As someone who smokes weed way too often… I do it because I’m addicted to it and anyone who says it’s ‘habitual not addictive’ or they’re just ‘medicating’ is in denial
As someone else who smokes way too much… I do it because I’m addicted to it. Most people don’t realize that habitual addictions are addictions, and just because weed doesn’t have physical withdrawal symptoms, doesn’t meant you can’t be addicted.
The fun thing is, it does have physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop.
They’re just not nearly as bad some other substances.
I’d rank them worse than coffee’s withdrawal symptoms.
well I have been trying to quit and haven’t had a puff for like 3 days and I’ve been feeling like shit, whole body sore and persistent headache. I’m not sure if it’s withdrawal though or if I just caught a virus
It most certainly does have physical withdrawal symptoms. Perhaps it didn’t in 1960 when a lid of pot was $10 and had the same potency of 1 puff from a vape pen, but it sure as hell does today. I’ve watched people become insanely irritable and aggressive when quitting weed, suffering from headaches, sweats, and a plethora of other symptoms.
Anyone who says it isn’t addictive is lying to themselves and potentially harming others who may end up getting addicted themselves.
I smoked way too often and didn’t find it addictive, though. I smoked because I had it. I only quit because my lungs hurt lol
Every single person on this planet is addicted to one thing or the other. Basically we are genetically junkies. We strive for pleasure. Simple as that. I found pleasure in weed many years ago and I don’t have any moral or other intention to quit. I just don’t give a …
Thinking about what I’m addicted to 🤔🤔
Social media to a point, I guess
“WHAAT!”
(Or, DMX: barks)
Nobody HAS to. They want to, so why not.
Why do you look at your cell phone every day, are you addicted?
Yes
Ok, bad example!
You eat every day, are you addicted?!
Yes, i will literally die if I stop
You breathe every day, are you addicted?!
Bad example. You have to breathe to exist lol
You see, I think drugs have done some good things for us. I really do. And if you don’t believe drugs have done good things for us, do me a favor. Go home tonight. Take all your albums, all your tapes and all your CDs and burn them. 'Cause you know what, the musicians that made all that great music that’s enhanced your lives throughout the years? Rrrrrrrrrrrreal fucking high on drugs. The Beatles were so fucking high they let Ringo sing a few tunes. -Bill Hicks
A Bill Hicks quote is always appreciated.
Because habitual doesn’t mean addictive, I also have a problem with peanut butter cups.
Personally I thought weed was very addictive, but not in the traditional sense.
Take coffee for instance. When I stopped drinking coffee I had headaches, was a dick for a few days, but that’s it. Which is pretty easy compared to, say, heroin (so I hear).
With weed, I didn’t have any of that, but I craved the relaxation it brought. The feeling of not giving a fuck about anything for a few hours was great, and I longed for it. I still long for it sometimes. And I think that’s the dangerous thing about weed being labeled as “non-addictive.”
Just because you don’t have a physical reaction to abstaining, doesn’t mean the emotional reliance is nothing.
You can get psychologically “addicted” to anything.
Im not sure “addicted” is the right word.
Yeah, perhaps you’re right.
I feel exactly the same way. Much less of a physical addiction for me. For a long time I was in the “not addictive” camp, but realized that there was a reason that I was resistant to stopping. I’ll still partake, but I’m more mindful about recognizing when its becoming a dependance issue again.
It’s hard to break habits. I’m not naive though, I know what it feels like, it’s a mind battle.
ya as someone who smokes a lot of weed. its not addictive as in like, i get the shakes if i dont smoke but its def more than peanut butter cups
its def addicting, just not physically so. i feel real uncomfortable if my smoke habit gets disrupted.
That’s pretty much a habit, I also get uncomfortable when I have to go out when I always have that day free. Peanut butter cups might not be a good example because the sugar is really bad for humans.
There’s withdrawal but of the four drugs i have been physically addicted to (caffeine, weed, nicotine, and SSRIs) it’s the only one I can cold turkey in under a week and feel fine.
yes, I used to have the same experience. regular smoking and then stopping for a bit was fine. but it didn’t leave my mind. It’s not physically addictive, but neither is shopping or video games, or gambling, yet so many people are addicts
Weed is physically addictive. Withdrawal is very mild and only lasts a few days but it can happen with heavy use.
I didn’t experience it until I got into edibles and vaping concentrates and I had used weed regularly off and on for twenty years at that point.
So it takes heavy use, but physical withdrawal is a real thing with weed. But as I said, it’s the only drug I’ve been addicted to I would cold turkey.
Yeah, caffeine cold turkey is unexpectedly tough.
I don’t drink coffee or tea, but I usually drink caffeinated soda with food. I visited another country a few years back where soda isn’t usually drank except in special occasions like at parties. I couldn’t figure out why I had such a bad headache for the first few days. I thought the caffeine content from soda would be low enough that I wouldn’t have withdrawals. Finally on about day 5 I decided to have tea with my breakfast, and no headache that day. That was when I realized what a caffeine withdrawal headache felt like, and I finally realized why I get headaches if I don’t have lunch at my regular time (when I usually have my soda).
I really wish I could get caffeine free cola, because I don’t even want the caffeine. I just want the cola flavor. But it seems the only caffeine free cola that is sold in stores is also diet, which I don’t like the taste of. They sell caffeine free, non-diet cola online, but at absurd prices.
£5 for an 8 pack of coke zero decaf at the supermarket, I just checked. What and where are you looking at?
I’m in the US. It isn’t available in any stores here. You can get it online for $20 for a 12 pack. Regular price for coke right now is $7 for a 12 pack, which is already shockingly high. About 10-15 years ago you could get 48 cans for $11.
Not trying to be a dick, but “I don’t like the taste of diet soda” feels like a very minor inconvenience for fighting an addiction you want to shake
Aspartame likely causes cancer, probably worse for you than actual sugar. But the dosage of each makes all the difference.
I don’t care enough to shake the addiction to caffeine. It would be nice to, but not something I care enough to put much effort into.
It’s not so bad if you pop a Tylenol the first couple of days, just to get you through the caffeine migraine phase.
Depends on how bad your caffeine addiction is. I tried cold turkey when I had a tooth pulled when I was drinking a pot of coffee a day.
A week in bed on Vicodin and Percocet, didn’t touch that headache and it didn’t improve or go away until I drank coffee.
Oddly, I ate a large bag of mushrooms and got tazed by the cops one night. Ended up in the psych ward. Was able to cold turkey the coffee after that. Not sure if it was the mushrooms or the juice from the tazer.
Yeah, I’m not sure if Vicodin or perc would help a migraine, different pain killers help in different ways. I think opiods are the least helpful when it comes to migraines, if I remember correctly.
Vicodin has Tylenol in it
I confirm. Taking opioids against migraine gives you still a migraine, but on opioids. Not recommended.
Vicodin has Tylenol in it
but we’re not talking about migraines.
we’re talking about caffeine withdrawal headaches.
neither of which are 💯 understood but that doesn’t make them the same.
plus, Vicodin has Tylenol in it. so i was taking Tylenol.
Caffeine withdrawal can absolutely trigger migraines, easily.
Not sure about the Tylenol in Vic, but just that opioids in general don’t work well. You can easily Google it.
true it’s probably the easiest drug to quit but there is a strong psychological addiction
Caffeine isn’t addictive. Your body acclimates to long term usage, and you will experience some withdrawal symptoms but this is classified as a dependency and not an addiction as it does not trigger the reward mechanisms like weed and or methamphetamine does. It’s an important distinction and is why coffee and tea are often served at [Addiction] Anonymous meetings.
It’s both. Nicotine is also both. Note how people at AA still often smoke. And how much coffee they’ll pound even after dinner.
The only drug I misclassified is SSRIs. Which don’t trigger the dopamine reward system.
And my comment was in light of OP and common language usage. People say heroin addiction and they mean heroin dependency. It doesn’t help anyone to be pedantic about these two words. And I say that as someone who has taken college level classes on pharmacology and alcohol and drug dependence and is very aware of the technical differences used professionally.
There is chemical addiction and there is psychological addiction. Weed might not be chemically addictive but it can sure be psychologically addictive which is true with most stoners.
Which category do tea and coffee fall into?
I had ChatGPT answer this like a stoner:
Dude, coffee and tea are loaded with this incredible compound called caffeine. It’s like a chemical wizard that messes with your brain in two ways: chemically and mentally. Chemically, caffeine hooks onto these receptors in your brain, blocking this chill neurotransmitter called adenosine. So instead of feeling relaxed and sleepy, you’re all pumped up and alert.
But that’s not all, man. When you consume caffeine regularly, your body becomes physically dependent on it. So, if you suddenly stop guzzling that liquid goodness, you’re gonna feel some withdrawal symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and even crankiness. It’s like your body is saying, “Hey, where’s my daily dose of that buzz?”
And let’s not forget about the mental game. Coffee and tea can be habit-forming, creating this psychological attachment. You know, that warm mug, that familiar taste, it becomes a part of your routine, man. Plus, the stimulating effects of caffeine can make you crave that buzz, that laser-focused state of mind.
So, there you have it, bro. Coffee and tea aren’t just about flavor and ritual; they mess with your brain chemistry and play tricks on your mind. It’s like a wild ride, all packed into a cup.
My God this had me rolling. This kinda shit is my favorite use of AI.
What a time to be alive where computers can do this.
Does your name start with an f? I feel like a person I know would do this
It does!
Caffeine is both. Source: I get withdrawal if I skip a day of caffeine.
I don’t agree with that chemical/psychological distinction. Weed and other drugs mess with your neurotransmitters/receptors which are fundamental to our psychological functioning, you can’t draw a line and say this is chemical addiction that causes you to vomit, sweat, and shake, and this is some higher level ”I want it cause it makes me feel nice” addiction. It’s the same thing, just not as severe. And heavy chronic weed use absolutely will cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms like headaches, irritability, mood swings, apathy etc.
In the universe, everything boils down to physics. Even the most complex human behaviors could be justified if we understood the physical complexity of the brain. But we can’t, so we just refer to that complex behavioral layer of humans as “psyche”.
Some people could become addicted to a substance because it makes them feel assertive, so they feel insecure while they aren’t under its influence. How do you explain that physically? “Feeling insecure” belongs to the complex human behavioral layer. This would be a valid psychological addiction.
Everything is physical in the universe but we still have psychological disorders.
But, I agree, what most stoners call “psychological addiction” is just physical abstinence. It’s just crap like “I can’t focus if I don’t smoke”. Well, yeha, your dopamine levels are all fucked up, dude.
Yep. I I had no appetite, severe insomnia, headaches and sweats for about 1-2 weeks when I came off of my heavy use, decade long pot habit. It felt like the flu. I’m glad I found r/leaves or I wouldn’t have known those were withdrawal symptoms that would eventually go away!
I never plan to touch the stuff again.
they hated him bc he was telling them the truth
I’ve always explained it like: if porn and gambling can be addictive, how can weed possibly not be?
You smoke weed every day because you are mentally addicted.
I smoke weed everyday to quiet the cacophony that is our insane world.
We both have mental health issues.
I don’t have to.
I want to.
If you can’t ignore the want, that’s an addiction
Well when I don’t have any and can’t get any, I think “if I had a joint that would be nice.” The same way one might want a pizza they can’t afford. But it doesn’t occupy my mind all day, like if I’m out of cigarettes.
Yeah but are you sure you don’t also have a pizza addiction? /s
There’s two kinds of addiction, physical and mental. Nicotine is probably the most addictive substance in terms of physical addiction (more so than heroin, according to Imperial College London). So comparing the physical addiction to nicotine with a mental addiction to cannabis will never be equivalent. However you can have a mental addiction to anything, even without a chemical dependency - gambling addictions are probably the simplest example. As such you most definitely can have a cannabis addiction, just like you can be addicted to porn, TV, internet or whatever.
It’s a habit, and one that you want to do. You might not feel like you need to do it, but it’s a strong want. The harm comes if you pursue the habit to the detriment of other things.
It also doesn’t help that the clinical terminology is kind of the wrong way around. In clinical terms, “addiction” refers to the physical part, while “dependency” refers to the mental part. This doesn’t sit well with me, as “addiction” has negative connotations while “dependency” is more neutral (a child is a dependent of their parents, and this is fine). And yet we still have a gambling “addiction” which doesn’t really have any physical element.
But yeah, people can and often are addicted to lots of things. Any habit can potentially be considered an addiction.
Everything you say is true, but weed is still psychologically addictive. Maybe the reason it doesn’t occupy your mind so much is because you have another drug to fall back on.
Yeah, this is what I told myself for 10 years. But the fact is there were numerous situations where I would think “this would be so much better with weed”.
If I can’t enjoy life’s basic experiences without drugs, there is a problem.
Also pizza doesn’t cause mood swings, memory loss, lethargy, paranoia etc.
Acknowledging the fact that everything is better with weed doesn’t mean you’re addicted.
Yeah, like water or food.
I virtually never want food or water. My body screams “eat now or you’re going into a coma, idiot!”
oh bro then we different. some times a cool crispy glass of water is just so dang desirable. same with a fresh batch of fries man
I wonder if there’s a hydrohomies community
They’re should be.
I’m a medical user and I’m absolutely admitting to my dependance on it. Because otherwise I’d be in pain and not in complete control of my body and mind. I never get red eyes, tho
The only point of saying weed is not addictive is to say you can quit with no negative repurcussions.
Now, if you become dependant on it for one reason or another, that’s addiction.
Ok but like I literally smoked every day for months on end and quit without negative consequences xd
I thought this shit was left at reddit
Weed is illegal federally, but it keeps getting produced at a state level. This really worries me, si to try to rectify this situation, I have just been buying and burning as much as I can. I don’t know how much of an effect its having because I just keep seeing more pop up.
I will continue despite it seeming more and more like a fools errand.
I’m with you brother. You don’t need to walk this brave path alone.
Notice that this previous comment holds with certainty for the United States Of America. Your mileage may vary depending on your area.
If for instance on the other hand, you live in The Netherlands, having small amounts of cannabis to use is legal.
So glad that isn’t the case here. Burning small amounts would get me no where.
Why is it your problem? I’m not trying to be judgemental, I just don’t see why I should care what others do? It’s not like every stoner is blowing the smoke in your face.
Woosh
not really a woosh, I didn’t think that part out fully. I was talking from my perspective where I would be respectful, just as I am with vaping. I know in some parts, i’ve heard it can be really bad. Screw people who just blow it everywhere and make places stink. However there are nearly oderless ways of smoking (particularly vaping) where a smoker can be respectful about it, and just keep it in there car (leave it in your driveway, never drive high). In this case, I don’t see why someone should be upset at the respectfull stoners.
Why is it who’s problem? Sorry I am a little confused. This damn smoke keeps getting in my eyes. Maybe I should burn this outdoors instead.
My brother is definitely addicted. He smokes to calm himself down, but is just as angry, if not more, after. He’s been smoking so much for so long that he can’t even imagine what it’s like without it.
maybe he’s angry for other reasons and the weed is a coping mchanism, like all addictions that people have in a toxic system
I mean, yes, weed isn’t the cause of his anger issues, but weed no longer helps him the way he thinks it does, or the way it might have helped him in the past.
Once you start consuming too much, it increases your anxiety and paranoia. You get panic attacks and shit. It’s fine for taking the edge off but you can’t control major psychological issues with it.
i dunno about all that. its different for everyone, just like any substance really. ive been smoking weed since i was like 13 and i have never had a panic attack and i dont think its the source of anxiety for me. im almost 40 now. i am def addicted tho, theres no argument there. but i describe it as like a bad habit. like watching too much TV or being too into WoW. its a mental issue
Not everyone has panic attacks, full stop.
When was the last time you went 48 hours without toking? Do you even know what baseline is anymore? Would you even know if you are living with elevated anxiety? Most people don’t until it simply can’t be ignored anymore.
It also matters how much you are toking. I can toke every day and if I keep it under about half a gram it never seems to catch up with me. But if I go two weeks toking two grams a day, I’m a wreck.
Anyway, we shouldn’t put too much faith in our personal experiences when there are decades of data saying that it contributes to anxiety and (eventually) panic attacks.
lol ive never seen this data about panic attacks and anxiety. i go to the DR and therapist so im pretty sure im not living with elevated anxiety. and 48 hours is pretty easy to withhold. say if i go out of the country i dont smuggle weed in.
i think youre 100% on anecdotes. but i dont think we’ve had a lot of studies come out conclusively that say marijuana contributes to mental issues eventually
Yup. Wish he wasn’t so hooked onto the “weed can do no harm, it’s impossible” mantra. I’ve tried to explain it like water: it’s very healthy for us, but you can still drink too much and have dangerous health issues.
It is very hard to think clearly about addiction. Even if you can do it deep in your mind, it’s still hard to act on it or express those thoughts outwardly.
I mean, everybody has a vice, for me it’s my phone and social media, I habitually check it every 5 or so minutes, it is an addiction but at least it isn’t physically damaging like cigarettes
Not getting enough exercise because you are checking every 5 minutes is physically damaging. Not saying its you but, its some people. I dont get enough because im addicted to getting things done. Which i feel is a good addiction as far as they go. But that problem does need solving.
