The Sensitives vs The Daily Smokers: Unlocking the True Potential of Cannabis
Cannabis carries polarising stereotypes: the “sensitive” person (this was me), overwhelmed by the smallest dose, versus the “daily stoner” who uses it habitually without apparent effect. These extremes have shaped public perception, limiting the potential for cannabis as a tool for deep healing and transformation.
We’ve been conditioned to see cannabis users in two rigid categories:
The daily smoker who believes cannabis is just about relaxation, unaware of its potential for profound psychedelic journeys.
The sensitive user who feels overwhelmed, mistaking their heightened response as a reason to avoid it rather than an invitation to deeper healing.
But both perspectives miss the mark. The daily smoker must slow down and use cannabis with intention. The sensitive person must trust the experience and surrender rather than resist. Cannabis is neither numbing nor overwhelming—it’s simply a mirror, reflecting back what is already within us. The depth of the experience depends entirely on how willing we are to listen.
The Daily Smoker: Cannabis as a Psychedelic Teacher
What if the true reason cannabis was outlawed wasn’t just about public health, but about keeping its consciousness-expanding abilities out of reach? Unlike other psychedelics that often require structured guidance, cannabis is accessible, personal, and capable of revealing deep truths—sometimes with just a single inhale. Yet, most people never even get close to that experience.
I see it all the time—people who smoke daily but never actually drop in. They get high, but they stay in their heads. Distracted. Scrolling. Half-present. It’s as if the plant is knocking on the door, but they never stop long enough to open it. They say weed doesn’t do much for them anymore, that the magic is gone, or that they need higher doses just to feel anything. But the issue isn’t tolerance—it’s awareness. They’re using it, but they’re not surrendering to it.
Cannabis isn’t like other psychedelics; it doesn’t force you into the experience. You have to meet it halfway. If you treat it as background noise, that’s all it will be. If you resist what it’s showing you, it won’t push harder. If you’re numbing out, avoiding discomfort, or chasing a specific feeling, you’ll just keep chasing your tail.
I’ve had moments where one deep inhale sent me into a full-body psychedelic journey. But only when I was willing to let go. When I stopped expecting and started listening.
There’s a difference between using cannabis and journeying with it. Using it means getting high and distracting myself—filling the space with noise, avoiding what’s beneath the surface. But journeying? That’s when I let the plant take me somewhere unexpected. I’ve seen how cannabis can open the body, move stuck emotions, and mimic deep psychedelic states—but only when I surrender to it. The moment I resist, distract myself, or stay in my head, the experience dulls. I just end up stoned, foggy, and wondering why I even smoked.
For those who feel like weed doesn’t hit the same anymore, the answer isn’t smoking more—it’s changing how you engage with it.
Taking a break, even for a few weeks, can bring back the psychedelic magic.
Setting an intention before smoking can shift the experience entirely.
Treating cannabis as a ceremonial tool rather than a habit makes it show up differently.
The setting matters—smoking while scrolling? Nothing happens. Smoking in silence, in darkness, with music, or during breathwork? Full journey.
And the biggest shift of all—dropping in instead of trying to control. The less I try to make cannabis do something, the more it surprises me.
Cannabis isn’t failing people—people are failing cannabis. It isn’t just some casual high; it’s a living spirit, a trickster, a psychedelic in disguise. But like all true teachers, it won’t force itself on you. It waits. It watches. It meets you where you are. So if it’s not hitting anymore, maybe it’s time to stop and ask: Am I actually listening? Or am I just getting high?
The Sensitive & Anxious User: Facing What Cannabis Reveals
I used to think cannabis was “making me paranoid.” But over time, I realized cannabis itself wasn’t the source of paranoia—it was simply amplifying what was already within me. Cannabis doesn’t create fear; it reveals the fear that is already stored in the nervous system. It brings unresolved emotions to the surface so they can be witnessed and healed.
Anxiety and paranoia during cannabis use are often labeled as negative reactions, but in reality, they are powerful indicators of deeper work that needs to be done. If it weren’t for cannabis guiding me into those spaces, I wouldn’t have known those fears and anxieties even existed.
Anxiety may arise when the body and mind resist letting go of control. Paranoia can highlight unresolved fears or past traumas. With the right preparation and support, these responses can transform into opportunities for healing. Leaning into discomfort instead of resisting it allows you to uncover the root causes of these feelings, ultimately leading to peace and clarity.
If you experience anxiety or paranoia with cannabis, remember:
You are safe. Cannabis is only amplifying what is already within you, trust the process.
Your body knows how to process these emotions if you allow them to move through you.
Resisting the experience intensifies discomfort; surrendering to it can lead to profound healing.
Grounding techniques like deep breathing, movement, or intentional music can help create a more supportive experience.
Cannabis isn’t something to fear—it’s a guide showing you where healing is needed. When used intentionally, it can help unlock deeper layers of emotional processing and self-awareness. The key is to trust the experience rather than fight it.
Both the daily smoker and the sensitive user have something to learn. The daily smoker must break free from autopilot and engage with the plant more consciously. The sensitive person must lean into their heightened awareness rather than fearing it.
Cannabis is not inherently numbing or overwhelming—it is a mirror. It will reflect back exactly what is happening inside you. The question is: Are you willing to listen?
Much Love
Pete Volos - Psychegetics