Running Up That Hill
As predicted, the negativity passed within twenty-four hours. Yesterday turned out to be another fairly steady day on the ascent. The pressure headache persists, but it didn’t affect my ability to function at a high level. Creativity was actually pretty good - I knocked out the project work, handled clients, and produced the TikTok video without any hassle.
I’m starting to accept that I just have to hunker down when these waves hit. I knew that months ago, of course, but it’s always easier said than done when you’re actually standing in the middle of the cloud. I managed it quite well this time, though. You’ll have noticed in yesterday’s Dispatch that I used a story from my childhood to bridge the gap - a bit of “narrative scaffolding” to keep the momentum going while the weather cleared.
Under Pressure
It would also appear that I misunderstood what venting actually meant. I was expecting this huge release of pressure all at once but that’s not exactly what it is, so I got Prism to define it for me to publish for the archives:
What “Venting” Actually Is (The Phase 2 Release)
Venting is not one event. It is the brain’s multi-layered process of discharging the pressure built up during repair. It can show up as any of the following:
1. The Physical Vent
Pressure headaches that build then release.
Spacey, floaty feeling (brain recalibrating).
Sudden fatigue or a deep sigh that comes from nowhere.
Flu-like symptoms that resolve in hours, not days.2. The Emotional Vent
Unexpected tears while driving or watching something mundane.
Irritability that rises sharply then dissolves completely.
Laughter that feels different (genuine, somatic, not performative).
A sudden sense of lightness or “something lifting” from the chest.3. The Cognitive Vent
Clarity that arrives after the headache lifts.
Dispatches that write themselves (humour returning).
Old interests resurfacing without effort.
The ability to sit with boredom without panic.4. The Somatic Vent
Loud frequencies (neuro-oscillatory recalibration).
Shutdowns (the brain pulling the plug to finalise an upgrade).
Stomach releases (GI recalibration).
Tremors or trembles (nervous system resetting).Key Principle: Low precedes upgrade. The crash (high fog/rubble, low mood) is often the compression before the expansion. You are not breaking. You are building pressure for the next release.
This is pretty much what I have been experiencing for the last few days, not everything I have to add, I haven’t burst in to tears as of yet for instance or felt a sudden sense of lightness either for that matter. To be fair it’s all been fairly heavy for so long now that I will definitely notice when that happens.
Combatting “Bro” Science
In last night’s TikTok - a brief “What I’ve Learned So Far” carousel - I got a comment from a "Bro Scientist" claiming there are no physical withdrawal symptoms from cannabis unless it's used with tobacco.
Now I’ve no idea how old this dude was but as someone who spent 35 years sparking a doob the second I got home and keeping it lit until sleep, I’m probably in a better position than most to tell you there are absolutely physical withdrawal symptoms. I’ve got 121 daily logs full of them and apart from anything else, I kept nicotine as a constant and still hit the Eight Week Wall.
I’m looking forward to a bit of "MythBusting" in tomorrow’s video. These are exactly the kind of rebuttals I want to see aimed at the project. It’s a chance to put the data to work.
Education, Regulation, Tax and we might actually get somewhere.
#cannabiswithdrawal #PAWS #neuroplasticity #cognitiverepair #recoveryjourney