[Pigo]

I know people who are extremely dependent on weed, who will have anxiety attacks without it. It's less dangerous than most drugs, but there are people who are important to me that I wish could function without it. I'm talking grown adults, with families, who do nothing but play video games.

Their problems would exist without the weed, but it seems to play a part in their stagnation. I guess I just don't know that many people who will just occasionally smoke it, it seems to turn into a lifestyle as much as any other drug.

[Broken_Hippo]

"... who will have anxiety attacks without it."

Honestly, I've met many daily smokers in my life. Heck, I've been one off and on and tend to like to do it most weekends. I greatly prefer it to alcohol.Most folks can quit quite easily: At most, a few weeks of decreased appetite and trouble falling asleep. The worst effects wear off in the first week. The few folks I've met that have trouble without it have mental health issues, such as anxiety attacks. The worst thing about that situation is that one has to be able to find decent medical care and risk getting anxiety attacks - which I've read are horribly scary - to feel comfortable giving up smoking. And even then they might find that the smoking helps the best with the fewest side effects...unfortunately.

Also, most adults I've met who smoke regularly do all the family stuff just fine. They work, they play with their kids (more happily when a little stoned!), and so on. I mean, sure, it makes you more happy with a slightly messier house and more happy just being, but the other thing with that lowered happiness thresh hold is being happier when going on walks or playing boring kids games. Sure, happier with a slightly messier house but also happier to do the cleaning. Happier to eat more healthily, and so on.

[atom_enger]

Not many people would believe that you can be a better parent after consuming cannabis. I'm a much better parent after consuming cannabis. I listen more, play harder and can let go of the parental thoughts that silently occupy my brain when I'm sober and playing with my kids. Cannabis really helps me let go of parental world and enter theirs for just a little while..

[Broken_Hippo]

Not many folks admit it, but yours isn't the first story I've heard with this. I don't personally have children, and have merely played with other people's children. I can definitely play longer slightly stoned.

Most folks aren't getting overly stoned with their children around anyway: More similar to having some wine with dinner, I guess?

[Pigo]

This is the kind of thing I always read, but have never seen. I don't doubt you, or Joe Rogan. I've just personally never seen an adult who takes just a couple puffs every once in awhile. In my experience, it is a lifestyle of playing video games and sitting around smoking, unless they are someone who also uses other drugs and/or drinks a lot.

It may be anecdotal, but that is the reason it concerns me. It doesn't appear to be a positive for the numerous people I've known.

[Broken_Hippo]

You've not met that many folks that smoke then. You know the few folks that meet a stereotype. Lots of folks sit around playing video games while sober, btw, and you are basically complaining that they aren't doing something with their life you approve of.

But more seriously, if you were... say... managing a retail store or a lawyer or some other professional position - how many folks would you let know that you smoke occasionally? The more folks you tell, the more chances you have of losing your job. You might lose your house and your children and everything you've worked for.

[Pigo]

I'm definitely not trying to blame weed, if people can use it responsibly I say great! The problem is people who have conditions like anxiety who become dependent on it to get by. Some people become alcoholics because they have stuff going on that they can't deal with, and that doesn't mean I think alcohol should be illegal. But just like them, I wish the drug wasn't a numbing agent that prevents them from dealing with the underlying problem.

[Broken_Hippo]

I don't see an issue. I also don't see an issue with folks going to therapists, taking SSRI's or other medicines, and so on. So long as the weed isn't doing undue damage to their health, go for it. Psychiatric medications often come with their own health concerns, sometimes you get the concern and sometimes you don't. Unfortunately, many folks make a distinction between those prescriptions and weed, but rarely say a word if folks pour their anxieties into over-exercise. To me, none of it matters if it makes their life better, if it is worth the consequences, and it isn't harming others (within reason).

It isn't like alcohol where doing it daily will absolutely destroy your life (legal issues aside). It doesn't have the same destroying effects on the family, friends, and so on.

And to be fair, if there is an underlying problem, it doesn't really prevent folks from dealing with it either. Lots of folks go to therapy while smoking regularly. If it doesn't need therapy, then it probably takes care of the issue... since it keeps the anxiety attacks at bay.

[citruscomputing]

How do you feel about people becoming dependent on prescription ADHD medications?

[Pigo]

Oh, don't get me started on that. Not just ADHD, but antidepressants and anxiety medication as well. Of course there are people with legitimate needs, and boys who truly can't pay attention, but the over-prescription of these medications is negatively effecting way too many people.

Not working on your issues, and just masking them with a chemical should be a short term solution. These drugs are worse in my opinion, and I could ramble for a long time on my reasons.

The money they cost and dr's never having an exit strategy for the patient, are my biggest concerns. I've never heard of a dr informing a patient on how difficult getting off these things are. Presumably because they want you to take it forever, or they have no clue. And there are definitely too many boys who just don't get the attention they need, or have more energy than someone likes, so their behavior becomes a disease.

I drink sometimes, and have been known to do other things. But I feel like everyone should be striving for the ability to get through life without 'needing' chemicals. Sometimes people forget how wonderful you can feel when you are clean, eating right, and exercising. They start to think they are incomplete without some chemical. Of course we all fail at being perfect, but it's a goal worth struggling towards.

[dls2016]

> I mean, sure, it makes you more happy with a slightly messier house and more happy just being

From my experience, this feeling comes from SSRIs and not cannabis. The former uniformly masks my anxieties whereas the latter only takes away the inhibition of thinking critically about your actions and their consequences... I find cannabis is a crutch for meditation.

[double0jimb0]

Not my experience observing others. Do you by chance live in a state where marijuana is not yet legalized?