No not cannabis, I'm on a prescription painkiller called tramadol. It's an opiate painkiller, and I'm sick to death of having to be on it. Ever since I started using it on a regular basis (about last January) I've noticed a steady decline in my cognitive function, mainly my processing speed. As long as I'm on this stuff my brain is so much slower, I can't write like I used to, I can't learn nearly as effectively, I don't have the sharp mind I used to make use of daily. If I want to read the books I love, I have to do it in the morning and not take any, then have it at noon and by then the pain is too much. Otherwise when I'm on it I plod through so slowly it takes me like 4 minutes to finish a page and I have to keep re-reading paragraphs to retain them.

I'm feeling so frustrated right now I want to throw my fist through the wall. My intellect has always been my most valued posession and I feel it going down the drain, struggling with everything like I'm fucking retarded. I know it's the tramadol because when I'm not on it my intelligence is back 100%. I take it every day, and if I try to go without the pain becomes overwhelming until I finally break and take some anyway. I'm not physically addicted, the pain just really is that bad.

I want to quit it so much and have my mind back. Are there any other options besides quitting it? Like would a doc be willing to put me on methylphenidate (commonly labeled "ritalin"), if I just find one who's willing? Would the right B-Vitamin combo help? Is there anything I can do?
Gandalf_The_Grey Reviewed by Gandalf_The_Grey on . I hate being on drugs. How can I restore my mental clarity? No not cannabis, I'm on a prescription painkiller called tramadol. It's an opiate painkiller, and I'm sick to death of having to be on it. Ever since I started using it on a regular basis (about last January) I've noticed a steady decline in my cognitive function, mainly my processing speed. As long as I'm on this stuff my brain is so much slower, I can't write like I used to, I can't learn nearly as effectively, I don't have the sharp mind I used to make use of daily. If I want to read the Rating: 5