So much truth in this thread.
I smoke nearly every day. But it hasn't always been that way...
At the beginning of college (Junior now), I smoked every day, nearly all day. Then I had my first panic attack. I was like totally nuts for 2 hours, thinking the world was going to get me. I spent the next year with pretty awful anxiety, swearing on life to never smoke again. Well, I dedicated myself to curing the anxiety, and it sort of just disappeared all at once about a year later. (Wow, I'm just amazed thinking about it now).
I got a xanax prescription just because I could (although I never took it because of the highly addictive nature of benzos). After 6 months of no anxiety, I decided to give weed another shot and popped a xanny right before smoking in case something went wrong. I had a great time, and was right back at it again, except with a brand-new perspective and ability to handle any fear during it effectively.
Now, let me say a few things to all you stoners who have never had a panic attack:
1. No matter WHAT (can't emphasize this enough), if you are only high on weed and think you are dying YOU ARE NOT. PERIOD. NO EXCEPTIONS. Weed is 100% safe as far as dying goes. Sure, there is debate about long term effects (I disbelieve those), but that does not apply to dying from it in any way. I have a heart problem, and look at me now - running triathlons, marathons, etc.
2. If you do have a panic attack, that's all it is - a physical phenomenon that happened from smoking just the same as feeling relaxed or uncontrollably giggly happens. You are NOT crazy, and there's no reason to even really contemplate. Just laugh it off, this is THE KEY TO SUCCESS with anxiety. Treat it like it's your b*tch, give it no attention, and it will dissipate like the nothingness it is.
3. Never start Googling. This was my main mistake... I was freaking out and started reading anecdotes from people who were just as un-knowledgeable as I explaining how their lives were ruined and other bull****. It's not true, these people are just scared and trying to find advice.
Okay, that was one heck of a tangent, but I just never want anyone to go through what I did when it's so easily avoidable.