[smokeitaway]

The phrase "burnt out hippie" exists for a good reason. I was widely regarded as brilliant when I started smoking. After 30 years of smoking almost every day, and about 5 years of smoking a few times a year, I'm noticeably dumber than peers who didn't smoke, who I used to run circles around. With very few exceptions, I've only used weed. For me, the biggest harm was brain damage.

[dabears]

I'm curious what you're really trying to say here and why feel the need to compare yourself to your peers in such a way. Do you feel like you wasted those years because your peers are "smarter" than you now?

[xu_ituairo]

I get the feeling they’re saying they regret smoking so much because it’s cognitively damaged them long term, which isn’t good.

(I imagine the friends here are a rough “control” for baseline cognitive potential)