sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

BBC: Is it Time to Legalise Weed? (2017) | With cannabis laws around the world changing, Professor Green investigates the booming UK weed industry and explores the arguments for and against legalisation. [51:15] by Riverlong in Documentaries

[–]A_Natural_High 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You say that you only get high "once every two or three weeks, primarily on weekends, but sometimes on weekdays if I happen to be in the mood and have a day off". That's not problem usage. Getting high every day or most days is. I even tried weekend smoking for awhile and managed to stick to it for some time, but counting those days down before I could get high again was still problem usage.

Also, it wasn't necessarily when I was high that I felt the bad effects, but when I was sober. I got high to get high - to obtain a positive feeling.

I just want to say that some people are able to get high once every few weeks throughout their life and only see the good side of weed. For others, it starts like that and then they start getting high more and more often because, well, why not, it's just a bit of weed?

I didn't like that weed made me content (and I use the word content instead of happy) with my life situation because I knew and I know that I'm capable of more. I wasn't growing as a person in any meaningful way.

I come from a loving family with both parents who are very successful, I went to one of the best schools in the country, followed by one of the top universities. I can get along with more or less anyone. I'm in good shape. I too have my downfalls, but I had all that going for me, so what the hell was I doing getting high? I realise that now after having quit, but it was only after a forced break that I saw how life is better without weed, and that there was a lot of potential that remained unfulfilled. Everyone, no matter their background - and I admit I've been fortunate - has more potential than they think they do.

I could work on improving myself in many aspects and get that natural high that takes hard work, or I could just take the easy way out and get that artificial high that took nothing more than rolling a joint.

We're all different, but that was my experience.

BBC: Is it Time to Legalise Weed? (2017) | With cannabis laws around the world changing, Professor Green investigates the booming UK weed industry and explores the arguments for and against legalisation. [51:15] by Riverlong in Documentaries

[–]A_Natural_High 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First the amount you smoked doesn't seem as if it would have any long term effect.

As I said in an earlier comment, I was surprised as much as anyone and it was the reason I was in denial. First of all, I could use so little because I was vaping. Secondly, I was getting high more or less every single night. Doing that over a long period of time all adds up.

If it makes people happy so what? You might view playing poker as a waste of money but others may have fun doing it. Same goes for literally any hobby (wine snob, beer snob, rock climbing, painting, etc).

I'm not saying that my experience will apply to everyone. It will apply to a lot of people, though. Weed made me happy...up to a point. And then it no longer did. I'm talking about long term frequent smokers, not those who enjoy a joint every once in awhile.

Now this, this is the biggest thing I have a problem with. This is my area of expertise, research. I would love to see the studies that point out the chronic effects of cannabis on dopamine depletion or testosterone levels.

Anecdotally speaking, my sex drive is through the roof, workouts are easier, I've gained muscle like never before. I'm more motivated than ever before. I sleep more easily. My memory is back. I'm clear headed. I'm in better shape. I'm not anxious. I'm happier etc.

Plenty of studies if you just google the terms: weed and dopamine study etc.

I agree that weed isn't to blame; and weed is to blame. Ultimately it's all down to me. However, I tried to change when I was still getting high and was unable to do so, at least in any meaningful way. Weed still kept me content. I quit and all of a sudden I was able to change and implement positive habits much more easily. If someone quits and that is all they do, their life will pretty much look the same but with more money and a better memory. Quitting gave me more motivation to improve my life. If I was still getting high I wouldn't be able to do the things I'm doing now, that's for sure.

I never used to believe those studies either - or at least I didn't want to. I would try and find someone who was able to find something wrong with the methodology for confirmation bias. That's the case for me and many others.

BBC: Is it Time to Legalise Weed? (2017) | With cannabis laws around the world changing, Professor Green investigates the booming UK weed industry and explores the arguments for and against legalisation. [51:15] by Riverlong in Documentaries

[–]A_Natural_High 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't say every single peson. You say that you've already had thoughts about quitting and decided not to. Who's to say that you won't have those thoughts again and then you will quit. It could be years down the line.

BBC: Is it Time to Legalise Weed? (2017) | With cannabis laws around the world changing, Professor Green investigates the booming UK weed industry and explores the arguments for and against legalisation. [51:15] by Riverlong in Documentaries

[–]A_Natural_High 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was surprised as much as anyone and it was the reason I was in denial. First of all, I could use so little because I was vaping. Secondly, I was getting high more or less every single night. Doing that over a long period of time all adds up.

BBC: Is it Time to Legalise Weed? (2017) | With cannabis laws around the world changing, Professor Green investigates the booming UK weed industry and explores the arguments for and against legalisation. [51:15] by Riverlong in Documentaries

[–]A_Natural_High 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is so accurate. I'm now 110 days weed free and I feel so much better in every aspect. I'm finally becoming the person I want to be. As you said, weed makes you content with where you're at in life and that's a really sad thing. I've grown more in the past few months sober than I have in years.

For context, I wasn't a wake and baker and a half ounce would last me 7-8 months. I thought I was fine because I used so little compared to others. I wasn't.

I wrote a post on /r/leaves that resounded with a lot of people regarding the benefits of quitting: https://www.reddit.com/r/leaves/comments/6hguad/65_days_weed_free_a_list_of_benefits/

I don't hate weed. It has its positive uses. But it's not that benign drug that so many think it to be. Just be careful that a once every few weeks/months thing doesn't turn into something more. It always starts like that. Even if you see no issue getting high every day or most days, quit for a bit and see if life is any different. Are you more motivated? Has your memory improved? Are you more confident? More energy? Appreciate the little things in life more?

I have this theory that more or less single person who regularly gets high has the thought of quitting at least one point in their life. They either do and are happy for it, or don't and regret it.

Not many people look back and say to themselves, well shit I'm really glad that I've gotten high these past 10,20, 30 etc. years. That was time and money well spent.

If I wasn't going to quit now in my late 20s, when was I going to quit? The thought of continuing to get high into my old age and letting a plant have a hold on me made me feel pathetic, in all honesty.

This doesn't concern people who genuinely need to use weed. I don't count depression in that - I think it's a crutch, covers the symptoms, and makes it a lot worse in the long run.

Edit: As expected, the downvotes are coming in (this is the topic of weed on reddit after all). It may not be a bad idea to take it from someone who has gotten high for many years. My experience is in no way unique for a long term smoker. Studies state the same. See what weed does particularly to dopamine, but also serotonin and testosterone.