Having a rough time taking a break.

[grokit]

Sporadic use would keep tolerance low, and expenses in check as well so it sounds like a great plan. For me I would lean more heavily on my prescriptions which are more harmful. So I continue to try and moderate my daily use, but external forces like small-garden harvest cycles are doing a better job at keeping my usage in check. Lately on weekdays I have been doing a single hit in the am if I wake up feeling bad, and none if I wake up feeling good. Then nothing until after 4:20, this helps too just not as much as running out lol.

 

[snamuh]

Sporadic use would keep tolerance low, and expenses in check as well so it sounds like a great plan. For me I would lean more heavily on my prescriptions which are more harmful. So I continue to try and moderate my daily use, but external forces like small-garden harvest cycles are doing a better job at keeping my usage in check. Lately on weekdays I have been doing a single hit in the am if I wake up feeling bad, and none if I wake up feeling good. Then nothing until after 4:20, this helps too just not as much as running out lol.

So after my month or so of pretty much nothing I have vaped more than I should be over the past week. Its hard to really be medicinal about it.

 

[biohacker]

Well, that's the plan anyway. I can see how your method works for keeping tolerance down... I really think it's the regular wake/vape and nightly vape/sleep habit that is the most crippling for me. I did an experiment this morning since I figure this is probably my last day until the t-break starts tomorrow (or actually tonight). I stopped seshing at 10am.....at 3pm I started getting cold chills! My theory is that my body expects the cannabinoids on such a regular basis on most days (hourly+), that it has got to the point where withdrawals kick in if I don't get them. I wonder if this helps explain the cause of the night sweats and early morning awakenings? My body gets the cold chills as a result of being without and I start sweating profusely?

This one is going to be interesting because i'm literally not going to get a night's sleep until I get to the bottom of this, even if it means a painful protracted sabbatical from the sacred herb! I actually think my lungs could use the rest....they have been irritated and i've been coughing like crazy ever since I got the Herbalizer. I think I can just use a break from the hobby period, and put things in perspective.

 

[grokit]

I've found that after 2-3 days of staying up straight when going cold turkey I can get to sleep without it. Just realizing this helps me from a mental standpoint, that I'm not really as dependent on mj for sleep as I used to think I was. Mj dependency really is all in the mind imo, the sweats are a form of cleansing toxins.

 

[Ansel]

i know i can get back to 1 vape a day. i did it before [for 2 years]. i just need a long break first. don't shoot the messenger. all of you keep up the good work. i have been on smoking forums with all the in fighting and bitching like on grasscity. you guys/gals have great taste in music, pictures, etc

i think without the pot the snus was giving me insomnia. after 7 days of insomnia i was mentally unstable. had 1 cig and i slept like a baby.

 

[cybrguy]

Hey @LongIslandmom , are ya feeling any better about your Saints?

So glad I'm not the only one who does this.....................ALL THE TIME, but I never thought of it as a negative being that it's really kinda fun. A bit of a time sink though.

Here too...

 

[biohacker]

Mj dependency really is all in the mind imo, the sweats are a form of cleansing toxins.

Whether it's in the mind or in another universe, it really makes no difference. You think the melatonin that my pineal gland secretes that is down regulated like many other hormones and neurotransmitters when you have external sources of these coming in is all in the mind? Do you realize how many cannabinoid receptors we have in the body, and the fact that they can physically get burnt out?

What toxins? Regardless, I respect your opinion, but i'm living proof that is isn't even close to being ALL in the mind.

Yesterday my last vape was around 3:30 I think, I took two Lakota PM and two of some kinda cold and flu pill, actually slept somewhat, but soaked sheets as usual. I think I may have to start with no vape after a certain time forsure, no more evening sessions.

 

[nemo]

i too think the sweats are some kind of detoxing through sweat... and because lemon juice helps me with detoxing, if you havent tried it, i believe it's worth trying... when in "need" i drink like 2 lemonades of 2-3 lemons (+ water) per day

 

[grokit]

Lemon juice and ev olive oil are recommended for a liver fast, the liver filters the toxins which can come from vaping at high temperatures just not as many as combustion. Cold & flu pills can be a source of toxins as well. Another great way of cleansing your liver is with a coffee enema, which you can do yourself if so inclined. If you're interested in this last one there are certain details you will need to know.

 

[biohacker]

Didn't really think much about high temp vaping toxins, but I know I'm exposed to more toxins than that. Apparently there are more than 600 toxins/chemicals in our bodies at any given time. The cold flu pills were honestly the first time I've ever taken them out of desperation. Starting to drink dandelion tea and although i do believe in the merits of an enema, including coffee - but I'm out lol

 

[Stu]

If you're interested in this last one there are certain details you will need to know.

Like how to order it....

 

[biohacker]

I think I may have to start with no vape after a certain time forsure, no more evening sessions.

....and that was last night, at approximately 8pm. I'm done, had another shitty night, no sweating whatsoever for some reason, but probably because I couldn't sleep. I think I got about 2hrs straight, and maybe 30-60mins worth of micro sleeps overall. My lungs have felt irritated and probably have very slight bronchitis which has been another issue with my vaping habit. I nearly felt like I couldn't get enough oxygen in last night! I'm sorry it had to get to this point, but it's causing me more harm than good at this point. I'm actually stoked to not have to wake n' vape this morning, although i'm going to have to drink coffee a tad more regularily over the next couple of weeks. Cheers folks.

 

[grokit]

I wake up all the time during the night, my choice usually comes down to going with it (we used to break up our sleep into shifts before electric light, called second sleep) or vape and get right back to it.

Historian A. Roger Ekirch has argued that before the Industrial Revolution, segmented sleep was the dominant form of human slumber in Western civilization. He draws evidence from documents from the ancient, medieval, and modern world. Other historians... have endorsed Ekirch's analysis.

Typically individuals slept in two distinct phases, bridged by an intervening period of wakefulness of approximately one hour. People also used this time to pray and reflect, and to interpret dreams, which were more vivid at that hour than upon waking in the morning. This was also a favorite time for scholars and poets to write uninterrupted, whereas still others visited neighbors, had sex, or engaged in petty crime.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segmented_sleep

 

[chillersnov8p]

Have you tried listening to podcasts? Dan carlin's hardcore history is great for helping you drift off. The 10 hr segment on ghengis khan is amazing.

 

[biohacker]

Wish I lived in those times (kind of)....artificial light destroys our health and i've tried biphasic sleeping before unsuccessfully. In modern society, and with my job it's pretty much impossible. Fortunately, once all the THC and metabolites are out of my system, I can actually sleep longer, much closer to 8 hours straight, and feel like a normal human again. I think the loss of REM sleep is catching up to me....I haven't dreamt in years.

Have you tried listening to podcasts? Dan carlin's hardcore history is great for helping you drift off. The 10 hr segment on ghengis khan is amazing.

Don't ever have problems drifting to sleep while medicated....it's the very early awakening that happens a few hours later. IMO using weed to sleep is better than sleeping pills, but it's not really good quality sleep, and is more of an unconcious pass-out.

20 hours weed free! Slight chills this afternoon, but nothing crazy....took a nice hot epsom salt bath, been drinking detox teas, water...... still contemplating a small bowl in a bit, due to the fear of what's waiting for me tonight lol Trying to abstain...but gonna listen to my body.

 

[basement farmer]

Caffeine tolerance can be reset to virgin in seven days of cold turkey from all sources (not just coffee). I've done it a few times, and typically need to take some aspirin around day 3/4 for headaches. Your tolerance doubles every day you drink coffee, so once you reset you will need two cups the 2nd day, and four cups the 3rd day etc to get the same effect as one cup on day one.

For myself it takes about a month with weed, I have to be very careful with it when I start up again.

Thanks, this is good to know. Just in case I ever decide to quit. But I probably won't, because I don't need to, because I don't have a problem and I can quit whenever I want to...which I don't.

Seriously though this is a good topic and should be a sticky somewhere. All of us may need to take a break at some point. Hearing others stories can help you thu.

 

[lwien]

TJust in case I ever decide to quit. But I probably won't, because I don't need to, because I don't have a problem and I can quit whenever I want to...which I don't.

What's amazing is how many times I have actually heard someone say this and really believe it.

 

[biohacker]

@lwien you can count me in that cohort

So my first night sober actually went WAY better than I expected! Some pretty minor chills in the evening, and boy did the evening feel different! Went to sleep at 9:30pm and took 2 cold/flu pills and slept like the dead until 2:30am...bathroom break then couldn't really sleep much for the next 2 hours, probably micro sleeps. Got up at 4:30am and feel so clear headed and actually great. Ofcourse I had severe night sweats during that deep slumber, but that stopped after I woke up at 2:30. The sweats will take some time to subside, but i'm just happy I slept because historically i'd be awake all night long.

I'm trying to change the tape in my brain, and convince myself that it's no big deal, and so far it's working! With that being said, withdrawal symptoms typically peak in 2-4 days so i'm curious as to what is to come. I'm pretty stoked, and proud of myself so far....and so far I think I really like my sober brain! What a difference!

@basement farmer - if you need some more resources, forums, etc. PM me...there are so many anecdotes from people withdrawing, or abstaining from a few weeks to years all over the net that it's incredible. Tonnes of good articles too explaining both sides. Non biased sources are the only way to go.

 

[Dawntreader]

So my first night sober actually went WAY better than I expected! I'm pretty stoked, and proud of myself so far....and so far I think I really like my sober brain! What a difference!

@biohacker : way to go! Sending vibes of intention reinforcement to you! I like my sober brain too even though it is wired a bit different than most folks! LOL!

 

[biohacker]

THANK YOU! I set some intentions in my morning hot yoga class and boy did alot of sweat come out of me!

It's only been a day and the mental clarity is like a high! I feel like a have more of a spring to my step and want to do more things.

Came to an important conclusion for myself today........ I used to be medicated ALOT more than being sober. Now I wanna swap the two, in order to enjoy my sober brain more, and to basically have epiphany when I do medicate again!

I swear that all the medicinal reasons I use herb for, completely backfire on me and magnify the issues if I don't respect it enough.

Interestingly enough, I kinda feel medicated right now.....maybe it's due to the fat release due to the caffeine in the green tea I had earlier LOL. Since my body fat is so low now, i'm really hoping that the sweats subside quickly and I can keep on getting this restful restorative sleep. Love it! So stoked!

PS. I'm toally wired differently than the "norm". I swear i'm from a different planet! I'm just not much of a people person.

 

[lwien]

THANK YOU! I set some intentions in my morning hot yoga class and boy did alot of sweat come out of me!

It's only been a day and the mental clarity is like a high! I feel like a have more of a spring to my step and want to do more things.

Came to an important conclusion for myself today........ I used to be medicated ALOT more than being sober. Now I wanna swap the two, in order to enjoy my sober brain more, and to basically have epiphany when I do medicate again!

I swear that all the medicinal reasons I use herb for, completely backfire on me and magnify the issues if I don't respect it enough.

Interestingly enough, I kinda feel medicated right now.....maybe it's due to the fat release due to the caffeine in the green tea I had earlier LOL. Since my body fat is so low now, i'm really hoping that the sweats subside quickly and I can keep on getting this restful restorative sleep. Love it! So stoked!

PS. I'm toally wired differently than the "norm". I swear i'm from a different planet! I'm just not much of a people person.

Ah..........the old "sobriety honeymoon" effect.

 

[biohacker]

How long does this honeymoon last?

The longest I have gone completely without herb is only 5 weeks, and that is in like the past decade!

 

[lwien]

How long does this honeymoon last?

Lots of variables here, but it's been my experience that it lasts 3 to 5 days. No longer than about a week though. But after this phase is when the real challenge begins. It's just so easy to mind-fuck yourself into rationalizing why it's ok start up again or start up sooner than you wanted.

 

[snamuh]

THANK YOU! I set some intentions in my morning hot yoga class and boy did alot of sweat come out of me!

It's only been a day and the mental clarity is like a high! I feel like a have more of a spring to my step and want to do more things.

Came to an important conclusion for myself today........ I used to be medicated ALOT more than being sober. Now I wanna swap the two, in order to enjoy my sober brain more, and to basically have epiphany when I do medicate again!

I swear that all the medicinal reasons I use herb for, completely backfire on me and magnify the issues if I don't respect it enough.

Interestingly enough, I kinda feel medicated right now.....maybe it's due to the fat release due to the caffeine in the green tea I had earlier LOL. Since my body fat is so low now, i'm really hoping that the sweats subside quickly and I can keep on getting this restful restorative sleep. Love it! So stoked!

PS. I'm toally wired differently than the "norm". I swear i'm from a different planet! I'm just not much of a people person.

I can definitely see the difference when i go back to consumption after a break. The first day i vape I still can hang on to the clarity. the second day I still feel it.. the third day its harder to hold onto... and then after that i guess im just a little burnt. The good thing... after all the breaks ive been taking over the past two years I still remember the clear headed feeling and how important it is to go back to it.

I am like you that it makes my anxiety, depression, and my craziness, lol, get worse... The only real cure I see for it is action. I want vaping to be my reward for when I take that action.
Boredom the first step to relapse!

NSFW

 

[biohacker]

Lots of variables here, but it's been my experience that it lasts 3 to 5 days. No longer than about a week though. But after this phase is when the real challenge begins. It's just so easy to mind-fuck yourself into rationalizing why it's ok start up again or start up sooner than you wanted.

Interesting. This has been a VERY unusual withdrawl for me (so far). Typically the symptoms are in full force by now, but oddly enough i'm pretty much sympton free and i'm 44 hours in. I usually go through HELL for 1-2 weeks, and THEN the honeymoon starts. Then I cave by day 30. Totally understand the mind-fuck.... but this time it's going to be different

@snamuh Great post...thanks, i'm going to keep some of your points in mind. I think a good rule would be to not vape more than 1-2 days in a row without a day off.

It's incredible how quickly i've dropped my psychological dependence....I have so many tasty strains and vapes to play with right in front of me. No desire.