Between the commitments and obligations of modern life, the mind is left on its own for only brief pockets of time if at all. Long days at the office, to-do lists, relationships, hobbies and pets keep us hyper-active day in and day out, challenging our ability to meet even our most basic needs like meals and sleep. As a result, our minds act as task masters, standing at the ready to help us through each day.
At the end of most days, our minds are exhausted. Sometimes it feels like we’ve been busy all day long – but what have we really done? More often than not, our minds have been given hardly any time to be alone and present. So what are we missing out on?
Mindfulness
When we stop what we’re doing to be in the moment without interrogation or distraction from the outside world, that’s when we can achieve mindfulness. People who practice mindfulness are awake to what’s going on around them and in their mind, which helps ease the stress of everyday life in exchange for peace.
Deep Thought
The attention required for our busy lives has also left deep thought to be sacrificed. When’s the last time you sat and thought about one thing for more than 20 minutes – or 2 minutes for that matter, without being prodded with distractions and intrusive thoughts? Chances are it’s been a while. As a result, our minds grab the only time seemingly available to think deeply – the moments after we put our phones down while we attempt to sleep.
Cannabis could be the answer to help us achieve mindfulness and the space for deep thought. This popular drug can used recreationally to stimulate our sociability and make life a little more enjoyable, but it can also be harnessed as a tool for meditation, slowing down, becoming more mindful and thinking deeply.
Deepening Meditative Practices with Cannabis
Using cannabis is an excellent way to get more out of your meditation time and improve your ability to be mindful. You’ll feel as if you’ve entered a deeper state of relaxation and consciousness, which will help you focus on feelings of calmness and relaxation. On top of that, cannabis forces us to stay in the moment and pay attention to what’s really going on around us. You’ll become familiar with feelings of inner peace during your meditation practice, making the process of achieving mindfulness all the more rewarding.
If you’re new to meditating with cannabis, it’s best to start out with a small dose and gradually increase it as you become more comfortable. It also might be worthwhile to choose a strain a little higher in Cannabidiol (CBD) and lower in Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as CBD is known to promote feelings of calmness. Indica strains will also work well, as some produce more of a sedative effect. Talk to your local Cannaseurs for assistance picking out a strain. Once you’ve chosen a strain, you’ll need to find yourself an appropriate environment for meditation – a safe space that won’t threaten you with distraction.
Reducing Anxiety & Welcoming Deep Thought with Cannabis
There is a growing body of research that suggests cannabis can help reduce our anxiety and even improve serious anxiety disorders. While studies aren’t fully conclusive to the point where cannabis is prescribed, studies like this one from 2015 suggest that CBD can be a highly effective treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute at the University of Washington also published a paper in 2017 on the effects of marijuana on mental health. They found that THC is able to decrease anxiety when taken in low doses only, while CBD appears to decrease anxiety at all dosage levels.
When our anxiety is minimized, our mind is able to slow down, relax and truly live in the moment. This is the kind of space we can achieve mindfulness in. Provided we are alone without distraction, this headspace also provides us with an opportunity for deep thought.
As our mind gears down with the help cannabis, making us aware of our surroundings and present in the moment, we get a unique opportunity to think deeply like never before. Society today is not conducive to long periods of quiet thinking time, so this time has to be set aside intentionally.
During this special time reserved for deep though, when our minds aren’t racing, we have the chance to ponder some of life’s bigger questions and challenges. Leaving behind the fleeting thoughts we make day-to-day like “what should I have for dinner?” or “when can I find time to exercise?”, a space for deep thought allows us to think about our future, our past, our relationships and more. Cannabis can provide us with that opportunity, as long as we make the conscious choice to prioritize mindfulness.
Looking for the perfect strain to help you relax, slow your mind down, and become more mindful? The friendly staff at our two dispensary locations will be happy to help you out. Come find us in Kitsilano or Maple Ridge, where you’ll find everything from dozens of flower strains to edibles, concentrates, topicals and more.