By Michelle Distion, Certified Cannabis Coach

Some studies report that Cannabis reduces brain activity, as if that’s inherently negative. But let’s ask: what kind of brain activity are we talking about?

Yes, Cannabis Lowers Brain Activity. And That’s the Point

For those of us with ADHD or high-functioning anxiety, constant mental chatter isn't productive; it's paralyzing. Cannabis doesn’t make one less capable. It makes one more available to joy, to clarity, to life.

Most scientific studies focus on how Cannabis works physiologically: its effect on inflammation, pain, appetite, or neurotransmitters. Very few explore its psychological effects, and even fewer examine its spiritual impact. Because how do you quantify something like a heart opening or an existential breakthrough?

Still, emerging research is starting to reflect what many of us Medical Cannabis Experts have long known:

• A 2023 study (1) found that intentional Cannabis use increased mindfulness and emotional acceptance.
• Other studies suggest that Cannabis use may reduce rumination and enhance present-moment awareness. Here is a dissertation on Cannabis UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF YOGA (2).

But even this doesn’t capture the depth of transformation I and many others have experienced. This is a felt sense, a relationship, not a transaction.

Does the Recreational Market Serve Medical Needs?

Cannabis markets and regulations vary significantly across countries and regions. While some areas have both recreational and medical Cannabis programs, others may have limited or no legal access. In Canada, where I reside, recreational Cannabis is legal nationwide. However, provincial regulations differ, influencing how Cannabis is sold and marketed.

In British Columbia and Ontario, retailers are often compelled to stock products with high THC concentrations due to consumer demand and regulatory frameworks. This emphasis on potency can overshadow the therapeutic benefits of balanced cannabinoid profiles, potentially leading to adverse effects for some consumers.

This trend reflects a broader issue, the commodification of Cannabis, where the plant's holistic properties are overlooked in favor of high-THC products. Such an approach may overwhelm the endocannabinoid system, resulting in undesirable effects like anxiety and paranoia. It's crucial to foster a more informed and intentional relationship with Cannabis, recognizing its full spectrum of benefits beyond just THC content.

From Consumption to Communion

When you know what you’re treating, you unlock the full potential of Cannabis as medicine.

The key is intention. Whether you’re seeking relief from pain, anxiety, or simply longing for reconnection with yourself, Cannabis invites you to be clear, gentle, and curious.

• Set intentions with each dose.
• Choose cultivars that serve your needs, not just your routine.
• Explore ratios instead of chasing potency.
• Take a breath before inhaling. Create a ritual.

Cannabis is not just a tool. It is a teacher. A companion. A spiritual ally.
And when we honor it as such, we reclaim its sacred role—not just as a healer of bodies, but as a restorer of souls. 

Everywhere I turned, the answer to mental health struggles seemed to be another prescription. But while pharmaceuticals dulled the edges, they also dulled me. I wasn’t looking to escape my mind but longing to understand it. That’s when I realized that my recreational use of Cannabis was working for me medically. What I discovered wasn’t just relief from symptoms of depression, but a reconnection to myself.

From Chemicals to Connection

Pharmaceuticals may carry a frequency, but they are synthetic by design, formulated in labs, isolated from nature, and often intended to suppress symptoms rather than illuminate root causes.

Cannabis is different. It is a whole plant. Its compounds work in synergy, creating an entourage effect that influences not only the body, but the mind and spirit. When I began combining low-THC flower (under 20%) with my home-grown or sourced CBD and CBG flower, I noticed my nervous system began to soften. My anxiety (3) eased. My thoughts slowed to a pace I could actually engage with. 

I often use a blend I call my “bliss cookie,” a combination of THC, CBD, and CBG in ratios that support calm without sedation, and presence without pressure. I infuse this blend into actual cookies, use it in my dry herb vaporizer, and roll it into joints by hand. I often enhance the mix with other smokable herbs (4) for added plant power—mullein, damiana, rose petals, and more—creating a beautiful entourage effect. This ritual has become sacred to me. 

Reclaiming the Sacred in Cannabis: My Journey from Numb to Nourished

For over two decades, I lived in a fog. I was prescribed pharmaceuticals for depression and told that this chemical cocktail would bring me balance. Instead, I felt like I was surviving in grayscale—emotionally flatlined, disconnected from my purpose, and quietly drowning in the expectations of others. I accepted that as my normal.

It wasn’t until I started working with Cannabis that I truly began to feel again. Within two years, my inner world shifted dramatically. Cannabis helped me recognize something life-changing: my negative thoughts were fueling my depression, not some irreversible chemical imbalance.

The plant didn’t fix me, but it was a big part of my healing. It helped me see myself. It slowed the internal noise long enough for gratitude to rise. It helped me remember what it meant to be present, to feel my breath and to observe my own thoughts without being consumed by them.

What I came to understand is that Cannabis has spirit. It has wisdom. It carries a natural frequency that aligns with our bodies, not just chemically, but energetically and emotionally. When approached with intention, it becomes a sacred ally on the path to healing.

References

1. Carlon, Hannah A et al. “Is Mindfulness Associated With Safer Cannabis Use? A Latent Profile Analysis of Dispositional Mindfulness Among College Students Who Use Cannabis.” Mindfulness vol. 14,4 (2023): 797-807. doi:10.1007/s12671-023-02110-x

2. Daniels, Sarah Elizabeth Ann. “Cannabis under the Influence of Yoga : The Impact of Mindful Movement on Well-Being Outcomes after Cannabis Use.” T. University of British Columbia, 2023. Web. 8 May 2025. <https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0435753>. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) 2008+.

3. A. Stoner, Susan  A. “2017mjanxiety.PDF.” University of Washington, July 2017,  

4. Russo, Sarah. “Synergy with Cannabis and Other Herbs: Thinking beyond Plant Constituents.” Society of Cannabis Clinicians, Sarah Russo https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/scc_logo-long-R-2-1.png, 11 Feb. 2022, www.cannabisclinicians.org/2021/12/23/synergy-with-cannabis-and-other-herbs-thinking-beyond-plant-constituents/. 

About Michelle Diston:

Michelle Diston has always believed that you can heal yourself naturally. Through years of her own personal research and determination, she learned how to manage Candida with Cannabis and nutrition. She was able to wean completely off 20 years of antidepressants and overcome the underlying traumas that were hiding behind the meds with intentional and targeted Cannabis use. Her journey has inspired her passion to help others. She has become a Certified Cannabis Health Coach and Educator and is one of the founding members of the Effective Cannabis Newsletter.

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 If you need help with any terminology in this article, you may find some answers in our glossary

Effective Cannabis Newsletter is a platform to educate on the vital role of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in one's health. The information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information contained in or available through this newsletter is for general information purposes only. It is not medical advice; it is health awareness.