Coloring While High: The Not-So-Serious Guide to Stress Relief
Okay, real talk—have you ever tried coloring when you’re stoned? No? You probably should. It’s one of those simple joys that sneaks up on you and suddenly you’re like, wait, am I... happier? Is this how people relax in 2025? Kind of wild how fast adult coloring books blew up, right? And now, people are adding weed to the mix like peanut butter and jelly. Weird combo, but damn—it just works.
Here’s the deal: life moves fast, everyone’s anxious, blah blah. But, coloring? With weed? It’s like, press pause. You pick up some colored pencils, maybe take a hit, and suddenly that dumb little flower mandala looks like the Sistine Chapel. Or at least, you’re too chilled out to care about anything stressful.
So Why Does Coloring High Even Work?
People (aka, “science” types) say coloring makes your brain chill out—parasympathetic nervous system, dopamine, blah blah, but honestly, it just feels good. I mean, who needs a research paper to say, “Hey, this feels awesome”? But in case you want facts, apparently, coloring is a legit mindfulness thing. The same kind of brain magic as meditation, just less boring.
Add cannabis, and everything kind of… slows down. No more doomscrolling. You actually notice how nice teal looks next to purple. Is it just me, or do colors seriously pop when you’re high? Sometimes you just sit there for like, five minutes, staring at a gradient you just made. Feels like time is melting—but in a good way.
Let’s Talk Strains—Because Not All Weed Is the Same
You know the drill: indicas chill you out, sativas get you thinking about life’s mysteries, hybrids… well, they’re hybrids. What you want is a strain that makes you feel relaxed, not paranoid. Granddaddy Purple, Blue Dream, Harlequin (that one’s heavy on CBD)—these are all clutch for art sessions.
Personally, I’d avoid anything super strong unless you want to spend two hours coloring the same corner because you keep zoning out. Microdose, my friend. Start with a tiny puff, see where it takes you.
Art Supplies: Don’t Cheap Out
Honestly, half the fun is the supplies. Prismacolor pencils? Life-changing. Staedtler fineliners? Trust me, you’ll thank yourself. Even regular old Crayolas can do the trick if you’re just getting started. Pro tip: get a coloring book that doesn’t make you want to throw it across the room. Mandalas, trippy animals, nature stuff—whatever fits your vibe. Don’t overthink it.
And snacks. Always snacks. Nothing worse than getting into the zone and realizing you’re out of chips.
The Ritual: Setting Up Your High Coloring Sesh
Step one: Claim your spot. Couch, floor, porch—doesn’t matter, just be comfy. Clean up a little, because mess ruins the mood. Lay out your supplies. Turn on some music—lofi beats, ambient stuff, or even something weird like rain sounds. Lights down low, maybe a candle (try not to burn your coloring book, though). Diffuser if you’re into that. I mean, you could make it a whole “vibe” thing, or just keep it lazy.
Now, take a breath. Literally. Inhale for four seconds, hold, exhale for six. You’ll feel it. Take a hit (or nibble, if you’re into edibles). Let it settle.
Pick your page. Start coloring. That’s… honestly about it. Don’t rush it. Sometimes I’ll just color one leaf and then stare at it for ages, thinking about nothing at all. That’s kind of the whole point, really.
Keep It Chill—Mindfulness, Not Perfection
Don’t be that person who freaks out over staying inside the lines. Seriously. Messy is fine. Perfectionism is for, I dunno, people who get paid to color? You’re here for vibes.
Sometimes I’ll do the whole “5-4-3-2-1” grounding thing. Like:
- 5 things I see (markers, crumbs, cat, whatever)
- 4 things I can touch (soft blanket, table, cold drink, the page)
- 3 sounds (music, outside traffic, pencil on paper)
- 2 things I smell (markers, incense, maybe weed)
- 1 thing I taste (snacks, obviously)
Weird how that actually helps you relax, but it works.
Watch Out for Rookie Mistakes
- Too much weed: Trust me, nobody wants to be “that guy” staring at one corner of the page for half an hour, stuck in a loop.
- Crap lighting: You’ll ruin your eyes. Use something soft.
- Terrible supplies: Don’t waste time with dried-up markers or scratchy pencils.
- Uncomfy seat: Sore back = not relaxing.
- No snacks: I cannot stress this enough. SNACKS.
People’s Actual Stories (Because, Yeah, It’s a Thing)
Reddit, Twitter, random blogs—people can’t shut up about how much they love this combo. One girl wrote that she feels like she’s meditating, but it’s “less boring and more colorful.” Some dude was like, “It’s the only thing that makes me forget work stress without feeling like I’m just vegging out.”
And I get it. You end up with these random, beautiful pages, and it doesn’t even matter what they look like. It’s about the feeling while you’re doing it.
Side Effects and How to Deal
- Dry mouth? Water. (Or juice, but that stains the pages—learned the hard way.)
- Red eyes? Eye drops, or just embrace the stoner look.
- Weird anxiety spike? Put down the pencil, walk around, breathe. Maybe switch to an easier page.
- Getting distracted? Hide your phone. Seriously.
FAQs (Stuff Everyone Asks)
- Is it safe? Yeah, just don’t drive or operate a forklift.
- Best art supplies? Whatever feels good. I like Prismacolors, but use what you have.
- Does it help with anxiety? A lot of people swear by it. You might, too.
- Music recs? Try Tycho, lofi playlists, or something without lyrics.
- How long should I color? Until you’re done. Or not. No rules here.
Final Thoughts: Why Not Just Try It?
If you’ve made it this far and you’re still skeptical, just… go for it. Grab a coloring book, get your supplies, take a little hit, and see where the night goes. Worst case, you end up with some colorful doodles and a snack hangover. Best case? You discover your new favorite way to chill.
Life’s short. Color outside the lines.