Interesting article that I didn't expect to find on HN. thanks for sharing!
I would like to add that in my own experience (and that of others, it wasn't mentioned in the article), synthetic cannabinoids, like the ones "cannabis" sold by the guys in the park down the road is laced with, is considerably more addictive than medicinal quality marijuana. Also, instead of a slow buildup, it usually hits a few seconds after taking a hit already and doesn't last as long, plus the effects were really paranoia inducing for me, to the point where I had auditory hallucinations and was afraid I gave myself schizophrenia for the rest of my life. But it was so addicting that stopping even for a full day felt like an insurmountable feat. I was already quite depressed before, so the feeling wasn't that much different, but at times I just couldn't wait to get home, light up a joint and blast myself with podcasts (usually reports from other countries and other cultures, something as far away from home as possible), sports broadcasts or the 10th The Office re-watch. Basically retreating into a cocoon where I wouldn't have to deal with the outside world. one time i woke up still wearing my shinguards from football ("soccer") practice the day before.
I finally stopped when I had to go on a trip and be sober for 2 weeks. As long as I wasn't at home, I didn't even think about smoking much (which is crazy when days before quitting seemed so out of the question) and when I came back I didn't have much trouble staying away, fortunately. Now I just take a few hits every couple weeks and actually get to enjoy being high for a change.
I would like to add that in my own experience (and that of others, it wasn't mentioned in the article), synthetic cannabinoids, like the ones "cannabis" sold by the guys in the park down the road is laced with, is considerably more addictive than medicinal quality marijuana. Also, instead of a slow buildup, it usually hits a few seconds after taking a hit already and doesn't last as long, plus the effects were really paranoia inducing for me, to the point where I had auditory hallucinations and was afraid I gave myself schizophrenia for the rest of my life. But it was so addicting that stopping even for a full day felt like an insurmountable feat. I was already quite depressed before, so the feeling wasn't that much different, but at times I just couldn't wait to get home, light up a joint and blast myself with podcasts (usually reports from other countries and other cultures, something as far away from home as possible), sports broadcasts or the 10th The Office re-watch. Basically retreating into a cocoon where I wouldn't have to deal with the outside world. one time i woke up still wearing my shinguards from football ("soccer") practice the day before.
I finally stopped when I had to go on a trip and be sober for 2 weeks. As long as I wasn't at home, I didn't even think about smoking much (which is crazy when days before quitting seemed so out of the question) and when I came back I didn't have much trouble staying away, fortunately. Now I just take a few hits every couple weeks and actually get to enjoy being high for a change.