Jason Silva, host of NatGeo's 'Brain Games,' talks about marijuana in his new podcast

Jason Silva is an extremely unique character. Born and raised in Venezuela, Silva moved to America at 18. In less than two decades, he managed to build an extremely successful career in media and public speaking.

As a fan of all things wonderful, expansive, and inspiring, Silva is no stranger to cannabis and psychedelics. In fact, he is very open about his use.

"What if I told you that you could be 500% more productive; or 430% more creative; or 490% more capable of learning a new skill?" he asks. "Well, guess what: over 100 years of scientific research show us that we are truly capable of reaching a heightened state of consciousness called 'flow state,' in which all our faculties go through the roof... Now, guess what else: not only is flow state 'hackable,' but research also shows that marijuana and psychedelic plants can help us get there."

'An Existentially Oriented Person'

Silva likes to define himself as an "existentially oriented person," always energized by ideas. In fact, he is very fond of contemplation and introspection.

"Cannabis has a long and deep history of being used as a sacrament in favor of contemplative introspection," he says, explaining this element, and his passion for knowledge were the things that really led him to marijuana - as opposed to the more common pursuit of leisure.

Growing up in "a very creative household," which was "a beautiful breeding ground for a marijuana-addled brain," didn't hurt. The role of setting and setting in informing the experience of altered states is not lost on him, he explains, looking back at those formative years when he developed a "love for ritual, contemplation, introspection, and the role that cannabis played in facilitating those kinds of sacraments."

In this context, the larger cultural ecosystem matters as much as the quality of your herb. "I think it made me an activist, a curator, or a master of ceremonies, so to speak, in the sense that I felt it was not just about talking about marijuana and being an antidote to Reefer Madness and spreading the truth about the medicinal properties of this plant, but also changing the culture around it."

And this became one of Silva's personal missions: to elevate the cultural context around marijuana, going beyond "getting high, playing video games, and eating Cheetos."

Especially in the context of so many people addicted to pharmaceutical drugs with a myriad of known side effects, Silva is all about natural alternatives. "Here you have a non-toxic, immensely medicinal and beneficial tonic that, if used in the right context, could not only alleviate much of our distress but write a new kind of 'opportunity to tumble down the rabbit hole' for people to rediscover the things they are interested in."

Celebrities from around the world have acquired this quality that Silva possesses.

Richard Branson recently said: "Jason explains that ideas transform us, transport us, and make us question life as we know it. [...] His message is clear, looks at the world without borders and everything is possible... As Jason explains... we are all broadcasters and editors - it is up to us to spread ideas around the world, for the benefit of humanity."

"Jason explains that ideas transform us, transport us, and make us question life as we know it," said Richard Branson

So, what's next for Silva? Will he continue broadcasting, publishing, these ideas intended to benefit humanity?

Go with the flow

In Silva's view, "marijuana is an agent to facilitate wonder." *

But what does that mean?

Well, "we know that marijuana is a nonspecific amplifier of consciousness; we know that cannabis increases reactivity to stimuli, both from within and without, which means you are more likely to leave the environment you are in, puncturing your representation, your lenses of perception," he explains.

Definitely, these words may sound snobbish, intellectual, or poetic, Silva acknowledges. But that's the point. The Venezuelan-American is trying to raise awareness about marijuana.

"Marijuana is an agent to facilitate wonder," says Jason Silva

And that's what his new podcast, Flux Sessions with Jason Silva - sponsored by Kana's Flux, is all about.

But wait, the Flow Sessions is much more than just a podcast, Silva assures.

"I think of it as the HBO of podcasts, because it's this cutting-edge, truly premium conversation with some of the smartest luminaries in the world, about consciousness, culture, altered states, creativity, innovation, technology, and about the existential reality of the human condition."

And, to make things even better, this deep dive into some of the most important topics of our time has been informed by Silva's (and sometimes his guests') experimentation with cannabis.

So, the idea behind the Flow Sessions is for people to enjoy long conversations, so that listeners feel like they are sitting in a living room with the podcast participants. It's all about the flow of ideas.

"Marijuana is the broader context that inspired many of the conversations explored and closed the session," highlights Jason Silva.

Source:Forbes