How Cannabis Influences Art and Perception

Cannabis and art go hand-in-hand. The extensive history of some of the world's most renowned artists, musicians, and entertainers frequently using cannabis may not be a coincidence. The artistic and cultural explosions that trademark the 20th century drew attention to the creative enhancement of cannabis and other drugs. Until very recently, the unique association between cannabis use and artistic creativity remained largely mysterious. Researchers have since explored the scientific connection between the use of cannabis on the frontal cortex, and how this enhances, or sometimes disrupts, creative output and potential.

There are several aspects of cannabis that may help with the creation and consumption of art. First is the notorious ability for cannabis to relax the mind and calm the nerves. For many artists, the ability to calm anxiety is conducive to artistic success; symptoms of anxiety can dramatically inhibit the ability to create good art and achieve a state of flow. Relaxing the body and mind, and becoming more in touch with the subconscious facilitates artistic expression and creative freedom.

Research on the effects of cannabis on the human brain indicates a stimulative effect on the frontal cortex, the part of the brain that deals with cognition and creativity. By consuming the right dose of THC, the artist can stimulate the parts of the brain responsible for innovation and abstract thought.

So, what is it about cannabis that stimulates creativity? THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, influences cognition and neurological function by modulating cannabinoid receptors. THC is a molecule that fits endogenous THC receptors, much like a key fits a lock. These receptors exist throughout the body, including in the cerebral cortex, which affects thinking and perceptual awareness, and in the amygdala, which affects emotions. The emotive influence of cannabis is important because it can help artists and their observers pull from a broader array of emotional and perceptual experiences when either creating or viewing art.

The psychoactive properties of cannabis can sometimes enhance creativity alone. Visual artists, in particular, may find patterns, textures, and colors emboldened, which can spark inspiration in multiple ways. However, the ability for cannabis to stimulate creative thinking is dose-dependent. Overconsuming THC before observing art can cloud perspective by oversaturating perceptual input. A 2014 study published in Psychopharmacology analyzed a phenomenon known as "divergent thinking" between people under the influence of cannabis versus those not. Divergent thinking is a process we all do every day, it allows us to generate creative ideas by exploring different avenues of thought in a spontaneous, free-flowing, and non-linear manner. The study measured the results of a series of examinations that measured fluency, described as the number of responses provided, flexibility, described as the variation in answers, as well as originality and elaboration. The results showed that people under the influence of small doses of THC (5.5 milligrams, specifically) scored consistently higher in all four categories than those who weren't high (the control group). Meanwhile, participants who were given a higher dose of 22 milligrams scored dramatically lower in every category. This research suggests that low doses of cannabis are beneficial to the creative process, while higher doses are detrimental.

While it remains virtually impossible to measure creativity objectively, the subjective human experience and minor scientific research indicate a correlation between cannabis use and creativity. The physiological mechanisms by which cannabis affects creativity, via stimulation of the prefrontal cortex and by encouraging blood flow to the cerebral cortex, is slowly being uncovered. The extensive association between cannabis use with creativity and the creation of art is hard to determine. Are creative people simply more likely to smoke pot, or does the pot lend to heightened creativity?