Faded

Inspiration:

Cannabis has become mainstream, but with rising usage comes a silent challenge: many people want to quit or cut back without stigma, judgment, or clinical rehab. We realized there’s no dedicated digital tool that empowers users to regulate cannabis in a supportive, modern, and relatable way—so we built Faded.

What it does:

Faded helps users quit or control their cannabis use through personalized goal setting, behavioral insights, streaks/milestones, and optional community support. It’s like Noom for cannabis wellness: not anti-weed, but pro-choice and pro-control. Users can track their consumption, get nudges when they’re about to overuse, and celebrate progress toward healthier habits.

How we built it:

We developed Faded as a cross-platform app, combining React Native (Expo) for frontend, multiple other backend services for the backend, and AI-driven micro-coaching for habit-building nudges. We designed it with privacy in mind—data stays secure and user-first.

Challenges we ran into:

• Striking the right balance between supportive and judgment-free language.
• Designing habit-building mechanics that actually engage, not overwhelm.
• Handling privacy/security while keeping onboarding frictionless.

Accomplishments that we're proud of:

• Built a fully functional MVP in record time.
• Designed a product that feels approachable and stigma-free.
• Created a unique position in the cannabis tech space: wellness, not consumption.

What we learned:

• Language matters—users resonate with empowerment, not shame.
• Habit change is personal; flexibility is key.
• Investors and users alike see value in the “responsible cannabis” category.

What's next for Faded:

• Add integrations with wearables to detect patterns (sleep, anxiety, mood).
• Partner with telehealth and wellness providers for premium coaching.
• Build a strong community layer for peer accountability.
• Scale beyond cannabis into the broader self-control and moderation space (alcohol, nicotine, screen time).

Built With

• appwrite
• expo.io
• gemini
• google-cloud
• react-native
• revenuecat