Sanctuary Wellness Institute
People are inherently creative. And while humanity’s rich library of creative works has been produced by artists who don’t have working relationships with cannabis, it has undeniably influenced millions of artists throughout recorded history. Studies have shown that cannabis fuels our frontal lobe – the area associated with creativity – bringing forth and amplifying the imagination that lives inside. We’ve also learned that THC increases our production of dopamine – a neurotransmitter serving as our brain’s self-reward system, causing feelings of euphoria and confidence. Because of cannabis’ individualized effect, it can be difficult to put that uncharted experience in a box. However, we can observe its influence on prominent artists for measure – because for many, cannabis is their most powerful instrument.
Does art imitate life? Or does life imitate art?
The marriage of cannabis and creativity is legendary. Artists have turned to cannabis when searching for deeper engagement with their craft, and with their inner being. Think of the most famous and influential artists of our time – The Beatles’ affinity for cannabis is well-documented and prevalent in their music. Like with Doctor Robert – cannabis helped them evolve from the blueprints of rock and pop, which has immeasurably shaped the sounds and styles of the last 50 years. Their voice inspired an entire generation of youth to embrace and experiment with who they were – to love one another, and learn to live in their own peace. That message still continues to this day.
The Lost Generation – the infamous writer’s group in post-WWI Paris (including Ernest Hemingway. T.S. Elliot, and Scott Fitzgerald) – were notoriously influenced by Alice B. Toklas’ pot brownies she’d provide at social gatherings. The way Van Gogh plays with movement in his world, through his use of color and brushstrokes… the way countless artists use color and textures in their art – all illustrations and projections of our connection to the natural world. As cannabis helps us open the door to our subconscious selves, for many, creative expression is able to flow more freely, while sometimes illuminating us to our deeper fears and desires.
Most importantly, cannabis can be an instrumental aid in deep personal expression. It can help us see beyond the veil, to the greater hidden depths of our inner beauty and our darkness. It allows the artist to enhance their senses – embracing every possibility, stripped of the anxiety that comes with self-deprecation (a trait that most artists are plagued with). Cannabis allows the artist to exercise divergent thinking, (another great effect of dopamine), giving them the strength to step out of their own way, and unearth thoughts and concepts they’d otherwise ignore. It helps us to our truth. And if the artist is truly brave, they will stop at nothing to get us to that truth. Cannabis can help us get there, while cushioning us from the harsh tone our greatest critics – ourselves.
Cannabis and Yoga: Elevate Your Practice
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Close your eyes, breathe in through your nose, and out from your mouth, as you finally enter Savasana (Shavasana), the final pose of your session. Feel your muscles sink into your mat and the ground below you. Feel your toes, your fingers, your breath. Consider everything you’re grateful for; everything you wish to manifest. Take another breath as you find your way back to a sitting position. Bring your hands to prayer in gratitude. Namaste.
Yoga bridges the connection between the body (creation) and the breath (the essence of creation). By introducing difficult physical challenges, the yogi or practitioner can find peace through breath alone, creating a connection and alignment with their spirit. Yoga is also about discovery and empowerment; inner peace and awareness. For many yogis, Savasana is the most satisfying part of yoga – the peace discovered in accomplishing the journey of the work.
Yoga and cannabis have been linked together for centuries as people have used cannabis to enhance their practices, minds, and spirituality. In Hindu tradition, Lord Shiva (supreme god) gifted his people with cannabis to help them find enlightenment and inspiration. Recent discoveries have also shown that combining cannabis with yoga lifts your spirit and elevates your practice. Improved flow and visualization helps you acknowledge and manifest your intentions in meditation, creating a deeper inward connection and shift in consciousness.
Is it worth the hype? Can cannabis really elevate your practice?
The short answer? Yes. Cannabis’s healing and restorative properties are legendary among healers, as it’s said to help those suffering from a variety of ailments – including cancer, epilepsy, muscle spasms, and a spectrum of mental health conditions. This is because cannabis contains cannabinoids – chemicals that mimic those our body naturally produces, that helps promote healthy appetite, memory, inspiration, and movement. Luckily, with more states working to legalize cannabis, this powerful medicine is becoming increasingly more accessible.
Incorporating cannabis into your yoga routine can simultaneously increase your emotional and physical well-being. It allows the practitioner to fall deeper into meditation as it relaxes the frontal lobe, letting the mind experience what our muscles do – flexibility and expansion. Every movement can flow freely with grace and purpose. It can be a powerful calibration tool, helping set the mood, just as candles, incense, music, and crystals might – to motivate you and increase your vibration.
It’s important to understand that not all practicing yogis trust the combination of yoga and cannabis. Some feel as though an altered mind is unfit to live in spiritual practices whereas many other yogis believe it enhances what has been dormant in the physical body all along. It truly comes down to personal beliefs and preferences, and knowing your limits – not everyone’s tolerance is the same. Not everyone’s experience is the same. Yoga is meant to assist you into a deeper congress with your body and spirit; to see clearer, not create more haze. Be safe, be mindful. Listen.
Where will your practice lead you?
