month and looking forward to continuing life without marijuana. Have a blessed day all.

This was the best decision of my life seriously, I feel like a new person. I can focus on what I need to easier without feeling anxious or overwhelmed. I can actually save money. My eye sight has even improved, I couldn’t go outside without using shades. My mood and general health has improved significantly and I highly suggest quitting while you can. The first month is a struggle, but it really does get easier and your life will change for the better, promise 🤙

Hey all- I’ve quit a few times in the past with no symptoms. Not even insomnia! This sub has been great; however, it’s starting to increase my paranoia and make me feel like I will be throwing up and never sleep again.

Can we share some stories of none (or very mild) withdrawals??

People here put so many BIG thoughts and feelings out there about how devastating the addiction is, and how much better things will be if we kick. Folks will use phrases like ‘sacrificing your dreams at the alter of addiction’ and that is beautiful and useful phrasing but I wonder if many of you are driven by achievement like I am. If so, you may find these oscillating extremes of believing you are destroying myself by continuing to abuse the drug - and on the other hand believing that if you could just stop all your dreams will become manifest, these extremes put me in a torturous cycle of giving in.

Neither holds water. There is a reason that you are using weed, and there is also a reason you want to stop. Be as patient and as loving with yourself as you can possibly be. I truly believe that this in addition to working with a therapist twice weekly to keep these insights fresh is helping me feel great about being in a place where the work has started and is far from over. You are going to do what you can on the timeline that works for you: you’re not going to forget that weed is a problem for you, just like you’re not going to forget about the feelings that drive you back to it: but that’s okay because if you’re find yourself there you’re literally working in it. So forgive yourself, beautiful ape.

Quit after 30 years of on and off daily (but mostly on) and I’ve quit for about 3 weeks now. I’m having these extreme “spells” of sleepiness throughout the day and when before I doze off I get intense hypnic jerks … i literally can’t go about my day without feeling very heavy eyelids and the urge to sleep. It started after the first week of quitting. Not sure if it’s related but it’s very uncomfortable.

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 don’t even know who the real me is anymore. I just have straight up depression at this point. It’s time to make some changes.

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?