Intense Anxiety/Paranoia Attack - cannabis related.

Hi All - this is the first time I’ve ever reached out on a public forum with any kind of problem, however after some recent experiences with weed, I feel like I need to write it all down, share my experience to help it feel more real almost that I absolutely need to stop my consumption.

For context, I’m 33M, live in the UK and have smoked joints for about 8 years solid. I go through around 2.5oz of weed monthly, I consider myself to be a heavy user.

I initially started smoking weed after trying it in my 20’s and liked the way it made me feel. All the noise in my mind stopped, it chilled me out and everything just seemed more enjoyable whilst high.

Usually once a year I’d have a tolerance break when I went on holiday with my wife - this could be anywhere from 7-14 days. This was never a problem for me, when I knew I couldn’t have it due to being in another country and not wanting to search for it, I didnt mind being without it. Plus I knew when I got back home the first few joints after the break always hit the best and it was something to look forward too.

Fast forward to the present I’ve recently just returned from holiday last week, but was hit with a sickness bug so it took me a few days to feel right and have a smoke.

Last night I made my first smoke since being home and was careful and put a very small amount in as I usually would after a tolerance break. I had half, felt a buzz and thought that’s enough for now, let’s not over do it. After around 20 minutes, I was hit with the BIGGEST anxiety/paranoia attack I have ever experienced.

My heart rate was up to 160bpm, I had tingles in my left arm, a tight chest, sweaty, I was absolutely and utterly convinced I was going to have a heart attack. The next 2 hours were probably the worst 2 hours of my life. I couldn’t relax, focus, calm down, get my breathing right, anything.

I’ve never experienced something that intense before to the point I was genuinely concerned for my life - it seems crazy writing this to think I was so convinced it was the genuine end but I felt every heartbeat and every single sensation going through my body - I can’t seem to put into words just how intense it was.

I eventually got myself to sleep however I tossed and turned most of the night. When I woke up this morning I was thankful the intense symptoms had dissipated but have spent today as an anxious mess. Constantly checking by heart rate which varies between 80-100bpm when resting so I know it’s back to normal for me but still feel like I can feel a tightness in the chest and left arm however, I think it’s just all in my head after such an intense episode.

This experience has completely flipped my mind regarding the consumption of weed and I genuinely do not think I will ever smoke it again baring in mind, I literally couldn’t go a day without it before my holiday.

I just wanted to put my experience into words to help me understand it and help me realise that I never ever want to feel like that again - sorry for the essay but thank you reading if you got this far.

I’m looking forward to rediscovering myself a bit again as I feel the last 8 years have been a bit of a haze. Id also be interested to know if anyone else has had experiences like this?

TL:DR

After heavy usage of weed for 8 years I had a 2 and a half week tolerance break and had the biggest anxiety/paranoia attack of my life. This attack has sealed the deal regarding me never smoking weed again and my quitting journey is starting today and I’ve never been more motivated.