My Year Off The Weed
“I have a much more peaceful and caring relationship with my wife, as I am a lot more balanced. Not spending my evenings smoking joints has given me the patience and ability to deal with many of life’s challenges.”
Reset My Future Client, Abstinent from Marijuana for One Year
Marijuana, commonly known by slang terms, weed, grass, pot, bud, ganja and Mary Jane, refers to the dried Cannabis sativa plant, which contains the psychoactive chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as other mind-altering chemicals. Material from the cannabis plant, can also be concentrated in a resin called hashish or a sticky black liquid called hash oil.
So, what’s the issue?
As Marijuana continues to become more accepted in society, due to legalisation increasing across the globe, it raises the question- can you really have a problem with something accepted in a café with your morning coffee? Can it really lead you to begin destroying your life?
Well, as we know from alcohol, legality means nothing if you have a pre-deposition to mind-altering substances. So, for many… destroy your life? Yes, yes it can.
At the time of writing, 37 countries have decriminalised marijuana, with varying restrictions, and many more are becoming lenient on prosecuting usage. 68% of American adults recently surveyed are now in support of legalisation, supporting the notion of societal acceptance with the common drug.
But, just as with alcohol, there are some people who can control a moderate recreational usage, and others, who cannot.
The quote above, and basis of this blog, is from a Reset My Future client who wishes to remain anonymous. He has just abstained from Marijuana for a year, and wrote to us amazed at the positive impact it has had on all areas of his life.
His daily usage had taken a hold and was creating negative consequences. Specifically, destroying his relationship with his wife and putting extra strain on a struggling business. In just one year, he has managed to turn it all around and is looking forward to a much brighter and more positive future. More on that below…
But first, let’s talk about Marijuana, and why we are seeing an increase in people struggling with abuse of this particular substance.
What does Marijuana do to our body and mind?
When smoking marijuana, THC and other chemicals pass into the bloodstream and cause an almost immediate effect in the brain and body. It over-activates the endocannabinoid system, which plays an important role in the brains development, and creates a "high" feeling. The most notable effect is a strong sense of relaxation and pleasant euphoria. Other effects may include enhanced senses, increased humour and an insatiable appetite.
Marijuana can also be consumed in food and drink. The effects are similar, they just take a little longer to begin as the chemicals must first pass through the digestive system. The trend for ‘edibles’ (prepared foods containing doses of marijuana) is on the rise as legalisation continues to make these businesses possible. So now, you can pop out for a drugged delicacy in LA, as easily as heading to a bar for a stiff drink.
Not all physical effects of marijuana are pleasant and many people experience anxiety, altered perceptions, impaired balance and coordination, difficulty thinking clearly and solving problems, panic and paranoia. Large doses can also lead to acute psychosis, which includes hallucinations and confusion.
What starts as something seemingly harmless, goes on to have harmful long-term effects which may include permanent changes to the brain, including functional impairment in cognitive ability. Studies have shown prolonged use has a negative effect on brain memory, and a decline in IQ.
Other health risks from prolonged use, may include…
Daily cough
Acute chest illness
Risk of lung infections
Damage to the immune system
Damage to the central nervous system
Killing brain cells
Fertility issues
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
However, marijuana is more commonly known for the mental health impact it can have on a user, due to permanent changes to the brain, including functional impairment in cognitive ability, which long term can include...
Negative effect on brain memory
Cognitive impairment
Depression and anxiety
Suicidal ideation
Lack of motivation due to the brains reward system being impacted.
Is it really addictive?
Yes! Contrary to popular belief, Marijuana is a mind-altering addictive substance, and therefore the risk of becoming dependent is highly possible. Recent research shows that 30% of marijuana users, may have some degree of abuse issue(1).
We define substance abuse as anyone using a mind-altering substance, despite it causing ANY negative impact on their life and health. The negatives of using outweigh the positives, and yet it becomes more, and more difficult to stay away from the allure of the ‘high’.
Do you have a problem with Marijuana?
The most obvious symptom of marijuana abuse or addiction is when a user experiences withdrawals when they abstain for a period of time. This demonstrates there has become some level of dependence on the drug.
This can look like irritability, restlessness, trouble sleeping, mood swings, decreased appetite and physical discomfort within a week of not using.
Other symptoms include…
You start to lose interest in hobbies or activities.
You stop meeting commitments and obligations, such as work, class, picking up the kids, and generally being where you say you will be on time, if at all.
You keep cancelling social plans, and are becoming more isolated.
You easily become agitated and irritable as marijuana interferes with the brain, even when not using.
Your relationships are suffering.
You have started to lie and maybe even steal to be able to keep using. You're lying about your usage is because you know those close to you would not approve of the amount or frequency.
You continue to have days when you will not use, or try to cut back, but by the end of the day, they have taken as much as before, if not even more.
You continue to use, even though you have been given medical advice to cut back or stop.
So, what's it really like abstaining from marijuana for one year?
Our client, who prompted this blog, shared what it has been like for him in just one year off the weed…