Welcome to another chapter of Vijaya Charitra with Vikramm! Another episode to talk about this mysterious and mystical plant with our cannabis expert Vikramm Mitra, who has dedicated his life to studying this plant and, in turn, emphasized on the fact that a lot of research needs to be done on the same. I had the privilege to again converse with this beautiful mind about how crucial it is to gain a different perspective about this wonder plant and how modern science can assist in deciphering the true potential of this plant. Well, with more advancement and development of science, we can certainly connect the dots to have a better understanding!
Me: “Hi Vikramm! Hope you’re doing great! You see, today I want to deepen my knowledge pertaining to how timings (to consume this plant) can play a vital role in comprehending the intrinsic nature of this plant along with the importance of how to incorporate a different outlook towards it!”
Vikramm: “To begin with, let’s first be cognizant of the value of timing (samay) and how salient it is to consume this plant according to the prahar or the time of the day.”
He further continued stating: “To me, I think, words like spirituality, religion, and spirit have lost their potency and become sullied. Our ancestors have passed on messages through numerous stories, however, we have forgotten the kernel of the oral history passed down from generation to generation. Besides, scientists also feel that these fables are just mumbo jumbos, for they haven’t been able to figure out the true essence of it. One aspect is the importance of when to consume this plant! We cannot take this plant for granted and ingest it at any time of the day!”
Vikramm harks back to the time when he met another babaji who explained to him how paramount it is to utilize this plant as per the timings of the day. He continued: “I met a babaji who told me how sacred this plant is. Which is why, it becomes all the more essential to take into consideration the Prahar (the sanskrit term for a unit of time, or the subdivision of the day) while consuming this plant. Babaji further expounded that how the morning time is the best to complete any important task at hand, or how fruitful it is to talk to someone in the morning to get your work done at ease. Similarly, saints and sages do not devour this plant at any point of the day, rather, they do it at a very specific time to attain the best outcome from the plant. Do you know the scientific reasoning behind this?”
Me: “Not exactly!”
Vikramm: “You see, the circadian rhythm plays a vital role here. It is scientifically proven that there is a deep relationship between the earth’s magnetic field and our body. Basically, this knowledge of the circadian rhythm was already known by our yogis. They knew that in the morning time, the brain’s receptive and creative energy is very high. As the day progresses, the vitality of the mind also slowly goes down, just like the power of the Sun. With different Prahars and the passage of time, we become low on our energy levels. It is the same reason we are more agile and fresh in the morning time, so as to balance the body, and the natural circadian rhythm with respect to the Sun. This is mental health and conditioning. Hence, cannabis is not supposed to be used at any time of the day. Therefore, babajis also consider specific timings and refrain from consuming it throughout the day because we also know how dosage plays an important role in this.”
“Secondly, it is also pretty cardinal to notice that cannabis acts differently on every individual because it works through the central nervous system. Similarly, not all marijuana flowers are the same. For instance, there are some that act as an appetite stimulant whereas some are appetite suppressant. You see, in Malana, the cream there is appetite suppressant, but hash or pot from anywhere else induces hunger. There is a famous saying in Malana which goes like; Chai, Charas, Chapati aur Parvati, khulegi moksha ki darwazi. Well, there is a rational reasoning behind, that if one smokes this specific cream, they can control their minds and be less affected by hunger. This property can surely help people with diabetes as well! It is because its terpene and flavonoid content is very different from the others. So, with our endocannabinoid system, the plant works as per its intrinsic property and the natural order. It is the same reason why Ayurveda came into existence! To know more about plants and its usage”
This only goes to say that following specific rules, regulations, norms are very crucial while taking this plant. Be it with respect to dosage or the timings! Besides, for saints and sages, consuming this plant is not just about seeking pleasure all the time, but is also a medicine that needs to be taken in proper dosage and timing. Furthermore, various ayurvedic texts have not only mentioned how this plant can be used as medicine in a variety of forms, but how certain forms are consumed before having food, some after food, and some early in the morning (empty stomach). Interestingly, it is not solely taken in its raw form, but they are mixed with other plants and herbs to get the best result out of it.
On that account, inculcating a varied perspective towards this sacred plant and understanding it’s prominence through a different lens is very crucial. We know that it works wonders but not enough is done in the research arena to know more about cannabis from the inside out. Maatra (dosage) and Samay (time) have a very deep relationship with this divine plant. Surprisingly, enough research was already conducted by Vaidyas to recognize the true essence of this plant, and it is only now that modern science is somehow also drawing similar conclusions. It is only if we see it from a different perspective, that the early findings and modern science connect the dots to acknowledge this one hell of a herb that comprises innumerable medicinal properties. The research industry is going great guns in cannabis related findings. We are discovering so many characteristics of this plant everyday. It is diuretic, analgesic, therapeutic, as well as anodynic.
Vikramm says: “Over and above that, it is a very popular belief that most scientists are atheist, however, for most of them the quest to find god is quite congruent to involving themselves in science and research. As an example, J. Robert Oppenheimer (the father of the atomic bomb) was very much inclined towards Geeta, Upansihads, and other texts. Similar was the case with Albert Einstein who was also influenced by our ancient texts. Additionally, our great mathematician Ramanujan also believed that no equation for him makes sense until and unless it is an expression of god himself! So, this is the time to relate science with mysticism, alter the whole game of medicine, and use this plant with the assistance of our ancient sacred texts!”
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