I’m a real movie geek. I love the ability of movies to tell a story, provide vivid imagery, and invoke powerful feelings. I have always enjoyed them from when I was very young watching Top Gun and Die Hard up until last night when I watched Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
As I was watching last night, I couldn’t help but notice I was finding myself completely attached to all the characters in the movie, even the entirely-imagined main character, a CGI ape named Caesar. As I become more aware of myself connecting emotionally with these fictional characters, I wonder where it is coming from.
I’m Rational, Not Emotional… Right?
After all, 5 years ago nothing like this would have ever happened. It wasn’t as if I didn’t enjoy movies at that time, but I wasn’t experiencing anywhere near the level of emotions that I am currently. I would rarely, if ever, find myself crying over a movie, but now I sob uncontrollably at the slightest hint of suffering or pain. It is as if I truly feel what the person in the movie is feeling.
So why is this happening; why the change? I would say that movies are certainly of the same quality they were overall a decade ago, so the difference could only be in my own perceptions. What could have caused such a change? The most likely conclusion I can devise is the introduction of marijuana into my life.
You see, I’m sort of an anomaly in that I went 25+ years without ever using marijuana. My life was very much ruled by rationality and planning. My emotions would rarely show themselves, and when they did, I was able to club them into submission with logic.
Not so anymore. Now I see people on the news suffering and I truly feel their anguish when I used to ignore them. I hear others’ tales of melancholy, and they have my compassion instead of my ire. War is now an unparalleled devastating abhorrence that should be avoided at all costs rather than my previous notion that it was a ‘necessary evil.’
Unable to Dismiss the Evidence
While there are numerous variables that might have contributed to my shift in perspective on a lot of these issues, I can’t ignore the evidence that marijuana has played a major role. With other people espousing that weed has increased their level of empathy, it only affirms my belief that it has done the same for me.
Do you think marijuana use has also made you more compassionate or do you think it has no effect at all? Also, you can support The Effects of Weed Network by signing up for our mailing list or visiting our informational page about how to vaporize weed.
Hey, I just wanted to say that I am an anomaly, such as yourself. I never had smoked, eaten or touched Cannabis until I was 26. What got me started was my onslaught of Crohn’s disease. I started using it as an alternative treatment to help with pain. It has worked wonders for that. In addition, it has opened up my eyes, as you have said above. I know it isn’t for everyone, but I am glad to have it in my life.
Rich, I hear ya man. I actually was grown up to hate the stuff and was quick to judge people for using it. Luckily, I grew up to not be so closed minded. Really glad it has helped you with Crohn’s. I know a couple others who have it and they also say marijuana has been a real lifesaver for them.