What effect has cannabis had on me?

[kraftman1]

Before I start I should say that I made a new account, because I'd rather all this stays somewhat anonymous from my brothers etc.

Has anyone had experience of smoking cannabis for a while, then stopping?

I used to be quite a fun guy with a good sense of humour and used to do a lot of socialising where other people would enjoy my company, but then I started smoking weed. I probably smoked it for around 1.5 years most nights, before stopping back in March or so. Me and a mate would stay in most nights and smoke up and just talk some deep random stuff and laugh a lot, but essentially we became stoners just watching tv shows and stuff loads without ever actually leaving the room for much.

I figured enough was enough when it became apparent that I was shunning my good friends from 1st year (and I mean really close friends) in order to smoke up. I had started getting a bit paranoid about if my friends actually liked me and I kept wondering how they perceived me. (as in, did they respect me as a proper friend, or was I just some guy that was there who made the group dynamic awkward etc etc) I should add, I sometimes feel when I enter into the room, that everything gets awkward, but I'm not sure whether its just me bringing it onto myself and then it rubbing off on others, or just nothing at all.

Now I find it hard to just have a laugh. I feel somewhat 'absent' from the group when we hang out and that I am not quite on the same level. I feel bored and often would prefer to just do something alone than with my friends. That is mainly because I just don't feel at ease around them all the time. (sometimes everything is going great and I am laughing and joking along).
Then often when I speak I am too serious or aggressive or something, and to be honest, I just feel like I am boring and really slow witted and often can't even form proper sentences like normal unless I'm feeling really relaxed.
Maybe the crux of this is that I feel disinterested in them. I often feel numb just sat there without anything really to add and just listen.

I should add that I went through a bout of depression which is part of the reason I thought I should give up. I was unhappy with myself ( personality wise) and didn't feel at ease in group situations, compared to before when I thrived in them.
I had stopped seeing a girl who was the first ever girl that I had really liked and could see progressing somewhere properly with. I started asking questions about myself and couldn't help but think how I could somehow win the girl back. I would think about her most nights. Also, I found myself welling up at emotional moments on TV, in the way that a hormonal female might.
I finally got over it after speaking to her straight and telling her how I felt and never think of her any more except in this context. But I'm still feeling numb.


My current thoughts are that I want a totally fresh start. I want to meet new people and do new stuff, which is good because I have a job on the other side of the country starting later this year, but I'm wondering if it'll just be the same.

Just wondering if anyone has been through the same?

[Ste]

fuck it, seems like ignorance is bliss for people on here

[J0Al1]

[Ste]

Well there isn't anything to prove that it does. There are shitty tabloid news articles saying that it does, but there isn't any evidence that it does.

If it does cause mental health issues as the tabloids want you to believe, how come said mental health issues aren't at epidemic level in the Netherlands where very strong cannabis is available from shops?

You list negative effects it has on you but people have different reactions to drugs, both illicit drugs and prescription drugs. Some people are pissed after a few beers, other people can be drinking much more and be less pissed.

Do some looking into medicinal uses of cannabis, specifically the effects of CBD. If cannabis causes mental health issues, how come an anti-psychotic (drugs to help mental health issues) is being developed that is made from THC and CBD?

[Kwaks]

Wow Ste, think its a bit much to say cannabis does not cause mental health problems, I have seen too many heavy smokers develop them to believe that for one second(not all chronic but certainly to varying degrees).

Kraftman, I would not be too quick to blame all the problems you have listed on the cannabis directly. As Ste said the depression will contribute, also the fact that you spent less time with the friends you now feel alienated from.

In the time you have been abscent from their company they will have moved on /developed the humour they share, you are no longer at the forefront of this and are playing catch up to regain your original status.
Much like a stranger in a group will struggle to understand the humour, and may even get bored themselves, the only way to alleviate it is to spend more time with them.

I'm not gonna preach about the pros and cons of cannabis use, I will leave that up to the cannabis users who IMO always seem to defend their hobby a little too much(the fact you hide your true identity from them speaks volumes).

You have been there and I think that for you, you know you have made the right decision to stop
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[J0Al1]

[shortbutsweet]

I work in mental health services and I can say for definate CANNABIS IS A CONTRIBUTARY FACTOR IN MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!!! I have seen the evidence for myself.

Cannabis is a drug that alters the brain chemistry whether it is the chilled out feeling or the paranoia. Yes an antipsychotic drug has been developed from cannabidiol one of the main psychoactive components of cannabis but that does not mean the drug is good for us. Anti biotics were developed from mold but that does not mean we would eat untreated mold.

To put it simply the way our brain works is that it develops pathways to access memories such as instructions on how to do things. When riding a bike for example our brains remember where the clutch is and where the gears are and how and when to do these things if any of the pathways are damaged or altered then we forget these things and if we dont know where the gear lever is how can we change gear? The ones we use the most are stronger and we automatically go to them, if we dont use them for a while (when our bikes have been garaged for the winter) we can feel a little strange when we get on our bikes at first that is because our pathways have not been used for a while and so are not as strong, but once used again they become stronger and we feel more comfortable on our bikes (ok I bet there are some who deny that feeling when jumping back on a bike after a winter off and I know there are those who dont stop riding all year round too). The brain makes new pathways whenever we think so when someone who smokes cannabis gets paranoid new pathways are being developed to being paranoid so even when the smoking stops the paranoia still remains because the pathways are dominant.

It is possible to recover from mental health problems caused or exaccerbated by cannabis however smoking again would result in relapse. So now you know this as an adult it is up to each individual whether they want to run the risk of developing mental health problems by smoking it.

As for moving and starting a fresh that will only work if you can alter your new perception of yourself the world and others and cancel out the paranoia you have described. If you need any help at all, feel free to private message me and I will try to help you further.

[wizzzard]

I have smoked it for the last 18 years pretty much most nights and I have no mental issues at all ( above what any normal person you pass in the street may have ).

Admittedly I will only generally have a single skin before I go to bed and certainly never before eleven oclock so its nothing more than a relaxant to me but i have done this for long enough to know if it was effecting my life unduly. None of the usual side effects seem to be resident. I have a job where i interact with lots of different people all day and certainly suffer no paranoia or depression.

Up until last week I believed through my own experience and that of people I know that there could be no addiction issues at all until I met one of the neighbours who smokes it. He cant live without the stuff and smokes it all day everyday. He doesn't work, he spends all day sat watching TV and generally sponges off his girlfriend. The police and ambulance were round at his house last week after he took an axe to everything in the house and kicked the shit out of his girlfriend. Why? because he ran out of smoke

Knowing that hasn't made me think I am or will become addicted but it has made me think that certain personalities can become addicted to anything. I see nothing wrong with the drug in moderation the same as alcohol or caffeine just dont go abusing it and you shouldnt have anything to regret.
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[Andy C]

Back on topic as the cannabis and metal illness is much like a religion argument which is pointless as of yet no proof either way.

kraftman1: When I got to University I started smoking every night and while I could still lead a normal life it did really affect me.

I recently moved to a new area for a Job and decided to take no weed and since wouldnt be able to get any easily would be easy to not smoke and it really has made it easy to not smoke.

I have recently found that the groggy feeling in the morning means I cant smoke if I have anything to do the next day so dont anymore.

Thing i realised was that I didnt enjoy it that much anymore as became a chore. Do you still enjoy smoking? If not use it as your motivation for giving up.
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[kraftman1]

I've not smoked for a couple of months now, so its not an issue quitting.

I think my experience with weed changed my perception on life and the things that I enjoyed. The things it made me enjoy were sitting in a darkened room listening to music (it did open up some amazing music for me!), which is good every now and again, but not all day every day, and I guess I didn't want that for the long term. At one stage I missed 2 weeks of lectures just sitting in my mates room watching Scrubs or something. And so many times a situation like there being a really good gig on just across town came up for which we'd already have tickets, but we'd hum and har and eventually just end up staying in my mates room smoking up and playing Pro Evo.

Don't get me wrong, it was good fun, but I could just see myself going down a path that ended with me just skinning up all day and not really doing anything else.

I think you are right kwaker about having to rebuild the friendships. I guess I expected to just go straight back to how it was, just messing and joking around.

I don't have anything against people that smoke weed. Its very enjoyable and makes you slow down and think. But I used to be quite extroverted and enjoyed being able to speak up and add my opinion to a group conversation, but it made me rather introverted where I'd just sit back and listen and often people would forget I was even there. But even if I wanted to speak up, it would be on a different level, because I was thinking really deeply about what was being said I guess. Either that or I was just in that numb haze that you feel. So when I did speak up, it would sort of stunt the conversation.
It altered my perception of reality, just like getting drunk does. Obviously different things become funny and interesting. The only thing is that I don't get drunk all the time, but I was getting high all the time.
And when you are drunk, people think "oh, hes just pissed", but when you are stoned, you have to hide it a bit because of the negative stigma associated with it and try and act more normal when around non smokers.

I had no problems at all really, until I started questioning my close friends in my head and I lost the girl. I could work on a professional level without a problem, it was just on a more social and friendly level that I felt restricted

I have no doubts however that the side effects and the strength of them differ from person to person. I still have the odd joint, but treat it like I would a night out in town, i.e. its an enjoyable event, not a lifestyle.

I just hope that I perk up again over time after my depression has sorted itself out. I already feel much better than how I did a month or so ago.

[Andy C]

[Clanger]

Isn't anyone else wondering about the OP 'real' (well alternative) online persona.

I have read bits of the thread, and have deduced that this person has a good command of the English language, as in that their spelling and grammar is pretty accurate.

Hmm, this pretty much excludes a large proportion of the BCF population...

Your cannabis use certainly hasn't frazzled your brain cells then. And yes 'they' do say that over use could lead to mental issues, as in over eating could lead to obesity, and over drinking could lead to a multitude of illness, even death. Everything in moderation, and you should be fine.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[JonB]

I think it is naíve to suggest that Cannabis has no effect on the human mind at all. Whilst some may not experience any damaging side effects at all, there are likely to be some that will experience detrimental effects due to the use of Cannabis. Claiming that it is not bad at all is clearly being in denial.

So whilst, I would welcome the legalisation of such a drug, I feel the individual is ultimately taking a risk with their own health, that is the policy for smokers and drinkers right now, both of which also have damaging health effects. My housemate started smoking it regularly halfway through the last year of uni and I myself noticed a dramatic difference with him, whilst beforehand we would go to the gym three times a week and go out clubbing and whatnot, he would then reather stay in and watch family guy all day on the PC and then at night get stoned. Consequently he also fell behind with his studies and failed a semester. So I actually believe it can have anti-social effects, which is exactly what I think the OP is proposing.

Whether it damages your health or not, weed as a drug just does not have any positive appeal for me at all, I can see the appeal in drugs like ecstacy and the like, which seem to have real positive mind altering effects to highlight and amplify positive feelings, as such it is something I would have trouble resisting if offered. Weed though to me seems like a boring drug for people who generally have problems sleeping or relaxing and as such gives the stereotypical image as a "waster". This however is not necessarily my personal opinion though I can see why this view may have come about.
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[Banned]

Hier,

I know a fair amount about canibis effects and it can effect anyone badly, you can be fine then it can add to and contribute to mental health issues.

If i tried to have any nowadays it could set me back bigtime.

As soon as you start getting overly paranoid and at worst start hearing things that arent there you goto stop.

steve

[Visitor Q]

'It's this new strain of super strong skunk-weed that they are pushing on the children of today that is causing them to steal and rape'

[/Daily Mail mode]

As I understand it, THC can cause latent schizophrenia etc to come to the fore, which is a problem.

But the MAIN problem, as referred to in the OP, is people get sucked in to a very apathetic cycle of doing cock all with their lives.

OP; It is hardly suprising that since quitting you find you stoner mates 'on another level', ie a pain in the arse. Stoners ARE slow usually, at least the uni type who chain smoke all day (not the 'have a few joints every now and then' type). I've had a couple of periods of smoking very heavily, and most of the people I know down my local I know from those circles.

When I quit (after damn near failing my AS levels for bonging everyday and night) I noticed within a month how much more intelligent I felt. I never noticed a drop, but quitting gave me a serious boost. This is what I struggle to warn people about constantly, although I am pro drug (, you may know that all ready), I never smoked weed in term time whilst at college. And at uni I was very very limited in my use.

Of all the illegal recreational drugs, I actually think weed should be given the most caution (as it's nature tends to promote regular use. Obviously crack/skag are a mugs game, but most people know that). It's effects are truly insidious, and I definitely believe academic success is severely hampered by a weed habit.

After you're qualified, smoke yourself in to a stupor for all I care. But I don't know any 24/7 stoners from uni who passed.
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From September 2014 to January/February 2015 I will not be using any English, nor reading any. As such, I won't be on here. PM at will, but I won't be checking/posting unless in emergencies. Certainly not for the first couple of months. Please berate me savagely if I break that rule...

[Visitor Q]

Oh and I was smoking myself out of/to cover depression. It only really works because it numbs you.

Or at least that was my take on it.

I had a good year of numbness, the moment I quit I was back to were I left off.

I don't regret it (what I remember), but it was certainly a wasted time. I learnt a lot, retrospectively, but all my psychological problems were waiting for me when I quit again.

Blinding cure for insomnia mind
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China traffic/travel bike vid - When I make a sweeping statement, please add the word 'statistically' in to the sentence before you bitch...
From September 2014 to January/February 2015 I will not be using any English, nor reading any. As such, I won't be on here. PM at will, but I won't be checking/posting unless in emergencies. Certainly not for the first couple of months. Please berate me savagely if I break that rule...

[Kickstart]

Hi

Some of what you describe could well be a side effect of depression, but then it could all be inter related. The cannabis could be a cause or an effect, or both (or neither).

[D O G]

[colin1]

Ste may say that a causal link between cannabis and mental health problems hasnt been proved, but it took ages to prove a causal link between tobacco and lung cancer.

Its pretty clear there is an associative link between cannabis and mental health problems, but there could be many explanations, or mechanisms by which it comes about.

Maybe people with mental health problems enjoy drugs more as it makes them feel normal, relieved of anxiety. Maybe its a retreat from the real world, so going back to the real world, then causes more anxiety than it did before. A downward spiral of dependence.

For some the associative link is enough. Ste smokes a lot of weed, Ste has mental health problems.

Understandably Ste would want to deny any link.

Also understandably, people who like to ride fast deny and link to accidents.

Its possible to ride fast, without accidents, but it does increase the risk. So maybe its possible to smoke weed without getting mental health problems, but it may increase the risk of problems becoming more serious.
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[Ste]

Given that the psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses don't think that there is a link between me smoking cannabis and my 'problems', I think that's proof that it's wrong for anyone on BCF to say that there is a link. They don't want me to drink alcohol but don't mind me smoking weed. I am also aware of quite a few of the psychiatric nurses at the hospitals who admit that they smoke cannabis themselves.

If cannabis does cause mental health issues as the tabloids want you to believe, how come said mental health issues aren't at epidemic level in the Netherlands where very strong cannabis is available from shops?

[shortbutsweet]

[colin1]

[BenBray]

I dont like going out getting drunk, but I enjoy a few joints.

I'm not going to argue for and against, but I will tell my experience.

Recently I've smoked a lot in some evenings cause all the lads have been around and we've been having fun enjoying the summer before a few of my friends move away for new jobs and I apply for a roll in the forces. I've been having a real blow out with my mates before I get serious about life.

I use to have severe depression when I was younger and I'm over all that. Weed doesnt make me depressed again, but I can get a bit moody at work the next day if I have a heavy session and stay up too late.

For me, it's not caused any mental problems to my knowledge. I'm not dependant, it's not on my mind through the day, it's just something I sometimes do at night. No one notices a change in me when I am/ am not having a few joints every now and then.

That being said, I can completely understand why some people dont enjoy it, I've smoked with some people who have just monged out and didn't enjoy it.

I'd never promote it, I'd never fight for it for a cause, but I'll admit to it being what drinking is to a lot of 18-25 year olds [for me]. Something to help them relax and have a good time. Everything can be taken too far, but to be honest, I believe the people who end up messed up from weed, are equally likely to become dependant on drink/ other drugs/ gambling problems.

I guess my point is, if people are telling you you aren't acting right then stop. But if no one notices a difference, you're still performing the same at uni and work and you're still happy, just enjoy it.

[hope that was at least a little helpful for some]
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[Tonka]

The way I see it is very simplistic I'm afraid

Suffering from mental health issues is utterly miserable and as far as I'm aware I've never done or taken anything to cause them, it's just the way it is.

If I had a choice, I would merrily change my 'lot' I certainly would never ever do anything to risk ending up the way I am just to feel a little bit high for a few minutes, but that's just me.

Let's face it though, I do plenty of other silly risky things without thinking about the consequences, meh! Like shortbutsweet says, we all make our choices!
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[Banned]

dont lose sight of the way you are is not the way it hasto be forever ?

steve