should I take a break from smoking pot?

I am about to take a decision to completely stop smoking pot for a few months and want some opinions because I know there are many wise stoners in these forums who could share some helpful thoughts.

Here's my story: I started smoking pot 4 years ago, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Marijuana was perfect for me.. I enjoyed and loved everything about it. Over the next couple of years I grew into a passionate pothead. Being known as a big pothead was never really an issue because I still got good grades in college and was doing well generally.. and I was satisfied with only hanging out with stoners.
Anyway, in recent months weed has been affecting me for the worse. It started with occasional paranoia and weird thoughts, and now I have been getting panic attacks while on marijuana that are very unpleasant. I have had panic attacks of varying severity practically each of the last 10 or so occasions that I got high. After the panic attack is over I feel completely fine and I function perfectly when I am sober but a few days later when I toke again, it hits again and its always a horrid experience.
Truth is that I have often failed to moderate my marijuana use.. so now I don't enjoy being a pothead anymore, and I feel the need to enjoy life sober for a while. This is very hard for me to admit seeing as how I love pot so much and it's been such a huge part of my life for the past few years. I know that the cause of my panic attacks is just me and my mental state, but the weed is what triggers them so I want to stop smoking it for a while and start again some months down the road when I clear my head. At the same time, I'm worried about how things will be with my stoner friends if we're not going to be getting stoned together anymore. I know they will understand my decision and support me but I don't want my quitting weed to create a distance between us.
Has anyone ever been in a similar situation or taken a similar measure? If anyone can offer some advice I'd greatly appreciate it because at this point I'm not sure what role marijuana should play in my life and I need help resolving this

 

I think taking a break always helps to enjoy marijuana more.
I really need to take one after 4/20. A good long one.

 

If you feel like you need to stop smoking for a while, then do so. Simple.

I used to get REALLY bad panic attacks when I got stoned; sometimes so bad that my heart would begin beating so fast that it would cause seizures.........seriously. I have since learned to clear my mind and know that I was just freaking out, because I would focus on the fact that my heart was beating too fast, then I would panic, which would just cause my heart to beat faster and faster, sometimes reaching about 200bpm, which is no good. Personally, I decided it was worth sticking with it and getting past the panic attacks. Now I could smoke an ounce in a few hours with no bad effects.

But yeah......if you feel like you need to stop for a while, then do what is best for you and don't worry about your relationships with your friends because, if they are your true friends, they will understand and wait for you. Hell, you may even decide you don't wanna smoke anymore, which is perfectly fine and you can't worry about your friends when it comes to a decision like that. You can still hang out with your friends and remain close to them without smoking, afterall. If nothing else, imagine how stoned you will get after a couple of months without smoking.

I would, however, advise you to hold off on your little "break" until after 4/20. It will be a good day to have your last session before your break:spliff:

 

Perhaps a break would be good for you, i've never had major panic attacks so can't really comment on that. What i will say is try getting high, laying in your bed with your favourite music, a chill environment, where you know you're safe and all is well. You can hear all the advice in the world but ultimately the decision lies on your shoulders. It can be hard hanging out with stoners when they're all blazing and you're not but if they're true friends it'll be all good.

 

Less is more, moderaion is key. Give it a shot and see how you feel.