Challenging Myths: Cannabis
Despite the fact cannabis has been legalized recreationally in 18 states and medicinally in 38, a number of myths and misinformation still persist. This article is the fourth in a series that explores these common myths. Here is a link for Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Also, you can read about the myths surrounding Utah’s medical cannabis program here.
A common myth and stereotype about cannabis users portrayed in movies and social media is that they tend to be inactive, sitting on the couch and watching TV, while eating junk food and smoking a joint or pipe. However, as this article will show, there really isn’t any truth to this stereotype and in actuality, the exact opposite may be true.
Amotivational Syndrome
“Amotivational Syndrome” or more specifically, “Cannabis Amotivational Syndome” is a term and theory used to describe a lack of motivation and passive personality as a result of chronic cannabis use. However, recent studies on the matter do not support this hypothesis.
In a 2022 study done at Oregon State University, researchers found that cannabis consumers were more likely than non-users to “exert more [effort] for reward, suggesting enhanced motivation relative to healthy controls.” Specifically, as the magnitude of the reward increased, frequent cannabis users were more likely to select harder trials to complete than were the non-users. The study concluded: “The current findings do not support [the theory of] a-motivational syndrome in cannabis users; rather cannabis users displayed higher-effort decision-making in comparison to controls.”
Physical Activity and Exercise
Studies have also shown that regular users of cannabis are actually more physically active than non-users.
In an article from 2019, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder surveyed 605 cannabis users in states with legal cannabis programs to examine the relationship between cannabis consumption and exercise. The study found 81% of respondents who reported consuming cannabis before and/or after exercising averaged 159 minutes of exercise each week. By contrast, respondents who reported no cannabis consumption before and/or after exercising averaged only 103 minutes of weekly exercise.
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In addition, not only did the cannabis consumers report exercising more than the non-consumers each week, but 70% of them also reported enjoying their workouts more because of their consumption. What’s more, 77% reported that cannabis enhanced their workout recovery, and over half of co-users agreed or strongly agreed that cannabis increases their motivation to exercise.
In another study from 2021, it was found that frequent and light cannabis users reported doing more physical activity than non-users, suggesting cannabis may actually encourage physical activity.
Weight Management
Research suggests that cannabis may also help in weight management among users. In a
2019 study, researchers at Michigan State studied responses from over 33,000 U.S. citizens over a four-year period and compared the body mass indexes (BMI) of those who use cannabis to those who don’t and found that the users gained less weight over time than non-users. The analysis even went as far as saying “For many patients, cannabis may be a better option for weight loss than surgery or pharmaceuticals.”
So, whether it be lack of motivation, amount of exercise, or even weight management, recent studies have shown that none of these myths about frequent cannabis use are true.
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