Cannabis and Meditation: Can You Meditate While High?

Can You Meditate While High?

Meditation is widely known for its ability to reduce stress, quiet the mind, and improve overall wellbeing. Cannabis is often used for similar reasons, relieving anxiety, enhancing focus, and helping users feel more present. So, can you meditate while high?

For many, the answer is yes. While meditation and cannabis can be practiced independently, combining them may deepen relaxation or spark a new level of mental clarity. Some religious traditions, including certain Shaivite and Buddhist sects, have historically incorporated cannabis into their spiritual or meditative practices to promote awareness.

That said, the effects of meditating while high vary from person to person. Strain type, dosage, and individual tolerance all play a role in how cannabis influences your meditation experience. For some, it supports focus and introspection. For others, it may be distracting. The key is finding what works best for your body and mind.

How Cannabis Affects the Brain During Meditation

Marijuana, commonly referred to as weed, has a significant impact on brain function, primarily due to its active components, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These compounds interact with the brain in various ways, leading to both short-term and potential long-term effects.

CBD in Anxiety Reduction

One of the most notable impacts of weed, specifically its CBD component, is its effect on anxiety-related behaviors. Research published in the journal “Neurotherapeutics” highlights that CBD has been found effective in reducing anxiety behaviors associated with a range of disorders. 

This includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD). The study suggests that CBD exerts its effects by interacting with the brain’s serotonin receptors, which play a key role in mood regulation and anxiety.

Acute Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow

Another crucial aspect of how weed affects the brain is its impact on cerebral blood flow. A study referenced in PubMed reveals that smoking marijuana leads to acute changes in cerebral blood flow. This alteration in blood flow can have various implications, including the potential to affect cognitive functions and mood states.

The change in cerebral blood flow is particularly relevant when considering practices like meditation. Meditation is known to induce relaxation and changes in brain activity. The alterations in cerebral blood flow caused by marijuana use might mimic or enhance certain aspects of the meditative state, potentially leading to a heightened sense of relaxation or altered consciousness. 

However, it’s important to note that the effects of marijuana on cerebral blood flow are complex and can vary significantly between individuals, depending on factors like the specific strain of marijuana used and the individual’s unique brain chemistry.

Meditation While High: What to Expect

So, can you meditate while high? The answer often depends on your body, your mindset, and the cannabis strain you choose. For some, cannabis helps calm the racing thoughts that make meditation difficult. For others, it offers a gateway to deeper reflection or even spiritual awareness.

Here’s what you might experience when meditating while high:

• • Easier mental quiet when your mind normally jumps from task to task

• • Heightened sensory awareness, making it easier to focus on breath or sound

• • Faster physical relaxation, especially for those who hold tension in the body

• • Increased introspection, allowing you to sit with thoughts without judgment

• • Occasional distraction if the dose is too strong or the strain is too energizing

Everyone reacts differently. That’s why it’s important to approach meditation while high with curiosity and start low.

Benefits of Cannabis and Meditation Combined

Combining cannabis and meditation can offer unique mental and emotional benefits, but again, results vary by individual. Here are a few potential upsides people report:

• • Improved focus and presence during mindfulness sessions

• • Enhanced creativity or insight, especially in reflective meditations

• • Deeper physical relaxation, allowing a smoother entry into meditation

• • Greater emotional release, particularly for those using meditation to process stress or trauma

• • A more rewarding practice, which may help with meditation consistency

As always, consistency and self-awareness are key. If you find that meditating while high helps you get more out of the experience, it may become a powerful tool in your wellness routine.

Tips for Meditating with Cannabis

If you’re exploring the idea of meditating while high, there’s no one-size-fits-all method, but a few tips can help you get started mindfully:

• • Choose the right strain. For most people, an indica or CBD-dominant strain works better than a high-THC sativa when the goal is mental clarity and calm. If you’ve used cannabis before, go with what relaxes you without overwhelming your thoughts.

• • Start with meditation alone. If you’re new to meditation, try it without cannabis first. You may discover that you don’t need anything extra to clear your mind.

• • Keep your dose low. Especially if you’re new to meditation while high, it’s best to begin with a small amount and observe how your body responds.

• • Create a calming space. Make sure your environment supports stillness and comfort.

• • Be open to different outcomes. Cannabis can help you focus inward, or it may distract you. Each session is a chance to learn what works for you.