Cannabis is becoming more and more normal to talk about and use these days. It's legalization is a hot topic on TV and potheads nationwide are becoming more and more vocal on the widely published benefits of its use.
Since this kind of talk is so prevalent I won't go into it here, but rather, will be relating a few subjective aspects of cannabis use I noticed from when I was an all day everyday user.
Cannabis use makes even the most mundane tasks enjoyable, or atleast, bearable. Pulling weeds, taking out the trash, doing dishes, working at a call-center, etc...all become more enjoyable after a few puffs of the pot. It seems to help one notice the "fun" or interesting aspects of any activity by giving one interesting thoughts that stem from, but, may not be even closely related to the activity. This non-linear thinking is enjoyable and intellectually stimulating, as many a pothead who had a million dollar idea while doing laundry will tell you.
While it makes these activities more enjoyable through the addition of the [more than usual] non-linear thoughts, this aspect of the high also takes one out of the moment and into the mind. Which is surely OK to do once in awhile, but, when it occurs constantly, it can cause problems. The self begins to retreat into an escape within the mind and away from reality, as this happens reality becomes more dreamlike, and a sort of low-level disassociation from life occurs. One begins chasing thoughts rather than life. Although some choose to live in this state, once one has left it for a period it is easier to see it as the escape it is.
The other detrimental aspect of constant weed smoking is, that it makes one complacent with where they are in life. If someone is living at their parent's house or has a dead-end job this feels OK as long as one is high. Feeling of, "Just go with it." or "Don't make waves." come to mind and one becomes satisfied with what is, rather than striving for something higher. I and many other potheads believe this is some kind of enlightenment and that being free of the desire to achieve anything makes one "higher" spiritually. Feelings of disgust at those stuck in "the achievement trip" or "ego trip" may arise and one distances themselves from those who have goals or visions of the future. Soon one is surrounded by those "holy" folk who live only for the present and have no relations with a future.
What one finds after one chooses to, or is forced to leave the pothead world, is that achievements and goals is what makes life worth living. One needn't strive after buying sports cars or becoming a CEO[material trips], but, finding what we desire, striving after it, and achieving is one of the most rewarding parts of life. One can decide to build their body up to a picture of health, create art, travel the world, meet new people...etc.
Although I have met people who cannabis did not slow down from engaging reality or achieving goals, me and most other heavy users I knew had these two problems, stemming from cannabis use, that really slowed their life down.
Cannabis used more sparingly can become an ally but one must watch out for these warning signs of cannabis taking away from the rest of life.
Try to find your sweet spot.
Since this kind of talk is so prevalent I won't go into it here, but rather, will be relating a few subjective aspects of cannabis use I noticed from when I was an all day everyday user.
Cannabis use makes even the most mundane tasks enjoyable, or atleast, bearable. Pulling weeds, taking out the trash, doing dishes, working at a call-center, etc...all become more enjoyable after a few puffs of the pot. It seems to help one notice the "fun" or interesting aspects of any activity by giving one interesting thoughts that stem from, but, may not be even closely related to the activity. This non-linear thinking is enjoyable and intellectually stimulating, as many a pothead who had a million dollar idea while doing laundry will tell you.
While it makes these activities more enjoyable through the addition of the [more than usual] non-linear thoughts, this aspect of the high also takes one out of the moment and into the mind. Which is surely OK to do once in awhile, but, when it occurs constantly, it can cause problems. The self begins to retreat into an escape within the mind and away from reality, as this happens reality becomes more dreamlike, and a sort of low-level disassociation from life occurs. One begins chasing thoughts rather than life. Although some choose to live in this state, once one has left it for a period it is easier to see it as the escape it is.
The other detrimental aspect of constant weed smoking is, that it makes one complacent with where they are in life. If someone is living at their parent's house or has a dead-end job this feels OK as long as one is high. Feeling of, "Just go with it." or "Don't make waves." come to mind and one becomes satisfied with what is, rather than striving for something higher. I and many other potheads believe this is some kind of enlightenment and that being free of the desire to achieve anything makes one "higher" spiritually. Feelings of disgust at those stuck in "the achievement trip" or "ego trip" may arise and one distances themselves from those who have goals or visions of the future. Soon one is surrounded by those "holy" folk who live only for the present and have no relations with a future.
What one finds after one chooses to, or is forced to leave the pothead world, is that achievements and goals is what makes life worth living. One needn't strive after buying sports cars or becoming a CEO[material trips], but, finding what we desire, striving after it, and achieving is one of the most rewarding parts of life. One can decide to build their body up to a picture of health, create art, travel the world, meet new people...etc.
Although I have met people who cannabis did not slow down from engaging reality or achieving goals, me and most other heavy users I knew had these two problems, stemming from cannabis use, that really slowed their life down.
Cannabis used more sparingly can become an ally but one must watch out for these warning signs of cannabis taking away from the rest of life.
Try to find your sweet spot.
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