C3 Podcast No. 39: Does Cannabis Enhance Creativity?

Does cannabis enhance creativity? In No. 39 of the Cannabis Commerce + Chemistry Podcast, host Curt Robbins from Higher Learning LV and co-hosts Dena Putnam from Leafwize Naturals and John Bailey from the Mindset Genesis are joined by guest co-host Alana Armstrong from the Alan Aldous digital marketing agency in Toronto to discuss the controversial topic of cannabis and creativity.

Episode co-hosts Alana Armstrong, John Bailey, Curt Robbins, and Dena Putnam

Putnam discussed how creativity is very subjective and a different process for different people. She theorizes that, for many, cannabis may help quiet the din of anxiety and distractions that prevent one's creative juices from flowing. Bailey reminded listeners that both cannabis and creativity are very complex and no simple answer will suffice.

How Does Cannabis Enhance Creativity?

He discussed flow state and how cannabis consumption may help some achieve this coveted state of being. Armstrong mentioned how creativity is a difficult thing to study, but that research has shown that cannabis may help consumers leave the world of the mundane and our daily tasks to enter a proverbial flow state. She describes how many tasks involve creativity, including marketing, cooking, and gardening.

"Bailey cited a 2015 study that examined the cannabis for convergent and divergent thinking. It revealed that low doses of THC improved divergent thinking, while high doses impaired it."

Robbins said he could relate to one of the conclusions of the discussion study summary that mentioned how, often, the ideas of cannabis consumers may be interpreted as creative, but that they were also found to be difficult to implement or otherwise unrealistic. The study reported that cannabis users may come up with ideas that are more original, but less feasible, than non-users.

Cannabis is Not a Substitute for One's Imagination

Putnam described how cannabis is not a substitute for one's imagination and pointed out that too much delta-9 THC may crush the childlike wonder that sometimes is produced by cannabis, making it goofy and unproductive.

"To get completely stoned all the time would just be counterproductive," she said. Bailey cited a 2015 study that examined the effects of cannabis on both convergent and divergent thinking. The study revealed that low doses of THC improved divergent thinking, while high doses impaired it. Bailey described how this study is merely one of many that have revealed similar data.

A commercial greenhouse full of cannabis plants

Famous Creatives Love Cannabis for Creativity

Armstrong described how famous creatives from history have used a variety of substances beyond cannabis to enhance their creativity. She thinks that one's creativity is inherent and that cannabis merely helps the creativity flow, but that the kind herb is not the origin of creative impulses. She said that learning how cannabis may help us be creative or productive is a personal journey. Armstrong described how technology, combined with legal cannabis, has contributed to a second age of enlightenment that will change the ways humans create, produce, and work.

All of the cannabinoids and terpenes discussed during this episode are part of Higher Learning LV's new course Core Cannabis. This deep dive course teaches students about the 25 most important cannabinoids and eight most common terpenes produced by cannabis. Students can enroll in Core Cannabis at >> https://bit.ly/3JN4IwW.

🎧 Listen to C3 Podcast No. 39 >> Does Cannabis Enhance Creativity?

This weekly podcast is targeted at cannabis and hemp industry professionals and is strategically free of profanity and crude dialog. This audio session was edited for length and clarity.

To better understand our favorite cannabis research, listen now at Higher Learning LV, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and most other major podcasting platforms (including Amazon Music, Anchor, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Pandora, and Stitcher).

No. 39 Show Notes 🎧

1. 2022 Study: "Does Cannabis Enhance Creativity? Science Weights In": https://bit.ly/3nPclLW

2. Visit the Alan Aldous digital marketing agency: https://alanaldous.com/

3. Learn more about Alana Armstrong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-armstrong/

4. Visit sponsor Higher Learning LV: https://HigherLearningLV.co/articles

5. Visit Leafwize Naturals (Dena Putnam): https://leafwize.com

6. Visit the Mindset Genesis (John Bailey): https://themindsetgenesis.com

7. Follow Higher Learning LV on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3w6Dyf7

8. Enroll in the course Core Cannabis: https://bit.ly/3JN4IwW

9. Subscribe to the Higher Learning LV Deep Dive Series: https://bit.ly/3kWE8Jx
   

Are you a cannabis industry professional? Check out Higher Learning LV's Deep Dive Subscription that features dozens of long-form articles based on the latest peer-reviewed scientific research. Priced to accommodate personal and enterprise training budgets.