I have not smoked in over two months. Initially it was because I was looking for jobs and wanted to keep my options open in case I got a job offer for a place that drug tests. Well, I am still looking for jobs at the moment, but it's not because I failed any drug tests. (It's just tough out there! ) Knowing that I will not test positive for THC at this point gives me peace of mind. No more worrying, chugging water, or having to cheat the test by buying fake urine and hoping I don't get caught, etc. My memory has improved overall. I seem a little bit sharper and can recall things like names and little details better. I have been experiencing this weird phenomenon ever since I quit where random memories from a long time ago come into the forefront of my mind for seemingly no reason at all. Like I'll be chopping vegetables and suddenly I get a flash of a place I visited when I was 14, something I hadn't thought about in several years. It has been a pleasant experience and I feel it is a good sign my brain is getting healthier. I simply like the freedom of not being dependent on weed. I smoked every night, and if I ran out of weed, I would get antsy, even irritable or angry. I would scrape up some money and figure out a way to get it somehow. Total addict behavior! Today, I do struggle with insomnia sometimes, but that is about the only negative. My lungs and dopamine system are getting healthier every day, I feel. The idea of "I'm bored without weed" is no longer an issue and I'm really happy about that. I can chill at home, watching TV or surfing the internet like I always did before, but I'm just as entertained without weed. Perhaps more entertained because I can focus better. Oh, and the money I save! Every spare $20 I get no longer gets smoked away. I can save that money or buy something useful. Why did you quit marijuana? What benefits have you noticed?
I have experienced the same as you with regards to certain memories just popping back into my mind - things that I hadn't thought about ever since they happened. I guess that was a result of the short-term memory loss which is a well known symptom of consuming Marijuana by smoking it. I also felt cleaner, fresher, more alive and more aware of the things going on around me and suffered with a lot less stress. Having a dependence on Marihuana can actually sometimes make you feel quite tense and as though the world is on your shoulders. I also became a lot more productive and less lazy and could focus on other things much easier.
I've never been into marijuana, but thanks for sharing this. I'm sure it helps others to know you feel different (better). I hope you get a job soon!
Thanks Sparkster, it's good to know I'm not the only one who has that specific memory experience from quitting. I remembered a few more benefits after I posted this thread. One is that I am no longer hindered in social situations. I don't know why smoking weed is considered a social activity when it usually makes you introspective and "stupid". Like if I was trying to have a conversation with someone, I'd stall on what to say or fumble my words, because I was high and couldn't focus. When I'm high I'm off in my dream world and can't really talk to other people well. If I got a phone call while I was high it was the scariest thing, haha. I no longer have to worry about going out in public and having to talk to sober people; I would always worry that they'd know I'm high and/or I'd say something stupid. Another thing is that I now have vivid dreams almost every night, and can usually remember them. Thanks for the well wishes Jen.
I quit smoking as well, just for the monetary reasons. It has made a huge difference in my wallet. I don't think people realize how much they spend on weed and alcohol. Like you said, people just spend every spare $20 they have. It adds up quickly, and I am way more responsible with my money now. I haven't noticed any actual differences in my behavior, however.
It has been a long time since I last smoked marijuana. A few weeks ago, I went out with a few girlfriends that I haven't seen in many years. During dinner the subject came up, and to my surprise, two of my friends admitted to still using. As we left the restaurant, one of my friends told me that she had some in the car and I was welcome to join her. Over the years, I often wondered how I would handle such a situation. Would I give in? Would I be strong? I really loved to smoke marijuana and missed the feeling so much. On my way home, I felt relieved because I finally had my answer. Aside from the fact that it is illegal in my state, had I given in, I knew that I would not have been satisfied with that one time. That would take me back to pretending, lying, and spending so much money for the "honor" of reinforcing my lack of self-control. Instead, I hugged her and said, "No thanks," and went home to be with my family.
1. Improvement in memory 2. Increase in energy 3. Needing less sleep 4. Not worrying about getting arrested or having legal problems 5. Not worrying about having to hide a habit from children or family members 6. Having more free time - No longer needing to ‘steal’ all that time from my work, family and hobbies to find time to get high and to find and buy drugs 7. Having more cash - No longer wasting so much money on weed, but also no longer wasting so much time high that could have gone into productive activities 8. Reduced feelings of anxiety and depression
Well done! It's very hard to quit, but once you do, it really does give you a peace of mind. You'd be so disappointed if you aced the interview in every other way then failed a drug test that could have easily been avoided. Any why put yourself in a super stressful situation worrying about that instead of why you're the best candidate for the position! Best of luck on finding a new position, it is tough out there, but just keep focusing on the positives and you'll get there!
Thanks for sharing your story with us. A lot of my friends smoke weed and even though most of them can regulate it enough to function, some just couldn't and end up abusing it at the expense of their responsibilities. I often hear from those who can control it that they stop for months at a time and that the biggest barrier is remembering that it should be okay to be bored from time to time.
Yes I think it's important to be okay with being "bored" sometimes, or as Louis CK put it, "just sit and be a person." Being high makes boring things appear to be not-boring. This unfortunately is part of why marijuana is addictive, because you feel the need to smoke whenever you have downtime or to do certain activities, and then you get anxious when you can't be high at those times. I would go so far as to say that that habit makes the mind weak in a way. You don't need to distract yourself from boredom at every single moment, whether that be with weed or any other neurotic habit. Also to think about what "being bored" really is. Just to sit and be still for a few moments doesn't have to be boring, it's a chance to be with your thoughts. It's like a form of mini meditation. I try to think of this whenever I'm not doing something for a minute and start feeling bored. Makes me proud of myself that I don't want to reach for weed anymore when I feel like that.
Thank-you for sharing this and for your honesty - kudos to you for quitting, I know it is NOT easy. I hope you are able to find a good job soon ~
Threads like this give me hope that I will one day completely quit. I haven't smoked in about a week at this point. I was a daily smoker (4-5 times a day). Pretty much any down moment I had would include me firing up a J or loading a bowl. Recently, however, I have stopped seeking it out. I think my current relationship has a lot to do with it. I am just more active and out and doing things now, and honestly don't think about it as much. I've totally stopped purchasing it, and only smoke when I'm with a couple of friends that are lighting up. I have noticed a bit less anxiety, and definitely more motivation to be out in the real world as opposed to wasting my life away online. (Yes, I see the irony here.) Nonetheless, these inspirational stories are motivating, and I love reading them.
I think there are two benefits to quitting marijuana. The first benefit is to deal with life while sober. What I mean when I say that is people mainly smoke marijuana as an escape from their problems. When I used to smoke, I would forget everything that is going on in my life and just focus on the feeling of being high. Now that I have not smoked in two years, I can find rational solutions to dealing with problems in my life. Another benefit is not having to do things to get marijuana out of your system in a short period of time for jobs or other important reasons. There are things such as drinking sure jell, drinking Clorox, using a special shampoo to get it out of your hair, and also pills to get it out of your system. That is a little too much so I would rather not smoke it anymore.
There are a couple of benefits for quitting marijuana: 1) The addiction no longer has power over you. 2) More time to do productive activities. 3) More money in your pocket. 4) No more worry over jobs testing you for marijuana.
I have not smoked weed, but I am quite happy for all of you who either quit, or are trying to. I can't express the hope this gives me that this society isn't doomed after all, should marijuana become legal. I literally have a smile on my face, reading all of your replies. Keep up the good work, and should any of you need someone to talk to who is sympathetic, though having never used, I am all ears. Please keep up the good work!!! Hope you will all be a good example to users who just don't understand that they are addicted.
There are also quite a few other benefits too - you won't smell of marijuana any more for a start (yes, non-smokers can smell it on you), you won't risk burning your clothes, you will feel cleaner, more confident, more alert and aware and you will be able to deal with social situations much better. You'll have more money and you won't need to worry about where your next smoke is coming from, which (when addicted) causes more stress than you would have had if you didn't smoke it.
I know one thing is for sure. You have some extra money in your pocket now that you have kicked the habit.
The one problem with that is that marijuana isn't that expensive today. It's actually quite cheap and readily available, especially on the West Coast. Most people would wind up having a few extra dollars but not much more than that. Still, it's a small incentive to get off of marijuana. Getting off the drug has a few major benefits and tons of very small ones that add up, making it a smart idea for many heavy users.
I'm unsure about this memory thing, surely it is dependent on what you are smoking? Are you getting high or stoned? If stoned then of course your a mumbling jelly brain. If your high then unless you use the opportunity to broaden your mind and ideas with creativity then you'll feel frustrated. Also there is some unscrupulous growers out there that spray their weed with a chemical THC to help create a dependency of a neurological trigger, this you'll find makes you keep going for more. Best if you want to smoke weed is grow your own personal grass and avoid all the hassle and keep it organic.
this is a great list. Can I add #9? Not having to worry about associating with drug dealers or putting yourself in dangerous situations.