Is Cannabis a Psychedelic? Exploring the Science of Indoles, Interprening, and Intention

Most cannabis enthusiasts have experienced the wide range of possible effects, from a subtle happy high to one that floors you. The question must be asked: Is cannabis a psychedelic? And how can we make it more so?

In this episode, Victoria interviews Max Montrose: Founder of the Trichome Institute, a company offering online courses and certifications on cannabis.

Montrose explores the scientific and sensory aspects of cannabis, diving into the role of the aromatic compound, indole, and how the fresher and more aromatic (usually pungent) the flower is, the higher chance for having a more psychedelic experience. He dives into ways to maximize the psychedelic nature of cannabis, largely through “interprening,” which is his method for learning about a plant’s effects from smelling buds, measuring your sense of sensation and where you feel the smell is hitting you. And he talks a lot about intention and how the power of a cannabis experience can be determined by the reverence you have for the plant and the intention you put behind each inhale: It is a “total reflection of how much you care.”

He also discusses:

The range of cannabis effects: how it can be just weed – something mindlessly smoked all day with a slight numbing effect – or an incredibly powerful, life-changing experience
The importance of skillset being added to the concept of set and setting: the skills you have (and can practice) for helping you create your own setting to get through a tough time
Issues with the legal cannabis industry about accuracy of strains, shelf life, and the ability to smell the product
The lack of money in cannabis research: Why is no one funding research into indole chemistry?
Why indica and sativa are not accurate terms, and how aroma is more of a factor than we realize

and more!

If you’re curious about interprening or the Trichome Institute’s other offerings, head to the site and use code psy25 for 25% off anything. And if you’re thinking of going to the reMind Psychedelic Business Forum in Las Vegas next week, use code rempsychtoday10 for 10% off your ticket, and come visit our table!