By Kim Sarsons, Author and Cannabis Coach

Traditional approaches to healthcare often fall short, leaving behind feelings of frustration. Fortunately, there's a growing movement towards alternative approaches to wellness, including the use of Cannabis plant medicine and the power of creativity to support mental health. Cannabis has been used for centuries for its therapeutic properties, and today, it is gaining renewed interest as a natural self-care tool. In recent years, many people have turned to Cannabis and creativity as a way to enhance their mental well-being, and the results have been promising.

Life is Stressful

The journey through life inevitably presents many challenges that can lead to mental illness. Between the demands of work, family, and personal responsibilities, it's all too easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of our own well-being. For many people, achieving and maintaining optimal mental health can be a difficult and ongoing process. Stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental health disorders can be debilitating, causing feelings of isolation, overwhelm, a lack of motivation, and disconnection from the wider world. This makes it difficult to engage with life and enjoy it to the fullest. These challenges can become a significant burden on those who experience them as well as those around them. While traditional treatments like therapy and prescription medication can be helpful for many people, others may find that they need or would prefer the support of alternative tools to help them manage their symptoms.

Fortunately, there are natural approaches to mental wellness that can help in finding balance and harmony. The use of Cannabis plant medicine and engagement with creative pursuits are two alternatives that have benefits both independently and when they’re used together. More and more often, people are choosing to use Cannabis and creativity in support of their holistic well-being.

The Power of Plant Medicine

Cannabis is used by many because it is an effective tool for managing stress and mental health symptoms. It contains a number of compounds known as cannabinoids, which interact with receptors found throughout the body to produce a wide range of therapeutic effects. These include reducing inflammation, alleviating pain, and promoting feelings of calm and relaxation.

The two most well-known cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), and both have been studied for their potential benefits to mental health. THC is known for its intoxicating effects, which can be experienced as feelings of euphoria and relaxation. CBD, on the other hand, is non-intoxicating and has a wide range of therapeutic effects, including reducing anxiety and depression, improving sleep quality, and reducing inflammation.

Consuming Cannabis can also be used to access an altered state of consciousness that can lead to new insights, heightened sensory experiences, and a deeper connection to emotions and the inner self. It can be used as a tool for rediscovery, helping to break down barriers and inhibitions, tapping into the imagination and expressing ideas more freely. When Cannabis is combined with creative practices like drawing, painting, or writing, you can take a holistic approach to wellness that supports mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Flexing Creative Muscles

Creativity has long been recognized as a valuable tool for maintaining mental health. Engaging in creative activities such as painting, writing, dancing or playing music can help to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost self-esteem. Creativity can help individuals to express and release emotions in a healthy way, and work through stress, providing a sense of release and catharsis. It can be a powerful way to experience presence and find joy in the world.

A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that those who engaged in creative activities experienced a notable rise in positive emotions as negative emotions decreased. Creative pursuits have also been shown to improve cognitive function and increase feelings of happiness and well-being by their ability to lower levels of anxiety and depression.

A Potent Duo

Since Cannabis can be a tool for encouraging relaxation, relieving stress and anxiety, it can help in unlocking creative potential. By reducing inhibitions, consuming Cannabis can make it easier for individuals to tap into their creative instincts and take risks with their art.

Cannabis has been used for centuries as a tool for opening the mind, inducing altered states and enhancing the creative process. Many artists, musicians, and writers have reported that using Cannabis helps them access new ideas, find inspiration, and get into a flow state where their creative output is more effortless. Many state that Cannabis has been instrumental in helping them to unlock their creative potential.

As an example, the jazz era of the 1930s was replete with musicians who engaged regularly with what was affectionately dubbed jazz cabbage. It allowed them to explore melodies that pushed the boundaries of composition and performance at the time, calling into question the rules of music. Louis Armstrong, a renowned composer and performer of the age, was also a Cannabis consumer and advocate whose musicality has continued to influence subsequent artists and genres. He expressed his concern and confusion at the move to criminalize Cannabis during this time, stating, “It’s a thousand times better than whiskey - it’s an assistant, a friend”, denoting its impact on both the creative process and mental health.

While studies are limited, Cannabis has been shown to stimulate alpha brain waves and general brain activity. A study published in Consciousness and Cognition found that cannabis use was associated with increased divergent thinking, a type of thinking that involves generating many different ideas and possibilities. THC can stimulate areas of the brain associated with creativity and can encourage this expanded way of thinking, fostering the ability to come up with a variety of solutions to a problem. This is a key part of the creative process, as it allows people to explore new and innovative ideas.

The Joy of Cannabis and Coloring

Tapping into creativity is not just for artists, musicians and writers. Creative activities can be a powerful tool for anyone seeking to support their mental health. Even something as simple as coloring in a coloring book can be a way to reduce anxiety and stress and tap into a more relaxed state of mind. When we color, we can slip into a state of flow, a state of deep concentration and immersion in the present moment. This can help to quiet the mind and reduce negative self-talk, allowing us to experience a sense of calm and relaxation. And because coloring doesn't require any particular artistic skill or talent, it's an accessible and low-pressure way to tap into our creative side.
When we combine coloring with Cannabis, we can create a powerful synergy that enhances our sense of well-being and creativity. We can use Cannabis to help us get into a relaxed and focused state, then turn to coloring as a way to channel our energy and express ourselves.

My Creative Pursuit of Publishing

While I was in recovery after two major surgeries, I turned to art as a way to divert my energy away from disempowering thoughts and toward creating. I enrolled in two different art programs, both of which presented me with engaging projects that supported me in quieting the noise and chatter of my mind as I focused on healing while learning to draw and paint.

Cannabis entered the picture shortly thereafter and I’ve added it as a key component of my creative process. My collaboration with Cannabis has supported my creative work as a writer and publisher of books, enabling me to focus and overcome limiting beliefs so that I can bring my creations into the world.

My most recent publication is a Cannabis-themed coloring book for women. Highly Inspired is a creative self-care retreat for women seeking to overcome health struggles and restore calm through coloring, journaling and self-expression. It’s a collection of fun and complex coloring pages as well as journaling pages that encourage reflection and imagination. It even has a Spotify playlist! I invite you to become highly inspired by picking up your own copy!

Highly Inspired

Open Up to the Benefits

There are still many misconceptions and stigmas surrounding Cannabis and other alternative approaches to wellness, but as more and more people share their stories of healing and transformation and more research studies are conducted, attitudes are shifting. We're beginning to see a broader acceptance of safe, natural approaches to mental health that offer alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs or other conventional treatments. The combination of Cannabis and creativity can be a powerful combination for achieving balance, joy, and fulfillment. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, or just the stresses of daily life, you can tap into your innate creativity and use it to support your mental health and well-being. While there is still much work to be done in terms of research and understanding, it's clear that Cannabis and creativity can be effective tools for supporting mental health. Personally, Cannabis supports me in getting out of my head and into my heart whenever I combine it with creating.

So, if you’re someone looking for new ways to manage your mental health, consider exploring the benefits of Cannabis and creativity with coloring. By tapping into your creative side, you can access new insights, find joy in the world around you, and take control of your mental wellness in a natural and empowering way. You’ll also be making the world a more beautiful and loving place to be.
Of course, it's important to note that Cannabis can have different effects on different people. It's essential to use Cannabis responsibly and to find the right ingestion method, dosage and strain that works for you. Reach out to a certified Cannabis coach and walk the path to well-being with a knowledgeable guide.

About Kim Sarsons:

Guest blogger and graduate of the Cannabis Coaching Institute, Kim Sarsons is the proud creator of a three-part collection of books for women. Midlife Magic, Elevated Expansion and Highly Inspired are all available on Amazon. She is excited to support more curious women on their journey to empowered holistic health with the power of cannabis and the importance of self-care through her books and coaching offers.

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Effective Cannabis Newsletter is a platform to educate on the vital role of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in one's health. The information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information contained in or available through this newsletter is for general information purposes only. It is not medical advice; it is health awareness.