Why Artists Use Cannabis for Inspiration

Artists need to garner a lot of inspiration whenever they are about to produce work. Some find it in a cup of coffee, a personal moment and for others – they find it with cannabis. A lot of artists use cannabis to gain clarity in their minds, providing ample leeway into thinking of a concept for their masterpiece.

There are many studies that support the claim that cannabis can help artists unleash their creative juices. The practice of working on their craft while under the influence of cannabis goes way back.

Researchers have found traces of the herb in the garden of the famous playwright William Shakespeare, and painters Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso were also known to have used cannabis while painting.

How Cannabis Triggers Your Creative Flare

So how does cannabis and art create a masterpiece? To find this out, it is best to look into how cannabis works in the body.

This video explains how marijuana works in the brain in a simple and easy to understand manner:

Now let’s explore how it stimulates creativity?

In general, cannabis has the chemical Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present, which is said to be very similar to Anandamide which is a natural transmitter of Cannabinoids (molecules found in the body & in Cannabis).

What THC does is triggers the receptors over and over again to magnify or intensify the sensation experience. Other chemicals are released to relax your body and you may feel a level of:

Euphoria
Relaxation
Pain Modulation
General enhancement of your experience.

For an artist for example, once you have a strong train of thought or idea for an artwork, that idea or thought becomes your focus and is intensified.

WARNING- Not everyone reacts the same to cannabis. In some artists, the THC in cannabis may also spark feelings of anxiety, having a “downer effect” instead of an enlightened one.

But for those who have a good experience, it can really stimulate creativity and allow you to work with a highly-imaginative mindset.

Thoughts are usually more radical and colorful whenever artists have consumed cannabis and this serves as fuel for their work.

What cannabis also does is, it jump starts the creative process for artists. This has been scientifically proven by researchers at UC Berkeley. Its simulation runs deep into the brain, as it touches parts of it that focus on creativity. It connects parts of the brain so that it could generate thoughts that are open and almost limitless.

A lot of artists from musicians to painters admit to ingesting the drug as part of their creative process.

Famous Artists Who Use Cannabis

A lot of artists today enjoy the effects of marijuana. Some famous singers are very open about their use like Lady Gaga who says, “I smoke a lot of pot when I write music”.

The equally famous rapper, Snoop Dogg, is known for his cannabis-fueled tracks and his own brand of weed available in the market. He has introduced his line called “Leafs by Snoop” as the first mainstream brand for a weed.

Famous painters have lead the way for new generation of artists to integrate the use to their craft. Modern artists like Forest Ray and Pierre Schmidt have produced many highly-imaginative, surreal genre artworks they proudly say are fueled by their cannabis use.

You can tell that their inspiration was rooted from a deeper sense of creativity and imagination. They use surreal images and it is apparent that their cannabis journey has led them to break free from normal thinking. They’re more colorful and interesting like an exciting and extraordinary story.

These famous artists are representative of those people who remain very successful even if they are users of cannabis.

Choose the Right Cannabis Strain for Creativity

Certain strains are better than others. Many of the Sativa strains are more so recommended for creativity than the Indica kind. Sativa tends to stimulate excitement, whereas Indica relaxes and mellows you out.

Leafly provides a handy strain identifier where you can search which strains you would like to sample for creativity.

But the five below are recommended by the Denver Dispensary, and the first two are the ones we highly recommend from experience:

Want to Try It?

A lot of artists, who are not regular users might feel uncomfortable by the idea of using cannabis while they are in the creative process. They have fears that it might dull them out or prolong their process. As mentioned before, cannabis can cause different reactions in each user so it’s best to test how you feel under the influence before using it while working on your piece.

If you do tap into the benefits of cannabis, it can clear your mind, increase your focus and help motivate you. If you feel like you are in a rut, then cannabis may be a harmless solution to spark that creativity again.

How long does it take to kick in?

The time it takes for you to feel the effect varies from person-to-person. Some may feel it instantly, while some may take a bit longer. This isn’t something to be scared about, as there is no “standard time.” What matters the most is that you remain open to the cannabis experience.

Also, be aware that cannabis is only there to enhance your creativity and not produce it. If you are dealing with personal issues and other sources of stress which may inhibit your creativity, then cannabis may not entirely solve your creative block.

Responsible Use is Still the Best

When it comes to marijuana, moderation, and responsible use is key. We all have heard that “too much of something is not always a good thing”, that is why you should remain in control of your intake.

If you have the privilege to go through the cannabis experience, then make sure that you have enough information and education about it, especially if you are using it for the first time.

According to cannabis guru Sebastian Marincolo, “Marijuana can be a loving partner to your creativity; a muse and inspiration and a help in many ways.”

How did cannabis help you in terms of your artistry?

Rae Alson

She's a mother to three dogs, and she tries to live life as happily as she can. She's a huge fan of pop music, and she has this habit of listening to albums all in one go. When she's not busy writing, watching movies and attempting to create tasty dishes in the kitchen are what she does with her time. Professionally, she's been in digital advertising and content writing for more than five years.