My 30 Day T-Break

Why I take A break

Have you ever noticed that when you confide in people that you are taking a break from alcohol or cannabis they always ask…”why”? 5 years ago I started a tradition of taking a 30 day tolerance break, and I asked myself “huh, yea why do I do this?”. The answer is clear and I am here to share my experience with you. 

In 2019, I found myself constantly complaining that ‘I don’t feel the effects of cannabis anymore.’ Despite consuming cannabis regularly, I never felt the satisfaction I used to, often experiencing headaches 5-6 times a week. Frustrated, I took matters into my own hands and turned to the doctor—AKA Google. After thorough research, I made a decision: No weed for 30 days. Alongside this, I also made other changes, including altering my diet. It dawned on me that I had been smoking weed every day since I was 18 years old. With a mix of nervousness and excitement, I embarked on this journey.

Surprisingly by the time my 30 days was up I felt like MORE shit. I could barely stand straight. I decided to go to the ER due to the severity of my pain and symptoms. Upon arrival, I was diagnosed with diverticulitis, which required a four-night stay in the hospital. During my hospitalization, I received intravenous antibiotics to combat the intense infection. As you can imagine, it was far from enjoyable.

While in the hospital, I received alarming news:Had I not sought medical attention when I did, the infection could have led to a rupture in my intestines and subsequent septic shock. To this day, I must remain vigilant about my diet to prevent any flare-ups.

In life, I realized that I wasn’t feeling the “high” of cannabis anymore, due to its medicinal effects. Using cannabis medicinally helped me manage pain from my condition. Since then, I made a pact with myself: “once a year, I take a 30-day tolerance break from cannabis”. I’ve realized the importance of taking a break to reevaluate my body and mind—a little self-check-in. Please understand that I don’t believe this approach is suitable for everyone, especially if cannabis consumption is necessary. This is just my personal story.

This is just a #BudtendersReview.

Preparation: Taking the Big Step

I’ve learned to prepare myself for the first week, anticipating that it might be a bit challenging. So, I’ve developed a farewell ritual that goes like this:

• A 3-pack of Animal Face (a blend of Animal Mints and Face Off)
• Slurty 3 (a mix of Slurricane and Gelato 33)

These strains hit the spot perfectly and set me off on my journey, kissing Mary Jane a farewell.

What were some obstacles?

The 1st challenge for me was my morning routine , there’s nothing quite like waking and baking—coffee and weed make for one of the best combinations. However, I recognized that to break the routine of mundane mornings without Mary Jane, I needed to introduce a new activity. So, I invested in a journal. I’ve always been a fan of a good journaling session. Instead of indulging in my usual morning routine, I began each day by writing in my journal about the things that bring me joy. My gratitude journal became an invaluable source of solace during this period.

Alongside my morning gratitude journaling, I made it a habit to hop on my stationary bike for about 20-30 minutes daily. Each morning, I eagerly anticipated my exercise routine.Therefore, it’s crucial to have alternative activities to replace your usual cannabis usage. For me, engaging in morning activities became crucial, especially since morning sessions were and still are my all-time favorite.

Another challenge I faced was my role as a budtender. Being constantly immersed in the world of cannabis—talking about it, inspecting it, and selling it—presented its own hurdles. However, I saw this as an opportunity for growth. I began tracking my habits and finances meticulously. By calculating my typical monthly cannabis expenses, I gained valuable insight. It became a motivating factor for me, showing me how much money I saved.

While I generally enjoy my life and feel happy, as a long-time daily cannabis user, the withdrawal symptoms can be quite intense.I won’t sugarcoat it—it’s tough. Boredom is my main struggle at this point, which is really challenging for me. The silver lining is that I’m feeling exhausted, allowing me to get plenty of sleep. However, the lack of stimulation is really getting to me. It’s ironic how cannabis often gets labeled as making people “lazy” and “unintelligent”. For me, it actually enhances my motivation, focus, and creativity.

Diary note: I am sweating… A LOT.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE! My dreams are back and boy are the back in full fledged. My assumption is that the thc has started to exit my body. My dreams are so intense and vivid that I wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat.

Diary Entry: Last night, my dreams were hauntingly real—I found myself back in the role of being a server. Every time I woke up from the dream, I tried to shake it off and go back to sleep, but the nightmare persisted. It felt like I couldn’t escape them.

I’m finally feeling better and less tired! While many struggle with insomnia during a tolerance break, I’ve experienced the opposite. The initial two and a half weeks were exhausting, but now I feel like I’m turning a corner. It’s interesting—I usually find cannabis energizing, so maybe that’s why.

I’m proud to say that my cravings for cannabis have been fairly low during this tolerance break! Honestly, in previous years, I’ve often found myself yearning to spark up or have a drink of alcohol. But this time around it was easier and I truly believe it’s been easier because I’ve incorporated activities that interest me during the times I would normally consume cannabis.

My job as a BudTender allows me to smell the samples that representatives bring to the shop, which has been surprisingly helpful! Cannabis is my passion, and being able to smell it and inspect it is satisfying enough for me. I’m really proud of myself for not even feeling the urge to buy or smoke it, even though I handle it for a living. I’ll admit, when walking my dogs, I sometimes catch a whiff of the sweet scent of Mary Jane, which reminds me of great times… My neighbors are definitely smoking some good stuff!

Diary Notes: I’ve noticed that I’m coughing after my bike ride, and it tastes like weed. It’s as if I’m literally coughing up nuggets of weed.

You know when you have something to look forward to, time seems to drag on? Well, I’m here to confirm that it’s true. This last week has definitely felt like the longest. Even after these 4 weeks, I still feel overall tired. I continue to go to bed early, but I’ve been waking up at 4 AM and unable to go back to sleep. During this time, I do a lot of thinking.

It’s interesting how we, as daily users, are often the first to say that weed is not really a drug and that cannabis is not addictive. But I hate to be the bearer of bad news—it is still a drug/substance, and it definitely has addictive tendencies. That’s why it’s important to take steps back, lower your tolerance, and reassess your usage.

One of the conclusions I’ve reached during this cannabis break is that I use cannabis medicinally. Given my chronic illness (Diverticulitis), as mentioned earlier, cannabis significantly improves my quality of life by providing relief to my stomach. I’m truly impressed by the therapeutic benefits that THC and CBD offer my physical body. My “Digestive Doobie,” the joint right after a meal, has become a ritual. As I journey around the sun more times, I notice my joints and overall body experiencing aches and pains. Cannabis unquestionably makes me feel more limber!

Gaining Insight

During this period, I’ve gained insights into my inner self. There are moments when I feel sad, and that’s perfectly okay. I want to emphasize that this isn’t intended to be crude or rude but this is my honest truth and opinion.

I believe that by doing so, I discover more about myself. While this might seem straightforward to some, it’s admittedly a bit challenging for me. Nevertheless, I recognize the importance of equipping myself with these coping mechanisms and confronting my true emotions without cannabis.

As the weeks passed, my nightmares gradually transformed into ordinary dreams, and the best part was that my mother appeared in them. It was an immaculate surprise; my mother passed away 9 years ago, and I miss her every single day. Seeing her in my dreams made it all worth it. I honestly felt a little sad knowing that this break from cannabis would soon come to an end because I realized that my vivid dreams would also come to an end.

Introspection

Reflecting on my younger teenage years, I remember choosing to go out with friends and get stoned instead of spending time with my mom. How could I have made that choice? Even now, I regret those moments and wish I could time travel back to opt out of smoking with my friends and just be with my mom—watching movies, laughing, and talking. I had a wonderful relationship with her and cherished the time we spent together. But now, in sobriety, these are the thoughts that flood my mind when I lie awake at 4 AM. It brings me comfort to know that one day, I will reunite with her, and she’ll be there waiting for me. I love you, Mom <3

As the end of this break from cannabis approaches, I find myself pondering, “What if I never go back? What would that be like?” However, that voice inside my head isn’t as loud as the excitement to grind up some good flower and roll it into a joint!

At The Intelligent Bud, we’re eager to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Elyse, the imaginative mind behind “Just a Budtenders Review.” Her unwavering dedication, hard work, honesty, and creative flair, coupled with her passion for cannabis, illuminate every article she pens. It’s no wonder her series has swiftly garnered a devoted following. Elyse’s contributions are truly invaluable, and we eagerly anticipate the excitement her upcoming projects will undoubtedly bring! We would also like to recognize George Rizok for bringing amazing art to the blog!

 

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George Rizok (@rizokg) • Instagram photos and videos

 

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