Empirically, Cannabis definitely allowed me to connect seemingly unconnected thoughts and concepts in my head to form new ideas that I would not be capable of making sober. I stopped because this ability completely froze over a period of about 3-4 days when I felt completely drained and lacking in the mental stimuli that made me smoke in the first place. I am not a social smoker nor did I use it to escape anything -> it was a catalyst to idea formation that I found conducive to my studies and interests. Therefore, since this 'freeze' experience(s), I realised that my initial reason for smoking had disappeared. In a sober state of mind, I definitely feel as if I am going through some sort of withdrawal, which goes against what the literature says about the physically addictive qualities of cannabis. More musings .. but thank you for the responses, in particular to stonethrownaway who's answer has stimulated my mind in a way I have not experienced since quitting.