In the new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers from the University of New Mexico found that cannabis consumption is linked with more empathy among people.
Stoners, we bring some positive affirmation! A study claims that smoking weed (also known as pot, cannabis, and marijuana) makes people nicer and less greedy.
Let’s be clear – smoking in all its forms is harmful for your body, especially your lungs. If you smoke regularly, you’re more prone to heart diseases, lung cancer, and strokes in the future. Even then, weed can be consumed in multiple forms, with smoking being the most popular one. In countries that have legalised marijuana, it may be consumed in the edible form.
In the new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers from the University of New Mexico found that cannabis consumption is linked with more empathy among people. Those who regularly consume weed are also less likely to be motivated by money. The study focused on the “prosociality” of weed consumption, which is described as “the intentional act of advancing the well-being of other people.”
Does weed breed nicer humans?
In conversation with The Paper, study’s lead Jacob Vigil said that shifting perspectives are necessary to understand weed consumption. For starters, the stereotype of cannabis users as addicts and lacking motivation needs reworking, he suggested. “It’s never really been approached objectively to see what’s going on before making negative interpretations,” he said.
For this study, college students were given a “battery of psychological tests” and their urine was also tested for THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana.
According to Vigil, those who had recently consumed weed showed “higher levels of pro-social behaviours, and higher measurements of empathy.” In addition, they found that weed smokers are also less likely to do jobs solely for money. Vigil says this is a good thing.
In essence, Vigil believes that weed consumption needs to stop being seen through the lens of problematic behaviour and addiction. While it may be true that cannabis users are generally nicer people, we still do not endorse the consumption of any psychoactive substances and smoking.
