Cannabis has been given lots of different names over the years. Grass, pot, weed, and ganja are a few of them. Additionally, people have been debating what the plant does and whether or not it is beneficial. For the majority of recreational users, they smoke marijuana to get a euphoric high. Other folks, particularly those with specific diseases or conditions, use medical marijuana to alleviate certain symptoms. It often helps with…
- Chronic Pain
- Muscle Spasms
- Nausea And Vomiting Associated With Chemotherapy
- Increasing One’s Appetite To Gain Weight
- Relieving Anxiety
There Are Other Debates About The Plant Too
For instance, many people believe that marijuana sparks creativity. Depending on who you ask, you are likely to get different answers. Critics of cannabis will probably say something similar to no it does not promote creativity as it just makes the person lazy and puts them in a dazed state. Meanwhile, supporters will propose that the substance helps them think more clearly and allows one’s creativity to blossom. However, there is not enough research yet to prove either party is correct.
Why Has Research Been Slowed?
The primary reason why more studies have not been conducted is because of the Federal Government’s classification of marijuana. It is considered a schedule I drug, which means it has no medicinal purposes and a high potential for abuse. Cannabis is in the same category as dangerous drugs such as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. Therefore, strict rules were put into place that limited what researchers could or could not do. However, now, restrictions are becoming laxer, so more and more breakthroughs may start happening at any time.
Back To The Creativity Discussion
In 2015, researchers conducted a study to discover the effects of highly potent cannabis on creative thinking. Some participants received low doses while others were given high doses of vaporized cannabis. Plus, some of the members got placebos as well. According to Psychopharmacology, anecdotal data implies that marijuana intoxication intensifies human creativity. However, the results of this study were a mixed bag.
People that took the high dose performed significantly weaker on creative and divergent thinking tasks. Meanwhile, creativity did not appear to become sparked in those persons that received the low dosage of vaporized cannabis. It is notable to mention that the researchers remarked these results only allowed for speculation at this time.
Results From Another 2017 Study
In 2017, 979 undergraduate students participated in an experiment. They were to self-report their creative levels while doing convergent and divergent thinking assignments. The study found that marijuana users showed excellent convergent thinking skill when compared to sober participants. However, as for divergent, creative thinking, creativity levels did not differ much between cannabis users and non-users.
Be Your Own Judge
As this post said above, people have differences of opinion on the subject of marijuana use and creativity. The two studies regarded in this article show that cannabis may not do much for one’s creative side at all. Still, not all folks have the same experience when smoking marijuana or eating edibles. Therefore, if you live in a state that has legalized cannabis for recreational purposes, and are of legal age to purchase the substance, try it out for yourself.
Then, you will be able to make an informed decision about whether marijuana sparks creativity in you or not. Perhaps, it will increase your focus and help you complete projects. Or, maybe, the cannabis will have the opposite effect on your thinking making you not want to do much at all. Either way, persons won’t know until they take on the endeavor for themselves.