Stoners aren’t lazy; Here’s the science that proves it

Researchers say, “People who use cannabis are no more likely to be unmotivated or lazy than people who don’t.”

The “lazy stoner” stereotype began in the 1930s with none other than Mr. Harry Anslinger himself. Yes, the first head of the DEA (then known as FBN for Federal Bureau of Narcotics) brought us a lot of “memorable” things, like ” reefer madness” and racist propaganda.

While we’ve kind of strayed from the notion that cannabis can send someone into a mindless, murderous rage, the notion of the lazy, unmotivated stoner has lingered through the decades.

But with the advent of the age of cannabis legalization, more studies are being conducted on the plant and made available to the public. One such study, published in late summer 2022, has results that could finally debunk the “lazy stoner” stereotype.

The study, titled “Anhedonia, Apathy, Pleasure, and Effort-based Decision Making in Adult and Adolescent Cannabis Users and Controls,” was published in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology and was led by researchers from the University of Cambridge, King’s College London and University College London.

Facts about the Lazy Stoner study

• The data was pulled from the CannTeen study on chronic cannabis use and cognitive functioning.
• Number of participants: 274
• Age of participants: 16-29
• 139 participants were youth.
• 135 participants were adults.
• Frequency of cannabis use: 1-7 days/week in the last three months
• Adult participants were excluded if they used cannabis regularly before the age of 18.

Specifically addressing claims that “cannabis use may be associated with anhedonia and apathy,” the study examined “the association between non-acute cannabis use and apathy, anhedonia, pleasure, and effort-based decision-making for reward, and whether these relationships were moderated by age group.” “

Anhedonia is described as the inability to feel pleasure for those who are wondering. Think of it as a general listlessness that hasn’t contributed to an illness like depression. Apathy is a disinterest in activities, people, and things, and a general lack of enthusiasm.

“Our results suggest that cannabis use three to four days per week is not associated with apathy, effort-based decision-making for reward, desire for reward, or desire for reward in adults or adolescents,” the researchers write.

The study began with the hypothesis that cannabis users would show higher levels of anhedonia and apathy compared to controls. The researchers also hypothesized that cannabis users were less likely to expend effort or even subjectively want the reward compared to controls.

However, the researchers reported that the results of their study contradicted their hypotheses.

Indeed, the researchers found that “cannabis users had less anhedonia than controls, albeit with a small effect size. These results are inconsistent with the hypothesis that non-acute cannabis use is associated with amotivation.”

The study further advances the theory that cannabis may increase reward-seeking behavior, or that “people who are more pleasure-seeking are also more likely to use cannabis.”

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The influence of cannabis stereotypes

The August study also suggests that all those years of stereotyping may have made stoners more aware of how lazy they are perceived to be, which may have inspired participants to “appear more motivated in psychological studies, which might falsifies the present results”.

“Unfair assumptions can be stigmatizing and get in the way of harm reduction messages. We need to be honest and open about what the harmful effects of drug use are and aren’t.”

Martine Skumlien

But one of the study’s researchers at the University of Cambridge, Martine Skumlien, later said of the research: “We’re so used to seeing ‘lazy stoners’ on our screens that we keep asking if they’re one.” accurate representation of cannabis users. Our work implies that this is in itself a lazy stereotype and that people who use cannabis are no more likely to lack motivation or be more lazy than people who don’t.”

Fight stigma with science

It’s refreshing to see cannabis use gaining some of the scientific prominence it always deserved.

The study ended on a very positive note, in which she wrote: “Cannabis use has historically been associated with a motivation, which is reflected in prevailing pejorative stereotypes of the ‘lazy stoner’. In this study, stereotypes are countered with data showing that a relatively large cohort of adult and adolescent cannabis users and controls did not differ on multiple measures of reward and motivation.”

“Our findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that non-acute cannabis use is not associated with amotivation, which may help reduce the stigma attached to people who use cannabis.”

And that is proof that despite the dark days of Prohibition we faced, we have entered a new cannabis era – one in which the future for cannabis users who lead motivated and productive lives is bright.

Check out Leafly’s list of strains known for their energetic effects.

Rae Lland

Rae Lland is a freelance writer, journalist and former editor for Weedist and The Leaf Online. With a focus on culture, music, health and wellness, in addition to her work for Leafly, she has been featured in numerous online cannabis publications as well as print editions of Cannabis Now Magazine. Follow her on Instagram @rae.lland

Check out Rae Lland’s articles

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