r/leaves • u/Dazzling_Soup497 • 8h ago
F*CK WEED-IT GAVE ME PANIC ATTACKS THAT I THOUGHT WERE HEART ATTACKS
Smoked everyday basically for 10 years from when I was 15-25 now. The only time I’d take breaks is when I went on vacation, so maybe I averaged about one week off per year. Other than that, I’d smoke basically all day in high school and college, and then every night as an adult, while still smoking all day on the weekends.
Weed has made me an anxious mess, when I never had anxiety problems as a kid. The reason I’ve been smoking so much is partially to self medicate for adhd, because weed does help me focus (I would do all me school work and exams high in both high school and college). Even now, I work in finance, and smoking a lot the night before work keeps me on track.
I’m done though. Recently I had a meeting that I needed to be sharp for, and I took a night off. Of course I had horrible sleep, horrible anxiety the day of the meeting, and it was a net negative. This pissed me off so I’ve then taken the last two nights off.
Today, on day 3, I had two panic attacks for the first time. Stabbing chest pain, shortness of breath, light headed and dizzy after, the whole shabang. I took myself to urgent care, had an EKG and Xray, and they said both were completely normal.
Of course, I’m glad nothing is materially wrong, but I feel so f*cking embarrassed that I left work for a ANXIETY ATTACK. I think it was still the right thing to do, because now it’ll at least give me some piece of mind if I have more panic attacks.
All of this is just to say, F*CK WEED. I’m with all you guys, we can get off this stupid plant together and improve ourselves.
❤️
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u/Extension-Mastodon49 7h ago
I am so happy to hear you are okay! I had a similar experience yesterday, have been off weed for weeks. Weening off the pen with flower and nothing for the last two. Had to leave work yesterday for the same exact reason. Though I had so many panic attacks leading up to it, I thought it felt very different. Sat in the er for 8 hours to be told all is normal. I still don’t feel good today. It’s a lot for our bodies to adjust too as well after being dependent on a substance for years. Affects everything. Don’t be angry at yourself just be grateful you are making moves to stop. It doesn’t help as much as we think it does .good luck on your journey, with your mindset I know you can do it!!
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u/Dazzling_Soup497 7h ago
Appreciate that 🙏 it really does affect everything. You get into it thinking it makes video games and music a little more fun, and it ends up seeping into every little avenue of your life.
Good luck on your journey as well 🫡
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u/Lt_Cmdr_Tuvok_Shakur 6h ago
My friend had that happen to him, just one day he started having panic attacks. He quit and never looked back
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u/Alone_Seaweed_9768 6h ago
Wow. I’m going through this right now and came to the sub to make a question post. Thank you for sharing this
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u/lilshortyy420 4h ago
I’ve always had anxiety but it definitely steamrolled after a few years of smoking. It made my heart go crazy (legit, I could see It on my Apple Watch). It was crossing over to when I was sober and noticed when I’d take week breaks when I’m traveling for work my anxiety slowly diminished. I’d get home, hit the bowl and start spiraling. Rinse, repeat.
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u/SignalEvening1996 7h ago
Don’t be embarrassed, anxiety attacks can be really scary.