The Benefits of Quitting Weed: Timeline Edition

Marijuana is becoming more and more accepted in our society. Recreational marijuana is legal in 19 states across the US. Does this mean it's not bad for you? Not necessarily. Marijuana consumption can lead to many health issues if abused, just like alcohol.

Suppose you want to quit smoking weed but feel it will be a challenge or don't know if it's worth it. I suggest you take some time to read on. I will guide you to make the right decision for you.

My Personal Story

It was not simple for me to manage my chronic marijuana use. I used to smoke every day before bedtime. Looking back, I would consider it drug abuse, a true marijuana addiction.

If I didn't get to smoke weed before bedtime, it would cause me to lie awake for long periods, not getting the sleep I needed. I had no sleep problems until my weed supply ran out.

For a long time, I did not consider myself to have a marijuana addiction or a problem with weed at all. I knew I smoked much more than normal but didn't consider it a problem. It became a problem when I found out I didn't want to be dependent on anything, and I didn't feel like hiding it from my family anymore.

I managed to stop buying weed for a few weeks, and it felt great. Of course, I didn't feel so good the first week or so, but after two weeks, I felt great. I decided my substance abuse days were over, and I had regained control over myself.

I decided to buy a bag of weed again but saved it for parties and hangouts with friends. NOT for smoking before bedtime or alone. I quickly found myself smoking every day again and returning to the marijuana habit I wanted to lose.

After a month or so of smoking marijuana daily, I decided enough was enough. I quit cold turkey and was sober for 100 days. I was reluctant to try marijuana again. I had managed to quit marijuana altogether.

I decided to try, with the mindset being that weed was reserved for special occasions only. I informed all my closest friends about my goals and asked them to help me stay within my own guidelines.

It worked. Now I have a healthy relationship with cannabis. And feel better than I did back then. I know marijuana isn't proven physically addictive, but you can develop a marijuana use disorder, which I see as a drug addiction.

This is why I want to help people that want to quit. These are the benefits of quitting weed.

Simplified Timeline

For those of you who are only interested in the timeline, here you go. The symptoms depend on how long you smoked and how frequently you smoked.

1 - 3 Days After Quitting Marijuana

This will either be easy or hard. Your motivation will decide this.

Weed has some similar withdrawal symptoms to nicotine. You will likely feel on edge and get irritated more easily.

Your respiratory health will also start healing. Smoke can cause damage to your lungs and even give you lung cancer. We have all learned this from campaigns against cigarettes. I will say that, in my opinion, tobacco smoke is worse.

1 - 3 days after your last hit of marijuana smoke, your lungs will start healing. This process can take several years, depending on how long you smoked.

If you continue long enough, you might suffer permanent lung damage.

2 - 7 Days After Quitting Marijuana

You might encounter physical discomfort at this stage, and your mood swings have peaked.

You will likely feel down. Depression symptoms are not uncommon. I am NOT SAYING that quitting marijuana will make you depressed. Depression is a diagnosable mental health issue. However, it is normal not to be at your brightest, as your dopamine levels might be lower than when you smoked.

Additionally, many of your brain receptors will start to function normally again. These make it easier to feel pleasure from other sources, your motivation will be boosted, learning will be more accessible, short-term memory will increase, and some of your fine motor control will come back to you.

14 Days After Quitting Marijuana

By now, most of your withdrawal symptoms will start to have disappeared. Sleep problems might still be an issue and could continue to be an issue for a long time.

Melatonin could be the relief you need at this time. The National Center For Complementary and Integrative Health states that:

"Melatonin is a hormone that your brain produces in response to darkness. It helps with the timing of your circadian rhythms (24-hour internal clock) and with sleep."

Melatonin can be bought prescription free at Amazon. Click HERE for their best seller.

30 Days After Quitting Marijuana

Now you have reached an apex point. Memory, mental clarity, and attention span have, or almost have, gone back to normal function.

Insomnia or trouble falling asleep can still be an issue for up to a year. I recommend you consult your physician if it affects your day-to-day and Melatonin doesn't work.

If you were quitting smoking weed for good, it is vital and absolutely necessary that you inform your friends that you no longer smoke weed, and this always applies. This will help you stay on track.

If you are planning to return to smoking marijuana, proceed with caution and make strict boundaries for yourself so you don't return to the place you came from. It is possible to have a healthy relationship with weed, but not necessarily easy after abusing it.

Does it Matter If I'm Young or Old?

Breaking free from marijuana addiction is no walk in the park. But does age play a role in making it easier to kick the habit?

Biological Factors:

Okay, listen up. Being young doesn't automatically make quitting marijuana a breeze. However, younger folks tend to bounce back quicker because their bodies are more resilient and their metabolism is speedier. This means the physical detox process might be a bit smoother for them. But hey, don't get too excited. Remember, addiction is more than just biology.

Social Scene:

Let's talk about your social environment. It can heavily influence addiction and recovery. Younger users often have a solid support network, including friends, family, and mentors who can offer guidance and cheer them on during their quest to quit marijuana. Plus, it might be easier for them to distance themselves from the folks who encourage weed use. This is an essential part of quitting smoking weed.

Mental Game:

Here's the deal. Age can affect how we deal with our heads. Younger individuals tend to be more adaptable and open to new habits. When it comes to managing stress and finding alternatives to marijuana, they might have an easier time. So, flex those psychological muscles and swap that joint for healthier coping mechanisms!

It Can Matter.

To put it simply, age can have some impact on quitting marijuana, but it's not the whole enchilada. Addiction is a complex journey, my friend, and it's different for everyone. Whether you're young or not-so-young, reaching out for professional help, building a solid support system, finding healthy coping strategies, and addressing the underlying reasons behind your marijuana use are vital steps in your quest for a smoke-free life. Remember, quitting is a personal choice, and it takes real guts to embark on this path, regardless of your age.

No Support Team?

If you don't want to let your family members or friends in on your problem, you need to seek out someone else. Quitting marijuana on your own is doable, but it is much harder than with help and support from loved ones.

All in all, letting people you know and surround yourself with will make you accountable. You don't want your friends to catch you cheating? Do you?

I can also recommend programs like Marijuana Anonymous. Members follow a 12-step plan for quitting and regularly meet up to support and encourage each other.

Marijuana Anonymous is a smaller program than Alcoholics Anonymous. You don't have to have a problem with alcohol abuse to go. You can follow their process, which will help you deal with drug use. Both programs also have the occasional addiction specialist or other professionals come in to educate you. Knowledge truly is power.

Veterans often lead the meeting and will often have had it the exact same way you have it. They will provide counseling in the best manner possible.

List of ALL Benefits of Quitting Weed

It may not be all of them, but a lot of them!

Social Benefits

• No need to worry about smelling like weed

• You have a solid story to tell and could inspire others.

• You are now more reliable and dependable

• Improved relationships with loved ones

• No need to spend time in a potentially criminal environment

• Always ready to drive legally, if not influenced by other drugs

• No more hiding your marijuana use

• No negative legal consequences if illegal in your area.

Physical Health Benefits

• More energy!

• Better quality sleep!

• Better sense of taste and smell

• increase in lung capacity and stamina

• No more munchies, eating better, decreased appetite for sweets

• No more lung issues induced by smoke

• Less fatigue and lethargy

• No more morning cough

Life Improvements

• More time for healthy activities

• More money and fewer financial worries

• Better memory

• Increased creativity

• Better odds for self-improvement

Cognitive Effects

• Less depression and anxiety (cognitive deficits can cause this)

• Better patience

• Better memory

• Increased alertness

• Deeper focus

• Increased self-respect, self-esteem, and confidence

• No more dull emotions

• Feeling better about "normal things."

• Better at experiencing pleasure

Finding it Hard or Impossible to Quit?

Many marijuana users use it to help them with medical issues. Medical use is the second biggest reason for marijuana use. ScienceDirect did a study where 38.6% of participants reported some degree of medical application.

Quitting cannabis if you use it for medical reasons can make it harder.

If using to treat an issue, it would be helpful to replace the treatment first. I can not and will not tell you how to treat medical issues. This is something you and your doctor should discuss.

But for many of the "normal" problems people use marijuana for, there are other treatments available. They even work better. These issues include

• Depression

• General or social anxiety

• Social pressure

• Sleep problems

• Stress

• Trauma

Note that cannabis use will not treat these problems. It might provide you with a temporary fix but will not be a long-term recovery solution.

Good Luck!

SERIOUSLY! Good luck on your journey to quit marijuana for good or quit having an unhealthy relationship with it. Withdrawal symptoms can be a lot, but I am sure you can succeed!