According to studies, cannabis use does not lead to lazy teenagers or college students

There have always been lazy stoners. The stereotype that’s heavily portrayed in pop culture is perhaps the most popular of all, one that has hurt many people. A few new studies show that’s not true, even when applied to teenagers and young adults.

The most recent study, published in the journal Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, looked at 47 college students who were divided into two groups: one consisted of non-users and another consisted of repeat cannabis users. Both groups were asked to complete behavior assessment tasks called the Effort Expenditure for Rewards Task. The results showed that cannabis users were more likely to choose tasks associated with higher motivation.

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The second study, published in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society last July, was conducted by researchers at Florida International University and lasted two years. They recruited over 400 participants aged 14 to 17 and asked them to complete five biannual assessments over the course of their studies. These ratings consisted of two motivational questionnaires—the Apathy Rating Scale and the Motivation and Commitment Scale—and questions about the participants’ use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana.

While the results showed that higher cannabis use was correlated with higher levels of motivation loss, after accounting for factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, age, gender, and level of depression, there was little evidence that marijuana alone had an impact on motivation.

“Our results do not support an association between cannabis use and declining motivation over time in a sample of adolescents at risk of escalating cannabis use,” the study authors wrote. “The current study adds to the existing literature by longitudinally examining these associations in a large sample of adolescent cannabis users, while controlling for important and often overlooked confounds, including sex and depression.”

Motivation in teenagers and young adults is a complex issue influenced by many factors. According to Psychology Today, teenagers are more difficult to motivate as they outgrow their childish mindset. “External factors are usually reliable sources of motivation for children, but by age 12, factors such as the desire for parental and social approval begin to dwindle as primary sources of motivation.” External distractions such as social life, home life, and substances like marijuana and Alcohol can all affect their motivation.

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Scientific data on cannabis and its effects on humans is important in debunking myths that have long manipulated the plant. Having this knowledge and making it available to the people makes it difficult for lawmakers to continue the war on drugs by spreading fear and misinformation.