7 Ways Cannabis Supports Dancers, From Flexibility to Creativity
I’ve been dancing for 27 years. It’s the thing I’ve loved longest in my life (next to writing, of course), but for a long time, I couldn’t touch it without hurting myself. I was a quiet kid, and dance was how I expressed myself. But like a lot of people raised in traditional dance studio culture, I ended up internalizing a lot more shame than joy.
The environment was unhealthy in ways that felt normal at the time: body scrutiny, competitiveness, and perfectionism disguised as discipline. I remember constantly feeling like I wasn’t good enough. I was embarrassed in a leotard and terrified of eating too much. Eventually, I developed an eating disorder because of the pressure. Ironically, it’s what stole my strength and, as a result, my ability to dance.
Cannabis and Recovery: Reconnecting to My Body
In 2017, I connected with cannabis, and it became a surprising key to my healing. At first, it helped with physical hunger. Then it started shifting the emotional piece: helping me quiet the harsh inner voice that said I didn’t deserve to feel good in my body. Eventually, I started dancing again: not for performance or approval, but for myself.
Today, cannabis remains an essential part of my relationship with dance. It helps me stretch deeper, move more intuitively, and recover faster. It opens up my creativity and helps me stay present in my body, and I’ve come to find that I’m not the only one.
Here are seven ways cannabis has supported me as a dancer, backed by personal experience, expert insights, and the experience of other dancers who’ve found comfort in cannabis. Whether you’re reclaiming movement or are just curious how this plant can support your creative flow, here’s what I’ve learned.
7 Ways Cannabis Supports Dancers
Dance is so much more than movement: it’s emotion, memory, energy, and expression. But when your relationship to your body has been strained, it can be really hard to remember all of that.
Thankfully, cannabis has helped dancers around the world reestablish a loving connection to movement. From easing tension to quieting perfectionism, cannabis can be a very powerful ally for dancers. Here are seven ways this plant has supported me and so many others in returning to dance with more freedom, presence, and joy.
Increases Flexibility and Body Awareness
One of the first things I noticed when dancing with cannabis in my system was how much more connected I felt to my body. It wasn’t just about being “high.” It was about being aware. My muscles felt softer, and my breath felt deeper. I could finally tune into those small adjustments: where to release, where to open, where I was still holding tension.
This makes sense considering the fact that cannabis interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating everything from pain to mood to muscle function. Certain strains (for me, it’s those with balanced THC and CBD or a slight indica lean) can promote a sense of relaxation that makes it easier to stretch and explore the full range of motion.
But it’s not about becoming Gumby overnight. It’s about softening, slowing down, and giving yourself permission to feel where your body needs support or space.
Enhances Creativity and Flow States
There’s something magical about the way cannabis quiets the mind. When I consume before dancing, I’m not worried about how I look; I’m just moving. That freedom has unlocked some of my favorite choreographic moments. I’ll put on music, close my eyes, and let my body respond without filtering anything through judgment.
“I like smoking before training. Just one joint before the session keeps me going throughout the practice and even afterward,” said a professional dancer based in Turkey who, given the local anti-cannabis laws, prefers to remain anonymous. “I feel my emotions more intensely when dancing. When I’m working on technique and start playing around with a movement, it helps me discover new directions or new moves, as if I’m exploring what else I can do with that one move.”
THC in particular has been shown to enhance divergent thinking: the kind of creative flow where new ideas come easily and unexpected combinations feel natural. For dancers, that means new transitions, improvised sequences, or even full-on routines that emerge naturally from the body rather than the brain.
“Cannabis often allows for more freedom of expression; I can explore different movement patterns, and it often amplifies the current state I am in, so I find it important to center and ground myself before consuming,” said Nika Antuanette, Professional Dancer & Founder of BlissIn Out.
“I have explored an intentional practice of generating choreographic sequences after consuming cannabis or just improvising for fun with no set goals in mind for generating movement vocabulary or choreography,” said Antuanette. “I think the latter is more conducive to the practice with the exploration of freeform movement. However, that isn’t to say more focused choreographic work cannot be done with the influence of cannabis.
“The addition of cannabis before improvising, for instance, reminds me of the Eternal Now. Everything is happening in the present moment, and change is the only constant. Dance and movement already release endorphins, so this state is heightened with the addition of cannabis. I am more able to surrender and go with the flow.”
As Antuanette puts it, it’s not about getting it “right.” It’s about exploring what’s possible when you finally let go of the critic in your head and move from instinct.
Supports Mindfulness and Presence
There’s a mindfulness that kicks in when you dance after consuming cannabis. Suddenly, you notice the way your foot meets the floor, the subtle sway of your hips, the rhythm of your breath. You’re not performing: you’re experiencing.
“If the only thing holding you back is fear of judgment or similar feelings, let that go,” the Turkish dancer said. “You don’t have to tell anyone if you don’t want to. Whatever you believe in, whatever you want, whatever feels right for you: always follow that. Deep down, you know what’s right or wrong for you. Just listen to yourself. Listen to your inner voice.”
Promotes Emotional Expression Through Movement
Dance has always been emotional for me, but when I started dancing again with cannabis in my system, it was like the walls fully came down, and I realized how much emotion was still stored in my body.
Cannabis has a way of helping feelings surface, not in a chaotic or overwhelming way, but in a steady stream. When I move, I’m able to feel my emotions instead of suppressing them. I’ve danced through grief, through joy, through rage, and release. It’s like therapy in motion.
“I have had very positive experiences with cannabis throughout my lifetime,” Antuanette said. “I have found that the benefits of this plant medicine range from relaxation, enhanced creativity, pain relief, focus, and beyond. It has supported me on my journey as a dancer and performing artist. In terms of healing the body and recovery after a series of intense rehearsals and/or shows, cannabis reduces pain and discomfort, so I feel better inside and out.”
Reduces Performance Anxiety and Perfectionism
For dancers who’ve grown up with high standards, constant critique, and pressure to perform, perfectionism can be paralyzing. Cannabis creates space between you and those thoughts.
I’ve used cannabis before performances, classes, and even just solo sessions when I feel too tense. It helps me drop the need to impress and return to why I started dancing in the first place: because it makes me feel alive. It lets me enjoy movement again, without the anxiety of having to prove anything.
However, there is a potential flip side to this, which is why you should always be careful and tailor your consumption habits to your body and lifestyle.
“I usually don’t prefer using it when going to dance studios,” the Turkish dancer said. “Actually, I only consume it when I’m training alone at home, because when I’m outside, it lowers my energy and makes my body feel tired. I tried it a few times before dance competitions, and I felt the same tiredness, but I still enjoyed the experience.”
Aids in Recovery and Pain Relief
As much as I love dancing, my body doesn’t always bounce back the way it did as an 18-year-old. Cannabis has helped me tune into what my body needs, especially after an intense session.
The anti-inflammatory properties associated with THC and CBD make cannabis a popular option for soothing sore muscles, reducing chronic tension, and supporting recovery. I use infused balms and bath soaks, and sometimes I’ll microdose or take an edible when I know I’ve pushed my body a little too far.
“CBD, THC, and full-spectrum products help me recover faster and more enjoyably by reducing pain and inflammation,” Antuanette said. “Cannabis topicals with high concentrations of CBD aid as the perfect gliding balm for fascial release work, which has been essential for me as a dancer.
“I find it’s also beneficial to consume and create my own edibles. I recognized the ways my body didn’t always respond well to smoking, so I was inspired to work with infusing oils and creating my own CBD edibles as an alternative. The response has been extremely positive for me and others who enjoy my culinary creations.”
Helps Dancers Rediscover Their Passion
One of the most beautiful gifts cannabis gave me was permission to come back to dance on my terms. No mirrors, no pressure: just me, the music, and movement that felt good. For anyone who’s stepped away from dance due to trauma, burnout, or shame, that’s a huge step.
Cannabis became a bridge between my past and present. It reminded me that movement could be healing, not harmful.
“One of the reasons I created BlissIn Out experiences is to facilitate the synergy between mindful movement and cannabis in a safe space while tapping into a naturally liberated state of bliss and wellbeing,” Antuanette said. “It feels freeing to move without judgment and inhibition. Curiosity, play, and wonder come to life at our BlissIn Out events, and cannabis has a special role to play.”
Curious About Cannabis and Dance?
If you’re a dancer who’s curious about cannabis but hesitant because of stigma, you’re not alone. Even as the conversation becomes more open, many of us still carry old narratives: fears about laziness, disconnection, or judgment. But dancers like Antuanette are working to reframe those assumptions with compassion and truth.
“I would say it is a worthwhile exploration if you’ve been curious about it and haven’t ever tried it out of fear,” Antuanette said. “I recommend being in a safe, familiar space and enjoying the time alone or with a close friend or someone you trust. It’s an opportunity to spend some quality time with yourself, exploring new movement patterns and see what comes up for you… Maybe journal about it to reflect back on later. It’s good to go in with an open mind and heart. Do your best to let go of any expectations.”
It’s not about having a perfect experience; it’s about making space for an honest one. And when it comes to common misconceptions, Antuanette encourages dancers to keep in mind that cannabis, like movement, is a personal practice.
“I think people who don’t consume cannabis may assume it will make them feel lazy or disengaged. I personally really enjoy moving and being active after consuming cannabis,” she said. “But certain strains will have different effects, so it’s helpful to explore different ones for yourself and make your own educated decisions. Every body is unique, and every experience for each person is, too.”
In other words, cannabis won’t change who you are. But it might help you hear yourself more clearly, especially if your inner voice has been drowned out by years of critique and conditioning.At the end of the day, many dancers use cannabis mindfully to return to their bodies and to move the way they were always meant to: freely, instinctively, and with alignment.