By In a recent study from the University of British Columbia, researchers uncovered new insights into the relationship between cannabis consumption and health. yoga. This study shows that people who practiced yoga after using cannabis may experience increased mindfulness and increased mysticism.
researchThe paper, which originated as a psychology paper, investigated “the influence of situational factors during cannabis use on well-being outcomes.” Study author Sarah Elizabeth Ann Daniels highlights significant disparities. While psychedelic therapy research often emphasizes the importance of setting and intention, this emphasis is particularly less prevalent in cannabis-related research. Cannabis enthusiasts understand that plants like mushrooms are indeed psychedelic, but the stoner community doesn’t always place the same weight on integrating set and setting into cannabis use. . Yoga, which often involves setting intentions, may offer her one way to change that.
“When researchers consider the use of other psychotropic drugs for mental health treatment, they focus on factors other than the direct effects of the drug, such as mindset, environment, and behavior,” Daniels says. “Because there is evidence that these factors can dramatically impact treatment outcomes.”
This study highlights the importance of the context in which people enjoy cannabis. The conclusion suggests that the environment and activities invoked under the influence of cannabis, a.k.a. set and setting, may play a pivotal role in shaping the user’s experience. This study draws parallels to the world of psychedelics and supports psychedelics’ accepted belief that the environment and mindset during cannabis consumption can have a significant impact on its therapeutic effects. The cannabis community is often discussed in terms of the potential model for psychedelics to follow, just as cannabis first gained mainstream approval, but perhaps this relationship could be reversed and marijuana could become more popular than psilocybin, ketamine, and therapeutics. It may be time to consider what we can learn from other substances recommended in settings and settings.
To investigate the role of context in cannabis experiences, so to speak, cannabis travel, Daniels designed an experiment involving 47 participants. She instructed them to self-administer cannabis twice, one week apart. In one session, participants engaged in yoga, and in the next they simply did what they usually enjoy when they’re high. The most commonly cited activities included eating, watching TV or movies, doing housework, socializing, and other hobbies.
The study evaluated participants based on several criteria, including “state mindfulness,” “experiential mystique,” and “state emotion.”
Regarding “state mindfulness,” Daniels sought to measure levels rooted in “both traditional Buddhist and modern psychological models of mindfulness.” This measurement revealed participants’ mental state and awareness of physical sensations. Meanwhile, the “mystical experiences” indicator focused on deeper moments, such as experiencing deep peace and tranquility or perceiving a distorted sense of time, which often occurs on cannabis trips.
In her research, Daniels found that combining cannabis use with yoga practice significantly increased participants’ reported mindfulness. Additionally, their “mystique of experience” increased markedly. Despite the mystique being traditionally more in line with psychedelic substances, Daniels said that while “cannabis is not traditionally considered a psychedelic,” “recent evidence suggests that psychedelic-induced degeneration is “This shows that there are many similarities with the state,” he said.
When it comes to “state affect,” which essentially measures an individual’s emotional or mood state, Daniels found no significant difference between sessions that included yoga and sessions that didn’t.
The combination of cannabis and yoga is nothing new. Ancient yogis in India tout the benefits of hashish, and classes like LA-based Ganja Yoga invite people to join in to enhance their yoga experience.
Six of the participants in the study were new to yoga. Thirty people claimed to practice yoga sporadically or occasionally, and the remaining 11 claimed to practice yoga regularly or frequently. 72% of participants, or 34 people, expressed interest in blending cannabis and yoga in the future. In a symbiotic relationship, yoga not only amplified their experience with cannabis, but incorporating cannabis also increased their appreciation for yoga. Daniels said:
“The most frequently reported theme was enhanced body awareness, with 15 participants articulating an increased awareness of their body, its movements, and sensory experiences. They said they felt more “in tune” or “in tune” with their senses, and expressed a “deeper” level of awareness of movement and bodily sensations than usual. Importantly, they emphasized that this is different from a regular (non-cannabis-influenced) yoga or physical activity session. ”
Reflecting on his findings, Daniels said: “These results provide guidance to people who use cannabis for therapeutic purposes, taking into account the context, with the aim of enhancing its positive impact on mental health and well-being.” “We are emphasizing the importance of this.”
The main takeaway from this study is that when prescribing cannabis in the future (although a doctor is not required to do this information), doctors should consider set and set as part of cannabis consumption. That’s it.
“Physicians have long recognized that the optimal approach to prescribing cannabis for therapeutic purposes is not clear,” the study said. “Providing precise behavioral guidance and educating about environmental and mindset influences may optimize the benefits and reduce the downsides of therapeutic cannabis use. Consider the positive response to elements of yoga.” And recommending yoga or similar mindful exercises can be very beneficial.”
