Sitting down with friends and family — or with your latest art project — probably makes you feel especially connected to yourself. Cannabis can too.
In fact, many people consume cannabis to feel creative, whether they’re working on an art project or brainstorming new ideas.
This guide to cannabis and creativity will help you see why this plant, which has supported humanity’s wellness for millennia, could help kickstart your creativity.
How does cannabis spark creativity?
While it’s generally accepted that cannabis may spark creativity, it’s not always clear how or when your sesh may lead to a burst of inspiration. Researchers have examined cannabis’s potential to act as a muse and uncovered some intriguing insights; the research into the topic is ongoing, but here’s what the science says so far.
Subjective responses to creative ideas
Academic researchers have looked at how behaviors and performance are related to cannabis in multiple studies.
In one study conducted in 2023, researchers asked more than 300 participants to develop creative ideas and then judge the ideas of other participants. Participants who were high reported liking the ideas more than their sober counterparts did.
The researchers concluded that cannabis does not necessarily boost your creativity, but it does boost your perception of creative ideas, making them seem better.
A separate study conducted in 2021 examined how more than 250 participants brainstormed entrepreneurial ideas. The researchers found that participants who consumed cannabis came up with more original ideas than non-consumers in the study. However, those ideas also tended to be less feasible.
Moreover, the boost in originality only appeared to take place in participants who had a strong passion for exploring new business ideas. It was less pronounced in experienced entrepreneurs who had already founded multiple businesses.
Objective markers of enhanced creativity
In cannabis, a phytocannabinoid called delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive ingredient.
This compound affects your mood and thinking by interacting with your endogenous cannabinoid system, or ECS for short. Cannabis may also lessen your inhibitions, opening your mind to new frontiers of expression.
Beyond THC, the terpenes limonene and pinene, which are among the seven most abundant terpenes in cannabis, may spark feelings of creativity too.
Limonene is often associated with reducing stress and evoking feelings of euphoria. Pinene may improve attentiveness and memory while making your mind feel clearer and more ready to dream big.
What does anecdotal evidence suggest about cannabis and creativity?
Individual experiences differ when it comes to cannabis, but anecdotal stories can tell us a lot about what we can expect when it comes to cannabis and the creative experience.
When it comes to musicians and artists, everyone from Black Sabbath to The Beatles has touted how cannabis influenced their musical direction and choices.
Artists like Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Melissa Etheridge, and many others have spoken openly about how cannabis is the reason for their creative success.
The same is true for cannabis and comedy. Endless entertainers, from Ilana Glazer to Seth Rogen, reference cannabis in their acts or their programs.
Divergent thinking, cannabis, and creativity
Divergent thinking, also known as lateral thinking, is much more associated with creativity than convergent thinking, which is focused on one idea instead of a world of possibilities.
Divergent thinking is considered the lynchpin of “thinking outside the box.” Divergent thinking:
- Values originality and uniqueness
- Focuses on quantity
- Embraces unconventional ideas
- Promotes flexibility and fluidity
- Breaks away from traditional thinking patterns
- Generates new and unexpected ideas
- Explores different possibilities and perspectives
- Identifies unexpected connections and opportunities
Experts also say that divergent thinking is used with convergent thinking, which requires you to evaluate and select the best solution from a pool of ideas generated through the divergent thought process.
Research on THC and divergent thinking shows mixed results. While one older study from 1975 found low doses (3 mg THC) improved divergent thinking, more recent research shows high doses may actually impair creative thinking.
So, if you want to give your sesh the best chance at boosting your creativity, keep your dose relatively low before starting your brainstorm.
Finding the right balance
Not everyone experiences an uptick in creative thoughts when they use cannabis.
Genetics, prior experience with cannabis, dosage, and the type of cannabis product you consume all contribute to the individual result of trying cannabis.
While low to moderate doses of THC can stimulate creativity, highly potent cannabis may inhibit divergent thinking.
The right balance for creativity is to choose a cannabis strain or product with low or moderate THC and consume only a small amount at once.
From there, if you’re experiencing more creativity, try enjoying more cannabis and seeing where it takes you.
Make a note of how your experience changes, and look back on what you jotted down next time for even more creativity.
Most importantly, if you give cannabis a try and you don’t feel as creative, that’s okay too. Consider trying a different product to support your creative process, or maybe you get better results without cannabis — everybody is different!
Best cannabis strains for creativity
When selecting cannabis strains for creativity, we recommend going with those known for producing heady, euphoric, and introspective feelings. Here are some of our favorite strains for creativity.
Don’t see your favorite cannabis products on this list? Check out the Blue Oak dispensary menu to see what else we currently have in stock.
Durban Poison
Lift yourself into energetic new heights with Durban Poison.
This strain boasts a sweet aroma and is known to reduce feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety.
As a pure sativa, it’s ideal for daytime use, whether you’re seeing friends for brunch or trying to write that next chapter in your novel.
It’s also the parent of other potentially creativity-boosting cultivars such as the hybrid strain Guava Jam, available in (the) Essence’s Guava Jam pre-rolls 5-pack.
Super Lemon Haze
The potent Super Lemon Haze offers an intense creative experience known for its uplifting edge.
This sativa cultivar is hailed for its daytime-friendly effects and lemony, earthy, spicy notes.
Day parties take on especially blissful dimensions if you bring Garden Greens’ Super Lemon Haze pre-rolls along for the ride.
Blue Dream
Pinene ranks among this beloved cultivar’s dominant terpenes, clearing your mind for an unforgettable day.
Ripe berries and tropical fruits dominate the aroma and flavor, with distant notes of herby earthiness balancing out the experience.
Let your imagination run free with Heavy Hitters’ Blue Dream one-gram all-in-one vape, a more intense spin on the classic Blue Dream strain. One hit unlocks paths you might never have previously explored.
Sour Diesel
Hovering around 26% THC content, Sour Diesel is a sativa-dominant hybrid that offers a potent creative experience.
Limonene ranks among this strain’s most dominant terpenes, adding euphoria and stress reduction to this cultivar’s morning-friendly effects.
Sour Diesel’s one-of-a-kind skunky, diesel-like aroma with an undercurrent of earthy sweetness is as big a factor in its iconic status as its mind-clearing, energizing experience.
Try RYTHM’s Strawberry Sour Diesel infused pre-roll for a juicy, exceptionally potent twist on the classic Sour Diesel experience. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a deep journey into your innermost creativity.
Jack Herer
This iconic cultivar, named after a beloved cannabis activist, is known to bring out new inspiration.
With THC content as low as 15% and CBD content of 1% on average, you get a low dose and a mellow high perfect for creativity.
Daytime consumption is ideal with this sativa-dominant hybrid strain. It lends mood-boosting, motivating, and energizing effects, earthy and piney flavors, and an herbal aroma.
Green Crack
Known for bringing out cannabis lovers’ most invigorated, focused side, Green Crack is a sativa strain with a reasonable 17% THC on average.
Enjoy it on days that call for your greatest efforts and most boundless self. Take in the mango, citrus, and earthy flavors as you open yourself up to all your potential.
Everyday moments made creative with cannabis
From your usual daily activities to any artistic practices you’re cultivating, cannabis for creativity elevates every moment.
Social gatherings
Many creativity-driving cultivars are associated with euphoric, giggly, happy, or talkative effects, putting you in the mood to be social.
Enjoy an edible at the start of a party to get into the groove as the event reaches its peak. Discreetly take a hit from your vape right before brunch to get gregarious right as your appetizers arrive.
If you’re hosting, share some pre-rolls with everyone who wants to experience greater creativity. With more creative minds unlocked, your social gatherings become limitless. Take a look at our offerings of pre-rolls at Blue Oak to see what we have in stock to kickstart your next group brainstorm.
Playtime with kids or pets
Surely, at some point, you’ve wondered what happened to your youthful imagination.
This feeling can emerge especially strongly as you watch your own kids be full of boundless creativity and energy. Cannabis can bring you back into this uninhibited state.
Whether you’re doing arts and crafts together, having fun with some favorite toys, or playing catch in the backyard, you’ll get closer to being as uplifted and energized as your little one.
Projects of all kinds
Maybe you have a big spring cleaning or household organizing project ahead of you. Or maybe you’re sitting down with lots of paint and a completely blank canvas.
Whatever your latest project is, cannabis can give you the drive, joy, and euphoria needed to get it done.
From your enhanced divergent thinking to cannabis’ energizing sensations, you have everything you need to make good on your greatest ambitions.
Tips for using cannabis for creativity
You’ll conjure creativity especially well if you keep this advice in mind.
Embrace routine disruptions
Sometimes, breaking your daily routine can lead to new ideas and perspectives.
Try changing your environment, experimenting with a new hobby, or altering your daily schedule.
Fresh experiences can stimulate your mind and lead to creative breakthroughs.
Engage in physical activity
Physical exercise can boost creativity by increasing blood flow to the brain and reducing stress.
Activities like walking, Pilates, yoga, or even dancing can help clear mental blocks and provide new angles on your creativity challenges.
Set aside unstructured time
Allow yourself time for free play and experimentation. Engage in activities without a specific goal or result in mind, such as doodling, free writing, or improvisational games. This can help free your mind and unlock new creative pathways.
Incorporate music
Music can profoundly influence your creativity. Experiment with different genres to see what resonates with you and enhances your focus. Create playlists that match your creative goals or the mood you want to achieve.
Start low and slow
High doses of THC can limit your creativity, and it’s easier to accidentally wind up consuming more than you might think. The solution is also easier than you might think.
Simply start with a low dose, then slowly consume more THC if your mind isn’t expanding how you’d like.
One hit of low-THC flower or a pre-roll is a great start. Not where you want to be within 15 minutes? Feel free to take another hit to increase the intensity.
Similarly, if all you need is a little boost to start your creative process, consider microdosing. Start by taking 1 mg THC — the effects should be barely noticeable, but it may be enough to get the creative juices flowing.
Repeat this cadence until you feel that your greatest potential is unlocked.
Choosing the right strain
From Blue Dream to Sour Diesel, you have plenty of cultivar options when it comes to cannabis for creativity. There are enough options that choosing the right one can be tough.
Consider each contender’s THC levels, terpene profile, and the product types in which it’s available.
If you prefer edibles over something you’d smoke, choose a strain available as capsules, gummies, or sweet treats.
Alternatively, if you’re already experienced with THC and have a high tolerance, vapes and concentrates are quite intense, potentially getting you into creative mode faster.
Setting the mood
Your surroundings can affect your experience, from how comfortable you feel down to how well you can complete whatever projects you’ve set for yourself.
Newer cannabis consumers may feel safe trying things out in the presence of loved ones. Longtime aficionados carefully wading into new strains may do fine as long as they have everything they need for their creative projects within reach.
It’s all about knowing what makes you feel at ease, why exactly you’re consuming cannabis for creativity, and setting your surroundings to accommodate both.
Find creativity (and a more personalized experience) at Blue Oak Dispensary
Whether you’re newly exploring cannabis for creativity or have long embraced the plant for untethering your mind, stock up on high-quality cannabis products for your next adventure at Blue Oak Dispensary in Bloomfield, New Jersey.
Our experts will be delighted to help you decide on just the right strain and product to reach peak creativity and enjoy yourself alone or with others.
Swing by our shop at 1025 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ, call us at (973) 893-8111, or email us at [email protected] to learn all about what Blue Oak offers to aid in your creative expression.
