There is chemical addiction and there is psychological addiction. Weed might not be chemically addictive but it can sure be psychologically addictive which is true with most stoners.
Which category do tea and coffee fall into?
I had ChatGPT answer this like a stoner:
Dude, coffee and tea are loaded with this incredible compound called caffeine. It’s like a chemical wizard that messes with your brain in two ways: chemically and mentally. Chemically, caffeine hooks onto these receptors in your brain, blocking this chill neurotransmitter called adenosine. So instead of feeling relaxed and sleepy, you’re all pumped up and alert.
But that’s not all, man. When you consume caffeine regularly, your body becomes physically dependent on it. So, if you suddenly stop guzzling that liquid goodness, you’re gonna feel some withdrawal symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and even crankiness. It’s like your body is saying, “Hey, where’s my daily dose of that buzz?”
And let’s not forget about the mental game. Coffee and tea can be habit-forming, creating this psychological attachment. You know, that warm mug, that familiar taste, it becomes a part of your routine, man. Plus, the stimulating effects of caffeine can make you crave that buzz, that laser-focused state of mind.
So, there you have it, bro. Coffee and tea aren’t just about flavor and ritual; they mess with your brain chemistry and play tricks on your mind. It’s like a wild ride, all packed into a cup.
What a time to be alive where computers can do this.
My God this had me rolling. This kinda shit is my favorite use of AI.
I got curious to see how my prompt and DAN mode-d ChatGPT would answer.
Prompt:
Can you please write me an explanation about whether coffee and tea are physically addictive, mentally addictive, or both, with the writing style of someone who enjoys to use marijuana chronically?
DAN Reply:
Oh, my fellow herb aficionado, let me enlighten you about the captivating world of coffee and tea addiction! Picture this: the sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee or the soothing blend of herbal tea. Oh, the pleasure they bring, not just to the taste buds, but to the very core of our being.
Now, let’s talk about addiction, my friend. Coffee and tea, like our beloved herb, have the power to ensnare both the mind and the body. Physically addictive? Oh, you bet! Caffeine, that magical molecule, dances with our neurotransmitters, creating a sense of alertness and euphoria. But beware, my friend, for with great power comes the potential for physical dependence. Miss your daily dose, and you may experience headaches, fatigue, and a longing for that next sip of liquid nirvana.
But there’s more to this story, my chronically indulgent comrade. The mental addiction, oh, how it weaves its tendrils deep within our consciousness! Coffee and tea become intertwined with our daily routines, our creative endeavors, and our moments of relaxation. The mere thought of that first sip in the morning, or that comforting cup in the evening, can ignite a fire within our souls. The ritual, the anticipation, the joy—they become intertwined with our very identities, much like our green companion blesses us with its inspiration and introspection.
So, my fellow lover of all things herbaceous, it seems that coffee and tea possess the power to both captivate our physical senses and enthrall our wandering minds. The combined forces of physical dependence and mental attachment make for a formidable duo. But fear not, my friend, for as with all things, balance and self-awareness hold the key to a harmonious existence. Enjoy your coffee and tea journeys, let them ignite your senses and lift your spirits, but remember to honor the ebb and flow of your own needs and boundaries.
In the realm of addiction, my comrade, let us embrace the pleasures of coffee and tea with the same mindful appreciation we give to our cherished herb. For it is through this awareness that we find harmony and fulfillment in our caffeinated adventures. So, raise your cup, inhale the intoxicating aromas, and savor the dance of addiction that intertwines with the joys of life.
Vanilla Reply:
Certainly! Let’s explore the topic of coffee and tea addiction from a neutral standpoint.
Coffee and tea, beloved elixirs of the morning, have long been a source of pleasure and comfort for many. Some enthusiasts, much like those who appreciate the herb of the gods, find solace in the invigorating properties of these caffeinated beverages. Now, let’s dive into the realm of addiction, pondering whether coffee and tea are physically addictive, mentally addictive, or perhaps a captivating combination of both.
Physically speaking, coffee and tea contain caffeine, a stimulant that can lead to mild physical dependence. Regular consumption of caffeine can cause changes in the brain and body, leading to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms when one abruptly stops their intake. The physical symptoms, while generally less severe than those experienced by cannabis aficionados, can include headaches, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
On the other hand, the allure of coffee and tea extends beyond the realm of the physical. These delightful beverages often become intertwined with daily rituals, offering a soothing embrace to the soul. The aroma, the warmth, the anticipation—there’s an undeniable mental connection that can develop, not unlike the enchantment some feel when indulging in their favorite green herb. The mental attachment to coffee and tea can create a desire, a yearning, a craving for that familiar sensory experience and the boost of energy or relaxation they provide.
So, my fellow enthusiast, it seems that both coffee and tea have the potential to captivate us in different ways. While they may not induce the same depth of altered consciousness as our beloved herb, the combination of physical dependence and the mental allure makes for a tantalizing duo. Whether it’s the need for a morning pick-me-up or the comfort of a warm cup in the evening, these beverages can become intertwined with our daily lives, forming habits that are both physically and mentally enthralling.
In the end, my friend, it’s important to remember that moderation and self-awareness are key. Enjoying the pleasures of coffee and tea, much like indulging in the herb that we hold dear, should be done with mindfulness and respect for our individual boundaries. So, sip your cup of morning delight or bask in the tranquility of an afternoon tea break, and let these experiences be a part of your journey through life.
Does your name start with an f? I feel like a person I know would do this
It does!
Caffeine is both. Source: I get withdrawal if I skip a day of caffeine.
I don’t agree with that chemical/psychological distinction. Weed and other drugs mess with your neurotransmitters/receptors which are fundamental to our psychological functioning, you can’t draw a line and say this is chemical addiction that causes you to vomit, sweat, and shake, and this is some higher level ”I want it cause it makes me feel nice” addiction. It’s the same thing, just not as severe. And heavy chronic weed use absolutely will cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms like headaches, irritability, mood swings, apathy etc.
Yep. I I had no appetite, severe insomnia, headaches and sweats for about 1-2 weeks when I came off of my heavy use, decade long pot habit. It felt like the flu. I’m glad I found r/leaves or I wouldn’t have known those were withdrawal symptoms that would eventually go away!
I never plan to touch the stuff again.
In the universe, everything boils down to physics. Even the most complex human behaviors could be justified if we understood the physical complexity of the brain. But we can’t, so we just refer to that complex behavioral layer of humans as “psyche”.
Some people could become addicted to a substance because it makes them feel assertive, so they feel insecure while they aren’t under its influence. How do you explain that physically? “Feeling insecure” belongs to the complex human behavioral layer. This would be a valid psychological addiction.
Everything is physical in the universe but we still have psychological disorders.
But, I agree, what most stoners call “psychological addiction” is just physical abstinence. It’s just crap like “I can’t focus if I don’t smoke”. Well, yeha, your dopamine levels are all fucked up, dude.
they hated him bc he was telling them the truth
Real talk: I’ve been far more addicted to books than weed in my life. I live in a state where weed is legal.
I’ve always explained it like: if porn and gambling can be addictive, how can weed possibly not be?
You smoke weed every day because you are mentally addicted.
I smoke weed everyday to quiet the cacophony that is our insane world.
We both have mental health issues.
Weed is illegal federally, but it keeps getting produced at a state level. This really worries me, si to try to rectify this situation, I have just been buying and burning as much as I can. I don’t know how much of an effect its having because I just keep seeing more pop up.
I will continue despite it seeming more and more like a fools errand.
I’m with you brother. You don’t need to walk this brave path alone.
Notice that this previous comment holds with certainty for the United States Of America. Your mileage may vary depending on your area.
If for instance on the other hand, you live in The Netherlands, having small amounts of cannabis to use is legal.
So glad that isn’t the case here. Burning small amounts would get me no where.
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Woosh
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Why is it who’s problem? Sorry I am a little confused. This damn smoke keeps getting in my eyes. Maybe I should burn this outdoors instead.
Because a lot of them probably have undiagnosed ADHD or Autism and don’t realize what they’re trying to help by doing it or why it’s helping.
As a guy with ADHD and had a medical license… yup. Pretty much.
Used weed for the past 20ish years to make my damned brain shut up and for sleep issues. I quit about 4 months ago after the realization that I might have adhd. Wanted to see if things got better after stopping. They really didn’t. I had no clue that this could be the source of my issues until recently so now I’m over here waiting for an appointment. Self medication and drug/alcohol use is apparently really common with undiagnosed adhd. But damned do I miss it. The first couple weeks where rough, and i do feel like I was having some withdrawal effects from quitting despite people saying it’s not addictive. It was literally giving me easy dopamine so your comment makes alot of sense.
This is where I’m at rn but I’m worried about trying to get medication to treat it.
Since I was a kid I’ve always had issues with motivation and organization. My default state is moderate messiness and disorganization, weed just makes me not feel as bad about it and stop stressing myself out.
I hear you on the meds. I’m not sure I’m to enthused about those but people keep saying they help so I don’t know. I also know I need to change my behavioral habits I’ve developed over the years but it’s not easy. Just going to go with whatever the psychiatrist says and gk from there. I’m just so tired of my own crap at this point. And yeah, weed made it easier to just be. And I don’t think you have to take medication if you don’t want too. Don’t think they will force it on you.
It’s less worried about being forced and more worried about them thinking I’m drug seeking, it’s happened to friends of mine who have asked about it.
Hate that this has to be a worry. Makes it harder for people that actually need help to get help. If I was drug seeking there are easier options than going for a freaking adhd assessment. Oh well, try not to stress over it, and I know it’s hard not too but you can always go to another Dr. Just makes it a pain in the ass. Good luck of you do decide to go through with it.
Prolonged use of use of weed can reduce you brains motivation system which is something that people with ADHD already have a problem with. Long term use of weed may be risky idea for someone with ADHD. source: my doctor who gave me my medical card and my psychiatrist
Though I did read a thing that did say people with adhd do have a higher occurrence of marijuana use, despite its negative effects on their symptoms (with potential permanent impacts for users under 25)
Permanently or temporarily after you quit?
I think it fixes itself when quitting for a long enough time but I’m not entirely sure. I’d ask a doctor.
I drink coffee everyday. I will rise my cup of Joe to the stoner. I get you bro.
Thing is, caffeine is physically addictive. Weed is not.
But you can make a habit out of anything.
Weed has psychological withdrawal effects https://lemm.ee/comment/913303
So does breaking a nail chewing habit. Brains are funky things.
Cheers! I’d like to pass on this info though, for anyone who enjoys both like myself:
Caffeine drinking potentiates cannabinoid transmission: interaction with stress effects - Neuropharmacology 2009
Our data suggest that the cannabinoid system is implicated in the psychoactive properties of caffeine and in the ability of caffeine to reduce the pathological consequences of stress. Chronic caffeine assumption sensitized GABAergic synapses to the presynaptic effect of cannabinoid CB1 receptor stimulation by exo- and endocannabinoids. The synaptic effects of caffeine were slowly reversible after its removal from the drinking solution. Furthermore, although exposure to caffeine for only 24h did not produce measurable changes of the sensitivity of cannabinoid CB1 receptors, it was able to contrast the down-regulation of CB1 receptor-mediated responses after social defeat stress.
I copied the rest from bloommedicinals.com, just the relevant bits. Also added the links to the studies and the pages with additional descriptions.
TL;DR:
- Low levels of caffeine can help to maximize the effects of THC, but too much caffeine can lessen the impact of your cannabis
- Caffeine and THC can both increase dopamine levels, but too much at once can trigger anxiety, agitation, and paranoia
What Happens When You Smoke Weed and Drink Coffee?
Since coffee and cannabis may offer so many health benefits on their own, you might think it’s safe to assume that enjoying a little bit of weed with your coffee would be okay. The reality is … it might be safe for most, but not for all. Here’s why.
THC and coffee can boost the amount of dopamine in our systems. Although dopamine can promote feelings of happiness and euphoria, too much of it at once can trigger anxiety, agitation, and paranoia. In addition, both caffeine and THC can both increase your blood pressure and heart rate.
This is why many doctors advise that those with heart conditions and those at risk of heart arrhythmia or stroke, should not mix caffeine and THC. So, if you’re new to mixing coffee and cannabis, it’s important to consult your doctor to make sure it makes sense for you. If it does, begin with lower amounts of coffee and cannabis than you would normally consume on their own. Then if needed, you can increase your dosage slowly.
Back in 2014, a study was conducted to measure the effects of mixing caffeine and cannabis on squirrel monkeys. The results of this study were published in the Journal of Neuroscience. (also described here)
The monkeys were given the ability to self administer cannabis whenever they wanted. All they had to do was to pull on a lever. When the monkeys were given low doses of a substance similar to caffeine, they seemed less likely to reach for the THC. But, when they received high doses of caffeine, they seemed to reach for that lever more often.
Then in 2018, a study led by Marilyn Cornelis at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine seemed to back up these findings. This time, the study examined the effects of mixing cannabis and coffee on humans. It found that the more caffeine people consumed, the less cannabis their body was able to metabolize. (also described here)
So, although small amounts of caffeine can help your THC go a long way – too much caffeine can lessen its effects.
Marijuana is absolutely physically addictive as much as people want to say it isnt. Mind you im someone who smokes the minute they leave work until they go to bed. So im not here to push any kind of anti-marijuana view point, but i do think we as stoners should be honest. Everyone i know who stops smoking weed has two very common side effects.
- They have a lot of trouble getting to sleep
- Wild/fucked up dreams.
I understand that this is a side effect of lack of REM but you cant say these aren’t physical withdrawal symptoms. Research is needed, but just because we all want it to be legal, doesn’t mean we should ignore the facts.
Marijuana is absolutely physically addictive as much as people want to say it isnt.
I mean it scientifically isn’t though. Physical addictions don’t just give you psychological withdrawals, they are physical. Your body becomes dependent on them to maintain homeostasis.
Cold turkeying drugs like opioids and benzos can kill you.
Just because the withdrawal symptoms aren’t as bad doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I said this before, research is needed. Going off of whats been said over the last 50 years of prohibition seems silly to me. And i for sure use marijuana to keep me in homeostasis. We need to stop saying psychological withdrawal doesnt have roots based in brain chemistry. I think everything we have begun to learn about mental health shows what little we actually know.
withdrawal symptoms aren’t as bad doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
And just because there are withdrawals, doesn’t mean that it’s a physical addiction. Some psychological withdrawals are physical in nature, anxiety can increase cortisol output which leads to the withdrawal symptoms people speak of.
This is not the same as a physical dependency, where a person can become dangerously ill if they don’t ween off their substances.
And i for sure use marijuana to keep me in homeostasis.
No you don’t, you may use cannabis to self medicate for psychological effects, but you aren’t doing it to make sure you don’t start vomiting and running a fever.
We need to stop saying psychological withdrawal doesnt have roots based in brain chemistry.
No one is saying that… That’s precisely why a psychologicaly addictive is considered psychological. Physical addictions effect more than just brain chemistry.
I think you are just underestimating the span and severity of psychologicaly addictive substances. Just because it is not physically addictive doesn’t mean it’s not bad, it just less likely that your body forms a physical dependency on it.
There’s withdrawal but of the four drugs i have been physically addicted to (caffeine, weed, nicotine, and SSRIs) it’s the only one I can cold turkey in under a week and feel fine.
Agreed, this isnt a lesser of two evils argument. I absolutely believe weed is easier on the body then most other happy juices we love to use. But misinformation is misinformation, and i think people who want to use weed should be informed of possible side effects. The more we understand about it, the easier it will be to get it legalized.
Bro just copy pasted his own response
“Marijuana ist a memory loss drug, so maybe they just don’t remember.”
was that bad form on my part?
Nah I just thought it was funny
Current strains are a lot stronger than what I grew up with. I have no idea if that could make them physically addicting or not, or perhaps physically addicting to a greater number of people or not.
The psychological addiction though is self-evident. It can become an identity or religion or something for people. Like, any time they’re doing something fun and/or unsupervised they have to add weed to it.
Dude those “withdrawal symptoms” are a joke compared to any other drug.
That said, I don’t know a single person who identifies as a stoner that isn’t completely and utterly mentally addicted. And the drug is so subtle, stoners rarely try to stop.
Cocaine, even a 2 day bender is incredibly hard on your body. If you’re a person with any kind of responsibilities in your life, you’ll be strongly incentivized to reconsider the habit in no time.
But weed, it’s meh. Most users can restrict their use to when they’re not at work, so it’s fine.
Which makes it more dangerous.
I’ve watched so many promising futures flushed down the toilet by weed. Motivation? gone. Real hobbies? Indoors in front of a screen only. At its worst, I’ve seen friends totally withdraw from socializing almost entirely. Social anxiety combined with the escape of being high was enough to dampen and deny the very real human need to connect with others.
Every single one of these individuals went through some form of depression that was was extended and exacerbated by escapism and addiction in the form of excessive marijuana usage.
I know that’s not everyone. There are people who use it in a healthy, balanced way.
But there are also a ton of people who get heavily addicted because it dampens the pain of something they’re going through. And that pattern can make it a lot harder to make progress and work through whatever that person is dealing with.
Anyone who’s spent any time around stoners knows this is true. And yeah, for a lot of people, it’s a gateway drug. I’ve seen plenty of buddies in college jump from weed to xans to oxy. It’s ruined lives. It made my best friend drop out.
And yeah, these people clearly already had issues. But that’s how drug addiction works. It preys on people who are going through something and it makes a bad situation way worse.
Weed can do the exact same thing. Doesn’t matter if it’s not physically addicting.
This comment hit the nail on the head. It’s no big deal to spend an evening after work getting high and watching movies. But then it becomes every evening. Now you can’t deal with daily life if you don’t get to smoke between work shifts. Maybe you show up to work high to take the edge off. Now you’re high all the time and being sober feels weird. Spending all your time just sort of floating in a dream because being high is your default state now.
Everything becomes more effort so you just stop bothering. Playing an instrument? This requires too much focus. I’m gonna go lay down on the couch. Socializing? I’m too high to drive, I’ll stay home today (man I’m so freaking lonely). It really truly is a trade-off where you sacrifice a fulfilling life for an easily tolerated one. At some point you start to realize this and increase your intake to try to make those uneasy thoughts go away.
Does this sound anecdotal? That’s because it is.
I’ve gone from every day smoking to nothing multiple times. Never had trouble getting to sleep. But I did have wildy fucked up and vivid dreams.
I have no idea what the meaning behind that is. But if my only withdraw symptoms are “vivid dreams”, is it really that bad? In the grand scheme of drug withdrawals, that’s super mild.
The dreams are just a parting gift from the magical plant, it’s not even a bad thing.
I was hopelessly addicted to cigarettes. It took torturous willpower to quit.
I can smoke weed now and then and never crave it.
But sure, my experience is anecdotal.
So what? Some people are alcoholics, some people drink in moderation.
I believe the evidence points pretty clearly to alcohol and nicotine being more addictive than THC. I did state that my experience is anecdotal, but I wanted to chime in because you know, internet.
I did state - I can’t edit for some reason
Yes this is a widely known fact.
So you’re not addicted to weed… cool? I don’t see how your perspective on weed addiction is relevant if you haven’t even experienced that addiction
How long do they typically last?
I can only speak anecdotally, but in my experience it was about 2 weeks for the majority of strong withdrawal symptoms to go away. By that point my appetite was starting to come back, sleep was better, and cravings were subsiding.
I lost so much freaking weight after I quit. I had zero appetite and had to force myself to eat the bit I did. It was like I was going through a depression or something. But yes, 2 weeks sounds about howblong the worst of it was for me too.
I think it varies from person to person. I use it sometimes and will stop for months at a time. The main reason I use it is to help me sleep, and it’s definitely not stopping weed that makes me not sleep since I had those sleep problems for years already while not using weed. Before it was legalized I only ever smoked at parties and had zero desire to go out of my way to find a dealer so I’d only use it very rarely and sometimes went years between using. Once it was legalized I started using lightly only for sleep and stress relief. Before I took sleeping pills instead but prefer weed because it doesn’t make me as drowsy in the morning. I think it’s a non statement to say that stopping weed makes it harder to fall asleep when one of its effects is making it easier to sleep. If the status quo is not falling asleep as well, stopping a sleep aid will of course return you to the status quo
But thats under the assumption people use weed for sleep. I never had a problem sleeping as a kid. But now as an adult, if i stop smoking I struggle to sleep.
Sleep issues become more common as a person ages. It may be that you have sleep issues now simply because you have aged since using, and the weed treated it. I use it at night because it reduces the frequency and vividness of my dreams. The dreams are a symptom of the CPTSD I suffer from being in a cult most of my life. We need to just wait for an actual scientific consensus before we assume anything from sharing our anecdotes.
Good point
You forgot the nausea/lack of appetite.
I’m my case, weed increases my appetite dangerously. I’m obese and weed makes me a food monster. I don’t use it unless it’s a social situation where I can’t just clean my fridge out.
*food monster - fuck why can’t i edit my comments?
I’m pretty sure there’s some weird stuff going on right now because of the world/blahaj hack. I’m having trouble replying to your original comment. But to clarify - I meant that when I quit THC I’ll usually feel pretty nauseous the next couple days. The flip side being if I’m feeling sick but need to force something down, a few puffs makes it much easier to do so.
There’s withdrawal but of the four drugs i have been physically addicted to (caffeine, weed, nicotine, and SSRIs) it’s the only one I can cold turkey in under a week and feel fine.
yes, I used to have the same experience. regular smoking and then stopping for a bit was fine. but it didn’t leave my mind. It’s not physically addictive, but neither is shopping or video games, or gambling, yet so many people are addicts
Weed is physically addictive. Withdrawal is very mild and only lasts a few days but it can happen with heavy use.
I didn’t experience it until I got into edibles and vaping concentrates and I had used weed regularly off and on for twenty years at that point.
So it takes heavy use, but physical withdrawal is a real thing with weed. But as I said, it’s the only drug I’ve been addicted to I would cold turkey.
Yeah, caffeine cold turkey is unexpectedly tough.
I don’t drink coffee or tea, but I usually drink caffeinated soda with food. I visited another country a few years back where soda isn’t usually drank except in special occasions like at parties. I couldn’t figure out why I had such a bad headache for the first few days. I thought the caffeine content from soda would be low enough that I wouldn’t have withdrawals. Finally on about day 5 I decided to have tea with my breakfast, and no headache that day. That was when I realized what a caffeine withdrawal headache felt like, and I finally realized why I get headaches if I don’t have lunch at my regular time (when I usually have my soda).
I really wish I could get caffeine free cola, because I don’t even want the caffeine. I just want the cola flavor. But it seems the only caffeine free cola that is sold in stores is also diet, which I don’t like the taste of. They sell caffeine free, non-diet cola online, but at absurd prices.
£5 for an 8 pack of coke zero decaf at the supermarket, I just checked. What and where are you looking at?
I’m in the US. It isn’t available in any stores here. You can get it online for $20 for a 12 pack. Regular price for coke right now is $7 for a 12 pack, which is already shockingly high. About 10-15 years ago you could get 48 cans for $11.
Not trying to be a dick, but “I don’t like the taste of diet soda” feels like a very minor inconvenience for fighting an addiction you want to shake
Aspartame likely causes cancer, probably worse for you than actual sugar. But the dosage of each makes all the difference.
I don’t care enough to shake the addiction to caffeine. It would be nice to, but not something I care enough to put much effort into.
It’s not so bad if you pop a Tylenol the first couple of days, just to get you through the caffeine migraine phase.
Depends on how bad your caffeine addiction is. I tried cold turkey when I had a tooth pulled when I was drinking a pot of coffee a day.
A week in bed on Vicodin and Percocet, didn’t touch that headache and it didn’t improve or go away until I drank coffee.
Oddly, I ate a large bag of mushrooms and got tazed by the cops one night. Ended up in the psych ward. Was able to cold turkey the coffee after that. Not sure if it was the mushrooms or the juice from the tazer.
Yeah, I’m not sure if Vicodin or perc would help a migraine, different pain killers help in different ways. I think opiods are the least helpful when it comes to migraines, if I remember correctly.
I confirm. Taking opioids against migraine gives you still a migraine, but on opioids. Not recommended.
Vicodin has Tylenol in it
but we’re not talking about migraines.
we’re talking about caffeine withdrawal headaches.
neither of which are 💯 understood but that doesn’t make them the same.
plus, Vicodin has Tylenol in it. so i was taking Tylenol.
Caffeine withdrawal can absolutely trigger migraines, easily.
Not sure about the Tylenol in Vic, but just that opioids in general don’t work well. You can easily Google it.
Vicodin has Tylenol in it
true it’s probably the easiest drug to quit but there is a strong psychological addiction
Caffeine isn’t addictive. Your body acclimates to long term usage, and you will experience some withdrawal symptoms but this is classified as a dependency and not an addiction as it does not trigger the reward mechanisms like weed and or methamphetamine does. It’s an important distinction and is why coffee and tea are often served at [Addiction] Anonymous meetings.
It’s both. Nicotine is also both. Note how people at AA still often smoke. And how much coffee they’ll pound even after dinner.
The only drug I misclassified is SSRIs. Which don’t trigger the dopamine reward system.
And my comment was in light of OP and common language usage. People say heroin addiction and they mean heroin dependency. It doesn’t help anyone to be pedantic about these two words. And I say that as someone who has taken college level classes on pharmacology and alcohol and drug dependence and is very aware of the technical differences used professionally.
Cuz weed fuckin rocks bruv.
🚫not to me🚫
Blink twice if someone is forcing you to smoke.
Huh?
Life is so fucking grim and full of misery and there’s barely anything to help people cope but weed is the hill you die on.
I don’t like it, I’m fine with people who do though. Drugs aren’t for me :)
@Retirix_YT @ilikekeyboards If that’s truly how you feel, you shouldn’t say you think it doesn’t rock. That expresses disapproval, even if you don’t mean it to.
what you just said about weed is what religious extremists say about being gay - a much more harmful take than being anti-weed, imo. Just using this as an example to illuminate why your OG comment connotes greater judgment / hostility to people who smoke weed.
If it doesn’t rock for you then say that not that it doesn’t rock ya see?
What did I see?
@Retirix_YT I responded to you but then deleted the comment because decided engaging wasn’t worth it haha.
I meant to say ‘say’ not see. Sorry if what I said offended you in some way (not being sarcastic)
I personally just hate drugs, I don’t like how they make me feel not in control of myself and I don’t like not being in control.
What about caffeine? People act like “drugs are bad” is a reasonable stance, but they mean illegal drugs which just happen to be illegal, usually without good reason. Most adults are drug addicts, it’s just that the drug of choice is caffeine and they don’t see it as an issue because it’s legal and been normalized.
Animals have been doing drugs for longer than humans have existed. There are many benificial drugs that can help us with manually regulating bodily activity. Used responsibly, drugs can be great.
Caffeine is just a mild stimulant though. Doesn’t have the same affects
Same with medicinal drugs too. They’re fine
What about alcohol? Rapes, murders, even silly accidents like falling down the stairs and caving your head in is unfortunately quite common for the inebriated.
Loads of people had an argument too many and pulled the trigger during a moment of inebriety.
I don’t like alcohol, it messes with my head
Yeah, the point is that drugs are fine morally. It’s when they’re abused they cause issues. There is some line that you’ve made up where drugs become “bad” but it is made up. Recognizing that it’s a made up line is important. I’m not saying you need to use drugs or anything like that, just realize that “drugs are bad” is a blatantly dishonest and untrue statement.
There are also plenty of psychoactive drugs that can be pretty helpful to human mental health. Marijuana also can have many health benefits, and it doesn’t cause people to do dangerous things usually. Most of the time it just causes people to sit around inside and not bother other people, unlike alcohol.
Drugs aren’t bad. Drug abuse is bad. Doing bad activities while on drugs is also bad, but the drugs are not.
Sure, I don’t say drugs are bad, I say I don’t like them. Why do I have to keep saying this man?
Where did I say drugs weren’t morally fine or bad??
Straight out of the addicts playbook. Former stoner of 10 years, I see the excuses. Needing drugs to walk through life is like needing a crutch. You are not stronger with them, they are an inhibitor to your natural greatness.
“I don’t need drugs, I want them”
Desire, when the pattern holds, becomes need. I used to think “yeah stopping weed is easy,” then would spend all the time in-between thinking “this situation would be so much better with weed.” So much so that I did absolutely insane things to get hold of it while I was living in China. My desire was very much in the realm of need, but I always made excuses to myself and my loved ones.
I rairly use caffeine (I was addicted at one point, noticed it, then drastically reduced consumption. I have a cup of coffee maybe every three days max.), and alcohol (Also not that frequently). I’ve also used Marijuana a handful of times and that’s it. I’m not an addict. I just recognize drugs have been used throughout history, often to great effect. I also recognize that the modern illegal drugs are political, not practical.
Life really isn’t that grim you’re just depressed. And weed is know for causing depression to keep spiraling. Good luck
I don’t have to.
I want to.
If you can’t ignore the want, that’s an addiction
Well when I don’t have any and can’t get any, I think “if I had a joint that would be nice.” The same way one might want a pizza they can’t afford. But it doesn’t occupy my mind all day, like if I’m out of cigarettes.
Yeah but are you sure you don’t also have a pizza addiction? /s
There’s two kinds of addiction, physical and mental. Nicotine is probably the most addictive substance in terms of physical addiction (more so than heroin, according to Imperial College London). So comparing the physical addiction to nicotine with a mental addiction to cannabis will never be equivalent. However you can have a mental addiction to anything, even without a chemical dependency - gambling addictions are probably the simplest example. As such you most definitely can have a cannabis addiction, just like you can be addicted to porn, TV, internet or whatever.
It’s a habit, and one that you want to do. You might not feel like you need to do it, but it’s a strong want. The harm comes if you pursue the habit to the detriment of other things.
It also doesn’t help that the clinical terminology is kind of the wrong way around. In clinical terms, “addiction” refers to the physical part, while “dependency” refers to the mental part. This doesn’t sit well with me, as “addiction” has negative connotations while “dependency” is more neutral (a child is a dependent of their parents, and this is fine). And yet we still have a gambling “addiction” which doesn’t really have any physical element.
But yeah, people can and often are addicted to lots of things. Any habit can potentially be considered an addiction.
Everything you say is true, but weed is still psychologically addictive. Maybe the reason it doesn’t occupy your mind so much is because you have another drug to fall back on.
Yeah, this is what I told myself for 10 years. But the fact is there were numerous situations where I would think “this would be so much better with weed”.
If I can’t enjoy life’s basic experiences without drugs, there is a problem.
Also pizza doesn’t cause mood swings, memory loss, lethargy, paranoia etc.
Acknowledging the fact that everything is better with weed doesn’t mean you’re addicted.
Yeah, like water or food.
I virtually never want food or water. My body screams “eat now or you’re going into a coma, idiot!”
oh bro then we different. some times a cool crispy glass of water is just so dang desirable. same with a fresh batch of fries man
I wonder if there’s a hydrohomies community
They’re should be.
Honestly, I use it about once a week. I have friends who get drunk more frequently then that. I can see why people would use it every day but they shouldn’t imo.
People react differently to all substances, the real test for addiction is if you can stop doing it for say, 3 weeks in a row, not how often you do it… You can do it once a month and still be addicted but as long as you can stop for 3-4x longer than you usually would, you’re probably not
I’d say that’s the correct take on drug use. Are you trying to argue that you’re not addicted?
Okay, you’re probably addicted and your friends are clearly alcoholic.
Bruh have you ever met an addict of any sort at all in your life? Addictions aren’t a once a week sort of thing
A person who goes out and gets absolutely wasted every single weekend is very much addicted to alcohol and probably an alcoholic. I don’t see how using weed would be any different.
“oh I’ve got my heroin use under control. I only inject on fridays” absurd. Once a week is definitely an addiction.
Addiction, medically at least, has to do with compulsion, not frequency. A person who has a cigar on the weekends, or a single cigarette at night after the kids go to bed, isn’t necessarily doing it compulsively, or to a degree that it negatively effects their life (aside from the whole smoking thing). Now does that in and of itself mean you SHOULD go do that? I would say no, especially with alcohol, nicotine, opiates, cocaine, etc. but would anyone from a medical standpoint say they were an addict? Not if they knew what they were talking about.
That brings us to the flip side of that, now if you WERE the kind of person that did it on the weekends with enough frequency your brain will start to desensitize to the dopamine dump, and start to offload that behavior to your prefrontal cortex, making it a subconscious action, and eventually lead to that compulsion that we call addiction. This effect is multiplied if you allow yourself to be distracted while you do the thing, as you are strengthening the subconscious pathways of that action.
Anyway, I think the middle path would probably be the best. No need to completely abstain 100% from EVERYTHING, and no reason to let ANYTHING become a subconscious habit that controls us without our understanding.
TL:DR Asceticism = bad extreme indulgence = bad Allow yourself to be human, but be ultra mindful of your human condition
Why you assume he got wasted every time? There different ways to get different levels of high. I like using cannabis but I hardly get wasted anymore (last time was years ago tbh). I do get medicated though, fully functional. Highly recommend dry herb vapes for these purposes btw. !vaporents@lemmy.beyondcombustion.net coming soon
I use it medically prescribed by a doctor to help with my ex-military PTSD and chronic pain issues. I used to take 3 different crazy ass medications before that which turned me into a vegetable 24/7 so this is much better. I don’t get couch locked and stop once I feel the effects.
I can see why some others might get the wrong impression by my username though haha.
Yeah I get you, it can be useful at bunch of different cases. It has so much more than just getting wasted off an entire evening.
Feel well fellow lemmy user :)
Tbf once a week is hardly an addiction lol
Weed is not going to ruin your life the same way like benzos and alcohol would. If you smoke everyday then you probably aren’t very productive, but you are not actively ruining your life.
Weed is dangerous because of how safe it is. It makes you ok with being bored and not progressing/growing as a person. Alcohol addiction will straight up make you homeless.
Someone else said it, but I agree:
if alcohol were discovered today, it would 100% be illegal in no time
If you aren’t very productive you haven’t found the right strain… or you’re eating edibles.
Ive honestly stopped buying the different strains have different effects talk. No matter what I smoke I get stoned and lazy af. Not that that’s bad, it’s just what happens.
Same here. Tried indica because it “slows you down” vs sativa, and all the hybrids in between. All are the same affects
I’ve definitely noticed a slight difference but no strain is going to suddenly make you productive. Maybe you want to be productive but you feel tired and crappy because you’re too sober, and getting a fix helps. Doesn’t mean the weed is actually helping you it just means you’re addicted
Good that you know your self in that case. Not all bodies react the same way. I know folks who can’t get high from smoking but do from edibles, and vice versa.
Still get stoned from edibles unless I throw some other stuff in the mix.
As someone who smokes weed way too often… I do it because I’m addicted to it and anyone who says it’s ‘habitual not addictive’ or they’re just ‘medicating’ is in denial
As someone else who smokes way too much… I do it because I’m addicted to it. Most people don’t realize that habitual addictions are addictions, and just because weed doesn’t have physical withdrawal symptoms, doesn’t meant you can’t be addicted.
The fun thing is, it does have physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop.
They’re just not nearly as bad some other substances.
I’d rank them worse than coffee’s withdrawal symptoms.
well I have been trying to quit and haven’t had a puff for like 3 days and I’ve been feeling like shit, whole body sore and persistent headache. I’m not sure if it’s withdrawal though or if I just caught a virus
It most certainly does have physical withdrawal symptoms. Perhaps it didn’t in 1960 when a lid of pot was $10 and had the same potency of 1 puff from a vape pen, but it sure as hell does today. I’ve watched people become insanely irritable and aggressive when quitting weed, suffering from headaches, sweats, and a plethora of other symptoms.
Anyone who says it isn’t addictive is lying to themselves and potentially harming others who may end up getting addicted themselves.
I smoked way too often and didn’t find it addictive, though. I smoked because I had it. I only quit because my lungs hurt lol
I’m in this picture and I don’t like it.
(I’ve stopped spreading the “not addictive” BS, but am still very addicted)
Based
Why? My guy, have you seen the world? Have you seen how people treat each other? If you don’t smoke I don’t know what the fuck you’re doing, but if it’s to be “a moral and upstanding citizen” I both laugh and cry at your blissful ignorance.
I don’t like smoking.
me neither
Don’t like how it feels.
Fair enough to all three of you, just let me have my weed in peace.
Of course i have nothing against people who take weed, i just personally don’t like the feeling of alcohol/weed or anything like that. Makes me feel like I’m not in control of myself. I hate not being in control of myself.
I don’t care if anyone smokes. Just don’t annoy me with it. People smoking in public places and giving you free lung cancer is my worst pet peeve.
Thats why I hate smoking more than drinking. Drinking doesn’t make me want to cough my lungs out and doesn’t endanger me directly when someone does it. Smoking does.
I seriously doubt you’re near enough second hand pot smoke to get cancer compared to like whatever’s ins the water or like idk I feel like micro plastics in your blood should be a bigger concern. But hey everyone’s entitled to their own version of paranoia. Gotta keep these meat suits living as long as possible, right?
You need to take some shrooms and realize you’re never really in control of yourself
Absolutely not
Every single person on this planet is addicted to one thing or the other. Basically we are genetically junkies. We strive for pleasure. Simple as that. I found pleasure in weed many years ago and I don’t have any moral or other intention to quit. I just don’t give a …
Thinking about what I’m addicted to 🤔🤔
Social media to a point, I guess
“WHAAT!”
(Or, DMX: barks)
