Ever had a scientific, philosophical, or political debate after getting stoned? It definitely sounds more interesting, in-depth, and fun. But does getting high or stoned actually make you smart? Well, not really.
It’s a common myth among many Full Spectrum CBD oil users, which probably stems from the altered perception and amplified introspection one goes through after getting high. Even cultural phenomena play a huge role in it. When we see smart and accomplished people smoke and talk, it creates a false perception of their discussion sounding much more advanced.
Joe Rogan and Elon Musk getting high on a podcast is the biggest example of it; such events set a false correlation between weed and smartness in general for folks who like to get stoned. In this article, we will explore why one might feel smart after getting high and why it’s nothing more than just a myth.
What Happens When You Get Stoned?
THC is the dominant cannabinoid in marijuana plants; it has both psychoactive and intoxicating properties. When you smoke and get high, THC enters your bloodstream and alters the working of various receptors in your brain and body.
It affects our cognitive abilities such as memory, learning, attention, coordination, reaction time, and decision-making. Because of this, people feel spacey, trippy, and kind of blissful, which often makes conversations sound more deep and impactful. But, Some people have the opposite reaction and they end up feeling panicked and stressed.
See, many health-conscious people often bend toward cannabis to feel calm and composed; for them, CBD products are a much healthier alternative than weed. Why? Studies have shown that CBD has anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, plus it doesn't have intoxicating effects.
There are also plenty of anecdotal reports from people showing how CBD has improved their lives. You can buy best CBD oil from Colorado Botanicals to improve your overall wellness without worrying about getting high.
Now that we know how getting high impacts our brain and body functioning, let’s take a look at why some falsely relate this to smartness.
Why You Might Feel Smart After Getting Stoned?
Getting high can create a false perception of increased intelligence, let’s try to understand the underlying factors behind this phenomenon :
Changes in Brain Chemistry
As discussed above, THC is the main intoxication and psychoactive compound in marijuana. THC tends to bind to certain cannabinoid receptors of our body’s Endocannabinoid System which is responsible for maintaining our mood, appetite, memory, and perception.
It also affects the receptors present in our prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, which results in increased dopamine release. The increase in dopamine levels due to stimulation of the body's natural reward system leads to a sense of altered perception, calmness, and euphoria. Hence, the profound insights caused by this can make one feel smart.
Cognitive Disinhibitions
The effects of marijuana on our prefrontal cortex affect our decision-making ability, impulse control, and social inhibition. Due to the impairment of these functions, people end up speaking and expressing things they usually won’t do in a normal social setting.
The feeling experienced due to a lack of societal constraints and uninterrupted thought flow under the influence of marijuana makes the person feel more liberated and free. That’s why there’s an increase in podcast hosts getting high when talking about conservative topics.
Hindered Perception
Stoners often experience a distorted perception of reality. Marijuana boosts the sensory reception, hence the colors, sounds, and tastes feel more punchy, alive, and exotic. Hence, the person may feel a deeper and richer experience and confuse it with smartness.
This is quite common when watching movies, or listening to music after getting high. People feel that they can understand the layers better, and see beyond the words and whatnot, whereas in reality, it’s a mere effect of sensory distortion.
Confirmation Bias
Marijuana can impair the brain's ability to accurately gauge situations, evaluate information, and make sound decisions. This results in stoners getting overconfident in their argument behind some ideas and thoughts while completely overlooking any rational reasoning or flaws in it. This confirmation bias caused by impaired judgment can result in one feeling smarter and more confident about some ideas, regardless of the logical stance behind them.
Social Influence and Culture
This is perhaps the biggest factor in stoners believing that weed makes them smart. Marijuana is often portrayed as a wonder substance in pop culture, that it can open your mind, make you see beyond the restraints of human society, and whatnot.
Decriminalization has made weed more mainstream. Actors, influencers, and artists often smoke it in the open and talk about how it makes them focused and more creative. This creates a false sense of intellectual aura around them in their followers' heads.
Plus, when you are in a stoner group, members often affirm and promote each other's thoughts and ideas, often solidifying reasonings that are not practical and sound in a sober setting.
Conclusion
To sum it up, many stoners believe they are smart, but that’s not true. There’s no scientific evidence that weed can have a positive impact on your intellect and smartness. Studies have shown that regular marijuana use can have a negative impact on cognitive functions in the long term.
Continuous marijuana usage may result in difficulty comprehending stuff, remembering patterns, controlling behavior, and planning things properly. This false narrative of smartness in stoners is often solidified by the glorious display of marijuana by artists on various social platforms.
Yes, marijuana can make you feel a bit focused or make music sound better, but that’s just because the cannabinoids it contains alter our cognitive functioning and have nothing to do with smartness or intellect.
For most people who want to experience the therapeutic and healing benefits of hemp or marijuana plants, CBD products with trusted brands are a much better alternative. They definitely won’t make you smart, but they can surely improve your overall wellness without damaging your health. Just make sure to start with a low dose and try to buy only from reputable brands like Colorado Botanicals.
