Smoke Marijuana, Get Creative

Cannabis, along with other drugs, causes the brain to release the neurotransmitter known as dopamine. Ingesting cannabis promotes the flow of this chemical that regulates the function of our brain by blocking off the neurotransmitter GABA. Despite being regarded as a reward system, dopamine also gives off feelings of pleasure, joy, and motivation. The rush of dopamine felt after consuming cannabinoids results in the user feeling as if they were collected, meditated, and ready to take on the next task. Positive people are more likely to be productive, and therefore some people get a boost to their work ethic by using cannabis.

A 2010 study published in Psychiatry Research showed that one of the major primary properties in cannabis is its ability to increase hyper-priming, or the ability to connect seemingly unrelated concepts. Subjects studied under the influence were more colorful with their answers when provided with an activation word. The “Aha” moment associated with the creation of ideas occurs faster for those that use marijuana compared to those who don’t. Not only was the response more creative, but subjects reacted faster to distantly-related words after consuming marijuana as well. Making these loose associations is very crucial in the brainstorming process if you want to spark new ideas.

THC interacts with the neurotransmitter anandamide, leaving the users with a positive, relaxed, and sleepy feeling. The combination of these three feelings is exactly why cannabis helps a lot of people keep their anxiety at bay. Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered cannabinoid receptors in the part of the brain of mice that handles anxiety and flight-or-fight responses. This is the first time that cannabinoid receptors have been found inside the amygdala, a hub of the brain. This advancement “could be highly important for understanding how cannabis exerts its behavioral effects,” Dr. Sachin Patel, senior author of the study, explains in a press release.

"We know where the receptors are, we know their function, we know how these neurons make their own cannabinoids," Patel adds. "Now can we see how that system is affected by stress and chronic (marijuana) use? It might fundamentally change our understanding of cellular communication in the amygdala.”

Hawaiian Snow

Hawaiian Snow is a cross between Hawaiian Haze, Pure Haze and Neville's Haze, and is exactly what’s needed to feel creative and productive. The dense hair covered buds of this sativa are misleading as the high is light and easy going to help you carry on with even the worst of days. Sometimes you need a fix for a rough morning, and this could very well be the solution.

Green Crack

Green Crack is a descendent of Skunk #1 and an Afghani strain. This Sativa helps you focus and tap into your creativity with its energizing and uplifting effect. Some have started calling it Green Cush to deflect the negative image from a name like Green Crack. Patients that need something to enhance productivity should seek out this unfortunately named strain to aid their next project.

Cherry AK

If you’re looking for inspiration and a headrush all in one experience, there’s a strain just for you. Cherry AK47 is a cross of Mexican, Thai, Colombian, and Afghanistan, and this rare phenotype takes the brain on a two hour flight before relaxing your body on the comedown. This rare cherry phenotype earns its name with deep red buds and a cherry aroma. Experienced cannabis users who require the left side of their brain will favor this strain towards the end of the workday.

Headband

Headband is the very potent cross between OG Kush and Sour Diesel. This hybrid keeps you feeling relaxed, but the cross of sour diesel keeps your wheels off of the ground after ingestion. Calming your nerves and getting back to work will be considerably easier once you put some headband through your pipe.

Strawberry Diesel

This cross between NYC Diesel and Strawberry Cough has a thick diesel taste that’s great for daytime and nighttime use. Strawberry Diesel relaxes the muscles and supplies clear energy to the brain. If you’re finding yourself distracted with pain, give yourself a taste of this hybrid and get going with the rest of your day.

Photo Credit: Jorge Royan (license)