(06-11-2009, 09:41 AM)Sirius Wrote: Anybody think smoking (almost copius) ammounts of weed affects ones credibility also?
I think the key word here is copious.
When I quit weed, I had to get away from it completely in order to break the cycle. It was important to me to know that I wasn't addicted and could do without it. Later, I enjoyed it occasionally a few times, but without the urgency. And still later, I lost interest altogether.
I think Carla made a very good point in that chat: That the real issue is whether there is a loss of control. If we give away our power to any substance, whether it be weed, alcohol, sugar, coffee, or whatever, then that's not cool.
Sometimes it's hard to tell whether we can have a healthy relationship with the substance (ie. enjoy occasional, moderate use) until we get away from it for awhile. I found that if I was dependent on something, my mind came up with all sorts of justifications for it! I know with stronger substances that are physically addicting, like alcohol, cigarettes, etc., few people can go back to moderation after being addicted...the addiction seems to creep back up on them and they're back where they started.
In my experience, weed was not in that category. I just chose to leave it, but I don't feel that it would have been harmful to indulge occasionally, had I wanted to.
I do have a frame of reference, because I was addicted to amphetamines (earlier generation of speed) back in the late 1970s, and THAT was some evil stuff!! A little weed now and then is very mild in comparison!
Still, I've seen some friends who got high on a daily basis suffer from memory loss, lack of motivation, and the inability to confront emotions. So we get into the question of: Is it being used for occasional relaxation, or as a crutch to avoid dealing with catalyst? If the latter, has it become a habitual escape from that catalyst? imho, that is the most important question of all! Any substance, whether it be weed, alcohol, or even tv, becomes counterproductive if it interferes with accomplishing what we set out to learn in this precious lifetime.
I might change my opinion once I learn more about the supposed 'holes in the aura' - looking forward to that info - but for now, I would say that its biggest danger is in keeping the person asleep (as Ra said about excessive tv) when they could be awake and more fully utilizing catalyst to polarize.
I've heard that it takes about 6 weeks for the THC to no longer be detectable in the body. Not sure if that's true! (Does anyone know?) My suggestion would be to avoid it for awhile, maybe 7 months instead of just 7 weeks, and then re-evaluate its value in your life.