The lazy stoner stereotype is something we’ve grown accustomed to – whether it be media depictions (think Pineapple Express) or cultural notions of cannabis users drawn from more ‘traditional’ societies.

However a new study suggests that this representation of weed lovers might be what is actually lazy. 

A study led by scientists at the University of Cambridge, University College London, and King’s College London and published last month examined whether people who use cannabis show higher levels of apathy or decreased loss of interest or pleasure. 

They were also studied to see whether they were less willing to exert physical effort tor receive a reward. The study involved 274 adolescents and adults who used cannabis at least once weekly and with an average of four days a week over the past three months. 

Another who did not use was also involved in the study, with all participants undergoing various experiments to see whether they report anhedonia (loss of pleasure) or apathy. 

The cannabis users did not report greater apathy or anhedonia. In fact, people who used cannabis scored slightly lower on anhedonia than those who did not. This means the users were slightly more able to enjoy activities than non-users. 

However, the difference was massively tiny, meaning caution is required for interpretation. “Our evidence indicates that cannabis use does not appear to have an effect on motivation for recreational users” said one of the authors. 

“Unfair assumptions can be stigmatising and could get in the way of messages around harm reduction,” said another co-author. “We need to be honest and frank about what are and are not the harmful consequences of drug use.”

#MaltaDaily