Written by Joseph Santiago
Exploring the science behind psychedelics, cannabis use disorder, and my personal journey after nearly 30 years of daily cannabis use.
Many people start using cannabis for good reasons.
Some use it to relax after a stressful day. Others use it to support sleep, reduce discomfort, spark creativity, or simply enjoy a deeper sense of calm. For countless people around the world, cannabis can be a helpful tool that improves quality of life and causes few, if any, problems.
But not everyone has the same experience.
At Microdose Bros, we regularly hear from people who feel their relationship with cannabis has changed. What started as occasional use gradually became a daily habit. Some tell us they’re consuming more than they intended. Others report increased anxiety, lower motivation, brain fog, memory issues, emotional numbness, or difficulty stopping even when they genuinely want to.
This doesn’t mean cannabis is “bad.”
It means that, like almost anything that affects our mood, thoughts, or emotions, it can be used intentionally or habitually.
The same thing can happen with alcohol, social media, gambling, food, work, shopping, exercise, pornography, or even success itself.
The question isn’t always whether something is good or bad.
The more important question is:
Is this behaviour helping me become the person I want to be?
That question has become increasingly relevant as researchers investigate Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), a condition characterized by problematic cannabis use, cravings, loss of control, and continued use despite negative consequences.
At the same time, another fascinating area of research has emerged.
Scientists are beginning to explore whether psychedelics such as psilocybin may help some individuals change unhealthy behavioural patterns, reduce substance dependence, and develop a healthier relationship with cannabis.
The findings are still preliminary.
But they’re intriguing.
What Is Cannabis Use Disorder?
Cannabis Use Disorder, often abbreviated as CUD, exists on a spectrum.
Not everyone who uses cannabis regularly has a problem.
Just as someone can enjoy a glass of wine without becoming dependent on alcohol, many cannabis users maintain a healthy and balanced relationship with the plant.
However, for some people, cannabis use becomes difficult to control.
Common signs of Cannabis Use Disorder may include:
- Using more cannabis than originally intended
- Unsuccessful attempts to cut back
- Strong cravings or urges to use
- Spending significant time obtaining or using cannabis
- Continued use despite negative consequences
- Reduced interest in hobbies, relationships, or responsibilities
- Anxiety when unable to access cannabis
- Feeling dependent on cannabis to relax, sleep, or cope with emotions
As cannabis becomes more widely available and THC concentrations continue to increase, researchers expect Cannabis Use Disorder to become more common.
One challenge is that there are currently no widely accepted pharmaceutical treatments specifically approved for Cannabis Use Disorder.
This has led researchers to investigate alternative approaches.
And that’s where psychedelics enter the conversation.
What The Research Is Showing
Over the past decade, researchers have become increasingly interested in the potential role psychedelics may play in treating addiction and problematic substance use.
Much of the attention initially focused on alcohol dependence, tobacco addiction, and opioid use disorders.
However, cannabis use is now receiving more attention as well.
One of the most frequently cited studies was published in Frontiers in Psychiatry and examined people who reported significant reductions in substance use following psychedelic experiences.
Researchers found that many participants described lasting reductions in problematic cannabis use after meaningful psychedelic experiences.
What’s particularly interesting is that these changes often persisted long after the psychedelic experience itself had ended.
Participants frequently reported:
- Reduced cravings
- Increased self-awareness
- Greater motivation to make healthy lifestyle changes
- Improved emotional processing
- A shift in perspective regarding their substance use
Rather than simply suppressing cravings, many participants described a fundamental change in how they viewed their relationship with cannabis.
For some, cannabis no longer felt necessary.
For others, use became more intentional and less automatic.
This distinction is important.
The goal isn’t necessarily abstinence for everyone.
For some individuals, the goal may simply be developing a healthier and more conscious relationship with the substance.
Why Might Psychedelics Help?
Researchers are still working to understand exactly why psychedelics appear to influence behavioural change.
Several theories have emerged.
Increased Psychological Flexibility
One of the most promising explanations involves psychological flexibility.
Many habits operate on autopilot.
A stressful situation occurs.
A craving appears.
The person engages in a familiar behaviour.
The cycle repeats.
Over time, these patterns become deeply ingrained.
Psychedelics appear to temporarily disrupt these automatic loops.
During and after psychedelic experiences, many people report being able to observe their behaviours from a new perspective.
Instead of reacting automatically, they become more capable of making conscious choices.
This may create an opportunity to establish healthier habits.
Addressing Underlying Emotional Patterns
Many people don’t use cannabis simply because they enjoy cannabis.
They use it because it helps them avoid, suppress, or manage difficult emotional states.
Stress.
Loneliness.
Anxiety.
Boredom.
Unresolved trauma.
Emotional overwhelm.
Psychedelics often encourage people to explore these underlying issues directly rather than continually avoiding them.
When root causes begin to heal, the need for coping behaviours sometimes decreases naturally.
Neuroplasticity And New Possibilities
Another area generating significant interest is neuroplasticity.
Research suggests that psilocybin may temporarily increase the brain’s ability to form new connections and adapt to new patterns of thinking and behaviour.
Many researchers describe this as a “window of opportunity.”
Following a meaningful psychedelic experience, individuals may find it easier to adopt healthier routines, change old habits, and build new ways of responding to life’s challenges.
But there’s an important caveat.
The psychedelic experience itself is rarely enough.
What happens afterwards often matters even more.
Microdosing vs. Macrodosing: Two Very Different Approaches
When people hear the word “psychedelics,” they often imagine a full psychedelic journey involving intense visuals, deep introspection, and hours of altered consciousness.
But that’s only one part of the picture.
Today, many people are exploring both microdosing and macrodosing as tools for self-awareness and personal growth.
While both approaches involve psychedelic substances, they work in very different ways.
The Microdosing Approach
Microdosing involves taking a very small amount of a psychedelic substance, typically around 5% to 10% of a full dose.
The goal isn’t to trip.
The goal is to remain fully functional while experiencing subtle shifts in awareness, mood, focus, and emotional wellbeing.
Many people who microdose report:
- Greater mindfulness
- Improved emotional awareness
- Enhanced creativity
- Reduced anxiety
- Increased motivation
- Improved connection with daily life
When it comes to cannabis use, microdosing may help by creating greater awareness around automatic behaviours.
Instead of reaching for cannabis out of habit, people often report becoming more conscious of why they are using it.
Are they genuinely choosing it?
Or are they responding automatically to stress, boredom, loneliness, or discomfort?
That increased awareness can be powerful.
Microdosing doesn’t force change.
It simply creates space for more intentional choices.
The Macrodosing Approach
Macrodosing is very different.
A full psychedelic experience often creates a temporary shift in perception, thought patterns, emotions, and self-identity.
For some people, these experiences become major turning points.
Researchers studying addiction frequently observe that meaningful psychedelic experiences can create lasting changes in perspective.
People often describe seeing their habits from an entirely new angle.
Some realize they are using substances to avoid emotions.
Others recognize behavioural patterns they never previously questioned.
Many describe feeling deeply connected to their values, relationships, health, and future goals.
This doesn’t automatically eliminate unhealthy habits.
But it can create the motivation needed to begin making changes.
The key word is integration.
Without integration, even the most profound psychedelic experience can fade into memory.
With integration, insights can become lasting behavioural change.
My Personal Experience: Changing My Relationship With Cannabis
Before I share my story, I want to be clear about something.
I don’t believe cannabis is inherently good or bad.
For many people, cannabis can be a valuable tool.
Some use it to unwind after work.
Others use it to improve sleep, enhance creativity, support relaxation, or simply enjoy life.
I’ve met many people who have a healthy and balanced relationship with cannabis.
At the same time, I’ve met many people who don’t.
At Microdose Bros, we regularly receive messages from individuals who feel trapped in patterns they no longer want.
Some tell us they can’t sleep without cannabis.
Others say they feel anxious when they run out.
Some report that cannabis no longer brings the benefits it once did, yet they continue using it anyway.
These conversations are far more common than many people realize.
For me, cannabis was part of my life for nearly 30 years.
I wasn’t waking up and smoking all day.
I built businesses.
I raised children.
I stayed productive.
By most definitions, I was a functional cannabis user.
But eventually, I began asking myself a question that became impossible to ignore.
Am I using cannabis because I genuinely want to, or because it has become a habit?
The answer wasn’t always comfortable.
Setting A Daily Intention
One practice that helped me tremendously was setting a daily intention.
Every morning, before checking my phone or starting work, I would take a moment to decide how I wanted to show up for the day.
Instead of focusing on what I was trying to avoid, I focused on what I wanted to create.
Rather than saying:
“I don’t want to smoke today.”
I would say:
“Today I choose presence.”
“Today I choose clarity.”
“Today I choose awareness.”
That subtle shift changed everything.
I wasn’t fighting against something.
I was moving toward something.
And psychologically, that felt very different.
Journaling Revealed The Truth
Another breakthrough came through journaling.
When I started writing honestly about my cravings, I noticed something surprising.
Many of them weren’t actually about cannabis.
They were about my emotional state.
Stress.
Overwhelm.
Boredom.
Frustration.
Loneliness.
The desire for comfort.
The desire for escape.
Sometimes I wasn’t craving cannabis at all.
I was craving relief.
Once I understood that, everything began to change.
Instead of automatically reaching for cannabis, I started asking myself:
What do I actually need right now?
The answer wasn’t always cannabis.
Sometimes it was rest.
Sometimes it was exercise.
Sometimes it was a conversation with someone I trusted.
Sometimes it was simply stepping outside and taking a walk.
Breathwork Became A Powerful Tool
One of the simplest tools I’ve found is breathwork.
Nothing complicated.
No expensive equipment.
No special training.
Just breathing.
When cravings appeared, I would slow down and take a deep breath through my nose.
Then I would exhale slowly for longer than I inhaled.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Within a few minutes, my body often felt completely different.
Many cravings aren’t physical.
They’re emotional.
They’re a nervous system response.
They’re our mind searching for relief.
Longer exhales help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which tells the body that it’s safe.
When the body feels safe, the craving often loses much of its power.
Psychedelics Changed The Conversation
Psychedelics never magically cured anything for me.
What they did was help me see.
They helped me observe habits that had become invisible.
They helped me recognize patterns that had been running automatically for years.
Most importantly, they helped me become curious rather than judgmental.
Instead of asking:
“What’s wrong with me?”
I started asking:
“Why am I doing this?”
That single shift created far more growth than self-criticism ever did.
Psychedelics didn’t do the work.
They simply helped illuminate where the work needed to happen.
Transcendental Meditation And Finding Peace Without Escaping
Another practice that had a profound impact on my life was Transcendental Meditation.
For many years, cannabis was one of the ways I relaxed.
After a stressful day, it became part of my routine.
But over time, meditation taught me something powerful:
Deep relaxation is available without consuming anything.
The more consistent I became with meditation, the less I felt the need to escape my thoughts, emotions, or discomfort.
I became more comfortable simply being present.
And when you’re comfortable being present, many compulsive behaviours begin to lose their grip.
That doesn’t mean life becomes perfect.
It doesn’t mean cravings disappear overnight.
It simply means you’re no longer constantly running from yourself.
What I Learned About Cravings
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that cravings are often messengers.
They’re trying to tell us something.
A craving might be pointing toward:
- Stress
- Loneliness
- Burnout
- Anxiety
- Lack of purpose
- Lack of connection
- Poor sleep
- Emotional pain
- Boredom
For years, I thought the answer was to get rid of the craving.
Today, I see things differently.
Instead of asking:
“How do I stop this feeling?”
I ask:
“What is this feeling trying to teach me?”
That shift changed my life.
Because when you address the root cause, the craving often begins to fade naturally.
There Is No Magic Solution
People often ask me:
“Was it psychedelics that helped you?”
The honest answer is yes and no.
Psychedelics helped me see.
They helped me become more aware.
They helped me recognize patterns that had been operating beneath the surface.
But awareness alone isn’t enough.
The real transformation came from the daily work.
Meditation.
Journaling.
Exercise.
Breathwork.
Setting intentions.
Taking responsibility.
Having difficult conversations.
Making healthier choices repeatedly.
There was no magic pill.
No miracle cure.
Just small decisions made consistently over time.
That’s how lasting change happens.
What This Means For Our Community
At Microdose Bros, we believe education matters.
We believe people deserve honest information.
And we believe psychedelics should never be viewed as a shortcut.
The emerging research around psychedelics and Cannabis Use Disorder is exciting.
But it’s still early.
More clinical trials are needed.
More research is needed.
More long-term data is needed.
What we can say is that many people report meaningful positive changes after intentional psychedelic experiences.
For some, those changes involve alcohol.
For others, nicotine.
For others, cannabis.
And for many, the biggest change is simply becoming more conscious of how they live their lives.
That alone can be life-changing.
Key Takeaways
- Cannabis can be helpful for many people and problematic for others.
- The issue is often not the substance itself, but the relationship we develop with it.
- Research suggests psychedelics may help some individuals reduce problematic cannabis use by increasing self-awareness and psychological flexibility.
- Microdosing may support mindfulness and intentional decision-making.
- Macrodosing may create powerful insights that help people re-evaluate long-standing habits.
- Integration matters more than the experience itself.
- Meditation, breathwork, exercise, journaling, and community support remain some of the most effective tools for long-term change.
- Lasting transformation usually comes from small actions repeated consistently over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can psilocybin help you quit cannabis?
Current research suggests that psychedelic experiences may help some individuals reduce problematic cannabis use by increasing self-awareness, emotional processing, and motivation for change. However, more clinical research is needed before definitive conclusions can be made.
Can microdosing help with cannabis cravings?
Some people report that microdosing helps them become more mindful of automatic behaviours and cravings. While research is still developing, many users find that microdosing encourages greater awareness and intentionality.
What is Cannabis Use Disorder?
Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is a condition where cannabis use becomes difficult to control and continues despite negative consequences. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Is cannabis addictive?
While cannabis is generally considered less addictive than substances such as nicotine or alcohol, some individuals can develop dependence and problematic patterns of use.
Are psychedelics a cure for addiction?
No. Psychedelics are not a cure. They may serve as catalysts for insight and behavioural change, but lasting transformation typically requires ongoing effort, support, and integration.
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Trip Stopper
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Join The Conversation
Have psychedelics helped you change your relationship with cannabis, alcohol, nicotine, social media, or another habit?
We’d love to hear your story.
Every week we receive messages from people around the world sharing how mindfulness, meditation, microdosing, breathwork, therapy, and psychedelics have positively impacted their lives.
Your experience might inspire someone else.
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About The Author
Joseph Santiago is the founder of Microdose Bros, one of Europe’s leading psychedelic wellness and education companies.
Born and raised in New York City and now based in the Netherlands, Joseph has spent years helping people learn about microdosing, psychedelics, mindfulness, personal growth, and conscious living.
His mission is simple:
To help people become more aware, more present, and more connected to themselves and the world around them.
Connect with Joseph:
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/
Website:
https://www.microdosebros.com
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical or mental health concerns.
