Those who regularly consume cannabis do not exhibit so-called ‘amotivational syndrome,” even when they are acutely under the influence, according to data published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science.
Researchers affiliated with the University of Toronto assessed a cohort of 260 frequent cannabis consumers five times per day over a seven-day period. Investigators assessed subjects’ motivation and willingness to push themselves during times when they were under the influence and when they were not.
They reported: “In contrast to the stereotype of the stoned slacker who is apathetic and unmotivated, we found little evidence for an association between being high and a lack of motivation among cannabis users. … When frequent cannabis users get high, in other words, they are no more apathetic, nor less extrinsically or intrinsically motivated to pursue their goals. … We also failed to find any next-day emotional effects.”
Commenting on the study’s findings, its lead author stated: “There is a stereotype that chronic cannabis users are somehow lazy or unproductive. We found that’s not the case. … Our data suggests that you can be hard-working, motivated and a chronic cannabis user at the same time.”
Other recent studies assessing cannabis use and motivation have reached similar conclusions. For instance, a 2022 study determined that college-age students who used cannabis were more likely to engage in effort-related decision making tasks than were non-users. Another study concluded that the use of cannabis is not independently predictive of significant changes in adolescents’ motivation, apathy, or engagement.
NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “These findings, and others, refute hypothesized associations between cannabis use and low motivation. It is unfortunate that many of these longstanding stereotypes have historically guided public health messaging about cannabis and have also been used to stigmatize and discriminate against those who consume it responsibly.”
The full text of the study, Chronic cannabis use in everyday life: Emotional, motivational, and self-regulatory effects of frequently getting high,” appears online.
