CANNABIS AND MINDFULNESS
Starting Your Year Centered WRITTEN BY: BUZ DELIERE
As we usher in a new year, many of us are looking for ways to reset, refocus, and find a sense of balance. Mindfulness, the practice of maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, has been a key tool for many seeking tranquility and focus. In recent years, the intersection of cannabis and mindfulness has sparked interest as a potential duo to enhance personal well-being. Let's explore how integrating cannabis with mindfulness practices can help you start your year centered.
Understanding Mindfulness Mindfulness is rooted in ancient practices, often associated with meditation and yoga, and has been adapted in various forms in modern wellness circles. The core of mindfulness is the acceptance and acknowledgment of present feelings and thoughts without judgment. By doing so, individuals can achieve a state of calm awareness, allowing them to confront stressors with clarity and balance.
The Role of Cannabis in Mindfulness Cannabis's interaction with mindfulness practices is a multi-faceted subject that involves understanding its effects on the mind and body. As we explore the role of cannabis in mindfulness, it's essential to look into how its primary compounds, THC and CBD, affect the endocannabinoid system and, by extension, various aspects of the human experience that are pertinent to mindfulness.
The Endocannabinoid System and Mindfulness The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system identified in the early 1990s by researchers exploring THC. It's involved in regulating a range of functions and processes, including mood, appetite, memory, and pain sensation. The ECS consists of endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes and is active in your body even if you don't use cannabis. Here's how this system's interaction with cannabis can play a role in mindfulness: Enhancing Sensory Perception: Heightened Awareness: THC, in particular, is known for enhancing sensory perception, making colors seem brighter, sounds more distinct, and smells more acute. In the context of mindfulness, this heightened sensory awareness can make the practice more engaging and profound. For instance, during meditation, an individual might become more attuned to the subtleties of their environment or their own body, deepening the meditative experience. thechronicmagazine.com
JANUARY 2024
40
