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I'm planning on taking a sober January this year, abstaining from both booze and weed. Alcohol I don't have any particular problem with; I'm a fairly infrequent

I'm planning on taking a sober January this year, abstaining from both booze and weed. Alcohol I don't have any particular problem with; I'm a fairly infrequent drinker. But marijuana and I have a strange relationship. I've been a habitual user for the last decade plus, and have found over the last few years that smoking either makes me anxious to the point of discomfort or just doesn't really do anything. I continually tell myself, every time the anxiety thing happens, that I should just quit the stuff. But it's a very strong habit and I often find myself lighting up for seemingly no reason. I took about a month long break a year or so ago and didn't particularly miss it. Anyway, I've now been off it for two days, and plan to just lay off for a while. I suspect, with some sadness, that I've just hit the point where it's not fun for me anymore. I've seen many people voice similar experiences online and have a friend who quit permanently a few years ago with a similar case (although theirs seemed much more acute than mine). Anyway, a reset is in order, so that's what I'll attempt. Not hoping for any miracles, but I think it will be a nice change of pace if nothing else.

acchow 4y ago
Most people I know take a few months off weed every year and it’s always much better when returning to it.
- agentwiggles 4y ago
  I hope so! I did not notice much of a reduction in the anxiety issues after my last long break. I suspect that a large part of the issue is the different composition of the psychoactive components in today's weed versus what I grew up smoking - old school was what we now derisively call "miss", new school seems to be optimizing for as much THC as possible while also reducing CBD to almost nothing. My state hasn't legalized yet (although there is some faint hope for next year) so I haven't had much opportunity to experiment with different strains and whatnot. Either way, a while off it will do me some good I think, and of course the money saved isn't to be ignored either.
  - acchow 4y ago
    optimizing for "as much THC as possible" sounds like you need to find a dispensary with wider selection. Being in a non-legalized state might be your biggest issue tho
ethanzh 4y ago
I’m in a similar situation and agree with everything you’ve said. Although I enjoy the ritual aspect of weed I’ve also found that I enjoy the actual effects far less than I used to, and when I take a few weeks off I don’t really miss it. The worst part is the 3-4 days after quitting falling asleep becomes quite difficult so I need to make a point to go on long runs/bike rides to fall asleep easier
- sokoloff 4y ago
  I’ve found melatonin to be a fairly mild, yet effective, sleep aid. I mostly use it to manage the clock on eastbound long flights (to fall asleep earlier than local time would have me do that.)
  - ethanzh 4y ago
    One thing to note about melatonin is there’s little consistency between the dosage listed on the bottle and the actual dose. Not a problem if it works for you but just something to be aware of, more info on the second heading here [0] if you’re interested [0] https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2022/10/05/ask-me-anything-neuroscience-with-andrew-huberman/ https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2022/10/05/ask-me-anything-ne...
    - cma 4y ago
      They sell it in a liquid form you can drop into water, that would at least be consistent per bottle.
  - smegsicle 4y ago
    frequent melatonin wreaks havoc on your natural sleep system it's great for jetlag, but not as a regular 'mild' sleep aid
TaylorAlexander 4y ago
I vaped every day for 4 years or so, then quit this year. I am extremely happy with the decision. I don't miss it anymore. I thought it was helping me with anxiety but actually I have less anxiety now. And I am working more hours and taking better care of myself. I never liked the idea of abusing my lungs for my drug habit anyway. Vaping dry flower is better than smoking, but it still can't be good for you. It took me about two months to stop craving it. Also someone else mentioned melatonin for sleep which could be an issue for some when quitting and I recently found that can be great. Doesn't take much.

acchow 4y ago

Most people I know take a few months off weed every year and it’s always much better when returning to it.

agentwiggles 4y ago
I hope so! I did not notice much of a reduction in the anxiety issues after my last long break. I suspect that a large part of the issue is the different composition of the psychoactive components in today's weed versus what I grew up smoking - old school was what we now derisively call "miss", new school seems to be optimizing for as much THC as possible while also reducing CBD to almost nothing. My state hasn't legalized yet (although there is some faint hope for next year) so I haven't had much opportunity to experiment with different strains and whatnot. Either way, a while off it will do me some good I think, and of course the money saved isn't to be ignored either.
- acchow 4y ago
  optimizing for "as much THC as possible" sounds like you need to find a dispensary with wider selection. Being in a non-legalized state might be your biggest issue tho

ethanzh 4y ago

I’m in a similar situation and agree with everything you’ve said. Although I enjoy the ritual aspect of weed I’ve also found that I enjoy the actual effects far less than I used to, and when I take a few weeks off I don’t really miss it. The worst part is the 3-4 days after quitting falling asleep becomes quite difficult so I need to make a point to go on long runs/bike rides to fall asleep easier

sokoloff 4y ago
I’ve found melatonin to be a fairly mild, yet effective, sleep aid. I mostly use it to manage the clock on eastbound long flights (to fall asleep earlier than local time would have me do that.)
- ethanzh 4y ago
  One thing to note about melatonin is there’s little consistency between the dosage listed on the bottle and the actual dose. Not a problem if it works for you but just something to be aware of, more info on the second heading here [0] if you’re interested [0] https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2022/10/05/ask-me-anything-neuroscience-with-andrew-huberman/ https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2022/10/05/ask-me-anything-ne...
  - cma 4y ago
    They sell it in a liquid form you can drop into water, that would at least be consistent per bottle.
- smegsicle 4y ago
  frequent melatonin wreaks havoc on your natural sleep system it's great for jetlag, but not as a regular 'mild' sleep aid

TaylorAlexander 4y ago

I vaped every day for 4 years or so, then quit this year. I am extremely happy with the decision. I don't miss it anymore. I thought it was helping me with anxiety but actually I have less anxiety now. And I am working more hours and taking better care of myself. I never liked the idea of abusing my lungs for my drug habit anyway. Vaping dry flower is better than smoking, but it still can't be good for you. It took me about two months to stop craving it. Also someone else mentioned melatonin for sleep which could be an issue for some when quitting and I recently found that can be great. Doesn't take much.