Combing weed and a productive lifestyle is one of the most discussed topics inside Open Your Mind. In this article we’ll give you tips for a productive high, the impact of weed on your creativity and concentration as well as implementing weed in general in a productive life.
Combining weed and caffeine to improve productivity
Tips for combining weed in a productive lifestyle
Cannabis and creativity
Recently we wrote an extensive article about the impact of weed on creativity. The relationship between cannabis and creativity has been a long debate in scientific research. Some of the current studies suggests that it can enhance your creativity, while other studies say it might hinder it. But many individual users report that it has helped and supported their creative thinking, and that it can be implemented in a creative and productive life.
We all have had the euphoric feeling being high in which your senses seem to merge. It is possible that this altered state makes us more open to new ideas and perspectives. Based on our own experience we are convinced that cannabis has an positive effect on creativity. Our brains seems to work in a different way, and different topics are discussed than the meetings being sober. Not all tasks are better to do high though, our creativity and productivity is enhanced in brainstorm sessions or product design but not for deep focus work like analyzing data or bookkeeping.
Weed and concentration
This brings us to our next topic of interest, the impact of weed on concentration. As with creativity, this is a complex topic as it is influenced by various factors, such as THC intake, individual variations and the strain you smoke. Moderate doses of THC can potentially enhance focus but when you get really high you might get a mental fog which is bad for your concentration.
THC affects your dopamine system, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation. Dopamine plays a vital role in regulating attention and task engagement. When THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system, it can stimulate dopamine production, which can increase your concentration. This is why some people experience tasks performed while being high to be more enjoyable and engaging.
However too much THC can overwhelm the brain’s processing abilities, which makes it important to find the perfect balance. As everybody responds differently on cannabis, and everybody has their own tolerance level, the perfect dose is different for everyone. Additionally, the type of cannabis strain also plays a role in the potential benefits for focus. Some strains contain more THC than CBD or vice versa, more about that later in the article.
In our own opinion we think that weed shouldn’t be used daily to improve concentration, as there are many other habits which have a more positive impact. Routine tasks which don’t require a lot of thinking are perfectly fine. It generally feels more enjoyable although it might take longer to get it done. Other tasks however which require a lot of decision making are in our opinion less optimal to perform after smoking weed. We personally think weed should better be used in as an reward system, to combine it best with a productive lifestyle.
Combining weed and caffeine to improve productivity
Cannabis and caffeine, the best of two plants. Both have a lot of potential to enhance our overall wellbeing and productive lifestyle. While weed is known for the calming and stress-reducing effects, caffeine is known for the energy boost.
When these two substances are consumed together, the effects can interact in various ways. As always, it will lead to a personalized experience for each person. For some people it provides a balanced sensations, where the uplifting effects of caffeine complement the mellowing effects of weed. It is important to mention that (as with any substance use) moderation and awareness of personal tolerance levels are crucial to ensuring a positive and enjoyable experience. Always be mindful of the potential interactions and how they may impact your individual physiology and preferences.
Did you know you cannabis coffee is a thing? Read about this and many other ways to use weed here. Personally we really like this combination as it gives us the high you want, in combination with enough energy. At Open Your Mind we are all about combining a productive lifestyle with our favored plant(s), making this the ideal drink!
Tips for combining weed in a productive lifestyle
We’ll first start with some tips for making sure you get a productive high. But we also want to cover the general combination of cannabis in a productive life. We are still trying out various things ourself and put our best tips below. How often do you think one should smoke weed while pursue a productive lifestyle? Let us know in the comments!
Choose the right strain
Often cannabis strains are divided in two parts: indica strains and sativa strains. Indica strains are known for their higher CBD content and lower THC content compared to sativa strains. CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, is known for the positive effect on stress and sleep. These effects might enhance concentration and productivity by reducing distractions and therefore boosting your cognitive function. But the downside are the sedative effects these strains have, making you want to lay on the couch and hinder your motivation. Indica strains seem to be a good choice for tasks that require a calm and relaxed mindset.
Sativa strains usually have higher THC levels and lower CBD levels. While THC has been demonstrated to possess potential therapeutic benefits, it can also impair cognitive function, including concentration. Nevertheless, certain Sativa strains have stimulating effects that could enhance concentration and productivity for tasks that necessitate creativity or problem-solving.
These are just generalizations and also within strains there is a huge variation, as well as the THC and CBD content. Experimenting with different strains, beginning with a low dosage, is the best approach to determine the personal affects you experience.
Make a to-do list
If you want to do a wake and bake and still have an efficient day, the best tip is to start with making a to-do list. Not only when you are high this is one of the best habits to improve your productivity. Making a daily list helps you to organize your tasks and responsibilities in one central place. This clarity makes it easier to prioritize the plans you have for the day.
When you also write down per task how much time you want to spend on it, it will help you to manage your time more effectively as well. This helps with procrastination and working with a time goal/limit will keep you from being distracted.
Crossing off all tasks during the day will give you a lot of satisfaction. Combine that with the euphoric state when you’re high and the overall feeling will be great. These positive reinforcements can boost your motivation and drive to tackle the remaining tasks.
Stay active
To maintain productivity and motivation while smoking weed, one of the best approaches is to stay active. After taking your bong hit, directly start working on your tasks to make sure you keep that momentum throughout the day.
One it the things we notice is that when you’re high you are more likely to reward yourself quicker and procrastinate things more often. Once you start watching Netlix, chances are you will only get up off the couch to smoke your next joint. It will get harder and harder throughout the day to get in in a productive mindset if you have already flooded your brain with cheap dopamine (instant gratification).
Staying active can also involve physical activity. While this isn’t for everybody, you can get into a great flow state while doing a repetitive activity such as running. Getting into flow state while running high can be a truly magical experience. It's a state of mind where you're completely immersed in the activity, and everything else seems to melt away. You're running effortlessly, and you feel like you could go on forever.
Eat energizing foods
This tip is for both when you want to have a productive high, as well as a productive life as a stoner in general. Eating energizing foods will have an amazing impact on your productivity and overall well-being. A balanced diet can boost your cognitive function, enhance your focus and maintain energy throughout your day.
We all know it can be difficult when you have the munchies, but when you plan or prepare your foods before your smoke session you can beat the cravings! Choose complex carbohydrates like whole grains and fruits, which provide a slow release of glucose, keeping your brain fueled without energy crashes. Include lean protein sources like fish and beans to support brain health and muscle function. Healthy fats like avocados and nuts provide sustained energy and regulate blood sugar levels. Snacking on energizing foods like yogurt, berries, and nuts can prevent afternoon slumps and keep you productive.
Be honest with yourself
As THC impacts your dopamine system, smoking weed usually gives you a good feeling. The THC can temporarily enhance your mood and sometimes creativity, which can lead to a perception of improved performance. This can make it harder to determine whether a task was performed more efficiently being high than being sober.
Therefore it is important to be honest to yourself, by first establishing a baseline of your sober productivity. Keep a record of your progress or achievements, if the task is measurable, while maintaining a consistent work routine. Once you have your sober performance clear, you can compare it to your performance when you’re high.
Use cannabis as a reward system
So far, the best way for us to combine weed in a productive lifestyle is to use it as a reward system. This basically comes down to the concept of delayed gratification. The idea is to resist immediate pleasures and pursue goals that have long-term rewards, especially if these require more effort and discipline. You resist the urge for instant gratification, such as smoking weed or eating junk food, for a greater reward later.
We’ve had periods in which we smoked weed every day, but strictly only after finishing all tasks and while maintaining a healthy food and workout schedule. Right now we limit cannabis use for the weekends only, to delay the gratification even more but the reward at the end of the week feels even greater. This also puts more emphasis on the long-term goals, as smoking weed is not the primary goal at the end of the day but more a periodic reward after consistent process.
This does not mean you have to get rid of all instant gratification. As with most things in life, it comes down to a healthy balance. Occasionally we enjoy a good wake and bake session, but preferably on a free day or a day full of creativity and nature.
The key lies in personal preference and self-awareness. What works for us might not work for you. You learn by trying out different things, while staying honest to yourself. We think it is important to use cannabis to enhance your life and experience, not to avoid emotions.
Don’t escape your emotions and problems with weed
This bring us to the last point of this article, while marihuana can enhance some of your experiences and boost your mood, using it to escape problems or emotions is counterproductive. This way it can potentially hinder your personal growth, well being and productivity. Rather than using cannabis to avoid these difficult situations we think there is a better approach to improve your life in positive ways.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important to avoid burn out and emotional strain. Schedule time for relaxing, hobbies and social activities with loved ones.
We mentioned it earlier but engaging in physical activity is one of the best ways to improve your overall wellbeing and productivity. Activity releases endorphins, it boosts your mood and can reduce stress. It also has a great impact on your sleep and physical health. The fitter you are physically, the better you feel mentally.
Last but not least we think it helps to prioritize self-care in your life. Implement habits such as meditation, improving your sleep, spend time in nature and be a little bit sweet on yourself.
Thanks for reading this article by Open Your Mind, a Dutch company in the cannabis industry focused on creating unique cannabis accessories. By sharing valuable knowledge and making high quality products, we try to break negative stereotypes about cannabis. Do you have any further tips for fellow productive stoners? Let us know in the comments!
