You made it to our newest Hypnoticgate post! We’re talking about meditation as a substitute for marijuana. Get ready to learn a lot about meditation and marijuana. Let’s get started!
“Marijuana use is associated with a range of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis.” –
-National Institute on Drug Abuse
Why People Choose To Marijuana For Coping Mechanism?
People turn to cannabis for relief from stress, anxiety, and mental ailments. THC, its
People use cannabis for stress, anxiety and mental issues. THC the main component creates a calm and happy feeling (like meditating) and people get hooked on cannabis to numb tough emotions or conditions.
Yet it can cause dependency and negative effects like memory loss and brain function. It can even cause withdrawal symptoms that affect life and motivation. Remember it can exacerbate symptoms of worry and sadness.
“Long term marijuana use has been shown to have negative effects on memory, learning and mental health.”
- Mayo Clinic
You should think of other ways to deal with stress that are safer and work better in the long run. Hypnosis is a method that brings calm and relaxation with its own techniques. Meditation is another. It’s proven to do a lot of good for our mental health and wellbeing. It reduces stress and worry, boosts concentration and packs incredible benefits we’ll highlight for you.
Choosing meditation over marijuana as a stress-buster can boost your life quality. Research tells us meditation can help our brain work better—growing new cells in the hippocampus (via BDNF stimulation).
It also enriches the prefrontal cortex and insula areas related to self awareness, decision making and emotion control. Meditation can even change brain waves for the better.
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“Marijuana can also worsen mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.”
-American Academy of Pediatrics
Exploring the Benefits of Meditation as an Alternative to Marijuana
| Benefits of Meditation | Side Effects of Marijuana |
|---|---|
| Reduces stress and anxiety | It can worsen anxiety and depression |
| Improves focus and attention | Impairs memory and cognitive function |
| Promotes the growth of new brain cells | Possible addiction |
| Natural and safe | Possible legal consequences |
| Long-term benefits | Temporary relief |
Comparing the Highs of Marijuana and Meditation
The Buzz of Marijuana vs Meditation
Although weed may relieve stress or anxiety temporarily, it can also cause several negative side effects that may be damaging. It affects decision making and brain patterns, preventing new brain cells from growing. The buzz or high from weed use can be short-lived and continuous use is often needed to maintain the same level of effect.
On the other hand, we explain at Hypnoticgate how the consistent, positive effects of regular meditation can improve ones overall well-being. As tempting as weed may be as a quick way to relieve stress or anxiety, it can be deceiving as an easy escape. Instead, exploring meditation as a healthy alternative can be more sustaining, enjoyable and offer additional benefits for ones overall health.
Along with explaining other topics, such as self-hypnosis, we mainly focus on meditation. After eight weeks of regular meditative practices, you will likely notice positive changes in your mental and emotional well-being. Notice the ‘eight weeks’ – this is crucial for the brain to make adjustments. But, of course, continue it for longer for increased effect. There is evidence that meditation can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress while increasing happiness, kindness and overall well-being. The physical health benefits of meditation reducing inflammation (from decreased cortisol), lowering blood pressure and improving sleep quality have also been supported by research.
As the brain adapts and changes itself through neuroplasticity, these benefits may be increased manifold with consistent practice. In other words, the more you meditate, the more positive improvements you will likely see in your mental and physical well-being.
“Heavy marijuana use has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and psychosis.”
- Australian Government Department of Health
Here Are The Benefits of Meditation
Meditation is a simple, effective mental health tool. Free of charge, eh? Are you suffering from stress, anxiety or lacking inner peace (or spiritual development)? Practice meditation daily. Let’s look at five benefits you can gain from putting meditation on your daily schedule:
- Ease stress and anxiety: Life as we all know it moves at a rapid pace and stress accumulates. Like a secret power, meditation heps to soothe our minds and relieve tension and worry.
- Boost your mood:
- Ease stress and anxiety: Life as we all know it moves at a rapid pace and stress accumulates. Like a secret power, meditation heps to soothe our minds and relieve tension and worry.
- ind a sense of connection: Meditation helps in understanding oneself and connecting with the world around. It fosters tranquility and equanimity within
- Change your brain waves: Research indicates that meditation can change brain waves in a desirable manner, increasing calmness and concentration.
- Follow in the footsteps of ancient wisdom: Many of the meditative techniques that are practiced, derive from the principles of Taoism. These emphasize in tuning into the rhythms of nature and finding inner equilibrium.
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What Are Some Tips For Getting Started With Meditation?
While you can always benefit from meditating, trying something new can be daunting if you’ve never done it before. Here are some simple tips for beginning your mediation practice and optimizing your time spent meditating:
- Start small: You don’t need to jump into long hours of extended meditation to benefit from meditation. You can start as small as just a few minutes a day. Gradually increase your practice as you become more easy with it.
- Find a quiet, comfortable space: Finding a comfortable position in which you can sit or lie down without distraction is crucial for successful meditation.
- Try different meditations:There are many styles of meditation including mindfulness, loving-kindness, chakra, and others. You can try different techniques to find what works best for you.
- Make it a habit:Seeing the positive effects of meditation does take a while, so incorporating it into your daily schedule is crucial. How about dedicating a fixed slot every day for meditation?
- Don’t worry about perfection:Meditation isn’t aiming for a flawless relaxed state. The act of meditating itself matters, so if your thoughts drift or you sense restlessness, that’s okay. Softly draw your focus back to your breathing or mantra and continue.
You’ll be amazed at how capabile you’ll be in no time. Imagine, accomplishing all of this without any kind of substances, even marijuana, just for your own good.
“Meditation is not a means to an end. It is both the means and the end.
– Jiddu Krishnamurti
What Are Some of the Common Obstacles and How Can I Stay Motivated with My Meditation Practice?
Beginning to meditate_isn’t_ easy. Sitting with quiet thoughts, ugh! It’s difficult! Relax. You’re doing it. As you continue, it gets easier. Your attention will sharpen and you will feel more present.
Okay, it’s a little dull. Meditation is a journey, not a destination. Find a way and technique that appeals to you. Allow yоursеlf some leeway while you are learnіng. And if you still find it hard to motivate yоurself, set small targets or get a frіend to meditate with. The rewards? Host of worthy benefits from regular medіtation.
“The practice of meditation is not about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better, but about befriending who we are already.”
– Pema Chodron
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Can Meditation Techniques Lead To A Drug-like “High”?
Meditation is known for calming the mind, not giving a drug-like “high.” Yet, some find certain meditation types bring about an intense awareness. Transcendental Meditation is one such type; a private mantra helps people feel deep peace. Pranayama or breathwork, like Wim Hof Breathing, might give a joyous feeling, but it’s not a drug-high. Every person is different and meditation works differently for everyone.
If you worry about getting a “high” from meditation, look at different styles like mindfulness or Vipassana. Consider advice from a seasoned teacher to pick what’s right for you. Conclusively, meditation boosts mental and physical health. While Transcendental Meditation and breathwork could heighten awareness or induce joy, it’s not the same as a drug-high.
Is It Good to Meditation When You’re High?
Nope, meditating while on drugs, even if you’re “high” is not recommended. Why? Drugs can mess with your ability to focus and calm your mind, which is key to meditation. Plus they can cause nervousness or worry which cancels out meditation’s benefits. Better idea? Wait it out until the drug effects wear off before meditating.
Also remember some drugs can harm your mental and physical health in the long run. Best to avoid them if possible. So if you want to boost wellness through meditation ensure you’re in a good state to start.
Can You Get Addicted to Meditation?
No worries. The thought of meditation being an addiction is not a common one. Sure you might feel a strong need to meditate often but that’s different from being addicted. Addiction means you’re dependent, physically and mentally, on a substance or activity and it has harmful effects. But meditation? It’s actually good for you! It helps form good habits and boosts your overall well-being provided you balance it right. What does balance mean, you ask?
Just that your meditation doesn’t interfere with your hobbies, your life and your relationships. So yes someone might enjoy meditating a lot and do it often but it’s not an addiction. Remember meditation is really good for mental, emotional and physical health when done right.
Conclusion
We’ve seen that meditation can help with stress and anxiety. While marijuana can cause memory issues and addiction, meditation boosts brain performance, gratitude and togetherness, reduces inflammation and might even increase Telomerase (long life). Start slow. Find a style of meditation that works for you and reap the benefits. Soon it will be part of your long term wellness plan. So try it out at Hypnoticgate.com and see how it can benefit your mental and physical health?
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