Quitting weed

[MaidenMinx]

What's 5htp?

And congrats on reaching a month! Well done.

[Kiechi]

It's a supplement and a per-cursor for the production of serotonin. Believe me MM, buy em' and see how you feel. Like me, you suffer from depression and anxiety and know it's increased ten fold when withdrawing. Basically, it's just a crutch (as is weed) but without the high. It really does help me with the anxiety making the withdrawal process much more smoother. Plus, you ain't got nothing to lose not trying it right?! I beg you, from one decent person to another, give it a try and see how it goes MM.

As for weed itself, give it 20 years and people will soon realise the detrimental effects of weed and it's addictive properties. It's so freakin' common it's unreal. It's the new alcohol.

[Jambona]

I decided to stop polluting my body and quit cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine. It was a battle of the wills. I never made any excuse for myself. I didn't make deals with myself to have a cigarette after a week or so as a reward. I didn't break my no caffeine policy because I was kinda sleepy and had a big day. I stopped spending time with people who drank excessively. It wasn't easy but it was doable. You just have to own up and not let society tell you it isn't your fault or it's out of your control. You can control your own body, no matter what you're told, and you ARE responsible for your actions, no matter what feel-good bullshit the doctors feed you.

Granted I wasn't an alcoholic. Quitting that would have been a whole different game.

Marijuana, by the way, is known to CAUSE depression and anxiety, not alleviate it.

[IndiReloaded]

As a nurse, I know that marijuana is not physically addictive. You are dealing with your own psychology when you stop - not physical ailments. That is why I say you either stop, or you don't.

What's the difference b/t physical and psychological addiction? Doesn't 'psychological' addiction also cause those dopamine and opioid pathways to get activated? According to the neuroscience, the distinction isn't as clear cut as the medical textbooks say it is.

[url]http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/departments/psychiatry/PsychEducation/interdepttraining/Documents/Nestler.Nature%20Neurosci.2005.pdf[/url]

[KingZ]

What's the difference b/t physical and psychological addiction? Doesn't 'psychological' addiction also cause those dopamine and opioid pathways to get activated? According to the neuroscience, the distinction isn't as clear cut as the medical textbooks say it is.

[url]http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/departments/psychiatry/PsychEducation/interdepttraining/Documents/Nestler.Nature%20Neurosci.2005.pdf[/url]

I haven't read anything on the matter, so the last thing I can supply is a thought deemed credible, but as I would guess that physical addiction involves tolerance-building and eventually physical dependence, such that the removal of the drug either prevents the user from functioning, threatens the user, or potentially causes death. Alcohol is a great example of this.

Of course, an addiction to pornography—by the way, I'm still confused about the controversy regarding this—would obviously be classified as psychological addiction.

Marijuana, by the way, is known to CAUSE depression and anxiety, not alleviate it.

Definitely.

It's interesting that weed is considered to be the "gateway drug". I've tried every street drug on the planet, and I didn't find smoking freebase crack (for example) to be anywhere near as taxing as marijuana.

[IndiReloaded]

I haven't read anything on the matter, so the last thing I can supply is a thought deemed credible, but as I would guess that physical addiction involves tolerance-building and eventually physical dependence, such that the removal of the drug either prevents the user from functioning, threatens the user, or potentially causes death. Alcohol is a great example of this.

That review I posted is from one of the most credible journals I know, as is the author. I'm a long time out from studying this stuff, but I guess I was somewhat supporting Minx: the distinction b/t physical and psychological addiction is much more grey that the med texts say. Of course, that's b/c the medicos get their info from the basic researchers. The article mentions addiction from cannabis, btw. Also, tho I didn't post an article, it seems that the potential for addiction is genetically heritable. I think I posted about this some time ago; there are rats who fall into 3 classes: those who don't get addicted, those who do, and those who do but can stop w/few ill effects. Sounds a lot like people, yes? Some seem more prone to addiction than others and watch out if a parent was a hard-core addict.

[MaidenMinx]

That review I posted is from one of the most credible journals I know, as is the author. I'm a long time out from studying this stuff, but I guess I was somewhat supporting Minx: the distinction b/t physical and psychological addiction is much more grey that the med texts say. Of course, that's b/c the medicos get their info from the basic researchers. The article mentions addiction from cannabis, btw. Also, tho I didn't post an article, it seems that the potential for addiction is genetically heritable. I think I posted about this some time ago; there are rats who fall into 3 classes: those who don't get addicted, those who do, and those who do but can stop w/few ill effects. Sounds a lot like people, yes? Some seem more prone to addiction than others and watch out if a parent was a hard-core addict.

Thank you for putting so well what I was unable to convey.

For the record, both of my grandfathers were alcoholics and both of my parents are pot heads. Also for what it's worth, it's easy to stop smoking. What is hard is not starting again.

[MaidenMinx]

It's a supplement and a per-cursor for the production of serotonin. Believe me MM, buy em' and see how you feel. Like me, you suffer from depression and anxiety and know it's increased ten fold when withdrawing. Basically, it's just a crutch (as is weed) but without the high. It really does help me with the anxiety making the withdrawal process much more smoother. Plus, you ain't got nothing to lose not trying it right?! I beg you, from one decent person to another, give it a try and see how it goes MM.

As for weed itself, give it 20 years and people will soon realise the detrimental effects of weed and it's addictive properties. It's so freakin' common it's unreal. It's the new alcohol.

Interesting, 5htp is only available in one state over here. After having a read about it though, I don't think it would mix with my meds well, and I kinda need my meds (stupid seizures).

[IndiReloaded]

Thank you for putting so well what I was unable to convey.

For the record, both of my grandfathers were alcoholics and both of my parents are pot heads. Also for what it's worth, it's easy to stop smoking. What is hard is not starting again.

So in your case, knowing your history, you need to stay away from these things absolutely. I would in your case. This type of research is meant to be empowering, not an excuse for bad behaviour. We definitely live in a 'victim mentality' society. Control starts with choice. I post this generally, not with you in mind Minx.

[Kiechi]

Still off that garb'. Shame about the terrible OCD' though.

[MaidenMinx]

That's awesome! I'm glad to hear that... Well except for the OCD bit.

I wish I could say the same....

[KingZ]

I smoked my last joint for forever tonight.

[MaidenMinx]

So, I'm still doing terribly on this front. I had a shit February, starting with a complete and utter social circle overhaul and ending with being diagnosed with epilepsy. My neurologist wants me to wean, which has taken me a while to figure out a plan of action for. For a week and a half now I have recording my usage to discover I smoke between 15 and 24 cones a day, with a mean of 17 cones a day.

I have a plan and am aiming to be weaned by June 1st. Hope it works this time.

[IndiReloaded]

Good luck Minx. When you fall, get right back up.

[asdfg789]

Go Minx Go !

Thanks for sharing. It is enlightening to hear first hand how difficult it is to give up what is considered a "non-addictive" drug.