Is Cannabis A Psychedelic?
Not quite like LSD, but Cannabis can be a powerful substance!
Is Cannabis a psychedelic substance? While the effects are not as powerful as classical entheogens like psilocybin (Magic Mushroom), LSD, and Mescaline, among others, Marijuana can still be a tool for mind expansion. Many people don’t classify weed as a psychedelic, but I believe that there is a lot of space for discussion. For starters, what does psychedelic even mean?
Ancient Greek ψυχή (psukhḗ, “mind, soul”) + δῆλος (dêlos, “manifest, visible”)
Mind manifesting. Something that makes the mind visible. If we take this definition literally, then we may realize that we don’t even need drugs to have a psychedelic experience. In fact, a mystical experience may be triggered by something ordinary like a beautiful sunset, or even something significant like the birth of a child. How do we know we are tripping? Have a look at the 4 main characteristics of a psychedelic trip:
In Africa, ancient (and current) tribes learned how to conduct rituals of singing and dancing with the intention of inducing psychedelic experiences in the participants of their sacred rituals. Nowadays it is also common to engage with breathwork exercises, Yoga, meditation, and other activities that are known to stimulate mindfulness and occasionally trigger a full-on mystical journey.
Many Ways To Trip
With this considered, cannabis can represent a powerful tool for connecting us to our roots. The alterations in consciousness that smoking, eating, or consuming cannabis can be useful for those participants willing to put in the work to truly improve from the effects of the sacred herb. Weed has suffered from prohibition and the generalized prejudice surrounding the flower. This is unfortunate because just in recent years science has started the process of uncovering the risks and benefits of introducing cannabis into our daily lifestyles.
In this process of rediscovering our relationship with cannabis, it is important that we work on developing guidelines for those looking to improve their lives with the help of psychedelic substances. A good way to go about introducing cannabis to a healthy and balanced lifestyle is to revert to the recent banalization of cannabis that has been happening in the last years and start developing our modern rituals.
I believe that treating cannabis as a psychedelic and being as careful with cannabis consumption as one would be when dealing with classical psychedelics is useful and could bring real benefits to our society.
Starting Your Ritual
A good way to start your ritual is to say your intentions and reflect on aspects of life in which you would like to see an improvement. The exercise of sitting without distractions and reflecting upon your life is already the beginning of the psychedelic voyage, however, it doesn’t end here. Preparation is key. before smoking your joint, make sure to prepare the environment, prioritizing safety and comfort.
It is also fruitful to prepare and organize exercises and activities with the intention of improving the chances of a meaningful and sacred cannabis experience. Activities that encourage artistic expression (painting, clay modeling, etc..), or introspection (board games) are good options. Keep your intention in mind throughout the entire experience, to help your brain make the connections it needs to guide you to where you wish to get.
If you already smoke weed and feel like you are not getting what you wish out of the experience, visit our website www.cabbanis.com for our one-on-one consultation, psychedelic programs, workshops, legal psychedelic retreats, and more!
Thanks for reading and have a great journey!
