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[H1659]How To Stop Smoking Pot

by Michael Porteous, Mic

A common misconception among many people today when they ask how to stop smoking pot is that marijuana is much like cigarettes in that they are physically addictive and so very hard to stop smoking because of cravings within the body. These cravings can drive you to distraction unless you have a smoke to calm down. This in fact is totally incorrect and is probably just a mish mash of misinformation likening a joint to a cigarette because you smoke them and of course the fact many other drugs are very addictive chemically like cigarettes.

Marijuana has no chemical like nicotine that addicts people; instead pot is psychologically addictive. This means that the urge to continue smoking pot is more about you wanting to gain a high rather than your body needing the drug to stop its pain. Stopping smoking pot is hard only because you do not want to subconsciously.

Now this does not mean that it is easy to quit pot or that you are lacking willpower however. Psychological addictions can be very problematic as people with gambling problems can tell you and requires a great deal more introspection into your own motives and weaknesses so you can pin down the real reason you keep coming back to marijuana time and time again.

To do this however you do not need to go "cold turkey" and simply stop and try to live your life the same as before but without the drugs. This is sometimes the worst thing you can do as there is often a huge gap in your life that can seem big and cold and empty and that time you used to "escape" by smoking pot can lead to you failing in your attempt to quit and falling back into the habit or by picking up another addiction that could be even worse.

To combat this while you sort out the underlying reasons for your addiction it is vitally important to find something healthy and fulfilling to fill that gap such as:

Meditation
The art of meditation can really help pot smokers by allowing time to be spent clearing ones thoughts and those that become very good at it discover they can achieve a different sort of high that though is different to the drug is fulfilling and healthy. By clearing your mind with meditation you can also help sort of the more difficult things in your life that seem so complicated and difficult normally and which just fade away when on drugs.

Hobbies
Finding a rewarding hobby is also a great way to take your mind off marijuana. By occupying your thoughts with something creative like drawing, painting, writing or many other things you can find new talents and new ways of self fulfillment that last beyond a chemically induced high. It can also be an outlet for pent up emotions that may be triggering your desire to get high.

Exercise
While increased exercise is great for your health in general exercise allows pent up energy and frustrations to be spent in a good way. Smoking weed often represses these things making the problems worse. Engaging in a team sport is also a great way to make new friends and contacts that are not into drugs if your current group of friends are still into them making it hard to engage socially. Activities such as yoga are also great to combine with meditation.

If you can fill your life with healthy, rewarding and fulfilling pursuits you will find the need to use marijuana will be greatly reduced and allow you to see your life clearly without the haze of weed clouding your judgment. In the end, how to smoking pot is about finding the root cause of your addiction which can only be done by taking the time and impetus for the drug. Even with these new activities you can fall back into the habit without psychological adjustment and understanding however but it is the first step of being free!

There's no doubt that smoking saps the wallet and health of smokers. Smoking is bad for your health. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and emphysema. Smoking can also cause ugly stains on the teeth, accelerate the aging of the skin, and increase fatigue. Those are the biggest reasons people decide to stop smoking. Fortunately, smokers can stop smoking naturally, without using expensive, artificial means.

Strong willpower is necessary for a smoker to become a nonsmoker. For serious smokers, smoking is more than a habit. It's an addiction. Addictions cause nerve pathways in the brain to be constantly and repeatedly stimulated. Because these pathways have become familiar, it is hard to switch to a new pathway. Quitting is all about stopping the use of the old nerve pathways and replacing them with new pathways. Willpower is the only way to get this done. If you are serious about quitting, you can override years of bad habits and create new nerve pathways in your brain.

It's not easy to stop smoking. No one said it would. Bad habits are bad enough but addictions are difficult to quit. This is where a support group can help. For some people, this includes your friends and family. This can also include both ex-smokers and nonsmokers. For other people, a support group can also consist of professional help. In any case, having people on your side cheering you on can do you some good. This will help you keep going and finally lead you to quit smoking.

Those who have already quit smoking claim that it is best to quit cold turkey. Don't try to decrease the amount of cigarettes you have per day because this will make it too difficult to quit. Instead, try to stop smoking completely all at once. The cravings might make you uncomfortable for a while, but you'll get over them faster than if you were to stop gradually

When you decide to stop smoking, throw away all the cigarettes in your house and make sure not to buy new ones. Avoid social situations in which you will be compelled to smoke. Drink a lot of water and exercise daily to help you with the withdrawal phase.

The cravings and other symptoms that come about as a result of withdrawal are difficult to handle. When you feel these cravings come up, you can go out for a walk or call someone on the phone to talk until the feeling passes. You can also read a book or watch a movie.

Other people prefer to take deep breaths or redirect their focus with different activities. Some people chew gum to keep their mouths occupied. Whatever you choose, make sure to do that instead of smoking another cigarette.

With self-control and a good support system, it is quite possible to stop smoking naturally. It's not entirely easy to accomplish, but once the first symptoms of withdrawal are over, you can quit smoking and become healthier.

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Both Michael Porteous & Robert Franklin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Michael Porteous has sinced written about articles on various topics from Eczema, Skin Care and Forex Trading Forex. Did you find this article helpful?Are you sick of wasting your life in a cloud or marijuana smoke?Do you want to kick your pot addiction successfully?If so. Michael Porteous's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.

Robert Franklin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Quit Smoking, Health and Acupuncture Chiropractor. Learn more about on the How To Quit Smoking web site. You'll get lots of quick, easy tips for kickin. Robert Franklin's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.