I find myself spending lots of time in my grow space. Noob here, however, I get a therapeutic and relaxing effect just from being in proximity. Smelling the maturing flowers brings me great calm and fulfilling feelings. The aromas, pride of cultivation, and lighting all have helped me through this low sun season a little easier at this point. Feb is rough for many.
Has there been studies of what benefits are available from being around living flowering plants alone, apart from consuming the plant after harvest? The stink in the room I find very alluring and uplifting.
Equestrian Therapy is very much a thing that calms... as with dog and cat ownership showing to lower blood pressure, stress, etc. Funny how these also have many many thousands of years in a sort of ‘symbiotic’ history with our species. Many growers say the addiction is growing, not smoking... maybe we just want to be around them...
Anywho, I finally read up to current today. Great info and planet. Cheers!
Wow, thanks so much for your super thoughtful reply! And for reading all this! And liking it! Ha :-)
I know there have been studies about plants and mental health generally. I do think the addition of not just the environment but the cultivation is an interesting aspect...I know this has also been studied....
But I really do think the cultivation of an intoxicant that alters the brain and therefore a user's reality is another thing psychologically altogether....
I find that I will often compulsively check on the plants....they are one of my happy places. Much like a used book store or library can be another one for me...I just enjoy being surrounded by life (in the case of books, the artifacts of consciousness....same as with a good art museum in a way but books get me better).
But that compulsion is definitely a little brain boost. Like it feels good on the ol' brain to feel the plant's growth. My wife (K) says during
flu our plants' growth is the best evidence of time's passage. Because we both work from home and may as well be in a space ship for how much we get out.
Totally agree with the comparison with animals too. My sister definitely gets a ton of mental benefit from the time she spends with her (leased) horse. My birds and dog help keep what sanity I have relatively accessible when I am not Milsoning ;-)
Anyway, cheers again for the reply and the kind words! And especially for the February sympathy....it does help to know other people dislike it like I do!