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wakinglife
MVP
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Posts: 1279
Location: Victoria, BC
Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:48 am
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| Benefits of being off weed |
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There are so many of us who take breaks from the herb only to get back on it once we're feeling better. I am listing all of the benefits that I have personally noticed since I have quit. My stats are: smoked off and on for 21 years (started at age 12), chronic for the last 5. I have not smoked in 31 days, and with the support of this forum I hope to never go back to abusing the stuff.
Here are the benefits I have experienced. I invite you to add your own, or do your own inventory at home to keep you on track. (Yes, I am aware that there is some overlap between different benefits I am listing.)
Clear thinking; breathe better; smoother mood transitions; sharper mental dexterity; more articulate; better memory; working through stress more effectively; increased energy levels; reduced depression (after the first few weeks off); deeper interactions with others; no "bottomless pit" munching out; boosted confidence; no social anxiety; better focus on task at hand; enjoying simple pleasures more deeply; clear lungs; no concern about hiding something from my son; less stress; increased faith in my ability to control myself; no risk of arrest or legal troubles; increased joy; renewed self-respect; more free time; need to sleep less; more free cash; confidence to try new things; increased humility: asking others for help; better partnership with my girlfriend; better ability to learn and remember new songs (I'm a musician); can travel without paranoia of border checks; safer driving; ho hassles of finding good weed; no need to associate with shady dealers; not supporting organized crime; true bonds with friends rather than co-dependent drug abuse ties; better fitness level; reduced consumption of resources (ex. hydro power to grow the weed, chemical sprays and fertilizers, lighters/matches, rolling papers); new doors opening to spirit world (somewhere I only used to get to via cannabis); increased self-confidence to be "alternative" in ways other than drug use; confidence to take on any task I set my mind to; ability to strike up conversation with anyone I choose without fear or insecurity; no paranoia; increased motivation for self-improvement; feeling of wholeness that is not reliant on an external source.
That's over 40 benefits that I have encountered. I'd love to hear yours. I know that people who are struggling through the early days of withdrawal can use all the encouragement they can get, so please keep them coming!
I'd also be happy to debate or discuss any of the aforementioned benefits if you have had a different experience quitting cannabis.
Peace.
Edit: Go straight to the massive list here:
http://www.uncommonforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=264268&highlight=#264268
Last edited by wakinglife on Thu May 24, 2007 5:28 am; edited 2 times in total |
Modus Ponens
Preferred Member
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 365
Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:01 pm
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well you have it covered pretty well but i can add normal apetite habbits, meals no longer tied to the munchies, better grades, not being enslaved by the need for weed, no more feeling guilty. |
lp_ultra
Full Member
Joined: 13 Feb 2006
Posts: 228
Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:06 pm
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| Great Post! |
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Excellent post wakinglife, very inspiring... I too have quit weed after heavy psychological dependence. I still get odd feeling of want to go an buy some and skin up a fat joint, but all in all, it is almost as bad (in terms of addiction) as taking a toot from a crack pipe. The underlying principles are almost identical, so I KNOW I will never touch it again. There are SO many things in life to occupy our time, I'm going to explore them. |
ripley
New Member
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:48 pm
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I`m pleased you are enjoying the benifits. I have just joined the site after reading your message, I have recently stopped after many attempts of kicking the habit, 4 weeks so far this time. I agree completely with all you say. I love the fact that I have the most amazing dreams which I never have when I toke. The fact that I feel clean when with others socially instead of that 'there`s something wrong/dirty about me' feeling. I also spend alot less time looking for the letters on my keyboard, saving time and generally comunicating more. It`s great having dreams, like I`ve got another half of me that has been missing. Carry on the good work. |
John no longer Blaze
Junior Member
Joined: 26 Aug 2006
Posts: 23
Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:42 pm
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how bout physical appearance. It's only been a week and a half but someone already commented that I look a lot more well-rested, hahhaa |
wakinglife
MVP
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Posts: 1279
Location: Victoria, BC
Wed Aug 30, 2006 10:38 pm
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| Dreams after quitting |
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Indeed, dreams are a huge benefit to quitting. The first few weeks of detox I had some nightmarish "vivid dreams", some of which were involving me getting high and then immediately regretting it. Now it seems like I remember at least one dream (or fragments of several) each morning. That is something that just did not happen when I was smoking cannabis regularly.
Another benefit is a little more complicated: each time I was high, a part of me would know that I would be down again within 2 to 4 hours. The benefit I feel now is that if I'm in a good mood, there is no predetermined "time limit". I might wake up feeling great and stay in a good mood for hours. The same goes for down times. When you're burnt at the end of a long day of puffing herb, there is no way you're getting back "up" without a massive ingestion of THC or some other substance. I am finding now that I'm off the pipe, even when I'm exhausted I can still find the reserve energy to do what needs to get done at the end of the day.
Those of you in the early days: I swear it gets better! Today is day 40 without cannabis for me (after a long, long chronic dependency) and the cravings are almost nil. The reason I stay on this forum is because it helped me to quit, and I want to extend that same hand to those who are struggling. |
lp_ultra
Full Member
Joined: 13 Feb 2006
Posts: 228
Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:33 pm
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| Right On Brother!!! |
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Waking Life,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUR COMMENT
Another benefit is a little more complicated: each time I was high, a part of me would know that I would be down again within 2 to 4 hours. The benefit I feel now is that if I'm in a good mood, there is no predetermined "time limit". I might wake up feeling great and stay in a good mood for hours.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You hit the nail right on the head with me man, this is identical to what it felt like for me. The day COMPLETELY revolving around the 1st spliff, then after that the next is inferior to the first and so on etc. It was as if I only actually enjoyed 1 hour of the full day because when the first spliff finished and the high was over, I was just cloudy and lazy. Then I'd just roll another but it wasn't anywhere near as good as the first. Sometimes, I just couldn't feel it... I REALLY HATE WEED!!!
I've been sober for 9 months and at first it was absolute hell, a drastic change to my life. I've lapsed once or twice but have never fell into the deceptive trap of everyday smoking again. My opinions of weed now are that it is exactly the same as any other drug, it's a chemical that produces a high, a feeling that we are not naturally supposed to have. I've got to say that people REALLY annoy me when they say "weed is my drug of choice because it is natural", weed being natural makes ABSOLUTELY no difference whatsoever. Poisonous mushrooms are natural, opium is natural, having a sh!te is natural... get my point???
I wish that I could go back in time to when I was 15 and have said "no" to spliff being passed to me. However, I believe in fate so I guess it was supposed to happen and lead to my drug problem consequently building my character as my recovery has made me into a very strong, righteous and soulful character. I'm glad I went through everything but the weed thing is so annoying, I don't even think about the other drugs that I've taken, weed is the only one that I get cravings for. I don't even drink alcohol or smoke tobacco anymore because it makes me want a spliff... so I guess some good has come out of it.
For anybody that doesn't want to quit weed because they enjoy it too much, just have a go, it will do your mind, body and soul the world of good... TRY IT!!! Weed is an illusion, it really ISN'T your friend! |
Nlee
New Member
Joined: 31 Aug 2006
Posts: 11
Thu Aug 31, 2006 1:41 am
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| Great forum |
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You guys are an inspiration, I am so glad I found this forum. A few years ago I went on an addiction support site and was laughed off because I said I was addicated to marijuana, people didnt think it was a big deal to quit pot. It is when you have smoked for decades. |
lp_ultra
Full Member
Joined: 13 Feb 2006
Posts: 228
Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:11 am
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I would say that the benefits of quitting are endless. I've been sober for 9 months now (have had a couple of lapses) but prior to the 9 months, I was chronic daily habitual / addicted user. I'm disappointed that I have lapsed on the odd occasion (at friends houses) but I'm not going to beat myself up over it. I just avoid stoner friends now anyway because I'm just not sure if I can avoid temptation, although I feel very strong inside.
For me, the energy factor is my favourite benefit. I have so much more energy than before and can wake up before 12pm now. Weed was making me bed bound most of the time and stealing away my energy to do anything. Weed is such a huge temptress with it's exotic taste and smell and instant gratification... An evil herb disguising itself as a friend...
As wakinglife said, sense of smell definitely improves, along with all of your other senses being 1000% sharper. If you quit tobacco also, your lungs will be completely clean and able to function correctly without any slime inside. Weed robs you of your personality vibrance and confidence, this all returns in time. For people reading this, the first few weeks are exceedingly tough to deal with, cravings etc. However, after a few months of abstinence from this sh!te, you will not want to go back because of your 'new life' as it were.
GET YOUR LIFE BACK, DON'T LET A PLANT (RELATED TO NETTLES) RULE YOU. For me, there are only two positives of smoking:
1) It makes you high/relaxed 2) It tastes/smells nice
On the other hand, the benefits of quitting are infinite, the list is too large. I counted at least 30 benefits of quitting and I'm sure there are more.
Thanks. |
wakinglife
MVP
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Posts: 1279
Location: Victoria, BC
Fri Sep 01, 2006 6:32 pm
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It is great to hear, LP that you've been able to stay off for nine months. It can be done! I think your wise words are going to help many people who are barely able to see through the fuzzy logic that dominates the first few days of being cannabis free.
Although I agree the list may be long, it is important for people to see that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. People who get dependent on cannabis are still sane, intelligent individuals, so it becomes obvious what to do when the list of benefits is gets so long! It just happens that some get sidetracked into relying on one main way to feel good. The focus here is to figure out all the great stuff that starts to come your way after the withdrawals end (after a few days for some, or maybe a several weeks for heavy smokers).
Another benefit: deeper philosophical thinking (some of which still makes sense when explained to someone else!) What I mean to say is that if I'm in the mood to contemplate life's mysteries (the Big Questions), I can keep track of what I'm thinking. Rather than having 30 fleeting 'trippy' thoughts, none of which are very profound, I can gain deeper insights and come away with a sense of knowing that stays with me. |
Too_old
New Member
Joined: 01 Sep 2006
Posts: 7
Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:11 pm
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| Waiting to start |
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I want to wake up tommorow and not have it be the first thing I think about. I want to think about life. I will be on these boards everyday, I suspect. I am waiting to start as I am too old to do this anymore. Thanks. |
bennito
New Member
Joined: 01 Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Melbourne
Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:06 pm
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Excellent stuff
One of my benefits is a reduction in skin blemishes and that "rosy red" cheeks look.
One of the main reasons that I want to quit is for the above reason. Smoking every "school" night and all weekends has made my complexion appear less clear than when I am clean.
After 4 weeks off the weed, my natual colour tones reappeared, the flushed look faded and I felt much more confident around freinds and in the work place. |
wakinglife
MVP
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Posts: 1279
Location: Victoria, BC
Tue Sep 05, 2006 3:00 am
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| The chores are all done?!? |
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I used to smoke before doing my housework, as I thought I was more efficient doing them stoned. Wrong! Lately I have had the dishes done, laundry put away, carpet vacuumed, way more often than when I was chronic.
I have to agree with lp_ultra's wise assertion that weed is a serious trickster. Sure, I used to putter around the house while stoned, but I lacked the focus to finish any one job before starting the next one. I am starting to think that the 'excuses' we give for smoking are bordering on delusional.
P.S. I'd love to hear of any benefits noticed by the individuals who are now through the nasty first few days/weeks of 'detox' mindframe. (Even if they are repeats of benefits that have already been mentioned, once you attach your name to them you have some concrete positive results for your efforts. Stay strong, and may this list grow long! |
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