10 Signs You Need to Reset Your Canna-Clock

Cannabis can fit into a variety of different social settings, it can relax us when we're embracing solitude, and it can improve our focus or creativity when we need an extra boost in our hobbies or work. It can help a multitude of ailments or be an ice-breaker towards a conversation. We rely on it to unwind us, or improve our drive, or help us tolerate a sickness.

But every once in a while, we have to evaluate whether or not consuming cannabis is improving or hindering our realities; our life. Like everything else in the world, too much of a good thing can become a curse. Though we can't necessarily overdose on cannabis, we can certainly be consuming too much of it on the daily.

Here's ten sure signs it's time to take a break from consuming cannabis.

1) All excess money goes towards buying the greens.

You've searched the couch cushions, beneath the car seats, have collected all debts from your friends, have smoked the last of the resin in your pipes... This is a clear sign you need to take a step back and evaluate your cannabis use. It should never become a financial burden, because as soon as it is, it affects other financial areas of your life and unnecessary debt will encompass you. Have a monthly limit set aside for your cannabis and don't go over it.

2) Your goals have been on hold.

You're motivated to get your butt back in the gym. Today is the day you are going to get ahead in your work. You're going to spend more time with your family. But instead you end up going home after work or school and find yourself searching for the vape pen and zoning out in front of Netflix until you pass out. Sure, it's okay if this happens once. Maybe twice. But as soon as you realize you're replacing all your free time to get ahead in life with the simple act of consuming cannabis and zoning out/partying/etc... It's time to put the greens down and take a break while getting back on track with your life's schedule of achievements. Don't let cannabis be the cause of your laziness.

3) Smoking is an all-day routine.

After your wake-and-bake session, it's only about an hour or two before you hit the greens again. Then another hour or two until you smoke a blunt with your friends during lunch. Let's not forget about the few hits you take during your breaks at work or school - and you've gotta hit the bong once you're back home and can relax. Then there's that sweet indica that knocks you down into slumber town. Each smoke session isn't a micro-dose, it's a full-on smoke session. This is a sign you're becoming overly dependent on the plant to function throughout the day. It's time to put the pipe down to begin reducing your intake. Cannabis may not be like prescription drugs in that no one can overdose on it, but it certainly has the potential to make you psychologically dependent on it - and we don't want that occurring. We suggest cutting out smoking in the mornings, giving you something to look forward to after your goals are met throughout the day.

4) You've begun searching for higher concentrations of THC.

It's natural to want to try high levels of THC to see how high we can really get. Experimenting with cannabinoid percentages can be fun, especially with friends in a town like Las Vegas. However, if you are a regular consumer and you've been buying strains with higher-than-average percentages of THC and are still not getting the high or stone you are searching for, then this is a sign your body has developed a tolerance for the plant. It's a clear sign that you must take a break from cannabis - you can always start with two days at first and work your way up from there.

Learn More: How to Reset Your Physical & Psychoactive Response to Cannabis

5) You depend on cannabis for creativity or focus.

Cannabis can certainly help us in the realm of creativity. Some strains can stir the thoughts in our head, with epiphanies surfacing so long as we have the right stimulus and triggers in our environment. But if it has become nearly impossible to focus or find creativity without consuming it, this is detrimental to our well-being. We don't want to become dependent in any way on the plant (using for medical purposes is the exception). Give your brain a break - your lack in ability to focus might have its root cause in another health issue you're unaware of. By giving your body time to readjust and normalize itself from taking a break from THC & other cannabinoids, you can evaluate your health and what causes your focus to break or your creativity to be hindered.

6) Consuming is affecting your relationships.

Has anyone told you they prefer your company when you're not high? Consider whether there's anyone you care about in your life that would enjoy your company better when you're sober. Cannabis use becomes a problem, especially for parents that consume, when the spouse or children realize you're consuming and either 1) steer clear of you or 2) take advantage of your mental state. I knew a family where the wife was consistently getting stoned and her kids would ask her questions (for things or to do things) that she would have said no to if sober. Ensure you're not making bad decisions involving others while consuming.

7) Your memory isn't what it used to be.

Cannabis use is linked to short-term memory loss which is normal. We've all forgotten where we put down the vape pen, or tossed our keys after a cleaning binge on an energetic high. But if you're consistently searching for your things, pretty much every day, this is a problem. Or forgetting more important things, like turning off the oven when done cooking - or locking the door before leaving your home. Or picking the kids up... It's time to take a break to ensure such memory loss isn't being caused by something more serious.

8) Guilt.

For whatever reason, there's a sick sense of guilt when you consume. It could be the social stigma, it could be a personal reason linked to a past event in your life. It could be because someone you're close to and love doesn't approve at all. Whatever the reason, guilt should never be a feeling attached to cannabis. It's a medicine for patients, and a fun escape for recreational consumers. But guilt? It's time to evaluate how much your smoking, if it's necessary, and how to cut down so that you can cut down on the guilt too.

9) You're breaking your own consumption rules.

We give ourselves rules for a reason. Don't smoke before visiting mom. Don't smoke before driving. Only smoke a little bit in the morning to ensure paranoia doesn't set in. Never smoke with cousin X. Whatever your rules are, you've found yourself breaking them - coming up with excuses as to why it's okay. "Mom won't notice if I've only had one hit." - "I'm only driving a mile, I'll be okay if I take a few hits form the vape pen"... etc. Breaking your own rules means you're placing cannabis as a priority over other, more important aspects of your life. Keep a clear head, and stick to your rules - it starts by cutting back!

10) You evaluate every situation with 'would this be better if I'm high?'

You have hobbies and places you love to go. You have friends you love to talk to and be with. But now you're wondering if everything you do would be better with some THC in your system. This is a precursor towards psychological addiction. While it's okay to experiment with situations and whether or not they're better while consuming, it's unnatural to want to be high during every situation every day. Work, play, relaxing, etc. If you can't get the greens off your mind, it's time to take a break from them and reset your canna-clock.

Discover More: 10 Undesirable Side-Effects of Cannabis + Remedies

If you're experiencing any of the above situations regarding cannabis use, consider taking a break from it for a day or two and evaluate how you feel mentally and physically. It'll be the hardest to quit those first few days, but it gets progressively easier with each sober day. Once you're functioning normally without the use of cannabis, you'll discover that the next time you do decide to consume, your tolerance level will be low once again.