August 5, 2024

Cannabis & Meditation: An Ancient Practice of Revitalization

Did you know that there's a long (and we mean long) standing history of people partaking in cannabis for their meditative routines?

So, if you're curious to learn more about cannabis history, discover the scientific benefits behind meditation, and would like some delightful recs for your first (or next) meditative session, you've come to the right place.

Here, we will cover everything you need to know about cannabis and meditation. Let's go!

Ancient Practices That Integrated Cannabis

Shamanism

Shaman woman's hand lighting a blunt of herbs for meditative ritual

The term "shamanism" doesn't describe one particular spiritual practice. It's a phenomenon across many cultures where specific individuals may achieve extraordinary abilities. Shamans were integral to these communities, serving as physicians, priests, oracles, scientists, herbalists, rhapsodists, and storytellers.

Intriguingly, there's evidence of cannabis integrated into ancient shamanism. In 2008, archeologists uncovered a 2,700-year-old shaman's grave in the Yanghai Tombs in the Tarim Basin in modern-day China. Within that grave, they found a large cache of well-preserved cannabis. Historians hypothesize the plant helped shamans reach a “peak” state of mind.

Yogis and Fakirs

For those unfamiliar, a yogi is essentially a meditation practitioner in various Indian religions. Fakirs are Sufi Muslim ascetics who have renounced their worldly possessions and dedicated their lives to worship.

Both of these practitioners have been known to smoke cannabis (even mixing it with tobacco) to enhance their meditation during Diwali, the Kumbha Mela festival, and the Festival of Lights.

Tantric Buddhism

The tradition of Tantric Buddhism (sometimes called "Vajrayana") dates back to Medieval India. It eventually spread to the Himalayas, East and Southeast Asia, and Mongolia.

For some practitioners of Tantric Buddhism, cannabis is an essential part of meditative rituals. They take large servings orally as an edible to facilitate meditation and promote heightened awareness.

7 Benefits of Meditation

man and woman meditating peacefully at the beach

There are many instances of science catching up to explain the benefits of ancient practices, and meditation is no exception. Here are some interesting findings on meditation's overall wellness benefits.

Reducing Stress & Anxiety

One systematic review published in 2014 found that after reviewing 18,753 citations, practicing mindfulness meditation can help improve anxiety after eight weeks. Plus, the benefits may only improve if mindfulness meditation is adhered to for several months.

In 2018, another study found that even a meditation app could reduce a group of test subjects' work-related stress over eight weeks.

Boosted Self-Awareness

In short, self-awareness is the ability to focus on one's thoughts, feelings, and actions. This skill is important for emotional regulation, which can, in turn, reduce the duration and intensity of negative emotional states.

A 2018 study on Tai Chi (sometimes referred to as "meditation in motion") found improvements in self-efficacy among test subjects. Self-efficacy is an individual's belief in their capacity to do things. An example of self-efficacy is signing up for a class because you believe you have the skills, patience, and discipline to succeed.

Reducing Memory Loss

Kirtan Kriya is a specific form of meditation that involves repetitious changes, matras, and finger movements. A study done in 2018 revealed that practicing Kirtan Kriya may help mitigate memory loss related to age.

Better Sleep

In a 2015 study, 49 adults were randomly assigned six weeks of meditation or sleep hygiene education. Interestingly, the group assigned meditation reported fewer insomnia symptoms and less tiredness during the day.

Building Focus

According to Columbia University Medical Center research, meditation can help improve focus and learning concentration. With concentrative meditation, one is fixated on a particular point, object, or word. Refocusing attention on one specific thing can keep one's mind from wandering.

Pain Management

A 2023 article from Harvard Health Publishing describes how meditation may not completely relieve pain but can help us learn from it and manage it better. People can achieve such awareness through a "body scan" meditation, where they lie on their backs, focus on different body parts, and explore thoughts and feelings around pain.

Kindling Self-Love

Loving-kindness mediation focuses on those around us or from our past who have brought support, compassion, and kindness into our lives. In 2015, a study found that this type of meditation can help one stop engaging in negative self-judgment.

Our Selections for Paring With Meditation

woman relaxing peaceably as she meditates

There are many ways to meditate and reasons why people meditate. For some, meditation is an excellent tool for calming down a worked-up mind. For others, it can be about having a more profound connection to the body.

Just as cannabis was integrated into ancient meditative practices, so it can be today. Below are our recommendations for products to pair with different meditative focuses.

For the Body

Suppose your meditation goals revolve around relaxing the body. In that case, we recommend going with products that lean heavier into physical relaxation, such as Indica strains, the body-focused effects of Delta-8, and non-psychoactive cannabinoid blends.

Edibles:

Inhalables:

Other:

For the Mind

When it comes to sharpening your focus and being conscious of your thoughts, sativas are the route you'll want to take. But if you're looking for an overall mood boost, HHC is also worth trying out for meditation.

Edibles:

Inhalables:

For Mind & Body

If you're trying out different types of meditation, then we recommend going with products with more "balanced" effects. Hybrid strains fill this niche well, plus our Balance collection, featuring a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD, will offer more well-rounded effects.

Edibles:

Final Thoughts

Pairing cannabis with meditation is a long tradition spanning centuries and cultures. There are many different types of meditation and plenty of evidence about the benefits of adding meditation to your life. We hope this article served you well no matter where you are on your wellness journey.

Until next time, happy exploring, and Mind Your Mind.

FDA Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.