The Best Cannabis Strains for Meditation and Mindfulness

Take a deep breath in. Hold it for four seconds. Slowly let it out for six seconds. Repeat for five deep breaths.

Breathing exercises like this one are just one simple way you can incorporate mindfulness into your day or even an activity… but that’s not all there is to it. Mindfulness can help clear your head and find some much-needed calm in the midst of a hectic day, but — what exactly is it? 

Truth is, mindfulness can mean something different to everyone. Here’s how global spiritual leader and mindfulness teacher Thich Nhat Hanh defined mindfulness:

Mindfulness is a kind of energy that we generate when we bring our mind back to our body and get in touch with what is going on in the present moment, within us and around us. We become aware of our breathing and come home to our body, fully present for ourselves and whatever we are doing.

If you've ever wondered what the difference between "mindfulness" and "meditation" is, you're not alone. You'll find many different answers if you go searching the internet. These terms often get conflated for one another. Here’s how we like to think of them.

Mindfulness: the practice of awareness of everything around you while doing things throughout the day. Mindfulness is having awareness. Mindfulness throughout the day can enrich your meditation sessions because you’re training your attention to achieve a mental state of calm concentration and positive emotions.

Meditation: The practice of concentrating on only one specific thing, like breath, and tuning out everything else around you. The benefits of intentional meditation include boosted energy levels, improved memory and focus, and relief from anxiety, stress, and depression.

With those perimeters in mind, we like to think of meditation as a mindfulness practice, and there are many to choose from! And the best part? Incorporating our favorite green flower into any mindfulness and meditation practice is easy, and even recommended. The benefits of these practices and cannabis already overlap. By practicing mindfulness and meditation while partaking in cannabis, you stand to relieve muscular tension, enhance sensory perception, amplify your sense of contentment, and even enhance your sex drive!

Adding cannabis to your mindfulness and meditation mix can help you feel the effects more easily and have a deeper connection with your high. If you’re a consistent consumer, you know that cannabis can serve as a natural tool for introspection, reflection, and relaxation. Those that reach for the self-awareness to practice mindfulness may find that their favorite green plant proves useful for accomplishing that. Pairing meditation and mindfulness activities with cannabis can allow you to continue a mindful, compassionate, empathetic line of thinking beyond your high.

How to Pair Mindfulness with Cannabis

First things first — if you’re interested in pairing cannabis with mindfulness and meditation, you owe it to yourself to be straightforward on why you’re using this plant. Before partaking, ask yourself: 

• What will adding cannabis to my practice help me with?
• What kind of mind/body experiences do I want to focus on during my meditation or mindful activity?

Set your intentions and create a conscious environment before dosing to help guide your high toward a more meaningful experience.

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Which mindful activities pair best with cannabis? 

You can make just about anything a mindful activity… if you put your mind to it. Cannabis can elevate a few of the most popular mindful activities like:

• Walking in nature
• Exercise
• Cooking and eating
• Taking mindful breaks
• Breathing exercises
• Journaling or coloring
• Meditation

Don’t let this short list limit you! Whatever mindful activity you choose, just remember to incorporate these mindfulness exercises:

• Mindful breathing.
• Mindful observation.
• Mindful awareness.
• Mindful listening.
• Mindful appreciation.

A simple way to practice mindfulness is to take a moment to be aware of your five senses. 

• What do you see? 
• What do you hear? 
• What do you smell? 
• What can you feel with your hands and feet? 
• What do you taste?

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The Best Cannabis Strains for Mindfulness and Meditation

Wondering which strains are best for practicing mindfulness and meditation? Our cannabis dispensaries in Framingham, Pittsfield, and Hudson have you covered.

For Anytime Mindfulness and Meditation

According to VeriHeal.com, “strong Indica and hybrid strains can mimic the effects that meditation has on the brain to trigger feelings of self-awareness, euphoria, empathy, relaxation, and improved pain tolerance.” Whether you’re taking a mindful mid-day break to check in on yourself, or you’re using cannabis while mindfully eating, Perch Harvests Sticky Sherbet aka Sticky Sherb is an Indica dominant hybrid featuring creamy, fruity flavors could be the perfect pairing for mental euphoria with physical relaxation.

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For Morning Mindfulness and Meditation

Wake-and-bakers who want to add energetic, uplifting creativity to their morning mindfulness routine, go with Perch Harvests Pink Runtz, a fairly balanced hybrid strain with a sweet and fruity aroma. This strain produces uplifting effects that are known to be long-lasting, leaving users feeling happy, giggly, and social. The rush of cerebral effects boosts your mood, allowing users to de-stress, followed by a soothing body buzz leaving you relaxed and ready to take on the day.

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For Mindfulness While Walking or Cooking

If you want a walking or cooking buddy that will give you a stimulating cerebral uplift with a soothing body buzz, Perch Harvests Mac N Jack is a perfect strain. It’s an evenly balanced hybrid strain, crossing MAC1 and Jack Herer, that helps with creative inspiration and relaxation and has a citrus, woody, and slightly sour flavor profile. It’s sure to make your stroll or cooking experience more enjoyable.

For Mindful Exercise

Did you know that the majority of pre-workout cannabis consumers felt more motivated to exercise after they consumed? (You can read all about it in our blog about pairing cannabis with a healthy, active lifestyle.) Before (or after) you work up a sweat, Perch Harvests Sativa Scream is sure to please. A cross between Sativa Mom and Mother Tongue, expect a well-balanced cerebral effect of creativity, increased energy and focus, and a heightened sense of happiness and uplift. Consume it to help you get through your exercise or even for active recovery post-workout.

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For Mindful Wind Down Activities and Meditation

Whether you’re journaling, cleaning, or stretching before bed, we offer a couple of strains of your favorite flower that could help you focus and wind down for the day. Perch Harvests Booberry Cookies is a cross between the popular Blueberry Tahoe and Thin Mint GSC. This strain's unique flavor blend of sweet blueberries mixed with earthy and herbal aromas provides users with soothing physical relaxation without heavy couch-lock. The mental uplift and feelings of euphoria make this the perfect end of the day strain. Or, try Perch Harvests Purple Citrus, a cross between Granddaddy Purple and Citrus. Starting out by stimulating the fruity, piney, and earthy flavor, expect a wave of soothing relaxation as you tuck in for the night.

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Stop by your local Massachusetts Temescal Wellness dispensaries, located in Framingham, Pittsfield and Hudson, to talk out what you need! Our associates are there to help match you with the perfect strains and consumption methods to ensure a mindful experience - whether you’re looking for energizing strains or something to help you wind down. Let us help you take on the day!

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