Cannabis usage is already known as a potential cause of creativity in different individuals, which led both scientists and artists to further dive into research regarding this information. Although many define creativity as a person being able to fully adapt to any situation while making connections using various ideas, there are many ways of manifestation depending on each individual.
Also, seeing legitimate outcomes depend on the quality of marijuana used. For you to be able to see promising results, use high-quality cannabis strains. Different strains have different effects on the brain and overuse cannabis can lead to detrimental results. Deliberately use, however, can support brain function. To know more about one of these strains to have a viewpoint about this type of plant,
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What Is Divergent Thinking?
Divergent thinking is the process of generating ideas regarding creativity through the exploration of various solutions. This way of thinking occurs in a free-flowing and spontaneous manner that results in new cognitive activities.
Cannabis has long been a subject of research regarding its role in divergent thinking. In a study conducted by Emily LaFrance, results showed that subjects who smoked marijuana showed a better performance compared to nonsmokers.
There Is An Increased Blood Flow To The Frontal Lobes
The frontal lobe, specifically the prefrontal cortex, is known to control cognitive functions that a person uses for creative thinking. Using functional imaging, this area of the brain is known to take part and get involved in tasks that call for creative thinking.
According to a study conducted by Jasen Talise, results showed that consuming cannabis caused increased blood flow to the brain’s frontal lobe, thus making it more active. In line with the study conducted by Talise, Alice Flaherty from Harvard Medical School stated that subjects with a high consumption also exhibit a higher level of activity in the frontal lobe as well as an increase in performance tasks regarding creativity.
To further support this claim, another study conducted by O’Leary showed promising results of cannabis on cerebral blood flow. The researchers thoroughly processed the subject’s cognitive processes, and the results showed the same as the study of Talise et. al.
How Does Cannabis Affect The Brain?
When individuals consume cannabis, there are two effects. The first effect would be the activation of an area close to the nucleus accumbens, which shows increased activity. The other outcome would be on the frontal lobe, which is also known as the primary center for “divergent thinking.”
There Is An Increase In Dopamine Levels
Dopamine stimulates different functions of the brain, most notably that of motivation. When a person consumes any form of marijuana, the process of absorption helps produce dopamine, which then gives the user an increased feeling of motivation. The increased sense of being motivated contributes to overall creativity. Also, dopamine affects divergent thinking.
Lower Marijuana Dosages Work Better
If you’ve ever heard of the saying “less is more,” then it applies to cannabis dosage regarding creativity. Low doses of cannabis consumption help improve a user’s divergent thinking, specifically the area of fluency and flexibility. Fluency is the number of answers given by an individual, while flexibility is the ability of the person do give different answers. Also, the low dosage significantly shows effects in a person’s originality or the ability to give out unique answers.
Overall, moderation is key. If an individual consumes too much cannabis, it can produce other effects that can potentially damage or stunt an individual’s creativity.