There is an enduring debate about whether cannabis increases creativity. But the truth is, the effects of cannabis on creative processes will vary from person to person.
While some people find that a low dose of cannabis can boost divergent thinking, others have found that higher doses impair it. Regardless, cannabis can help artists and musicians tap into their creative sides.
Sativa
Cannabis sativa, commonly known as “sativa,” is a popular marijuana strain that provides a boost of positive energy and is great for creative pursuits such as writing and making music. It can also be a helpful aide in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Sativa is characterized by a taller plant, thinner leaves, and longer flowering cycles. Its THC-heavy effects are usually considered energizing and can help you focus and work more efficiently. Sativa can also be helpful for people suffering from insomnia, glaucoma, or chronic pain.
Researchers have found that THC reduces inhibitory control and stimulates striatal dopamine release, which may be beneficial for certain aspects of creativity. It can also improve convergent thinking, which is the ability to come up with multiple ideas.
In addition, THC can stimulate a person’s frontal lobes, which are known to play an important role in creative thinking. This area of the brain is also responsible for regulating the behavior of neurons that create the neurotransmitter dopamine, which helps us to form new ideas.
The effects of sativa on creativity can vary from person to person, but most users find it helpful to use a sativa strain when they’re in the mood for a creative task. Sativa can also be beneficial for individuals who are prone to depression or social anxiety, and can improve memory and focus.
A recent study examined the effect of cannabis on two cognitive processes that are often associated with creativity: convergent and divergent thinking. The researchers compared the effects of cannabis with low, medium, and high THC doses on creativity. Their results indicated that THC at medium and high doses did not affect convergent thinking, but it made divergent thinking worse.
Indica
The effects of cannabis on creativity depend on many factors, including the type of strain, dose, and the individual’s mental state. Patients must use caution, though, when attempting to rely on marijuana to spark their creative process. While marijuana can elicit a sense of wonder, excitement, or inspiration, it will also suppress the ability to concentrate, focus, or produce ideas.
Indica, or Cannabis indica, is a subspecies of cannabis that originated in Central Asia, most notably in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. This subspecies of cannabis is known for its calming and sedative effects, which are often combined with THC to create an effect known as “body high.”
These strains typically grow to about three to five feet in height with short, thick leaves and dense buds. They produce small white or brown flowers with blue and purple tinges.
Most indica strains will have a low THC content, although a few are higher than others. They can provide relief for pain, nausea, insomnia, and other conditions.
A common way to enjoy the effects of indica is to smoke or vape it. These methods of consumption are effective, but they can be messy and odorous. If you’re looking for a safer alternative, consider using a product like Kin Slips, which are cannabis strips that dissolve under the tongue.
Indica strains are generally lower in THC and higher in CBD than Sativas. They also tend to have a skunky, musty aroma, which is related to terpenes (molecules that contribute to the plant’s scent).
Because terpenes are closely linked to THC, they can help amplify the endocannabinoid system’s ability to produce a body-friendly high. Among the most notable terpenes are myrcene and limonene.
Both myrcene and limonene are thought to be mild-to-moderate sedatives and muscle relaxants, which may help alleviate anxiety, depression, and insomnia. These terpenes can be combined with THC to provide a “body high” that induces deep relaxation, calm, and restful sleep.
Despite their sedative effects, some indica strains can still be beneficial for creative people, particularly those who have trouble concentrating on tasks that require focused attention and creativity. For these individuals, a Delta-9-THC-containing strain, such as Quest, Pineapple Acai, or Wakando OG, can provide a brain boost to help them put their best work forward.
Hybrid
There are many ways that cannabis affects the brain, and one of the most important ways is through terpenes. These phenols are responsible for the aroma, taste, and effect of marijuana plants. They also play a key role in how different strains affect consumers.
Some terpenes are known for their anti-anxiety, anti-depressant and pain-relieving properties. For example, limonene, which is found in Sativa-dominant hybrids like Baker’s Cereal Milk, helps stimulate the mind while decreasing anxiety and depression.
Others, such as pinene, are associated with stimulating creativity and long-term memory. By reducing the release of certain enzymes that break down neurotransmitters in the brain, pinene can help increase your attention span and improve your ability to think creatively.
When combining these terpenes with THC and CBD, breeders can create hybrids that have the benefits of both sativa and indica. Hybrid strains are ideal for people who want the uplifting, euphoric effects of a sativa with the calming, restful effects of an indica.
Sativa-dominant hybrids are the best choice for daytime use, as they will provide a boost of energy while leaving you feeling calm and focused. They are also ideal for writing and painting.
Indica-dominant hybrids are perfect for those who need a sedating strain to relax before bed or to ease the symptoms of medical conditions. They are often short and stout and grow well in drier climates.
The most common types of hybrids are Indica-dominant and Sativa-dominant, but there are several other subtypes that can have a variety of effects. For example, hybrids that are a mix of both Indica and Sativa can be very effective for treating chronic pain and nausea, among other conditions.
A good way to tell the difference between a sativa-dominant and indica-dominant strain is by looking at their THC levels. Indica-dominant strains will have low to medium THC levels, while sativa-dominant hybrids will have high THC levels.
The best way to choose a hybrid is to experiment with different strains and determine what works for you. This is especially true if you are a new user, as all bodies are different and will respond differently to various cannabis strains.
Hemp
A number of people believe that cannabis boosts creativity, but the evidence is less clear. There’s a gap between the effects of marijuana on self-evaluations and actual creative abilities, says clinical psychologist Jessica Barnes.
In her study, she found that while cannabis does make some non-creative people more creative, it’s not so much the case with those who are already highly creative. This suggests that marijuana’s effect on creative thinking is not a direct one, but an indirect influence.
While researchers are not exactly sure why, they suspect it may have something to do with the way that marijuana increases divergent thinking — the ability to see connections between unrelated ideas. This can occur because of the effects of certain cannabinoids and terpenes, as well as how they are delivered to the brain.
THC, the primary cannabinoid in cannabis, may help increase divergent thinking because it acts directly on the hippocampus and striatum, two regions of the brain that are linked to the creative process. This is because THC stimulates the release of dopamine (DA), a neurotransmitter associated with creative thinking, in these parts of the brain.
DA is important for enabling people to see the big picture and understand how things fit together. It also helps with memory, motivation and mood. It also has a positive effect on the sense of smell and taste, both of which can increase creativity.
It’s also believed that THC can help improve verbal fluency, which is important for creativity, because it helps people make mental connections. However, another study found that it didn’t have any impact on this.
This study tested the effects of a low dose (5.5 mg) and high dose (22.2 mg) of THC on a group of healthy individuals who were regular cannabis users. They performed two tests of creativity, the Remote Associates Task (RAT) and the Alternate Uses Test (AUT), which measures convergent thinking and divergent thinking, respectively.
They found that the high-THC group did not perform better on the RAT, but they did have a worse performance on the AUT. This might suggest that cannabis, at a high THC dose, impaired convergent thinking while improving divergent thinking.
