Is the stereotype of cannabis users as "lazy stoners" still alive? That's what scientists say

A new study from the University of Cambridge, UK, has shown that "adult and adolescent cannabis users are no more likely than non-users to lack motivation or being unable to enjoy the pleasures of life".

According to the researchers, "there is no scientific basis for the stereotype often portrayed in the media." "We're so used to seeing 'lazy stoners' on our screens that we don't stop to wonder if they're an accurate representation of cannabis users," the authors said. "Our work implies that in itself is a lazy stereotype."

Scientists from UCL, the University of Cambridge and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London have examined whether "cannabis users exhibit higher levels of apathy (loss of motivation) and anhedonia (loss of interest or enjoyment of rewards) compared to controls and whether they were less willing to exert physical effort to receive a reward."< /p>

The team recruited 274 adolescent and adult cannabis users who had used cannabis at least once a week in the past three months, averaging four days a week, and matched them with non-consumers of the same age and gender, according to the study published in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.

Method: Participants completed questionnaires to measure anhedonia and their level of apathy. Nevertheless, researchers did not find a link between frequency of cannabis use and apathy or anhedonia in people who used cannabis.

Results: "We were surprised to see that there was really very little difference between cannabis users and non-users in terms of lack of motivation or lack of enjoyment , even among those who used cannabis daily," Martine Skumlien, a doctoral candidate in the University of Cambridge's department of psychiatry, said after seeing the results. "This is contrary to the stereotypical portrayal we see on TV and in movies."

Conclusions: However, "we need studies that look for these associations over a long period of time to confirm these findings," said Dr. Will Lawn, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences at King's College London.

Demystifying marijuana users, who are often referred to as unproductive people turned out to be successful cannabis entrepreneurs. According to the study, cannabis users may also feel motivated or able to enjoy the pleasure of life. In addition, many athletes, recognized as cannabis patients, are known to have taken marijuana as a replacement for modern medicine. Recently, Australian football legend Andrew Johns revealed that medical cannabis helped him with chronic pain and brain seizures. Johns said that for almost 30 years he had been dependent on sleeping pills and anti-inflammatories, but medical cannabis reversed that urge. >

© 2022 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved...