2 minute read
The Reason Cannabis and Art Blend Together
Written By Therin Miller
Different artists all over the world have used cannabis to reinforce their creativity and widen their artistic horizon. We might think of musicians, painters and photographers who were influenced by cannabis in all their output. In order to understand the connection between artistic impact and cannabis, we have to look into the culture and future.
As per Dr. Alice Weaver Flaherty who is a neurologist and specialist in brain stimulation, cannabis has the ability to stimulate and trigger the brain's frontal lobe.
This part of the brain is active in creative people. She added that "marijuana is a stimulant and it can boost all types of output." However, the effect is still based on dosage and individual traits. For example, some artists who struggle with anxiety may prefer a calming indica to help them get to their groove while others look for more stimulating sativa. Nevertheless, cannabis has helped artists create new and inspiring pieces of work for hundreds of years already.
Legendary figures such as William Shakespeare used cannabis in his playwriting. Pablo Picasso used cannabis to express his art in the form of abstract paintings.
We might think what really goes on inside the brain while high on weed. The THC keeps the flow of neural transmissions more constant and in effect, creates more creative ideas and concepts.
The dopamine release causes euphoria that leads to wider imagination thus helping artists create music, painting, and many others. This is because of the chemistry and how the brain operates while high is not similar to the normal state of mind.
Here are some of history's most creative and famous musicians and artists who are known to use marijuana to enhance their artistic prowess.
Louis Armstrong is a trumpet player who was one of the first musicians to admit his affinity to the plant and stated in his biography which he described as better than whiskey and also an assistant and a friend to him.
While Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys said marijuana helped him write Pet Sounds, which is the second best album of all time on the Rolling Stone Magazine list.
Bob Marley said that music and herb go together. He started smoking when he first started singing in the 1960’s. In the contemporary music industry, we have Lady Gaga who writes music while smoking pot. Some notable names in the music industry are Bill Hicks, Justin Timberlake and Alanis Morissette.
Meanwhile, Steve Jobs said, “The best way I would describe the effect of marijuana and hashish is that it would make me relaxed and creative.” Even if he is not an artist by definition, he can be part of the creative minds list.
Therefore, to elevate the thought process and think of something more original yet inspiring, people can use cannabis and make sure to record in pen and paper or phone when ideas flow in order not to forget the racing creative juices.
Cannabis can really impact all areas of arts and entertainment.
