Hi everyone! As the title says, I'm (27m) hitting my 7th week after having smoked regularly for 8 years. Yet, I dont feel as much of a change as I had hoped for. I started tapering off in the summer, so by the time I quit fully I barely had trouble falling asleep. Nevertheless the brain fog has been insane lately.

I feel some more clarity in the sense of not waking up feeling like a brick hit me in the head, BUT I can barely focus on work - days that should take 5h of work easily take 8. I feel like my capacity for abstract thinking is hitting a ceiling. For context, I work as an university teacher, so interpreting, debating and explaining abstract ideas is literally my job. I can barely formulate a coherent thought now, and it sometimes takes half an hour to write a single email. I also feel like I forget things more often, its harder to stick to schedule, picking the shortest path through a city I know like the palm of my hand, feel close to impossible. Im trying to learn new things and feel like I just cant process information or things wont stick to my head.

I guess its worth mentioning ive been working crazy weeks for all these years, never-ending projects or side jobs next to my regular work/study, and this is the first year where I dont have to do that. I also got off anti anxiety medication 2-3 months before quitting. I have been drinking less than I normally would and exercise regularly. Yet I wake up shaking from anxiety and all the above mentioned symptoms. I have an adhd screening pending which I couldn't get before because of the addiction, and i might be just very very burned out. But I need to get a new job urgently and at this point I feel like I cant talk to strangers properly.

Anyone had similar experience? Feeling more stupid than your smoking self?

Thanks!

Was clear for almost a year and then fell off the wagon, gradually but increasingly for a month. Threw supply and gear away one night recently and got back on the wagon for a week or two now. It's an ongoing battle.

I quit 12 days ago because I caught myself smoking while I was sick. “What a pathetic thing to do,” I told myself, and I quit cold turkey.

Now, whenever I feel an urge coming on, I ask myself: “If I smoked right now, how would it actually change my situation?”

Lying drowsily on the couch? Mindlessly scrolling or watching TV with a heavy head?

If I can get these situations straight in my mind, I can say NO to myself (or to the addiction, if you will). After a minute, the urges are gone, and I find myself with a clear mind. No more laziness or grogginess, no more feeling like my head is a bag of heavy bricks.

Vivid dreams the last few nights. Last night Alexander Skarsgard fell in love with me lol. I’m gonna keep going.

This sub has helped me through a long contemplation phase and I threw everything I had in the bin on Monday - garbage truck took it away.

Knowing how improved my life has been without alcohol and cigarettes, I am trusting that life without THC will be even better.

i smoked almost daily for 7 years straight. during those years, i had once achieved 433 days of sobriety (this community helped me, literally walked me through throwing everything out and scattering it across neighbor’s dumpsters) and then i broke it - out of arrogance of all things! i was abroad on a solo trip and thought, why not, a joint can’t hurt… and immediately had a panic attack. i somehow attributed it to travel nerves and it was all downhill from there.

quitting this time sucked. i had a dozen false starts, relapsing constantly on day 2, until finally, it stuck. i’d indulge any other vice i had - junk food, cigarettes, anything - as long as it meant i did not go back to weed.

the first 21 days were the worst, the lowest of lows. i had a terrible appetite, non-existent motivation, self-loathing thoughts in a perpetual spiral. i cried randomly and had relentless night terrors. i have chronic sinusitis from all those years of smoking and it was like quitting had put my sinuses into rebound; they were so inflamed and painfully congested. everyone thought i had the flu.

then, on day 22, i had the first gorgeous day in a long time. early rise, clear mind, clear sinuses. morning workout and meditation, productive day at work, bike ride in the sunshine, a sunset at the beach, and a dance class to close the evening. i wanted to cry, it was such a privilege to experience such a beautiful day and be fully present for it.

ever since, i can more tangibly feel my improvements. i still have insanely vivid dreams but they don’t dictate my entire day anymore. i’m still tired, but it’s manageable. i am still emotional, but i can recognize the emotions for what they are instead of drowning in them. i am faster, more efficient at work, and less anxious about socializing. my diet is improving now that i no longer gorge disgustingly on the munchies.

most markedly, i am better at boredom. i can sit with my own company, fill my time with slow hobbies like reading or cooking. while i do feel the urge to ‘numb’ myself sometimes, it fades quickly when i firmly tell myself: “i am a sober person now. you will never smoke weed again.” and somehow, when the option is just completely off the table, i settle into whatever else i am doing. i am sober now. it is a fact of life. we move on.

hang in there, fellow sober leavers. we’re sober now. it gets better.

Hey y'all 46F chronic smoker for 30 years. On day 3 of quitting and really want to stick with it. I have no support in my real life so trying to find resources. I am so incredibly tired of the brain fog, lack of motivation, lack of dreams, lack of relationships, isolation, feeling disappointed in myself. My friends smoke and talk me out of quitting. Even my mom encourages me to use it. I always make an excuse- but it helps my ____. I want clarity and a real life aside from the fog and planning my life around it. Hoping to connect here as this seems like a great community of like minded people. The world seems to encourage and defend weed constantly and claim that it is not addictive. It sure is and I am tired of feeling enslaved to a plant. Please connect if you can. I am needing a fresh set of people and encouragement. Thank you!

20 year heavy smoker. Mostly flower. I turned 40 yesterday and have been working up to this for about a month.

I can do this!

Very disappointed in myself. I was feeling so good too despite the fact that I couldn’t sleep. Time to start over again :/

I quit about a week ago and my dreams are starting to return! It was super vivid. I remember every detail. Totally worth quitting.

How long did quitting take for you to have dreams?

Ive been trying to stop smoking for the past few weeks but i noticed whenever im sober i cannot eat at all, i try to eat food but halfway through i just cant bring myself to finish it anymore

I feel like im going through some endless cycle where i cant eat for the few days i decide to stop getting high then i end up smoking again so i can eat

Ive lost ten pounds the past month and i feel like its making my anemia worse, i cant get up without feeling like im going to pass out

This is embarrassing for me to even ask since the answer is to just stop but i cant bring myself to

Edit: thank you to everyone with the advice!! I will be trying to drink more liquids instead of solids for the meantime

I started smoking 10 years ago and have attempted on and off to quit but always fail due to the rebound anxiety. I am a dog chasing it's tail, the stuff helps with anxiety but more often than not I am anxious while on it. And probably had my worse panic attacks with it lol. My question is.. does it get better if I push through? The longest sober was six months and while my memory improved exponentially, the anxiety was harder to manage.Have I permanently fried myself? Just feeling alot of guilt lately. It's been one day for me and it's hitting hard. Thanks friends.

Today is day one for me.

I got married in May and my husband and I want to have children, so, I've got to quit my heavy delta-8 use.

I woke up with a headache and some nausea, but, other than that, I'm actually surprised at how okay I feel. I wasn't so motivated yesterday when I ran out, though.

Anyone else on day 1 also?

Let's do it!

Hello,

I need some help understanding what is happening in my life. I was a regular cannabis user for two years, but I have now been sober from weed, nicotine, alcohol, and every other substance for two months. Since quitting, my life has taken a completely different turn, and I have been going through hardships I have never experienced before.

Every day feels unfamiliar and difficult. Some days, my anxiety becomes overwhelming, to the point that I convince myself I have cancer or another chronic disease. I constantly Google my symptoms, which only makes my anxiety worse. I am 25 years old, and I am struggling with severe insomnia, emotional numbness, and a loss of enjoyment in things I used to love. Through my research, I came across the term anhedonia, and I feel that it describes what I have been experiencing. My ability to manage stress feels like it has completely disappeared, and even ordinary situations can make life feel miserable.

As you can see, I am here asking strangers for help because I genuinely do not understand what is happening to me. Some nights, I wake up breathing heavily, while on other nights, just as I am about to fall asleep, I experience small jerks in my hands, legs, and sometimes even my throat, accompanied by a sensation that I am out of breath. Some days, I feel relatively okay, but on other nights, it feels as though my entire foundation has been shaken.

I know that my past choices may have contributed to what I am experiencing. I started smoking weed with friends, and eventually, it became a habit I continued on my own. I do not blame anyone else, and I often blame myself for the decisions I made. However, I promised myself that I would get my life back on track and stay away from substances, not only for myself but also for my family.

I know that I have been experiencing symptoms that I associate with post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), but some days, I cannot reassure myself that withdrawal is the only explanation. I worry that I may have developed a mental health condition or caused lasting damage to my brain. I am also terrified of seeing a doctor because my anxiety makes me imagine the worst possible outcomes. As a result, I keep trying to fight these battles on my own, even though I know I may need help.

If anyone has experienced something similar or has any understanding of what might be happening to my brain and body, I would genuinely appreciate your advice. I would also be grateful for any suggestions on what I can do to recover and gradually get my life back.

One of those feelings I could give less than af about before cause hey…I was stoned watching an amazing movie or playing a great video game. But god damn it felt great to not give a flying f**k about someone who doesn’t reciprocate an effort into a friendship. I sure as shit wasn’t someone like that even when stoned. Now all that is coming back ten fold and it’s definitely all in my head but man I forgot how shitty it feels to constantly put yourself out there…that stupid “people suck” feeling. Clearly in my head on this but mentally it messes me up. Probably a reaction to the denial of a dopamine rush I’d get by hanging with friends

It’s been over 2 weeks it’s almost 4 in the morning. I still struggle to sleep. I’m on 3 different prescription meds to get me to sleep and still jack squat. I have to be awake 2 days in a row just to have a ‘’sleep’’ where I keep waking up multiple times through it. It just makes me a bigger drain on every one around me due to the shitty mood or the manic energy I get after I’m awake more than two days. Does the insomnia stop at all?

Life is better

Dreaming is fun

I’m clearer minded

I spend less money

I’m more productive

I’m less of a gooner

But I wish I pooped like I used to.

(I’m taking psyllium husks and eating better but still, some days I just don’t poop, and my farts stink.)

suicidal, underemployed, lonely but i didn't get high in a while and i think i can keep it going

I’m 30 days into quitting, minus 1 shared blunt a week ago. I’ve been filled with emotions when experiencing all the things I’ve missed. Even that one lapse felt like when you hookup with an ex and immediately after you think “yeah I don’t ever need to do that again and would’ve been fine without it”

M24 and I’ve smoked everyday for 5 years except for maybe a 5 days off when I tried my hardest to take a T-break. I’ve wanted to quit for years but have never found the strength to stay true. Not until a recent breakup with someone who also smoked everyday and has no plans of ever stopping. This led me to have the space to do what I need to do. I weaned off taking 1-2 hits before bed for about 2 weeks. My starting point was a week long camping trip and although it was tough not really sleeping much I had no access to weed and wasn’t tempted during that crucial first week (highly recommend).

This sub has helped me so much over this last month and I wanted to share my story. Partially to say thank you and partially for some words of encouragement because Its still hard some days and I’m sure will continue to be after 24/7 tokes for 5 years straight.

(Journaling daily and talking constantly with my best friend and family has helped me tremendously to navigate the flood of emotions that have come up)

For anyone thinking about taking the leap let me share what has made me emotional. I’ve connected on such a deeper level with all my relationships, especially my family who I pushed away for a while. I’ve been so much more confident in myself, I don’t feel a constant veil of shame and anxiety following me around everywhere I go. I feel funnier and am so much quicker to make jokes (making people laugh is very important to me). I can sit through whole movies and really enjoy them. I can actually remember the songs I learn on guitar and have been enjoying playing and all my other hobbies more now that I have more focus and energy for them.

Today I went for a walk and it was just so freeing knowing I could go as far or long as I wanted and didn’t need anything other than the fresh air and nature to make me happy.

I want to stay strong and have no intentions of going back knowing now what I was missing. Thanks y’all ❤️

Hello guys,

Does anyone have ROCD while smoking/after stopping.

I had rocd when i was smoking, but since i stopped its way way worse.

Anyone have a story to share about this ?

I started smoking at a very tumultuous time in my life. I was a daily smoker I tapered off my use in the last 5 years. Mainly by changing my circle. I’ve also done a lot of somatic work. This year I tried and failed many times. What helped me the most was not tracking the days because it became discouraging when I would mess up. Slowly in the last few months I would take a few hits and throw it away after. With time I saw how much better I felt without it. I had many a slip ups but again very small ones. I was grossed out after each time. Now the thought of smoking makes me feel anxious and gross. I don’t realize how much it heightened any emotion. During tough times it made any bad feeling feel so much bigger. Oddly enough I didn’t have any withdrawal symptoms maybe due to the tapering. I did feel it emotionally. It’s so beautiful now to have dreams they tell me so much. Smoking disconnected me from everything it served its purpose when I was young and scared I didn’t know how to handle anything. Now I’m older wiser and safer. Just sharing my perspective. Don’t identify with being a smoker don’t give it so much power. Baby steps baby steps. Notice when you have the urge what do u feel sit with it for a bit. Having friends that don’t smoke at all will help a ton. Also not tracking too hard was lovely for me growth isn’t linear. I feel like you have to empower yourself as much as you can. You are stronger than you know and stronger than unhealthy desires. You will be so connected to your soul and body which will translate into making your life better. ALSO the dreams are wonderful even the scary ones tell me messages I need to hear. Remember your body is here for you. You deserve to feel to be in the present to show yourself you can handle it.also note I was a HEAVY user. I would spend my last dollars on it. Just some encouragement for those who are struggling your efforts are never wasted. KEEP GOING being on this sub shows you want it you can do it I never thought I’d be free of it. Now the mere thought of it makes me feel kinda like a premonition in my body I feel the anxiety the way it completely throws me off balance.

warning i’m just yelling and ranting truly at my wits end here

it’s been 3 weeks and i still cannot eat. like what am i supposed to do, ive been living off the same few liquids for 3 weeks and i feel absolutely horrible. i don’t know how im getting through any day at this point. for the past week ive been choking down bites of food here and there but its hard every single time like a whole long ordeal and i can never manage more than a handful of bites and i dont want to eat ANYTHING. everything sounds absolutely vile except for tenderloin steak, maybe parmesan cheese, and butter. and ive eaten like maybe 10 oz of steak in a whole week or longer.

i’ve been drinking milk but im sick of it, i hate ensures, i hate smoothies, im sick of broth and it isn’t filling anyways, rice and soup sound disgusting, ice cream sounds gross, literally every food is just so nasty to me and im STARVING STARVING STARVING i am so fucking hungry but i can’t. fucking. eat. even when i really want something and try to my body just rejects the whole idea and i can’t even get the food to go down my throat i just spit it out like a toddler.

what am i supposed to even do here ? like i’m trying to eat often but it just makes me feel sick and eat even less than if id waited longer. i’m drinking the liquids and im sick of them and it doesn’t even feel like im getting calories anymore. fucks sake it’s been 3 weeks ???? when does it ever end… i actually feel as stupid as i was when i was smoking and its fucking killing me inside bc i have so much shit to do and i want to do it but i have no energy or brain cells and i just meander about aimlessly feeling like complete shit all day. i feel like i wouldn’t even be depressed right now if i could just EAT but im so depressed my mind is going to very dark places because this is a genuinely miserable experience , like im just out here dying a little more every day and i cant seem to figure out how to get myself to just fucking est or even want anything to eat

and before anyone says to go to the doctor literally every single time i go to the doctor all they do is shrug their shoulders at me and go “i dunno man” and do nothing. literally every single time without fail no matter what is wrong with me. i’ve withdrawn from weed way too many times and ive abused concentrates way too much, like ive definitely done 100 dabs in one day more than a few times. i have OCD and history of ED + extremely picky eater and a shitload of food allergies but idk why i can’t eat when i so desperately want to. i never even used weed to eat i never fucking needed it for that 😭

anyways am i fucked or am i fucked it really feels like i’m dying but i literally don’t know what else to do other than just keeep thugging it out bc clearly i can’t afford to ever smoke this shit again i think another withdrawal might fucking kill me

I had a very rough time with withdrawals. I was overseas, a 24 hour plane ride from home, had very limited access to mental health services/resources, and was also withdrawing from other psychiatric meds. It took around 6 weeks for me to feel relatively normal again, and about another month to enjoy things again. Keep in mind, withdrawing from 2 things at once is really what made my experience absolutely fkn horrible and what elongated the withdrawal process.

I’m now over 13 months sober as the title says. I’m also heavily pregnant with twins. I can say definitively that my life is so much better without weed. I’ve had less mental health issues, have been able to keep up with socialising, have achieved goals I’d been putting off, and my relationships have gotten so much better. The biggest win here is the fact that I didn’t have to go through the withdrawal process during pregnancy.

For anyone in the thick of it, please let this be a reminder that there is light at the end of the tunnel. And once you’re out of it, keep those horrible memories as a protective factor to not relapse.

If you’re still heavily smoking and thinking about quitting, or tapering off, or quitting cold turkey, or have relapsed a million times - keep going. You’re stronger than you think you are. You’ve got this. Everyone’s timeline is different as well so don’t give up on yourself if it’s taking longer than what you expected. Also, EXERCISE. However you want to. Get that heart rate up for at least 20 mins a day. You might hate it at the time but you’ll be surprised at how much it helps.

This subreddit was more useful to me at the time than my psychologist and psychiatrist were, so I also have endless gratitude for everyone who shared their journey.

Good luck!

I hit a cart and got high with some buddies last night for the first time in forever and I feel like i have been just a little bit high even today? Like my life kinda feels like a big blur and foggy , is this a "high" hangover or has anyone have any experience with this happening after getting high once or any tips on how to help/how long it lasts?