Is There Such a Thing As Marijuana and Creativity?
In the UK, where medical cannabis is permitted under very narrow terms, but where recreational cannabis is still banned, the popular view of cannabis being used for creativity in the arts, particularly in music, writing and visual arts, seems to mix fact and fiction. Is marijuana really a source of creativity or just changing how we experience ideas in the moment? The evidence provides a split answer; in some instances, for some people, under specific circumstances, cannabis may stimulate creative thought processes, but, in many cases, it reduces both process and final product.
What Exactly Do We Mean By "Creativity"?
Creativity is defined by psychologists as two different processes: creating ideas (divergent thinking) and selecting/refining your best ideas (convergent thinking). One example would be someone experiencing the feeling of greater imagination, yet experiencing greater difficulty judging quality, organizing outputs, or completing a long, complex project. This distinction is important in evaluating the impact of cannabis.
Research Says What?
Cannabis modifies the endocannabinoid system of the brain and the signaling of dopamine, attention, time perception and association. These changes may cause increased perceptions of novelty and provide a means of linking seemingly unrelated ideas — this is why many users describe experiencing “a new perspective” or “unusual insights”.
However, research shows there may also be negative consequences associated with high THC doses: decreased working memory, decreased reaction time, and decreased executive function — the exact functions necessary to edit, plan, and turn ideas into finished products. For some users, cannabis creates the “spark”, but it impedes the “craft”.
When Might Cannabis Be Experiencing a Boost in Creativity?
As opposed to looking at whether or not cannabis will enhance creativity, perhaps we should determine when cannabis may create an environment conducive to creativity. Many users report positive results, including: lower self-criticisms, reduced anxiety, and a more playful approach to their tasks — these factors contribute to the creation of new ideas. Lower THC levels, combined with higher levels of CBD, and the lack of constraints placed upon creative tasks have contributed to the reported successes. Some examples of reported success include:
- brainstorming and unstructured writing
- improvisational music and casual drawing
- exploring new ideas with no pressure to produce
- hobbies that involve creativity and require relaxation over precision.
When Cannabis May Have a Negative Impact On Creativity
Cannabis is not a reliable method for enhancing creativity. For many people, cannabis is counterproductive to the creative process. Higher THC products can induce anxiety, divide one’s attention, and impair the ability to retain detail. Some users get lost in abstract thoughts and do not produce any tangible outcomes. Users’ motivation is reduced and the alterations made to short-term memory result in the inability to revise and expand on an idea over a period of time.
Heavy, regular cannabis use can also decrease the baseline level of motivation and cognitive acuity for some individuals, and that has much more significance than a temporary inspiration boost.
UK Perspective: Reality Over Romance
It is helpful to differentiate between the romanticized version of cannabis use and reality in the UK. While cannabis is frequently portrayed as a creative shortcut, actual creative production requires habit, skill and repetition. If cannabis has any impact on creativity, it is inconsistent and has significant trade-offs. Therefore, those seeking to maintain their performance should be careful with regard to the amount of cannabis they use, the context in which it is used and the nature of the task — and, of course, never drive or engage in any activity requiring absolute safety.
Therefore, myth or real effect? Perhaps the most reasonable conclusion is: cannabis can affect how one experiences creativity and may aid in generating ideas for some people in specific contexts; however, it is not a consistent enhancer of creative performance.
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