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The Side Effects of

CANNABIS
You Never Hear About

Society is now aware that cannabis (marijuana) is not nearly as harmful as claimed by decades of
government propaganda. The backlash from this awakening is that many states have elected to
legalize it, and some have even made other psychedelics like psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
legal as well. It appears to be only a matter of time until drug prohibition is lifted at the federal
level, and similar changes are occurring around the globe.

In all fairness, there are several positive aspects to this. First is from the perspective of basic
human rights since every adult should be free to decide what they put in their own body. Second
is the medicinal and therapeutic value of these drugs which can provide aid for certain ailments.
Psychedelics such as cannabis and psilocybin are made even more appealing by the fact that they
are essentially harmless physically, especially when compared to other common legal drugs.

Prescription medicines result in addiction and death for millions. The same can be said for
alcohol which is literally a poison – drinking enough of it will kill you. These contrasts starkly
with cannabis and psilocybin which have a lethal amount so large it is virtually impossible to
overdose on them. However, this does not mean that the experience of ingesting too much of a
psychedelic is not problematic, because it can be abysmal, even though at least it does not
directly result in death.

Despite their specific benefits and relative physical safety, there are consequences from taking
psychedelics that few seem to recognize. The goal of this short treatise is to help provide better
clarity on the topic at this unique juncture in society’s development. The focus will be primarily
on cannabis, yet the same principles apply equally to other psychedelics as well.

All drugs that alter perception, such as cannabis and alcohol, affect rational thought by varying
degrees. Though the effects of these drugs differ in many respects, all mind-altering substances
impair decision-making abilities. Hence those under the influence of drugs are commonly
referred to as acting “stupid”. The obnoxious drunk and the oblivious stoner are two prevalent
examples.

An added layer of complication with cannabis is the way it alters cognitive function to possibly
lead a person to believe their mind is open to higher knowledge. The root of this problem is that
it inhibits rational thought to obfuscate whether the perceived knowledge is real or imagined, and
far more often it is illusory.

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Another aspect of confusion is when someone using cannabis has feelings of euphoria, oneness,
and similar experiences of an “awakened” nature. This is because their brain chemistry has been
altered to temporarily bypass whatever mental blocks previously prevented these feelings.
However, this does not at all mean that the blocks are now removed, and the person is now able
to dwell in that state. When the drug wears off, the state is gone.

Despite having had a glimpse of what is mentally possible, the work of self-improvement and
personal growth necessary to permanently achieve that state remains before them. Additionally,
there is a terrible temptation to chase the feelings brought by the drug – either to simply repeat
the experience or attempt to use the drug as a tool to remove the blocks. Unfortunately, drugs are
not a shortcut and soon become a hindrance. The only way to permanently achieve a better
mental state is through personal development and growth.

Frequently, people are led to believe that drugs provide some level of support during self-
development. As previously stated, mind-altering substances impair decision-making ability.
Therefore, time spent using drugs is not conducive to personal development. Drugs may provide
a sense of relaxation and elevated mood due to the release of serotonin and other chemicals, but
this is deceptive since the state created by the drug cannot be evoked at will. A person using
drugs is tricked into believing they are making progress when in fact they are relying on a crutch
that causes increased dependence the longer they use the drug instead of their own cognizance
and willpower.

Regarding willpower, drugs have a detrimental effect on this critical aspect of human mentality.
A person taking a drug finds themselves boarding a merry-go-round they cannot escape until the
drug wears off. After only a few instances of repeating this process, there is a detriment to
willpower that results from persistently submitting to a mind-altering substance. The degree of
severity and length of time to recover from this impairment varies from person to person, but
none are immune. A decline in willpower is insidiously difficult to recognize in oneself and even
more challenging to overcome. This can subtly or greatly affect all areas of life, including
relationships, family, and career. Though likely in no single aspect is it more inhibiting than the
pursuit of spiritual development.

Throughout history, people of great willpower and mental capacity have achieved tremendous
heights in the field of spirituality through meditation. Eastern and western cultures each have
well-established paths for success in this arena. Some of the more familiar terms for spiritual
attainment come from India, where vipassana and samadhi are well-recognized achievements. In
western Hermetics, practitioners learn to master vacancy of thought and enter the Akasha. Both
traditions have the same ultimate goal of ascending to the highest spiritual realms and even
uniting with the Divine.

For those given to habitual drug use, the way of spiritual attainment is sealed during this life and
they must instead seek it in future incarnations. The reason for this is not due to any type of

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moral decree but simply because even the basic levels of meditation can only be mastered with a
strong will and clear mind, free from encumbrance. A focused mind is the sharpest tool, and we
must have this at our full command to pierce the veil of understanding and wisdom. Experienced
spiritual teachers have long recognized that ongoing drug use impedes spiritual progress. Beyond
this, drugs provide absolutely nothing in any domain that we cannot accomplish – and infinitely
more – with our own volition and power of mind. Everything is already within you, waiting for
you to evoke the experience when you are ready.

As revealing as it is to understand that advanced spiritual practice is prevented by regular drug


use, spiritual attainment is admittedly not a high priority for the average person. Many struggle
to just get by in their daily lives in whatever way they can and use drugs of all types as an escape
from reality or to at least numb pain of a mental, emotional, or physical nature. Others look to
drugs as a solution for boredom or a desire for novelty. However, drugs are not the answer to
life’s problems, and any relief or satisfaction found with them is hollow and fleeting.

Drug use frequently follows a downward spiral that is typically easier for an outsider to
recognize than the person who chose that path, often unwittingly. Fortunately, this is just part of
the learning process while we mature as a species. In time, we will all arrive at our destination.
As William Blake noted, “The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom; for we never know
what is enough until we know what is more than enough.”

The eventual lesson is that the ideal version of every person is free from any kind of dependence
or influence. Those actively searching for their best life often discover it through simple
mindfulness and presence. The practice of building one’s character with qualities such as
courage, determination, compassion, forgiveness, intelligence, wisdom, and love can only be
accomplished from within. There is true greatness inside each of us, and everyone who seeks it
earnestly will find it.

Please note:

This treatise is released into the public domain without copyright by its author, Trent Ryan,
free to copy and distribute for the benefit of all.

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