A Yogic insight into Smoking Marijuana

Did you know that scientists have discovered millions of cannabis receptors in the human brain and that there is something called Endocannabinoids which are substances produced from within the body that activate these receptors? These endocannabinoids are produced naturally in the body by humans and animals and can be found in chocolate and certain plants as well. After the discovery of the first cannabinoid receptor in the late 80s, scientists began searching for an endogenous ligand for the receptor.

A few years later, in 1992 the first compound was identified and named anandamide, a name derived from the Sanskrit word for bliss, and –amide. Anandamide is a bliss molecule, enhancing greater wellbeing and emotional satisfaction.

In a recent article in the New York Times, the author writes about “The Feel Good Gene”:

For the first time, neuroscientists have demonstrated that a genetic variation in the brain makes some people inherently less anxious, and more able to forget fearful and unpleasant experiences. This lucky genetic mutation produces higher levels of anandamide — the so-called bliss molecule and our own natural marijuana — in our brains. About 20 percent of adult Americans have this mutation.

This means 80% of the American population could be vulnerable to anxiety, which could explain why the NIH (Naitional Institutes of Health) has discovered that Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug (19.8 million past-month users) according to the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). That year, marijuana was used by 81.0 percent of current illicit drug users (defined as having used a drug at some time in the 30 days before the survey) and was the only drug used by 64.7 percent of them.

The author later suggests that smoking marijuana overpowers the brain’s cannabinoid system, while it can help with anxiety and pain relief according to new research, as evidenced in the rise of medical marijuana. On the other hand, chronic use interferes with learning and memory. He suggests needing to find ways to boost anandamide, especially for those genetically disadvantaged, which could happen to be a majority of the US population.

In this short video, hear what Sadhguru has to say about accessing the body’s natural ability to create well-being.