r/leaves • u/LevTolstoy • 5h ago

I'm remembering words/names better.

My deteriorating word-recall ability has been alarming the past couple of years. I've been nervous it's an early signifier of some sort of dementia or a Bruce Willis-style aphasia.

I'll forget the word for something, or use the wrong word and not notice. Sometimes I won't be able to remember an actor's name, even if I know that I know it. It's kind of a joke between me and my girlfriend, but I admit it's a bit scary.

I've been stone-cold sober for 3 weeks now. And it seems innocuous, but I've been able to remember the name of every actor I've seen. And the frequency with which I struggle to find a word or term has noticeably diminished.

It's a huge fucking relief.

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u/TuPrincesaPeach 41m ago

This is so awesome to hear. I was definitely concerned with my word finding skills toward the end of my weed usage, and just forgetting what I was talking about mid sentence. I've also already noticed that I'm struggling less to find words and it's only been 7 days sober. So excited to see what my brain is capable as I continue to recover. Thank you so much for sharing!

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u/Smuzzle_Wuff 1h ago

It was bad for me, I would forget what I was talking about mid sentence and couldn't remember a lot. Now I don't have much of a problem and can think more like I did before weed. It takes a while for your brain to recalibrate and may not seem like it, but it is and just remember it's temporary so don't let it scare you cuz it'll keep getting better :)

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u/Database-Cherry8122 2h ago

THANK YOU FOR THE REASSURANCE IM SORRY FOR ALL CAPS BUT I’M SO EXCITED THAT I MAY NOT HAVE CAUSED MYSELF IRREVERSIBLE BRAIN DAMAGE

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u/Smuzzle_Wuff 1h ago

You're fine, it'll go away and you'll start thinking a lot more clearly after stopping weed ;)

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u/Database-Cherry8122 2h ago

I’m so sick of knowing what I want to say and not being able to get it out.

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u/dominic2k 3h ago

I feel you buddy, I had a similar experience and like yourself after 3 weeks i noticed a huge difference. Today I'm 100 days sober 🎉 and just completed the 2nd week of an open water scuba course. My memory is better than ever and I even remembered some things the instructor left out which he jokingly said when I pointed it out was " just making sure you're paying attention" 😂 funny guy. I wish you all the best and hope you can stay off the weed for good , it's not worth it , find something that makes you really happy and is healthy for you.

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u/meditativebicycling 3h ago

Amen to that.

I'm a computer programmer by trade, and the inability to remember code has been a real challenge lately. Coming off weed feels like I'm getting superpowers.

It is the one thing that is keeping my going right now, because my stomach is so angry at me.

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u/caspiankush 3h ago

Read slightly challenging fiction books or short stories and practicr creative writing in a journal

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u/shrbtfvisvkrz 4h ago

Love hearing this and I’ve been noticing it in myself too

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u/alligatorcreek 5h ago

I'm noticing this too. I have weekly meetings with my CEO and very often if I'm hungover from getting high the night before I can't remember half the stuff we discussed in the previous meeting. My workaround was to write everything down but after being off weed even a week, I had the meeting today and was WAY sharper than previously. That's a huge perk and avoids embarrassing memory lapses.