Is Smoking Weed Okay? Should Marijuana Be Legal in India?

Summary

The video script discusses the impact of cannabis legalization on society and the human brain. It cites a study showing increased car crashes in states where cannabis is legal and raises concerns about its effects on decision-making abilities. The speaker, Sadhguru, humorously claims his eyes are always 'stoned,' suggesting an innate human capacity for altered states without substance use. He emphasizes the importance of maximizing life's potential and criticizes the reliance on prescription medication, advocating for natural methods to achieve heightened states of consciousness.

Takeaways

• 📊 A study by the US National Transportation Board indicates that car crashes have increased in states where cannabis has been legalized compared to those where it remains illegal.
• 🌿 The discussion raises the question of whether India is missing out on a booming cannabis market by considering its legalization.
• 😉 The speaker humorously notes that their eyes are always 'stoned', implying a natural state of being without the use of substances.
• 🧠 The human brain is described as the most sophisticated chemical factory, capable of producing desired effects if managed well.
• 🔍 An Israeli scientist's research revealed millions of cannabis receptors in the human brain, which sparked further inquiry into their purpose.
• 🤔 Neurologist's findings suggest that the brain expects the production of a mood equalizer internally, not from external sources like smoking.
• 🚫 The speaker argues against the use of cannabis, citing studies that show its negative impact on decision-making abilities, which can last for years.
• 🏥 Concern is expressed about professionals such as lawyers and surgeons being under the influence of cannabis, which could compromise their performance.
• 🚗 There is a clear preference against having drivers under the influence of cannabis, for the safety of all road users.
• 💊 The speaker highlights the prevalence of prescription medication use in the US and the trend of medicating early in life worldwide.
• 🚫 The use of substances like cocaine is questioned, with the speaker advocating for a life-enhancing approach rather than one that suppresses potential.
• 🧘 The speaker offers an alternative to substance use by suggesting a method to achieve a natural 'stoned' state through meditation or similar practices.

Q & A

What did the study by the US National Transportation Board find regarding the legalization of cannabis and car crashes?

The study found that states which have legalized cannabis are experiencing an increase in car crashes compared to states where cannabis remains illegal.

What is the implication of the journalist's question about India potentially legalizing cannabis?

The implication is that India might be missing out on a booming cannabis market if it legalizes its use, but it also raises concerns about the potential negative impacts, such as increased car accidents.

What does the speaker suggest about the human brain's relationship with cannabis?

The speaker suggests that the human brain has millions of cannabis receptors, indicating that it is designed to produce its own cannabinoids, which act as mood equalizers.

According to the Israeli scientist mentioned in the script, what does the brain expect in relation to cannabis?

The brain expects to produce its own cannabis internally, not to receive it from external sources like smoking.

What does the speaker describe as the problem with most human beings in terms of their 'chemical factories'?

The speaker describes most human beings as inefficient chemical factories or lousy CEOs, implying that they are not managing their bodies' natural chemical production well and instead resort to external substances like cannabis.

What are the concerns raised by the speaker about the effects of smoking marijuana on decision-making abilities?

The speaker raises concerns that smoking marijuana can suppress certain dimensions of the brain related to decision-making, and the effects can last for four to five years after smoking for thirty days.

Why does the speaker express reluctance to have a cannabis-smoking lawyer or surgeon?

The speaker is concerned about the impact of cannabis on decision-making abilities and does not want professionals in critical roles, such as lawyers or surgeons, to be under the influence of cannabis, which could affect their performance.

What does the speaker suggest about the prevalence of prescription medication use in the American population?

The speaker suggests that 70% of the American population is on prescription medication, indicating a widespread reliance on medication and a potential over-medication issue.

What is the speaker's stance on the use of substances like cocaine?

The speaker does not view substance use as a moral issue but rather as a question of whether it enhances or suppresses one's life, and whether it allows for a full and profound experience of life.

What alternative does the speaker offer to achieve a state of being 'stoned' without using substances?

The speaker offers a method of self-activation of the body's own chemistry to achieve a state of ecstasy or being 'stoned,' suggesting that this can be done without the use of external substances.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of maximizing one's life experience?

The speaker believes that one should maximize their life experience because the intensity and profundity of one's life experience is all that truly matters, and being under the influence of substances like cannabis could potentially hinder that.

Outlines

00:00

🚫 Cannabis and its Impact on Society and Decision Making

The first paragraph discusses a study by the US National Transportation Board that links the legalization of cannabis with an increase in car accidents. It raises the question of whether India should legalize cannabis, given the potential economic benefits, but also the risks. The speaker, Sadhguru, humorously comments on his own 'stoned' state without substance use and delves into the complexity of the human brain, which has millions of cannabis receptors. He explains that the brain is designed to produce its own 'mood equalizer' and criticizes the reliance on external substances like cannabis. Sadhguru also addresses the suppression of decision-making abilities due to marijuana use and its long-term effects, advocating for a life lived to its fullest potential without the need for substances to alter one's state.

05:01

🌱 Harnessing the Human Body's Natural Chemistry

The second paragraph emphasizes the importance of understanding and utilizing the human body's innate chemistry. It suggests that with the right knowledge and practices, one can achieve a state of heightened awareness or 'stoned' effect naturally, without the use of substances. The speaker encourages investing time early in life to learn these practices, hinting at the potential for profound and ecstatic experiences that can be unlocked through one's own body's chemistry.

Keywords

💡Cannabis Legalization

Cannabis legalization refers to the process of making the use of cannabis legal in a jurisdiction. In the video, it is discussed in the context of its impact on car crashes and the potential for a booming market in India. The theme of the video revolves around the effects of cannabis on human behavior and decision-making, with the legalization being a point of contention.

💡Car Crashes

Car crashes are accidents involving vehicles that can result in damage, injury, or death. The script mentions a study that found increased car crashes in states where cannabis has been legalized, suggesting a correlation between cannabis use and impaired driving, which is a significant public safety concern.

💡Neurological System

The neurological system encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, and is responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body. The video discusses research on cannabis and its impact on this system, particularly the presence of millions of cannabis receptors in the brain, indicating a complex interaction between the substance and human physiology.

💡Cannabis Receptors

Cannabis receptors are specific proteins found in the brain that respond to cannabinoids, the active components in cannabis. The script mentions that the presence of these receptors suggests that the brain is designed to produce its own cannabinoids, which serve as mood equalizers, rather than relying on external sources like smoked cannabis.

💡Decision Making

Decision making is the cognitive process of selecting a course of action from among multiple alternatives. The video emphasizes that smoking marijuana can suppress certain dimensions of the brain related to decision making, potentially affecting an individual's ability to make sound choices, particularly after prolonged use.

💡Prescription Medication

Prescription medication refers to drugs that are legally available only through a prescription from a licensed medical professional. The script points out that a significant portion of the American population is on such medication, indicating a broader trend towards reliance on pharmaceuticals for various conditions.

💡Chemical Factories

In the context of the video, 'chemical factories' metaphorically refers to the human body's ability to produce its own chemicals, such as neurotransmitters and hormones. The speaker suggests that most people are inefficient at managing their 'factories,' leading to a reliance on external substances like cannabis to alter their mood or state of mind.

💡Ecstasy

Ecstasy, in this context, refers to a state of overwhelming happiness or pleasure. The script uses the term to describe the emotional response of individuals who have experienced a profound activation of their neurological system through methods other than substance use, such as meditation or spiritual practices.

💡Maximizing Life

Maximizing life is the concept of living one's life to the fullest potential, experiencing intense and profound moments. The video argues against anything that could suppress or reduce one's capacity to live life to the fullest, including the use of substances like cannabis that may impair cognitive functions.

💡Moral Issue

A moral issue is a matter of principle that involves the distinction between right and wrong. The speaker clarifies that their stance on cannabis is not based on moral grounds but rather on its potential effects on an individual's life and capabilities, emphasizing the importance of making informed choices.

💡Professionalism

Professionalism refers to the conduct, aims, and qualities characteristic of a person who is highly trained and skilled in a particular field. The script raises concerns about the performance of professionals, such as lawyers and surgeons, who may be under the influence of cannabis, suggesting that it could compromise their ability to perform at their best.

Highlights

Study by the US National Transportation Board found increased car crashes in states where cannabis is legalized.

Discussion on the potential impact of legalizing marijuana in India and the readiness of the market.

Sadhguru's humorous claim of always being 'stoned' without substance use, highlighting the human mechanism.

Israeli scientist's research revealing millions of cannabis receptors in the human brain.

Neurologists suggest the brain expects internal production of cannabis-like substances for mood regulation.

Critique of people smoking cannabis externally due to inefficiency in their 'chemical factories'.

Sadhguru's stance that cannabis use is not a moral issue but a question of life enhancement or suppression.

Substantial studies indicating suppression of decision-making abilities after prolonged cannabis use.

Concerns about the implications of cannabis use on professionals like lawyers and surgeons.

Public safety concerns regarding cannabis use and its impact on driving abilities.

Sadhguru's offer to teach a method to achieve an 'always stoned' state naturally.

Emphasis on maximizing life experiences and not allowing substances to diminish one's potential.

Observation that a significant portion of the American population relies on prescription medication.

Sadhguru's challenge to the audience to consider the impact of substances on life quality and potential.

The importance of learning to use the body's complex chemistry for profound life experiences.

Sadhguru's claim of being able to activate the system for an ecstatic state without substances.

Transcripts

Journalist: Study released late last week

by the US National transportation board

he found that states that have legalized Cannabis, are seeing increases in car crashes

compared to states where Cannabis is not legal.

(shouting: ' Cannabis legalization ')

(news: It was billed to legalize Marijuana in India)

Is India losing out on a ready-to-boom cannabis market by legalizing it's use?

Just look at my eyes and see,

they are always stoned. I'm always stoned.

Why just stop with Cannabis,

why don't we do some cocaine

because it really fires us up?

Is smoking Weed okay?

Sadhguru: I never touched a substance but

just look at my eyes and see, they are always stoned (Laughter)

Is it true that

this human mechanism is the most sophisticated chemical factory on the planet?

So if you know how to manage this well,

you can produce what you want in this.

Anyway, there was an Israeli scientist.

He was doing research on cannabis

and its impact on the neurological system.

In about four-and-a-half years,

he came up with this

- he said,

“There are millions of cannabis receptors

in our brain.”

But why?

So he threw this information to all kinds of scientific disciplines to find out why,

in human brain, there are millions of cannabis receptors.

Many funny things happened around the world in this context.

Then the neurologists came up with this and said,

“The brain is expecting

that you will produce cannabis within the system.”

It’s not expecting you to smoke.

It’s expecting you produce that

so that it becomes a mood equalizer for you all the time.

But most human beings have become inefficient chemical factories or

they are just lousy CEOs managing a great factory.

So they start smoking from outside (Laughs).

It’s not a moral issue for me.

But the thing is,

there is substantial studies

which are being put down by those few activists

who want to promote it.

There is substantial studies to show

that your decision making,

certain dimensions of your brain

particularly about decision making are sufficiently suppressed,

if you smoke marijuana for thirty days,

this will last for four to five years,

your decision making is clearly affected.

With that kind of mind, with that kind of a brain,

if you enter the court and

I am putting my life in your hands,

I don’t want a cannabis smoking lawyer for me.

I don’t want a cannabis smoking surgeon to work upon me.

If he is just smoking on the street corner not doing anything to anybody,

it’s his problem.

But definitely I don’t want my surgeon to be on marijuana and do surgery on me.

Yes or no?

Do you want?

Nor do I want other drivers

- because I drive at a certain speed -

I don’t want other drivers

who are smoked out,

driving with me.

I don’t want.

Nor do I want my driver ever,

if at all if I sit in the backseat,

to have smoked and then driving.

If you want that, you choose but we don’t want that.

Most people don’t want that

because they know what it’ll lead to.

So what we are looking at recreation,

we have made it this way.

What this means is essentially,

today seventy percent of the American population is on prescription medication.

Rest of the world is trying to catch up.

People are starting medicines very early on their life.

The remaining thirty percent of course are going on things that you are talking about.

Why just stop with cannabis,

why don’t we do some cocaine

because it really fires us up?

I told you it’s not a moral issue for me.

It’s a question of

whether it will enhance your life or suppress your life.

Whether it will allow you to live your life full on

or will it make you a smaller life

than the way you are or what you are capable of.

Nothing less than what you can do must happen in this life, isn’t it?, for whatever reason.

Either because of your attitudes

or your stress or your drug

or for whatever reason

you should not become a human being less than what you could be.

You must maximize this life because

all you have in this life is

how intense and profound is your experience of life,

that’s all there is and

half the time if you are dazed out,

you will miss that possibility.

But if you come to me

I can teach you a way,

simply you can sit here and be stoned out (Cheers) (Applause).

No…

Really.

Not just me I have…

I do this to any number of people.

Thousands of people they just sit there and boom (Laughter).

Every day in the morning

I can show you millions of people who close their eyes,

tears of ecstasy dripping.

Because there is a way,

there is a way to activate this system,

because there is no more complex chemistry on the planet than this one (Referring to oneself).

When everything is here,

it’s best to learn to use this.

If we invest some time early on in your life,

very effortlessly you can get here.

(Music)