Like many mind-altering plants, cannabis has been part of spiritual practices for thousands of years. It has deep roots in Hinduism, Islam, Rastafarianism, and indigenous traditions in Asia, Africa, and elsewhere.
Yet almost no attention has been given to how contemporary adults employ it spiritually. To understand this phenomenon better, a study was conducted to explore the spiritual dimensions of cannabis use.
Study Overview
A sample of 1087 participants (mean age = 38.9) completed an online survey assessing their use of cannabis and other substances, as well as spiritual and psychological characteristics.
Key Findings
Spiritual benefit from cannabis was reported by 66.1% of the sample, and 5.5% reported it had sometimes been a spiritual hindrance. This suggests that for a significant portion of users, cannabis use is associated with perceived spiritual benefits.
Differences Between Groups
A MANOVA showed that those who reported spiritual benefit differed significantly from those who did not on several outcome variables, and a post hoc descriptive discriminant analysis revealed that expansiveness motivation, non-theistic daily spiritual experience, meditation frequency, and two mindfulness facets contributed most to differentiating the two groups.
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Cannabis Use Disorder
The majority of the sample (63%) was free of cannabis use disorder. Compared to disordered groups, the non-disordered group was significantly older and scored lower on experiential avoidance, psychological distress, and several motives for use.
Spiritual Motives
Results suggest that spiritual motives for cannabis use may be widespread.
Factors Contributing to Spiritual Benefit
Several factors appear to contribute to the perception of spiritual benefit from cannabis use:
- Expansiveness Motivation: A desire for broadened perspectives and experiences.
- Non-Theistic Daily Spiritual Experience: Experiencing spirituality without adherence to traditional religious beliefs.
- Meditation Frequency: Regular engagement in meditative practices.
- Mindfulness Facets: Specific aspects of mindfulness that enhance spiritual experiences.
Table: Comparison of Groups Reporting Spiritual Benefit vs. No Benefit
The following table summarizes the key differences between those who reported spiritual benefit from cannabis use and those who did not, based on the study's findings.
| Characteristic | Group Reporting Spiritual Benefit | Group Reporting No Spiritual Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Expansiveness Motivation | Higher | Lower |
| Non-Theistic Daily Spiritual Experience | Higher | Lower |
| Meditation Frequency | More Frequent | Less Frequent |
| Mindfulness Facets | Higher | Lower |
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