A lot of different stories here. This is a good question. I got my introduction to drugs, first weed, then more of the other while in Nam in the early 70s. Needed it (so I thought) to cope with everything I had excuses for. After I left the military in late 70s, I couldn't do any job fully while high but I made excuses anyway. I hear folks talk about the great music written while stoned. Yep, but I'll bet they weren't playing it while they were loaded. I've read an article about Keith Richards where he said he didn't play while stoned. Joe Walsh told story after story how he played while being high and he said y playing suffered immensely. Since he's been clean and dry, he's playing his best ever. Take it with a grain of salt. I've been clean since '81 when I met Jesus. I'm living my best life ever in my later years; physically and spiritually. Have a nice life, y'all.
weed
As with any drug / stimulant, it will tax your system. It might help or be fun, but the next day (or next few days / weeks) you'll have to pay the pied piper.
Source: I used to smoke weed and drink lots of caffeine, and overall find I'm more productive if I cut out both.
Don't get me wrong, weed can be lot's of fun, and every once in a while maybe isn't that bad (I recommend sativas and landraces, preferably landrace sativas, and know where your stuff comes from).
As always, everyone is different, YMMV, etc. I found for me, I'm better off without it.
Totally fair take, I mean cutting things out can really shift your baseline in a good way. I’m the opposite though, like I don’t go near weed anymore, but a bit of CBD oil actually helped me stay calm and focused without any of that foggy rebound after.
I still take breaks from it tho, just to see how I’m doing without it. But if anyone’s curious, here’s where I check CBD oil reviews from actual users before trying anything new. Makes it easier to spot the stuff that’s actually helpful vs just hype.
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considering how much i hear the recommendation to relax and try to remove all tension from your body while playing/practicing, what are your opinions on getting high before a practice session? is it detrimental to your concentration and or coordination? or does it have the opposite effect of sharper concentration and ease of hand and finger movement? i realize not everyone would have the same experience but im interested in your individual opinions. i havent smoked in a very very long time but i live in a legal state and im considering giving it a go.
your thoughts...
Doesn't work for me, too difficult to focus on what I'm doing and doesn't help with my memory retention either.
Ken
From my experience, I believe that cannabis can enhance creativity, focus, and connection with my guitar, but the effects vary widely. In low doses, marijuana may help relax the body and reduce performance anxiety, making it easier to get into a “flow state” while playing guitar. Sometimes, I also can feel heightened sensitivity to sound and rhythm, leading to more expressive improvisation. However, if I take too much, it can impair my timing, coordination, and memory, which are crucial for technical performance. The experience depends on strain, dosage, and individual tolerance. Ultimately, while marijuana might unlock inspiration for some, it can equally disrupt precision and consistency for others. I find that the aptly named strain, "Rockstar" helps me a lot in low dosages.
Cops use odor as probable cause for a search regardless of when the smoking happened. Terpenes bind to car upholstery and linger for months. A driver can have zero trace of the api in their system and still get their vehicle torn apart on the side of the highway just because the seats smell.
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