As we know now, cannabis has been used for hundreds of years among ancient civilizations around the world to focus, heal pain and relax. Not much has changed today, except for the fact that cannabis consumption has become more accepted and even legalized.
Meditation is similar. With prehistoric beginnings linked to Hinduism and Buddhism, meditation is now recognized for its ability to calm and help with healing, leaned on by everyone from soccer moms to high-powered businesspeople to elderly retirees.
But what happens when you combine the practices of meditation and cannabis consumption? It turns out cannabis has the ability to enhance the meditative state and create a more beneficial experience for many. This article explores:
History of Cannabis and Meditation
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The idea of consuming cannabis before meditation may seem like a modern practice as the combination of two activities that have rapidly gained popularity in past decades. But the roots are ancient. The earliest mention of cannabis is found in The Vedas, a sacred Hindu text. Cannabis is mentioned as one of five sacred plants in writings compiled somewhere between 2000 and 1400 B.C. The god Shiva was also known for having a penchant for the leafy plant. Then there’s meditation, which early records from the same Vedic text describe around 1500 B.C., so it’s easy to see where there might’ve been some overlap.
Ancient China is another example of evidence of meditation combined with cannabis consumption. In the Divine Farmer’s Classic of Materia Medica (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing), the earliest Chinese text on herbal medicine from 25–220 A.D., medicinal herbs are described to induce hallucinations, foster spiritual connection, and generate feelings of lightness in the body.
Consuming Cannabis Before Meditation
Before you try smoking or ingesting cannabis in anticipation of a meditation session, there are a few disclaimers to be aware of:
- Cannabis is not necessary. In order to achieve a deep meditative state of calm and introspection, you don’t need to use cannabis. This article simply explores the potential benefit of using both practices together.
- Limited research available. We have thousands of years of stories and anecdotal evidence to look back on, but modern scientific research is limited when it comes to cannabis and meditation used together.
- Individual experiences may vary. Like all experiences with cannabis, nothing is guaranteed, and everyone will have a slightly different experience. What works for someone may not work for another.
Potential Benefits of Meditation with Cannabis
If you’re a regular cannabis user, you’re already well aware of the effects it has on your mind and body. With the right strain and a conducive environment, it’s easy to see how cannabis consumption could go hand in hand with the practice of meditation. Here are some potential benefits:
Become More Introspective
With the unique ability to help people become more introspective, many people use cannabis to process their own reality. With clearer perspective under the influence of cannabis, you’re able to look back on your former sober state to analyze your thoughts and emotions. Achieving this state of introspection could help you find inner peace and clarity when practicing meditation.
Slow Down
Everyday life is busy, loud and chaotic. It can be difficult to force yourself into a different gear for something like meditation. That’s where cannabis may help, with the unique ability to help us slow down, release tension, and relax.
Spiritual Benefits
The spiritual benefits of meditation are rooted in inner peace, empathy, self awareness and a deeper connection with the world we live in. Cannabis has the ability to heighten those feelings and make them just a little more potent.
Experience Less Discomfort
Practicing meditation may be physically uncomfortable for many, as it often requires stillness, silence, and stationary position for longer periods of time. With its natural healing properties and unique ability to help us relax, cannabis is a tool that can be used to minimize that discomfort.
Choosing a Strain for Meditation
When embarking on a meditation journey with the aid of cannabis, it’s a good idea to be mindful of the strain you select. It could make a difference. If you need assistance choosing a strain, the budtender at your local cannabis shop could be a big help.
Regardless of which strain you choose, it’s important to always start with a low dose. This is especially true if you’re new to either practicing meditation or consuming cannabis in general. Overdoing it could lead to a negative result, so always start low and only increase your dosage if you feel comfortable.
Also note that the effects of different strains are known to vary from person to person. With expected benefits assigned to each strain, remember that these are not a prescription but instead just a general sense of direction.
- Indica. Indica-dominant strains are known to produce what feels like a “body high”. Strains like these are popular for nighttime, often helping people unwind, get ready for bed, and relax. For these reasons, Indica-heavy strains could be a great option for meditation.
- Sativa. Sativa is known as the “daytime strain”, generally associated with higher energy levels and more uplifting feelings. A sativa-dominant strain is often best for more productive activities, and could help your mental clarity during meditation.
- CBD. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the non-psychoactive compound in cannabis, meaning it can’t produce the feeling of being “high” on its own. CBD has the potential to improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and ease pain. Plus, the only FDA approved cannabis product on the market is a CBD one, used to treat certain seizure disorders.
If you’re ready to start a journey of meditation with the help of cannabis, Cheeky’s Cannabis Merchants can help you find the right products for you. With locations in Maple Ridge, Vancouver, Mission and North Saanich on Vancouver Island, we’re proud of our welcoming shopping environments and super friendly staff that are always eager to help. Visit us today or browse our online cannabis menu.