Live data from Hacker News

A Survey of Programmers' Cannabis Usage, Perception, and Motivation

arxiv.org

191–200 of 269 posts

Re: A Survey of Programmers' Cannabis Usage, Perception, and Motivation

#191
I used to vape full spectrum THC+CBD cartridges and other forms of "vape juice" ("sugar", "oil", etc. are in that category) and consume THC+CBD edibles all day long, every day (except when I had to drive somewhere, I would stop for 4-6 hours or more prior to the trip), for about 2-3 (maybe 4?) years when I was in a legal state, but then I had to move to a non-legal state and since I have a kid it's no longer possible for me to use any weed (don't want to lose him to the system). I miss it so much, I was so much less stressed and calm with weed, and I was much more focused on work and I slept better. Now, I basically have to take shitty OTC sleep drugs and drink a pot (haha) of coffee a day in order to survive, and I yell way too much at my kid and get too angry at work. I wish we could just legalize it everywhere (fat chance of that happening) and make it like tobacco and alcohol, both of which are way worse for you than a daily weed habit.

Re: A Survey of Programmers' Cannabis Usage, Perception, and Motivation

#192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's possible to have different reactions to the same drug :) As someone that is a heavy longtime user and recently diagnosed ADHD (there is a deep relationship between cannabis/substances and ADHD), I did find during the pandemic that smoking cannabis prior to writing software made it feel more productive. Given I couldn't prove that I was really more productive, and there are other costs, I decided against using it…

“Feel more productive” - just like all the drunk drivers who swear, “I actually drive better drunk!”

Comparing "unfocused without cannabis" to "focused with cannabis" is a no brainer: I am definitely more productive with cannabis if it gets my butt in the chair and fingers typing on the keyboard. Comparing "focused without cannabis" to "focused with cannabis" is a different story, likely favoring the former as you are implying, but I think it is a bit less certain than driving drunk which is always dangerous.

Re: A Survey of Programmers' Cannabis Usage, Perception, and Motivation

#193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry if you have heard this before but you may have ADHD or something similar. I found myself in a similar pattern of using cannabis to motivate myself to do the more boring tasks that inevitably come up being a full time software engineer and after several months of therapy was diagnosed with ADHD. FWIW, I find that if I have a boring task and attempt to use cannabis to power through it, half of the time I complete…

I tried getting help for ADHD years ago but found it very difficult to get help for an adult that is high functioning. I'm pretty sure I have it but all the diagnostics focus on young children. The office where I had evaluations was loaded with whacked out kids. They just don't see it as a problem compared to those kids and the diagnosis is heavily focused on childhood behavior and excludes adults. The doctor, who I…

Telemedicine is great for avoiding those whacked out kids. I was able to find a great therapist (who I have never met in real life) through a mental health startup made available to me by my employer.

Re: A Survey of Programmers' Cannabis Usage, Perception, and Motivation

#194

I got my three kids desks for christmas. Put them down to bed for the night and smoke a little weed. I was shocked how I couldn’t follow ikea desk instructions. Got frustrated and decided to try again sober. I was super shocked the next day how easy it was to follow when sober.

Drugs significantly alter cognitive processes and perceptions. I know that reads like a duh comment because that's literally why people take them, but it's amazing how frequently drugs users forget that the drugs alter their perceptions of how the drug is impacting their lives. I've fortunately only had a few of my friends succumb to addictions, but it was surreal to watch them remain convinced that the drugs (includ…

My experience with LSD in my 20s was about as far from "micro" dosing as you can get. With that in mind, I found that while I did have some truly profound experiences, most often it was more along the lines of wasting time having fun. And things that seemed really deep while tripping were obviously and unambiguously superficial afterwards.

From various experimentations over the years, the only drugs that make a real positive difference in my cognitive function are caffeine (in large doses) and alcohol (in small to moderate doses).

Re: A Survey of Programmers' Cannabis Usage, Perception, and Motivation

#195

I've been a heavy, 1 oz. of Indica a week smoker for decades, while being an extremely productive lead and principal software engineer on dozens of highly visible tech products. I am part of a heavy smoking, high tech collective of startup and career research individuals from companies people use everyday. I start my day with a combination of THC and caffeine, which folds into a deep work and research focus lasting t…

The hippie speedball makes me ultra-productive, but unfortunately employers (well, mine) are probably not cool with me being high on Zoom calls. :/

I just wanted to chime in and say that, for some people, THC+caffeine in the right settings can give you a nice hyper-focus. I wish I could use the combo more often.

Re: A Survey of Programmers' Cannabis Usage, Perception, and Motivation

#196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you considered d switching to vaping? It's so much more efficient that you'd likely only use 1/2 oz, or maybe even 1/3 oz.

The efficiency, the dosage limitation and convenience is amazing, and its been a a few months when I smoked a joint. But I still find the joint to be better experience, not sure why, maybe the trace amounts of CBD.

smoking always trumps dry vape, oil, wax, and edibles. I've found joints to be the easiest but least efficient way to smoke (its hard to charge a smoker with paraphernalia for having papers if you also carry a bag of tobacco). bowls are better but have to be cleaned. bongs and bubblers are top dog but they are bulky and even harder to clean than bowls.

Re: A Survey of Programmers' Cannabis Usage, Perception, and Motivation

#197

> Furthermore, this cannabis usage is primarily motivated by a perceived enhancement to certain software development skills (such as brainstorming or getting into a programming zone) rather than medicinal reasons How can anyone who has tried it remotely believe this nonsense?

I’ve tried weed, got addicted to it in college and have seen many people do the same. It made me lazy, completely unmotivated and unproductive. All I did was watch Anime and eat unhealthy foods. Contrary to the notion that you can think about great ideas and brainstorming - it’s amazing when you’re high. Write down those ideas and think about them when sober - I quickly realized how foolish they were. Concentration a…

In my experience, lazy people who already love eating and watching TV will double down on this behavior when using cannabis. It can make you feel comfortable and OK with things, and also triggers the appetite. So instead of becoming satiated/bored with your activities and moving to something else, you remain in place.

Others who are not as thrilled with consuming food and media to begin with will have different cannabis experiences. You'll probably find them exercising, making art/music, or creating software like mentioned in the article.

I'm sorry if this offends you, but your statement might say more about you as a person than about the effects of cannabis.

Re: A Survey of Programmers' Cannabis Usage, Perception, and Motivation

#198

Anecdotal but I'm a "programmer" at BigTech™ and smoke all day every day, and at this point I can't tell if it helps me or hinders me, but when you smoke all the time, most of these stories you are hearing about in the comments don't happen. At this point in my life, it's just a little "pick me up". It's by no means a micro dose as I probably smoke a gram or 2 a day. But when you live high it's a different kind of be…

> Maybe it helps, maybe it doesn't, but I like being high and at this point I am addicted for sure anyway.

I smoked occasionally since my 20's and by occasionally i mean 3-4 times a year if even. then around 35 I started smoking on my own and it went from a puff or two at 9pm to help sleep to 3-4 j's a day. Like you I cant tell if it does anything any more. Likely I'm just giving myself lung cancer. And I too enjoy being intoxicated. my family is full of addiction so it figures.

Bottom line is YMMV and be careful with self medicating.

Re: A Survey of Programmers' Cannabis Usage, Perception, and Motivation

#199
This seems like a good place to drop a cool tip I learned recently. You can cure a weed overdose (the whitey) quickly with black pepper. Sniff it for instant relief, or swallow some whole corns. You can pop a few peppercorns pre-emptively too before you indulge. No more paranoia or anxiety.

Re: A Survey of Programmers' Cannabis Usage, Perception, and Motivation

#200
post #191

I used to vape full spectrum THC+CBD cartridges and other forms of "vape juice" ("sugar", "oil", etc. are in that category) and consume THC+CBD edibles all day long, every day (except when I had to drive somewhere, I would stop for 4-6 hours or more prior to the trip), for about 2-3 (maybe 4?) years when I was in a legal state, but then I had to move to a non-legal state and since I have a kid it's no longer possible…

That’s weird - I had to go off weed during a highly stressful period of my life. It temporarily made me forget about how stressful things were but then it all came crashing back after it wore off. I didn’t have time to process the stress sober.

I’ve heard it’s very useful for extremely traumatic or temporarily stressful incidents but I found the opposite for chronic stress.

Post reply on HN