Combining Cannabis & Meditation

Everyone has a different way of unwinding and finding some balance when they feel overwhelmed. Some people do yoga, some like to take long walks and others find that playing with their kids or pets helps to lighten up their mood after a heavy day. Meditation is also a common way for people to find some peace of mind when everything seems to be spinning out of control. No matter what you choose, it’s all about picking something that works for you.

There are lots of different types of meditation and choosing a method of consumption for them really depends on the type of experience you’d like to have. In general, smoking or vaping is probably best because the effects will come on more rapidly than with edibles, although a low-dose edible might be a good option for longer practices that might also include yoga along with meditation or sound healing.

Of course, the strain you pick will have an effect on your practice. It’s important to consider what type of experience you’d like to have and try to pair it with a meditation that is complimentary. Uplifting, energizing strains that are heavy on the cerebral side might be helpful for people who need some assistance getting out of their head. They can also be useful for stimulating morning meditations that incorporate vigorous breath or other methods to help you feel refreshed and ready for a busy day.

Calming, relaxing strains can be good for meditating before bed when you are trying to unwind and let the day fade away or just need to find a way to take the edge off of a bad attitude. Look for strains that relieve stress, reduce anxiety and help ease pain and tension throughout the body. You can also opt for non-psychotropic products like topicals for relaxing meditations to release discomfort or CBD strains to help with stress or a bad mood. These types of products can be good for preparing your mind and body to ease into meditation — almost like stretching before exercise.

When it comes to exactly how much cannabis to combine with your meditation, it’s up to you to decide how much you want to indulge. Overdoing it may not necessarily improve your meditation practice, especially if you are unable to maintain a gentle focus on your breath or are too distracted to follow a guided visualization. Smoking a lot can be good for people with a high tolerance or people who are using meditation as a tool to help them get to sleep. A little bit can go a long way if you’re interested in just a small but noticeable change in perception, mood and mental state that can enhance a meditation but don’t want to be blasted. Microdosing is useful for people who don’t really want to feel anything but still want some of the therapeutic benefits of cannabis to include in their practice.

It’s your choice whether you smoke before, during or after meditation. Smoking before a meditation will allow the effects to be present when you begin and increase throughout the activity. If you take a second to smoke during a meditation, you can incorporate it into a deep breathing exercise and come out of a meditation feeling on top of the world. Waiting until afterward can help seal the deal and allow yourblissed-outt mood to linger even longer past the practice. If you choose to eat an edible, you should eat it at least an hour before you plan to begin your meditation so that it has adequate time to kick in.

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