Anyone else a high functioning stoner
For the last 8-9 years or so of my life (currently 25), I have been smoking weed everyday with the exception of an odd week here or there every year (i.e. vacation, ran out, etc). Over my years I have used homemade bongs, store-bought bongs, joints, pipes, and most recently, these pens that use oil cartridges.
I went to a target, have a great social life (although single and haven't been in a serious LT relationship - closest to a real one lasted 2 months in 2nd year of uni and I got bored), and currently work at a top BB and am a top bucket A2A.
I don't think I'm physically addicted to weed, but it has definitely become a habit and is something that I look forward to as a reward at the end of every night (like an escape if you will - no I'm not depressed). Sometimes the mornings are rough especially when sleep deprived, but I just pop a caffeine pill in the morning and I'm good to go.
This isn't a thread asking for attention, but rather was wondering if anyone else out there is like this. None of my friends can relate - the potheads have no careers (but are fun to kick back with), and none of my career oriented friends from school do this. Any other high functioning stoners on WSO or am I the only one?
I'm a stoner. I have a Puffco pro with the ryan fitt glass attachment and im jonesing to get a wax presser. Clean dabs = lung health + high ass nights haha
I’m a former daily stoner (many years ago).
I think it is similar to kicking a caffeine habit. If you’re a 3-cups a day guy, going cold turkey will actually make you feel worse for quite some time. But I promise you will feel better mentally / physically if you cut out the weed
You’re definitely an anomaly. Most 25 year old daily stoners are mediocre in some way but you seem to be be doing well
Marijuana withdrawals are a real thing. Look up cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. I got it once after going on a t break as a heavy user (1/8-1/4 of flower per day with dabs and oil pens spread throughout the day) and it has completely changed my relationship with the herb. I still partake daily, but it’s at the end of the day and that’s it.
This thread is not about how to 'kick' the habit. Did anyone ask you how to stop or you just like pushing your worldview on others? I think you're wrong buddy. Don't cut out the weed - use it wisely.
It's not a world view - It's my personal experience going from daily smoker to not smoking. OP didn't directly ask "how to quit", but he is obviously a little concerned because he's saying things like "I'm not addicted, but it's definitely a habit", etc. I've been in his shoes so I know how he feels.
Don't be so sensitive man.
I was a massive stoner in my Uni days (like, skipping class to rip a bong at 9am on a Tuesday stoner) and am much more casual now. Maybe 1-2x a week. Wouldn’t call myself a stoner but I definitely dabble in the ganj on a weekly basis.
Got a CBD heavy vape pen and 1:1 THC:CBD 5mg edibles - edibles every weekend on Friday or Saturday night. Vape pen is a very casual high and I could even puff it and take work calls but never do.
I tend to only do edibles or vape unless I’m camping or out with the boys or something, then it’s doobies and spliffs.
Can’t hit it out of glass anymore. Last few times I smoked a bong I got panic attacks. Been a few years now.
First smoked like most people in high school, but from then through college it would be a very occasional thing (maybe 1-2x per month, but not consistent) when at a party / hanging out with friends and someone offered. Only post-grad did I actually start smoking more regularly, worked at a top BB in IB and now in MF PE (I’m 26).
The last ~1.5 years with quarantine led me to smoke much more frequently. I’d typically kept it to the weekends but got in a habit similar to you of smoking before bed since I was already home - I’ve moved away from this because it definitely fucks with your quality of sleep (i.e., limited REM cycles) even if it helps with falling asleep. I also think keeping it to the weekends is better because then you avoid building up as much tolerance. As of last night, I’m off a lil 2 week t-break and probably going to have more limited consumption going forward - I think half the time I’d been smoking the last year was due to boredom but now that things are opening up again I just naturally would be less likely to smoke. With all that said, I don’t think I’d fully stop - don’t listen to anyone who says you can’t be a stoner and successful. It’s like anything else, it only becomes a problem if you’re not in control
I used to be a super stoner for years, but don't really have too much lately except for the vapes before working out. I wish I could take bong rips all day, but can't due to circumstances. I might get some edibles next month though and do some heavy sessions on the indoor cycle - should be fun.
Also, I really like Sativas. Sour Diesel is one of my favorite strains. Hybrids are ok too - not a fan of super Indicas as the body high just glues me to my seat. Sativas are great for working out.
Sour diesel is the shit.
This is dumb as shit, you could make a vague list like this for virtually any habit or substance (and one twice as long of the negatives)
Good point
Yes, and honestly the pandemic has made it an even more consuming habit which I know probably isn't great. But fuck things have just felt so stressful it's frankly become a cherished relaxation activity. Also sometimes nice to just hit the pen a bit then go for a run or something to get the blood pumping.
Cotton Mouth Kings!
I know someone who is a fitness fanatic and smokes his bong every day. I don't see anything wrong with it, but there is a bigger stigma in NYC against high-functioning stoners compared to high-functioning people who go through 8 balls regularly on weekends.
yeap mostly a joint or two on the weekends with my gf, really is something to look forward to
munchies are a real problem though + the 1st year analyst weight gain, so trying to work out now and eat cleaner to lose some of that.
side note - anyone got fun activities to do with a partner while stoned?
have you tried sex
yeah besides that we fuck a lot already lol
My college suitemate tried parkour. Did not end well for him.
Honestly insane how accurate this post is relative to me. Whole post and OP's comments is basically what I've been doing for a little while now, especially during COVID, and I'm also an analyst at a top group in IB (entering 3rd year). Definitely use it as a reward to end the night, never do it during the day or anything and have definitely noticed with normal activities like eating dinner or watching a movie that it would just be more enjoyable while high. I think the only real side effect so far that I have noticed is I work out/go to the gym with less frequency and think this habit might be an indirect cause of that.
OP here, going to attempt to go cold turkey for the next month or two (including weekends) mainly just to level set and test my willpower. I noticed I’ve developed a lot of bad habits (albeit minor) over the years that has been exacerbated by COVID. With the re-opening in sight (I’m in Canada - progress is behind the US), I think no better time to try to kick them to the curb. I noticed since I started IB, I’ve succumbed to these habits even further given the demands of the job. As I said in the OP, its not an addiction I struggle with as I have no issues going cold turkey, but rather a habit that I’ve developed from years of repetition.
Will keep this thread updated on my progress
Did your pothead friends also go to the same target and now don't have careers? If so, that says a lot about the benefits of smoking pot right there already.
Pothead friends from high school that went to community colleges or are unemployed (still hang with them irrespective of where we ultimately ended up in our professional lives) - most of my friends from university just smoke on occasion (weekends, parties, etc.) like most normal people do.
Still can´t believe intelligent people unironically smoke weed, I found it so... boring. When I want to turn up, I drink booze, and when I want to come down, I just have a wank or a tea or something.
For real though, weed is disgusting. It smells horrible, and makes you feel paranoid. Alcohol is way better.
I mean, if you HAVE to use it, which is fine as a substance, just eat a brownie or something, smoking it is disgusting as fuck. Also ruins your lungs.
Idk how u guys manage to be productive on weed.
It's just impossible for me, I'm impressed
Can’t speak for everyone, but for me the two are always distinctly separate - wrap up my work and then smoke before I go to bed. It often helps chill me out and get to sleep after the inordinate amount of caffeine I consume some nights (though I’m working on paring that back).
If I’m under the influence at all my work product suffers (known this since high school), so I’m sober for as long as I expect to be working. Not that I haven’t sent the occasional email from my phone at the bar, but any real work happens beforehand
Same boat. Smoke probably once a day after work, schedule permitting. Feel a little sluggish in the morning but nothing coffee can't cut through. Don't really burn socially anymore, just by myself. It's my way to unwind and decompress after a tough day, usually burn and read or hit the video games. Like you, I see it as a reward, almost like a beer or a drink at the end of the day.
I'm in Canada and there are quite a few I know in the capital markets and MBBs who do this. Have even had clients / buyside ask for a toke on nights out, though this isn't the norm. Usually the younger tech bros but man sometimes the last people you would think of (think middle-aged, suburban dad). Generally quite accepted here but am still careful who I burn with in the professional sphere.
Long term my drinking is def going to come down but I don't think I'll quit burning. No impact to my social or professional life and not really much of a hangover so to speak.
OP here - are you a VP at a top big 5? Have seen a bunch of "VP in IB - Gen" posts on the forum with comments that I can relate to and I'm pretty sure it's the same person (have a strong hunch which firm but don't know group). Obviously won't go further than that for the sake of anonymity but if so, pretty funny that we have similar habits and potentially work on the same floor. Despite pot being legal the only reason I posted this anonymously is because as you know, it's still considered taboo by many so prefer not to leave a paper trail. I'll be looking out for bloodshot eyes in the elevator once things open back up (jk)..
Smoked daily during my analyst years - same vibe, nothing like getting home at 1am and clearing your mind of the day’s labor. I have several friends on the buyside who still smoke regularly - even some who are partners at their firms
These days I keep it to the weekends mostly, but I’m looking forward to NYC shops opening up and it being less of a pain
Yes, I can definitely relate to this, especially smoking late at night after a long day. I like to think of it as an off switch after I’ve been stressed or stimulated for 12-14 hours. I don’t really think there’s anything wrong with that in the short-term and this is likely comparable or better to how most individuals use alcohol after work.
Unfortunately I have friends who smoke close to 10 times a day and have no motivation or ideas about careers (like I would hear clanking of glass from a bong while still asleep at like 8 am). However, if you are only smoking at night and stopping on vacations, then I don’t think you are addicted nor is there any problem really, especially if you’re in a legal state.
Yep, recently kicked the habit bc it flared up my anxiety a ton. Used to smoke to stop the worries but it started enhancing it.
In terms of work product though, went to a non target school, and grinded into an NYC IB seat after lateralling from a back office consulting gig. Only started smoking excessively once I started working full time. I think it definitely helped allow me to focus on making the transition to IB while all my friends were out getting black out drunk / doing god knows what in club stalls every weekend. There's no weed hangover the next morning, whereas a casual NYC night out will put you out of commission the next day till at least noon. So in my case, i think it may have even helped. That said, I think everything is better in moderation, whether weed or alcohol. But i would def take the casual joint after work over beer any day of the week, and hope we move toward a society where going to a weed bar for HH is as common as drinks haha.
How do you guys find a plug? Everyone seems to be in high finance which does not have a lot of stoners. Curious to hear how you source the goodies. I'm in college right now and my plug just retired unfortunately, don't know how I should approach finding a new one. Thanks
I smoke throughout most weekdays these days. I'm taking 2 - 3 second draws out of a PAX, 2 - 3 times a day. I akin the feeling to a buzz as opposed to being 'baked'. I've spent the last 16-months essentially alone and behind a computer screen building a business. It's helped by giving me "good anxiety" when my stomach can't handle any more caffeine. It's helped me to keep the blinders on and focused on my business for at least 90% of my waking life. In some of my loneliest moments behind the computer screen, it's been there with me to keep it moving ambiguously forward.
My mind is not as sharp when I'm high, but I'm still ~90%. Pot definitely makes me more awkward in social situations, but I don't really care when <10% of my work week requires me to even speak.
I'm planning a wedding, monitoring the construction of our new home and building a business. A lot of exercise and the pot have helped me stay on the straight and narrow.
I don't know what my future with pot looks like. I'm guessing it will fall off naturally as I physically have to be around people more. I do like it as an additive for yoga, running, weight-lifting alone and doing house chores. Let's see where it goes.
Honestly, I love the jazz cabbage, but had to quit to test the waters of sobriety. I smoked for 5 years straight and forgot what my life was like beforehand. It’s been almost a year, I miss it sometimes. I would function well, but couldn’t be well rounded. I sticked to mostly concentrates and loved distillate towards the end.
Maybe one day I’ll smoke again, I know I 100% will grow some plants though. I think it’s possible for people to function well off weed. You just gotta be real with yourself at the end of the day
I've heard growing is very challenging. It's definitely a skill.
Yes, it’s pretty challenging. Challenging to restrain yourself from overdoing a grow operation. Growing weed is super simple. My first and only grow was outdoors, harvested almost a pound of upper-mids which has lasted me through my senior year. It really isn’t that hard, just addictive. That plant becomes your baby haha....
Would love to hear people’s opinions on whether weed has significant long-term consequences. In the sense that you literally become dumber, slower, etc... in the long-term not just while using.
Started smoking freshman year and I’m now graduating high school. Just a dumb teenager but weed helps me deal with stress. I noticed that on tolerance breaks, short-term memory is much improved but I’m worried if I’ve permanently fucked myself. I know studies say weed drops iq by 5-10 points in chronic users long-term, but have any of you noticed these effects in-person? I figured some of the older folks on this site might have seen how people have changed long-term due to weed.
Cannabis doesn't really have maleffects to people 21+ as their minds have been fully developed. The danger in youth use is that it may affect mind development. If your mind has fully developed, you're probably fine.
My brain hasn’t fully developed....
This is false. Your IQ doesn't drop.
https://academic.oup.com/cercor/article/27/3/1922/3056289?login=true
I am too, went to target then PE
To be blunt, you are not a stoner. A stoner is someone who smokes weed in a similar frequency to that of someone who smokes cigarettes and is high pretty all day everyday, full on wake and bake personality. You on the other hand seem to have a smoking habit no different than someone who has a drink at the end of the day, which to me exactly the same, but because weed is still somewhat socially unacceptable people view it differently than alcohol. I workout early every morning so for me it's a great way to decompress at the end of certain high stress days in lieu of the more common alcoholic beverage, which can affect my workout the next morning.
As someone who has never smoked and thinks that it's a stupid habit, you'd be surprised at how many high functioning older people (lawyers, bankers, etc.) are lighting it up on a regular basis.
True - but it wouldn’t surprise me.
The surprise was more directed to the OP
I’m coming off 420 for recruiting and interviews coming up (drug test required if offer given) .. Day 1 of 30.....
you are not alone, I'll leave it at that
You’re the man.
to the haters, fuck off, everybody's body is different. I've been smoking weed heavily for nearly 20 years and continue to grow in my career, physical fitness, sex life, and all health markers are fine.
the key is not getting obliterated before you have to do some shit, treat pot as a reward not like a cup of coffee that you need. I never work under the influence, but as soon as I'm done for the day I'm rip city
to each his own, and I'd love to spark it up with you OP someday
Exactly
I’m recruiting right now and have to be clean for a minute and it sucks. This society is wack. 420 is not harmful to society.
Perferendis pariatur dolorem temporibus vel corporis distinctio. Optio voluptas reprehenderit natus dolore cupiditate. Aliquid corporis aut facere qui laborum similique et.
Architecto qui distinctio nemo dolor. Excepturi nobis corrupti tempore ad. Reprehenderit est eum consequatur voluptatum amet alias voluptas. Rerum et aut corporis dignissimos aperiam dolor magni.
Omnis voluptates delectus velit quia magni asperiores. Est et maxime similique voluptates illum. Dolorem ipsa qui dolores rerum consectetur.
Repudiandae voluptatem et fugit qui magni ut. Officiis quo vitae consequatur quasi laboriosam. Excepturi ratione molestiae optio quisquam. Et velit provident eaque aspernatur.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Maiores modi magnam consequuntur sed. Molestias cumque voluptatum dolore sed. Molestiae necessitatibus alias id dignissimos.
Eligendi quis et occaecati ea quod aut cum. Consectetur nihil explicabo est velit et. Neque aut est incidunt dolorem est eveniet velit. Aut id dolor veniam sunt praesentium aliquam iusto. Sit aliquid illo reprehenderit itaque laborum mollitia dolore. Quasi non et debitis blanditiis in.
Amet quia est voluptatum optio sapiente facilis ipsa. Eaque et dolore harum nesciunt in laborum est. Expedita et mollitia aut ut. Tempore consequatur error totam sit.
Voluptatum numquam perferendis aperiam esse iusto natus. Voluptates mollitia voluptas necessitatibus voluptas. Sit harum accusamus numquam voluptates dolor. Et qui voluptas et tempora aut harum. Sunt fugiat nihil possimus voluptatibus. Et facere cum repudiandae laborum consequatur rem ducimus.
Fugiat et ullam minus ratione quia asperiores. Labore ullam fuga nihil laboriosam et. Voluptatem facere aut aut eaque. Dolor officia id voluptate facilis et. Aut amet magni praesentium. Voluptas quos qui non vero. Mollitia doloremque unde itaque fugit consequuntur sunt quidem.
Aperiam enim omnis provident velit dolore laboriosam. Ipsa vel asperiores quo. Vero et impedit voluptas ex quia tempora enim id.
Accusantium error dolorem qui. Saepe iure vel veritatis.