Yoga And Cannabis: A Mindful Connection, New Study Reveals

A recent study conducted as a psychology dissertation at the University of British Columbia by Sarah Elizabeth Ann Daniels revealed the potential benefits of pairing cannabis with mindful activities, like yoga.

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Context Matters

The research delved into the impact of contextual factors during cannabis use on well-being outcomes, emphasizing the significance of considering setting and behavior in shaping one's cannabis experience.

Daniels found that while other psychoactive drugs used for mental health treatment consider contextual elements, therapeutic cannabis use often overlooks them, reported Marijuana Moment.

The study's findings indicated that activities individuals engage in while under the influence of cannabis play a substantial role in their experience, a concept paralleling insights from psychedelic research.

Insights From The Study

• The study involved 47 participants who self-administered cannabis during two separate sessions, one involving yoga and the other their typical activities, such as eating, watching TV or socializing.
• Participants' experiences were assessed in terms of "state mindfulness," "mysticality of experience," and "state affect." State mindfulness involves being aware of mental states and bodily sensations, while mystical experience refers to feelings of experiencing eternity, peace, or a loss of one's usual perception of time.
• Notably, the study uncovered that practicing yoga while consuming cannabis resulted in higher reported levels of mindfulness and mystical experiences. Though mystical experiences are commonly associated with psychedelics, Daniels pointed out that cannabis shares similarities with psychedelic-induced altered states.
• Interestingly, there was no significant difference in emotional and mood effects between yoga and non-yoga sessions, suggesting consistency in the emotional impact of cannabis.

Of note, 72% of the participants expressed a willingness to combine cannabis and yoga again. The combination not only enhanced their cannabis experience but also elevated their enjoyment of yoga, as many reported increased physical awareness and a deeper connection with their bodies during the practice.

Finally, Daniels underlined the potential benefits of these findings for therapeutic cannabis use. “The results of the current study provide more evidence to support the intrinsic therapeutic value found in the altered states of consciousness occasioned by such psychoactive drugs,” concluded the study.

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