Did you have an inkling? It is well known that cannabis users often have a more relaxed attitude. Unfortunately, cannabis users are also often thought of as sluggish, unproductive individuals. While the ” couch potato effect” can be present with the use of certain strains of cannabis, more information has now surfaced that contradicts this stereotype.

A recent study from the University of New Mexico in the United States found that cannabis users are more social, show more empathy and make better moral decisions compared to people who don’t consume cannabis.

Is this really true, and why is this the case? We looked into it for you.

The study

Last month, brand new findings from a US study were published in a scientific journal. The results caused a commotion because they are somewhat surprising to the vast majority of the population.

The study, which was conducted among 146 adults aged 18 to 25, was sparked by the idea that cannabis users are less motivated by money and would therefore make better moral and social decisions.

It shows that people with THC in their blood exhibit more empathetic, friendly, and social behavior than non-users. Social behavior refers to actions such as helping, sharing, cooperating, and donating. 

Significant differences

The study was conducted through questions and questionnaires regarding the behavior and feelings of individuals towards their fellow human beings.

The group of people with THC in their blood from recent cannabis use demonstrated more empathy and behaved more honestly and socially in comparison to the group without THC. Only on group loyalty did cannabis users score lower than the control group.

Since the differences were significant on multiple measures, this could indicate a causal relationship between cannabis and social behavior. However, this study cannot confirm this causal connection. For this, more detailed research is needed.

How does social behavior arise?

Now that it is clear that social behavior is more prevalent among cannabis users than among people who do not use cannabis, we will take a closer look at how this works. We will look at how social behavior arises naturally, and how cannabis can stimulate social behavior.

Natural stimulation of social behavior

Oxytocin is the body’s own natural stimulus substance, which increases or decreases at different times depending on how much someone is enjoying themselves. The release of this chemical is regulated by the brain and is constantly kept in balance. Oxytocin causes the release of anandamide. This substance can activate the CB1 receptor in the brain. This naturally stimulates more social behavior when someone is happy.

Why does cannabis boost social behavior?

When using cannabis, the same CB1 receptor is stimulated, but in an artificial way.

Cannabis contains THC. Like anandamide, THC can bind to and activate the same CB1 receptors. When anandamide binds, the response is regulated because these substances are continuously balanced in the body. Because THC is administered from the outside, the quantity is not regulated. Large amounts of receptors are activated causing you to exhibit more social behavior. 

So what will happen with this knowledge?

The results found are a prompt for further research. After all, there is still very much unknown about the relationship between cannabis and social behavior. For example, further research is needed to establish a causal relationship between cannabis use and more empathetic, social behavior.

In addition, the stereotype surrounding cannabis users will slowly change. Users will less and less be seen as an unproductive group of society, but rather as enormously friendly, sociable and honest people.

Medicinal use

Cannabis will likely be used more often as a painkiller in the future (after further research). Unlike other medications, cannabis use makes you more social instead of drowsy and withdrawn. This could benefit many people with chronic illnesses.

Would you like more information?

Want to know more about this study and its results? Check out the study here or chat with us in our coffeeshop The Border in Amsterdam.