Elevate your mind, deepen relaxation and tune in to your body with cannabis. Working with this plant medicine can be a spiritual practice. There are so many ways to pair cannabis with a mindfulness practice like deep breathing, meditation and soft body movements like yoga.
Recent studies have shown that the human body has an Endocannabinoid System (ECS). While experts are still understanding what role this plays in the human body, so far we know it plays a role in regulating:
-sleep
-mood
-appetite
-memory
-reproduction + fertility
The ESC means that the human body naturally contains Endocannabioind receptors. These receptors are found throughout your entire body. Endocannabinoids bind to them in order to signal that the ECS to take action.
There are two main endocannabinoid receptors:
1. CB1 receptors, which are mostly found in the central nervous system
2. CB2 receptors, which are mostly found in your peripheral nervous system, especially
immune cells
Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor. The effects that result depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid it binds to. For example, endocannabinoids might target CB1 receptors in a spinal nerve to relieve pain. Others might bind to a CB2 receptor in your immune cells to signal that your body’s experiencing inflammation.
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Benefits of CBD Oil:
Can relieve pain
Reduce anxiety + depression
Can alleviate cancer-related symptoms
Promote skin health / elasticity
Protects neurological health
Promote heart health
Studies have shown it can reduce tumor growth
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Uses of CBD Oil:
Mixing it into food / drinks
taking them with a dropper, under the tongue + hold for ~20 seconds
capsules
massaging a paste into the skin
spraying it under the tongue
Try my delicious CBD Coconut - Cashew Bites! Recipe here
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Now that we know the human body contains this system, receptors and is responsible for regulating these necessary functions in our body and can relieve pain, how can we enhance the effects of cannabis in our bodies in our mindfulness practices?
Set an intention. Similar to any experience where we transcend our limiting physical mind, it can be helpful to set an intention beforehand. This helps to guide your experience in the right direction. Ask yourself if there’s something you want to feel or something you want to accomplish during your experience. When working with cannabis, visualize your intention, feel the feelings this brings up, and act on it.
Journal your thoughts. Sometimes the best ideas come to us when we least expect it. For most, in the state of elevated consciousness cannabis can provide - business ideas, expanding thoughts or moments of clarity come through while working this plant medicine. Keep a journal and pen nearby to allow these thoughts and feelings to flow through you so you can refer back to them later.
Deep breathing is the foundation of meditation. By controlling our breath, we can control our thoughts, and even our inner most strongest and most volatile of emotions. Through conscious deep inhalations, we can bring our awareness back to the present moment. Inhale an uplifting cannabis strain to maximize meditative feelings of euphoria.
Step one: relax in a comfortable position, whether that’s lying down or sitting upright
with your chest upright and your back supported. perhaps placing a soft cushion
underneath your sits bones to promote comfort. take a deep breath, close your eyes and
soften your shoulders. with each breath, allow your mind to wander and the tension to
melt out of your body.
Step two: observe your breath in this relaxed state. now, take a long, deep breath in -
through the nose, filling up your whole abdomen and chest with air.
Step three: Once you have inhaled fully, pause at the top for a moment and then slowly
begin to exhale fully out, releasing every last bit of stagnant air. Pause here for another
couple beats (these pauses should always be comfortable and never strained). Then,
inhale again and repeat this pattern.
Step four: As you breathe, allow your thoughts to focus solely on your breath and
gradually allow your mind to clear. Simply exist in this space breathing mindfully and
relax as all else melts away.
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