Does Cannabis Boost Creativity?

I can imagine you shaking your heads, thinking, “That's a vague response.” You're not alone; I was equally baffled initially. After a prolonged stare at my screen, I decided to dig deeper.

I stumbled upon a recent study by Emily LeFrance, a graduate student at Washington State University, lending her significant scientific credibility. The study, titled Inspired by Mary Jane? Mechanisms underlying enhanced creativity in cannabis users, can be found in the journal Consciousness and Cognition.

It's quite enlightening and worth your time, but the gist is that while cannabis users may exhibit more creativity than non-users, this isn't directly due to the drug itself. Interestingly, all participants completed the tests while completely sober.

Key findings from the research indicate that:

• Cannabis users showed outgoing and open-minded tendencies.
• They reported higher levels of artistic creativity but had fewer completed projects.
• Users scored better on convergent thinking tests compared to non-users.

Thus, I faced a classic chicken-and-egg scenario: Does cannabis enhance creativity, or do inherently creative individuals simply gravitate toward it? For me, it seemed connected to my creative output. This realization prompted me to rush downstairs to my mother, a doctor, demanding answers.

After briefly skimming the study on my phone, she remarked, “It likely breaks down some mental barriers,” before excusing herself to shower.

Plot Twist

Dr. Mom's insights were indeed enlightening, yet I craved more clarity. After another round of smoking, I returned to Google with an additional inquiry: How exactly does marijuana boost creativity in users?

The concise answer is that it doesn't always, and at times, it can even hinder creativity. This may come as a surprise. I discovered another study involving nearly sixty cannabis users in the Netherlands, and the findings were shocking.

The conclusion suggested that while we might feel more creative, it could be an illusion. Certain strains of marijuana activate areas of the brain responsible for divergent thinking, which includes creative problem-solving and brainstorming. These heightened abilities, combined with a sense of carefree euphoria, seemed to embolden my creativity.

Curiosity led me to experiment while writing this piece. I found myself slowing down my thoughts and frequently asking, “What about this?” Some creative solutions emerged, and I’m too relaxed to worry if they seem outlandish because I like them.

However, caution is warranted.

The study highlighted that overindulging in marijuana can negate the desired effects. While cannabis can enhance blood flow to the brain—stimulating creative thinking—it's essential to find the right dosage. In the Netherlands, the potency of their cannabis is unmatched, and my own experiences don’t quite compare, but I grasp the underlying message.

Moreover, consuming excessive amounts can lead to unpleasant outcomes, such as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, which I experienced first-hand. The remedy for me was a hot shower and a break from cannabis. Finding the right strain and dosage is crucial.

In Conclusion…

Ultimately, while marijuana may not have directly sparked a creative surge, the uninhibited problem-solving and risk-taking yielded intriguing—if not creative—results. It might seem an anticlimactic conclusion to this exploration, but the science is clear.

One may wonder why even use cannabis if lower doses are effective. My answer lies in the company of legends like Shakespeare, Stephen King, and Jack Kerouac, who, like many of us, found some form of inspiration in it.

For non-users, the takeaway is straightforward: stop overthinking it.

I've learned that honesty and courage are vital components of creative writing, and to access them, one must free themselves from inhibitions. Whether you choose to abstain completely or indulge occasionally, the key is to loosen up those creative hinges. After all, that's how I crafted this very piece. It may seem peculiar, but to me, it's a burst of creativity, and I don’t care who agrees with me—because I'm high.